It might come down to the mic. Which headset mics works well for loud mouth-breathers and quiet whisperers? We're having a church play and the volunteers usually manage to figure things out, but this one has us stumped. We've tried making adjustments to the audio equipment to mitigate the issues, but none of us are producers or anything like that so we're mostly going by experience and Google. Any adjustment just seems to fix one of the problems while amplifying the other.
Strum Drum Messages: 229 Registered: November 2017
Master
Instead of adjusting the equipment, why not adjust the performers? They need to learn how to breathe efficiently while performing and they should learn to project their voice and use a microphone appropriately. It's a technique issue, not a technical problem.
I teach guitar and drum lessons to kids in the after-school program, so I get it. Some kids catch on slower than others. I think you've mentioned teaching music lessons too (maybe?) so I'm sure you already knew that. Are you getting pressured to create something spectacular with little Braxxton and Tinslee as the leads? Parents won't hear that their kiddos need to work on their technique?
Switch from a headset mic to a handheld mic and teach the mouth-breather to speak off axis so the heavy breathing won't be as noticeable. That will also keep some of the moisture off the mic. Could you be hearing plosive sounds rather than breathing? This can be fixed with a pop filter and you can attach it to the mic stand. As for your whisperer, well, maybe after practicing a few times the child will feel more confident and will speak up.
I don't know why the church uses headsets instead of the handheld models, but I think that's all they have. It made me cringe because all I could think about was kids and lice. I'm sure you guys appreciate the visual that's probably popped into your head.
Strum Drum, you're hilarious. I'm working with the whisperer to speak up louder, but the mouth-breather can't be helped as he has a medical condition of some sort that requires him to breathe through his mouth. Like a dragon - or at least that's how it sounds. I'll try the pop filter assuming they make one for headsets. I was hoping there was some sort of software we might try, but I haven't run across anything that won't make the other issue worse. These kids are seven and eight and it's just a little church play. I was just trying to make the audio sound better, but it's not a huge deal.
Rusty Messages: 1185 Registered: May 2018 Location: Kansas City Missouri
Illuminati (3rd Degree)
Just wanted to share this Madison. As no matter how many trials and tribulations you may have to deal with, it pales in comparison to what it would be to endure this gentleman's singing voice is to the parishioners that attend that church.
Worst church singer....ever!
Oh my! Bless his little heart! I love how he chastised the piano player when she started. I guess he wasn't finished talking to the audience and she was trying to speed him along. Speaking of the audience, I wish the person filming could have caught their expressions. Kudos to the audience for holding the laughter in. Not sure I could've done it. When he jumped up off his stool at 2:31, dude thought he was killing it.
Thanks for sharing, Rusty! That's good entertainment. I'm not sure who I feel worse for, the singer, or the audience.
Rusty Messages: 1185 Registered: May 2018 Location: Kansas City Missouri
Illuminati (3rd Degree)
Glad you were entertained Madison. Personally, that singing could clear a room out quicker than a fire alarm. I think the little feller is totally oblivious to his painful pipes.
At first, I thought this was a joke, kind of like those hidden camera shows to see how the audience would react. But apparently it's real. Someone should've told that poor guy that he can't sing. I can't imagine letting a relative or friend do something like that without cautioning them.
Have you gotten things straightened out with your musical moppets, Madison?
Glad you were entertained Madison. Personally, that singing could clear a room out quicker than a fire alarm. I think the little feller is totally oblivious to his painful pipes.
Tone deaf. They don't hear sounds like the rest of us, it seems.
The thing is, when someone tries so hard to sing, it's hard for people to be honest. It turns out to be mean at that point.
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