I'm very pleased to learn that bluegrass bands are returning to the single mic technique. Beyond simplicity of setup there are performance advantages when using a single omni-directional mic.

With a single mic, the band is no longer dependent on the sound technician to correctly balance the sound or turn up the correct mic at exactly the right moment for a hot break. The band controls all the balance and dynamics by continually adjusting the proximity of each member to the mic. The sound the band wants is the sound that goes out to the audience.

Using a single mic also requires the return of the elaborate ballet the band members must perform in order to keep the sound correctly balanced. Watching that ballet was one of the rich visual rewards when watching a bluegrass band. With individual mics, everyone just stands there.

Bluegrass vocal harmonies often work best when all the singers can look each other in the eye and catch facial movements. Using a single mic really helps this aspect of the performance. Even when I've used individual cardioid pattern mics, I've positioned the vocal mics close together with the wire ends almost touching to simulate the idea of a single omni-directinal mic.

It's been many years since I've seen a bluegrass band work with a single mic but I'll start expecting to see it happen again real soon.

      - Mark