What not to do with a Microphone
1. Don’t blow into a microphone to see if it’s on. Blowing into a microphone can expel moisture into a microphone and besides being disgusting can damage the microphone diaphragm. Instead, lightly tap the microphone with your finger.
2. Do not speak directly into a mic. You’ll usually create a popping sound, especially if you make a “P” or “T” sound. A windscreen on the mic will help to reduce this, but it’s best to improve technique by speaking across the mic rather than into it.
3. Do not place a clip-on mic under clothing. Although out of sight, the mic will pick up rustling noises as clothing rubs against it, and it will muffle sounds. It is better to clip it on a lapel or wear it around your neck. For stage or TV productions, lavaliere mics can be concealed under clothing if first placed into a silk pouch, which reduces noise-causing friction.
4. Don’t abuse your microphone. Don’t drop it, subject it to shock, or hold it dangling by the cable, etc. It is a delicate instrument and may be expensive to repair or replace. Store it in a clean, dry place when not in use.
5. Do not hold your microphone down or pointed in the direction of a monitor loudspeaker. If the microphone is on this can produce feedback, which can result in damage to loudspeakers or your hearing.
Hello and Welcome to Sound Advice, the technical forum for worship leaders and technical staff in today�s church. My name is Leon Sievers, and while I have more than twenty years of professional audio experience, it is out of obedience and my faith in God which prompted me to create Sound Advice. I have a passion for worship and a strong commitment to prayer. The goal of this web-site is to inspire a commitment to technical excellence within the church. It is my prayer�. that you can benefit from my experience, and I from yours.
I want to dedicate this ministry first to our Lord and Savior, to my wife Laura and daughter Katie, Stephen Newman for creating EXW, my Pastor John Reed and to my brothers in Christ and Sound; Larry Aitken, Lance Enos, Mike Austin, Darryl Brice, Shaug Evans, Erik Yourshaw and the entire worship team(s) at Canyon Hills Church, without whom I would have never come to know the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Before we get started, would you please join me in a prayer for our respective ministries�
Oh Lord, please bless this ministry that it might glorify your name. May the talent that you have bestowed upon me be used only to serve you. Let this work be a witness to your majesty and love, and remind us that you are always watching, and listening, from your throne above. May your presence and beauty be found in every note, and may the words that are sung reach the hearts of your people so they will draw closer to you. May your Spirit guide us through every measure so that we might be the instruments of your peace, and proclaim your glory with glad voices���Amen.
Let me begin by saying that this is your web-site and I have no pre-conceived notions of what it should be. I found EXW to be a valuable resource for information, which helped me grow in my faith and understanding of worship. When the Lord first spoke to me about creating Sound Advice, I conducted my own research into those who have gone before me. And I want to tell you�. there are some tremendous people who share our passion for Christ and have technical insight. And true to their faith, they have agreed to share in their experience and knowledge so that we may all benefit. A lot of ground has already been covered in creating technical materials and articles that apply to the church. Rather than duplicate their efforts in an attempt to be original, I will continue to collaborate with the leaders that God has inspired and aid you in filtering the vast resources of information. I will remain open to the spirit in featuring the topics that are of most interest to you and of importance to God. I will translate the technical into real world terms that the layman and novice can understand and APPLY. I am open and committed to developing this ministry into whatever God will have it become.