BS: Julie B microphone shock horror

Subject: Julie B mic shock horror
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 10 Jun 02 - 03:21 AM

Yes, it's official: the woman who complained so bitterly about amplified music was heard at a well-known museum in Bedford yesterday complaining that her mic was not turned up enough!

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Noreen
Date: 10 Jun 02 - 08:23 AM

*grin*

As long as she didn't get a shock from her microphone!

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Julie B
Date: 10 Jun 02 - 10:51 AM

...you couldn't resist it, could you Steve!!!!

What actually happened was that Steve P, Mike Blair & I (From Bedford Folk club) were doing a few songs at an annual music/dance afternoon in the courtyard of Bedford Museum. As I'm not used to sining with a microphone, I asked those who were 'older and wiser' to check things for me and let me know what to do.
After my first song, I was convinced my mic wasn't working, but someone who will remain nameless (if the correct cash is paid into my bank account before close of business today) assured me that it was definitely working just fine and that all was well :-) (not Steve BTW!)

I put my fears down to my inexperience in such matters, and when it was my turn to do another song (our last) just got as close as I could to the mic. After the set, it became clear that people hadn't heard me very well at all 'the mix was all wrong' they said. Then, just before we left, the guy who was doing the sound comes up to tell me that the mic I had been using had been switched off for the whole set!!!

I strongly suspect some kind of conspiracy! However, I too am now older and wiser, and have learnt a valuable lesson. As far as sound matters go, I must trust no-one except myself!

Any catters out there have any good nuggets of advice for me in future?

Cheers, Julie B

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 10 Jun 02 - 10:58 AM

Here's one, Julie: always use your own PA!

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: lady penelope
Date: 10 Jun 02 - 11:30 AM

Get yourself either a very long lead or a radio mike, so you can go and stand in front of the stage whilst you sing! I used to do this for the rock bands I was in so I could check the mix for everyone.

Failing that, get yourself a long pointy stick to threaten the sound engineers with!

TTFN M'Lady P.

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 10 Jun 02 - 11:35 AM

Actually it isn't a bad idea, if you have one, to bring your own PA system if it's good and you're comfortable with it. I've found that a lot of pubs have really awful, outdated PA systems that can make you sound really bad. At least if you have your own system you'll know what you're getting. Best regards,

Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: 53
Date: 10 Jun 02 - 12:12 PM

Ampflied music is good in the proper usuagage. If you can't hear the music then what's the use of going to a concert.

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: treewind
Date: 10 Jun 02 - 12:18 PM

Advice?
Make sure the organisers never hire thet same PA guy again!

Anahata

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Julie B
Date: 10 Jun 02 - 12:30 PM

Thanks for snippets of advice - keep 'em coming.

So far, Lady P's "pointy stick" idea sounds the cheapest/easiest to implement ... I understand exactly how that technology works! :-)
Julie B

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 05:18 AM

The best way to test if a mic is on is to gently scratch the end of it with your fingernail.

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: GUEST,Pavane
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 07:14 AM

Agreed that it is often best to use your own kit, as long as you can set it up right.

Too many people have no idea what all those knobs do. They turn up the bass, treble and reverb to full, and wonder why they get distortion and feedback!

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 08:18 AM

I know you're not supposed to tap the mic--it's a delicate instrument (it's the amp. that's crude!) and likely to be very expensive. I suppsoe we iggerant musos can't be expected know that ...

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler at herself's work compute
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 11:50 AM

Well done Julie
RtS (the washboard & kazoo in your right ear'ole at Stony Stratford)

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 12:09 PM

"REAL" microphones don't have On/Off switches. They are designed that way to give Idiot sound guys less of a chance of screwing up. JohnB

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Julie B
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 01:35 PM

Thanks John. And Roger, yes I fondly remember our all-too-short time skiffling together in The Crown on that balmy afternoon this February!

Julie

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Fortunato
Date: 11 Jun 02 - 01:59 PM

Advice: Amplification has it's place. So do electric guitars and drums and microphones and sound systems. Don't condemn what you may well need next week. Or you could be like the rest of us, learning as we go. regards, Chance

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Julie B
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 07:33 AM

Fortunato
I think you may have misunderstood the jist of my original thread, where the following was suggested for discussion:

"most, if not all sound engineers are hard-of-hearing (usually without realising it) and consequently spend their careers behind the sound desk sending the rest of us deaf too, or driving us away from concerts that we'd otherwise enjoy, by constantly having volumes set far to high"

Clearly amplification is necessary and beneficial in many, many situations. However, in many instances sound levels are set too high for the comfort/enjoyment of many and the the sound that was meant to be enhanced is instead badly distorted.

Cheers
Julie B

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 09:08 AM

Julie you said "As I'm not used to sining with a microphone..." Well, first of all sinning isn't spelt that way, and secondly, the use of a microphone whilst sinning isn't to be advised!

BJ

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 10:07 AM

Good to see old Roger back aqain!

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Julie B
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 01:48 PM

...Thanks Bullfrog! I was waiting for someone to pick up on that typo.
But I do heartily agree with you. The use of a microphone whilst sinning is, indeed, fraught with perils for the unwary. That's why I currently prefer to do all my sinning without the aid of any modern technology :-)!!!

Julie B

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: NicoleC
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 10:26 AM

JohnB - "Real" microphones often do have on/off switches, but they are usually wireless. However, you are unlikely to see a "real" microphone of any sort in a pub.

Julie - Whenever people tell you you sound great that night, check the EQ and take note. It won't be the same for every venue, but after a while you will get an idea of what EQ tends to work well for your voice (or rather what frequencies in your voice tend to work against you in a reinforcement situation), and it can be a starting point. The mic model, when you find a good one, also helps, and eventually you may want to buy your own mic to keep safe and happy instead of relying on whatever the house has lying around, which has probably had beer spilled into it at some point.

Unless you are a very strong singer or the volume is very low, standing in front of the speakers with a mic is generally unadvised :)

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: breezy
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 10:40 AM

So tomorrow, Friday at The Blue anchor St. Albans come and put all that advice to the test, missed you last fri at the comfort.

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 01:12 PM

I would heartily concur with the suggestion about carrying your own mic. Having had the experience of singing into someone else's mic and feeling, mid-song, some....thing detach itself from the mesh of the mic and attach itself to your lips, when you're in no position to do anything at all about it, is quite one of the most disgusting things imaginable!

BJ

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 05:46 PM

Mmmm...some interesting comments from ol' Bullfrog here, combining "sinning with microphones", a thing which then "attaches itself to your lips", when he's "in no position to anything".

Whatever you get up to with your microphone, mate, don't ever switch it on!

Oh, and Julie, I'm looking forward to seeing you at our next sinaround. I'll be be first in the Q!

Pete

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 14 Jun 02 - 04:34 AM

Many reasonable quality microphones DO have an ON/OFF switch, but they usually also have a little device to enable them to be locked in the ON position.

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Julie B
Date: 14 Jun 02 - 07:20 AM

Thanks for all the latest advice, especially Nicole - the EQ level suggestion is very helpful.

Pete: Shhhsssss! Don't let everyone know what really goes on at the back room at the football club each Tuesday evening. And to think that some people think St Neots is such a quiet little market town....

Julie B

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 14 Jun 02 - 12:52 PM

Pete and Julie, will you be performing anything from "Rise Up Sinning"?

BJ

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 14 Jun 02 - 02:03 PM

If if it's not raining, we could do one from Sin Out!

Mind you if it is raining, we could always do one from...yes you've guessed it, just make sure the mike is switched off! (Ha! Got the thread back on the subject!)

Anyway, it looks like I'll be working in bloody Brussels again the week of our next monthly sinaround so I won't see Julie 'cos she only comes once a month...

Pete (off to take my medicine now)

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: GUEST,Julie B at home
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 06:01 AM

Pete,
I didn't make it to St. Neots either this month (still up in Hull area after the Beverley PVFF Festival). Fingers crossed for July!
Julie

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Les from Hull
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 10:43 AM

There's a session tonight in the Kingston (Cumberland Street, Hull) tonight starts about 9pm.

Or if you're still around for Sunday, Roger runs a seesion in the Sun in Beverley from about 4pm.

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: tooligan
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 11:06 AM

My mike has a government health warning on it. For that reason, I do not allow anyone else near it, nor do I use anyone elses mike. Definitely get yourself your own mike and set your own EQ.

Subject: RE: BS: Julie B microphone shock horror
From: Ditchdweller
Date: 28 Jun 02 - 03:05 PM

As someone with mild/moderate tinitus caused by excessive loudness, I view over amplification with great fear of loosing more hearing. The actual trigger was a female vocalist with support from one man, his backing tape and a bloody big amp setup.