Lights and Sound: mic source

mic source

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Lights and Sound
Forum Discription: Technical discussion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2152
Printed Date: 12/04/24 at 9:43pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: mic source

Posted By: Nanette
Subject: mic source
Date Posted: 12/04/06 at 8:29am

We perform in a church that has pretty good natural sound, but we have a lot of older folks in the audience who have a difficult time hearing the kids. There is a sound system, but they only have a uni-directional mic and a lapel mic available. I've determined we need a Shure PCC-160 boundry mic. What is the best source (pricewise) for one? Or, can anyone suggest something that would work as well or better in our situation. The least expensive one I can find is at musiciansfriend.com for $290(US) or on eBay for $270.

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In a world of margarine, be butter!

Replies:

Posted By: tblan
Date Posted: 12/13/06 at 4:28pm

First off, Crown makes the PCC-160. They typically run a bit over $250. Full Compass has them right now for about $250, they are a well known and reputable vendor, and I buy a lot of my equipment from them. You may be able to buy used, or you can certainly rent these mics cheaply. You can also try Shure's pzm's (I forget the new model numbers), as I think they tend to be a bit cheaper. Though the pcc is my top choice for a boundary mic, I've had some good success with the shure pzm's. I'm guessing your sound system is pretty minimal, so you should be sure that your mixer can provide phantom power or arrange for another source of phantom power before you buy. If you give me a little more information about your situation I might be able to recommend something better.

Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 12/13/06 at 6:26pm

Thanks tblan. I'll get more information from the church and get back to you.

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In a world of margarine, be butter!

Posted By: donaldrbenson
Date Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:30am

The Crown boundary mic is an exceptional one, but you might look into other alternatives such as the Audio Technica Pro 45 Hanging Condensor Mic (ZZounds has it and it also supplies reviews from people who've purchased it http://www.zzounds.com/item--AUTPRO45BK - http://www.zzounds.com/item--AUTPRO45BK ). For the same price as the Crown, you can buy three of these ($79.95). I'm not sure how wide your stage is, but our is about 30 feet, and the soundman uses three of the Crown mics AND three hangers to mic the stage.

Like I said, the Crown is a great mic, but for one to cover and entire stage, you will need to vastly increase the gain, which will, inevitably, cause feedback. Three hangers will cover more area (or even two if the stage is not so wide) with less gain, and less feedback. These are also pretty low profile, so people seldom notice them against your backdrop.

Furthermore, hangers are closer to the actors heads (unless your doing a dying scene on the floor, lol!) so they generally require less gain for pickup.

In conclusion to my rather long suggestion, down the road, shoud your group have more money and want to increase sound quality (or go to a different space), you can purchase the Crowns and they will work splendidly with the hangers.

That's my advice.

Don

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Don Benson