Using a microphone can seem simple at first. But there are plenty of do’s and don’t for using a microphone. Follow these rules and you’ll be able to get the best out of your microphone to make you sound great!
How to Use a Microphone Properly:
- Always do a sound check
- Hold the microphone halfway along the body
- Use a firm grip
- Hold the microphone around 10cm or 4 inches from your mouth
- Store and transport the microphone properly
Checking Checking 1,2,3
Always check the sound of your microphone before you start performing. It’s really important to make sure everything is on and connected, and also that there are no feedback issues. Here are some tips for checking your microphone:
- Don’t tap the microphone! This can damage both your microphone and can blow your speakers.
- The best way to check your microphone is to simply say “testing, testing”.
- Increase the volume of the microphone until you hear any feedback.
- Try the microphone in different positions to make sure there are no areas of the stage that have more feedback problems.
How to Hold a Microphone
The best way to hold a microphone is halfway on the body. You need to avoid holding the microphone too close to the head. This can cause the sound to be muffled and can also increase the feedback. This is known as cupping the microphone, and it’s one of the biggest causes of microphone feedback.
You also don’t want to hold the microphone too close to the bottom or you risk dropping it. Make sure you hold the microphone firmly, and with two hands if you want to. The worst possible thing you can do is drop the microphone, so keep your grip firm.
A firm grip can also help your vocal performance too. Squeezing the microphone can actually cause your ribs to expand, which can create a more powerful sound and it also gives you more control over your singing.
One Handed or Both?
Holding the microphone one or double-handed is mostly personal preference. It won’t in most cases, impact your vocal performance or the audio output quality.
However, it’s worth mentioning that if you use both hands to hold the microphone, then you’re more likely to cup the head unit, which can cause feedback issues. So if you’re struggling with this, then try using just one hand.
Distance Between the Microphone and Mouth
Leading on from how you should hold a microphone, you need to know how far away to hold the microphone from your mouth as well.
You don’t want to have the microphone too far away from your mouth, it’ll cause several problems. For one, you’ll be straining your voice trying to sing too loud which will hinder your vocal performance. You also may need to turn the microphone volume up louder if you’re holding it too far away. This can increase the amount of feedback that you’re getting.
You also don’t want to hold the microphone against your mouth, or it can cause the sound to be muffled and reduce the clarity of your voice. Again, reducing the quality of your vocals.
You should hold the microphone around 10cm or 4 inches from your mouth. Don’t be scared of the microphone! There’s no avoiding it. So make sure that you sing directly into it to get the best audio quality possible.
How to Avoid Feedback
So we’ve briefly mentioned some ways to avoid microphone feedback, but there are some things you need to remember to make sure you let it get in the way of your vocals.
- Don’t hold the microphone too far from your mouth
- Make sure the volume isn’t too loud
- Don’t hold the microphone too close to the head
Keep it Safe
There’s a lot more that goes into using a microphone properly, than just how to hold it. You also need to properly store and handle your microphone to make sure that you keep it in good condition to get the best audio quality for years to come. There are three things that commonly cause issues with microphones:
- Dust
- Humidity
- Damage
So it’s pretty easy to avoid damaging your microphone by being careful when you use it. That means holding it properly so you don’t drop it, and also transporting it properly. You should keep your microphone in a case to best protect it when you’re on the move. Preferably, a hard case that has a cushioned interior. This is also something that will protect your microphone from dust and humidity. So make sure you never leave your microphone out when you aren’t using it.
Also don’t expose it to extreme temperatures. This means you should never leave your microphone outside or in your vehicle over night where it can get very cold. Make sure you keep it at room temperature.
Microphone Do's and Don'ts
Now you know the basics about using your microphone, here are some do’s and don’t to keep in mind for your performance.
Do’s
- Hold the microphone with a firm grip
- Squeeze the microphone slightly
- Stand up straight
- Store your microphone properly
- Check the maximum volume until you get feedback
Don’ts
- Hold the microphone to far from your mouth
- Or too close!
- Store your microphone in your vehicle
- Cup the microphone when holding it
- Tap the microphone when checking it works
So there you go! That’s exactly how you should use and store a microphone properly to get the best performance. We hope you found it useful, and thank you for reading!
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