A List of Microphone Techniques for the Everyday Presenter

Are you more of a lavaliere mike user or a handheld aficionado? Listen up, because this is an important question for presenters. Your answer comes with a set of considerations you need to keep in mind before tackling the stage at your next presentation performance. Let’s discuss some microphone techniques the everyday presenter should learn.

Mic Techniques

For the Lavaliere Lovers

Simplification

If you are using a lavaliere microphone while presenting, you should expect to have to battle a cluster of cords. The clothing you decide to wear the day of your presentation will determine how well you will be able to hide these cords. Those presenters who need to use lavaliere microphones should wear a garment with a lapel. Men should consider donning a tie so that they don’t have to worry about finding an area where they can clip on their microphone. Selecting the most appropriate clothing for your amplification device is among the most crucial microphone techniques.

Gesturing

Many presenters enjoy the freedom that using a lavaliere microphone permits them throughout their speech. Timing hand gestures with your narrative is a far simpler task without a handheld mic getting in your way.  If your cords are concealed properly, you can generously gesture. But your cords must be positioned correctly and secured optimally.

Stability

A concern that comes with lavaliere microphones is the stability of the particular device you are using. Before beginning your presentation, make sure that the microphone and its corresponding parts are completely intact. Check the cords for any frays or snips. In addition, ensure the functionality of the clip. These will be your top checklist items for the lavaliere microphone.

For the Handheld Humans

Directionality

Some presenters prefer to stick with the traditional handheld method and microphone techniques. If you are one of those presenters, remember that the typical PA system you’ll run in to will operate with microphones that are unidirectional. What does this mean? Presenters working with handheld microphones will need to speak into the front of the microphone, otherwise, the device won’t pick up or amplify your voice.

Positioning

Follow this one rule of thumb concerning the distance your mouth should be from the microphone. Keep your mouth between 1 and 3 fingers’ width of the handheld audio device. The closer your mouth is to the microphone, the more popping your audience will hear. The farther away your mouth, the lower your voice volume.

Concentration

Delivering a presentation with a handheld microphone will require a presenter’s constant concentration. While lavaliere lovers have the luxury of moving their arms around – as well as the rest of their bodies, a handheld human must practice restraint. This doesn’t mean that gestures and communicative body language is out of the question. It just means that whatever movement you make needs to be small, pointed, and purposeful.

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