Mic Work

[DJWilson]

When it comes to the mic I keep it to a minimum which is a bad thing as I know it helps getting the crowd going etc.


Ive just seen a video by Charlie doing a school disco and he worked the mic wonders but was wondering has anyone been shy on the mic before and how did you over come it and become the master of the mic? :cool:


Cheers.

[James]

Just be yourself, if you try and come across any other way, people will see through you and think that you're trying too hard.

just play good music if you're not the talkative type.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Minimum mic work isnt necesarily a bad thing. It all depends on the function/setting.

Im going to take a guess here, but im guessing that Charlies microphone style isnt always as shown in the school video...maybe scaling it down for weddings...Charlie? lol :)

I was fortunate to have had to find my "microphone voice" in a pub/club (well it was a 900 capacity pub, figure that one out lol). I was working with an onlder more experienced DJ and my mixing was upto it, but i would not use the mic. I got told, use it, or get sacked. he then proceeded to get me as p:Censored: ed as a newt and soon enough i was singing along and getting folk to join in.

You cant really go down that route though, so i would suggest that you start with a couple of sing-a-long songs which you comfortably know, and try and encourage people to sing the chorus etc. What i would say is only do this to start with groups you know are up for it, because if your prompting falls on deaf ears, its a serious confidence knock :)

[Charlie Brown]

I used to hate it. I remember the first NYE I did...they missed the 12.00am countdown because I was too embarrassed to announce it on the mic.

I didn't used to say a thing. I even made bar maids announce last orders. :sj:

Why? I don't know. From the age of 5 I was a member of ITV central studios, Flying High Expressive Arts and the Lace Market Theatre. I've performed zillions of times and love it...sometimes on big stages for well known productions.

However, when I got a "C" in my Drama GCSE my confidence dropped - big time! I was predicted an "A" but fell really ill and didn't complete any of the work etc. My illness effected the person I really was. I was quiet, withdrawn etc.

After "recovering" from being ill (we're talking 1/12/2 years ago) my confidence didn't seem to be the same...this is when the fake tan etc kicked in.

After visiting Darren and watching him at a wedding, I though "Yeah, I used to do that...and I still can."

....The next gig was completely different and the mic worked wonders. It was the best dancefloor I had.

You've got to be confident. You've got to believe you can do it. I've learnt that if you're confident in life, people don't know how to take you, which is good because you feel ahead of the game. I feel in-control with situations when I'm confident. That's how I like it. ;)

I think it's something that will come naturally. Some gigs you hardly have to say anything at all - apart from the necessary announcements.

Don't hate your voice - it's fine.

Buy a decent mic. Save up for a SM58. They go for about £50 on eBay.

You can do it. :beer1:

[Charlie Brown]

Im going to take a guess here, but im guessing that Charlies microphone style isnt always as shown in the school video...maybe scaling it down for weddings...Charlie? lol :)


No? :confused: :confused: :confused:
:D :D :D :D

[ppentertainments]

I am confident WITH a mic but not so good without one.

I once had a Race Night for 20 people, but still had to use a mic through the PA as just not confident without it.

[yourdj]

I am confident WITH a mic but not so good without one.

too right. I hate having to shout as im used to having my voice amplified.

a good microphone is essential. if is have a rubbish one i do not feel as confident. I prefer wireless as i can walk about if i want. :)

[DJ Davy]

My advice is to break yourself in gently, the occasional announcement, last orders etc. etc. It is not always required to talk, but to be honest it is sometimes essential (like the holy communion I had this afternoon) I am almost hoarse, had very little help from the adults and had to keep 30 kids entertained :eek: Unfortunatley, at a kids party the dj is expected to keep it flowing and maintain some kind of control so, in my opinion it is more important to use the microphone!

[Excalibur]

I am confident WITH a mic but not so good without one.
I once had a Race Night for 20 people, but still had to use a mic through the PA as just not confident without it.
At last, I think we've got another one. Give me a mic, and I'm Superman. Without it, I'm Clark Kent.


too right. I hate having to shout as im used to having my voice amplified.

a good microphone is essential. if is have a rubbish one i do not feel as confident. I prefer wireless as i can walk about if i want. :)

True. I also have a live one on a stand also, so I can interject the "bon mots" at any time.

[BeerFunk]

It's something that develops over time, and it does help to be out on the dancefloor yourself, listening to other DJs, and how they do it. Of course, you'll often think that they have got it all wrong, which is just as helpful :)

Timing is very important as well, making sure you work with the music, and not against it. If you interrupt the music, it gives people a chance to leave the floor.

[Megamix]

certainly gets easier the more you do it.

[Charlie Brown]

certainly gets easier the more you do it.

Good point. :)

Just start off a little...last orders..safe journey home...thank you.

See how you get on. :beer1:

[djsteve10]

I was working at a Wedding with a fellow DJ when I was thrown in at the deep end with the mic work.

I had done bits before but needed more experience, He asked me if I wanted to do the 1st dance, I replied "I'm alright thanks". He then replied with "Well you are doing it" and he walked off so I just had to pick up the mic and get on with it.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Experience

[DJWilson]

Thanks for your input(s) everyone.


My next gig is in a few weeks time for a wedding so ill give the banter a bit of a go etc and ill keep you posted.

In the mean time im gonna learn the requested tracks to see when a good/bad time to talk would be.

Cheers,
Nathan.

[Charlie Brown]

That's a good thing to do Nathan. :)

[Starlight]

Here's some mic tips you might find handy ;) :

*If possible, setup your disco rig in your home - home alone and then just turn your mic on and start singing whatever and have loads of fun, have a laugh and just totally relax and think hey this isn't quite as bad as you'd imagine it to be! :) Say a few words like "hello and welcome to my disco roadshow", say it in a few different styles/tones of voices because then you can find your best vocal ranges that suits you best and what you feel most comfortable with. The aim is to get very comfortable with the sound of your own voice. At first, you might hate your own voice but after time, you'll get very comfortable with the sound of your own voice :)

*Keep the mic work short and to the point, at least you won't over-exert yourself, trying too hard and you'll ease yourself slowly into it but obviously the more you get used to your own voice and your mic, more vocal will come into play ;)

*Totally relax and just keep it nice and simple. Don't talk mono tone! (you'll bore your audiences lol!) It won't take you too long to find your best vocal ranges.

I started with a mic many years ago when I was about 15 and was in (and still am) in the voiceover industry and I hated the sound of my voice! But, after time, I really did appreciate my own voice! It's also recommended to use a good, decent mic too as a cheap, plastic one will not do your confidence any good and also, the cheap mic won't sounds very good.

I've done bits of DJ'ing in the past and of course, working my way up to getting my disco on the road :) A few years back, I used to have a bit of a disco rig in my garage and I used to talk and sing to myself! And when next doors' were out on their patio, it really put me to the test to talk and sing on the mic! But eventually it really didn't bother me, next doors' commenting on how good I sound on the mic and that really did boost my confidence :)

I recommend Shure. Some folks will recommend ther Shure SM58 (which is a nice sounding mic) but try go for the Shure Beta 58 as this mic sounds better still, regardless of the eq settings on your mixer because the differences between the Shure SM58 and the Beta 58 is that 1) The Beta 58 has a much wider frequency response and will sound brighter compaired to the SM58 and 2) The pickup pattern on the Beta 58 is tighter and therefore it will keep feedback down to a minimum. The prices between both models is quite a different and the last time I checked Google, the Shure SM58 is around the £70.00 mark whereas the Beta 58 will set you back around £150. The prices maybe different now as I checked the prices a few years back. Do a Google search and shop around. Shure really are the industry leaders, so much so the likes of the BBC and major nightclubs always use Shure. It's also not advisable to buy a Shure (or any other mic brand) off eBay because there seem's to be a lot of fake Shure's on there recently and you'd be much safer to buy your Shure from a genuine Shure dealer were you'll be able to see te mic in it's flesh and decide whether to buy it or not and some of the larger stores will have microphones hooked up to a PA system where you'll be able to let your vocals shine lol! ;) :) You may find they'll let you use a few different mics and try them out because some mics will make you sound better than others ;)

You've just got to strongly believe in yourself and think oh what the heck, nobody cares the way you sound! ;) :)

Go for it mate, nothing to worry about, really ;) :beer1: :)

Hope this helps too ;) :) :beer1:

Neil.

[Starlight]

In the mean time im gonna learn the requested tracks to see when a good/bad time to talk would be.

It's best to talk up song intros' and to stop talking down the mic just before the lyrics cut in on the song. This is known as ramping up a song intro in the radio industry. It does take quite a considerable amount of practice and you have to know your songs inside out! Firstly, never crash the lyrics in the intro/outro of a song because your audience will find it really hard to understand you what you're saying if they can here somebody singing in the background.

:)

Neil.

[cosmicdiscos]

what a great thread, i'm always a bit shy on the mic too. i've read every post in this thread and will be taking the hints on board. cheers

[Twinspin]

At last, I think we've got another one. Give me a mic, and I'm Superman. Without it, I'm Clark Kent.



True. I also have a live one on a stand also, so I can interject the "bon mots" at any time.

this man couldnt make that one up if he tried :D :p

[Twinspin]

i was going to put this all in one thread but it timed out. :eek: :D

I was mic shy when i first started out. But a good microphone will no doubt help.

http://www.dancetech.com/aa_dt_new/hardware/IMAGES/dt_items_128300.jpg

these are good microphones and they are cheaper than shure sm58s. Sennheiser are very good i think one of those can be had for about £50.00 or so. I still have but mines the 825s one ive had it about 8 years

[Starlight]

i was going to put this all in one thread but it timed out. :eek: :D

I was mic shy when i first started out. But a good microphone will no doubt help.

http://www.dancetech.com/aa_dt_new/hardware/IMAGES/dt_items_128300.jpg

these are good microphones and they are cheaper than shure sm58s. Sennheiser are very good i think one of those can be had for about £50.00 or so. I still have but mines the 825s one ive had it about 8 years
I think I've heard these mics in action and they are really quite good on the top end without too much treble set on the mixer :)

Neil.

[Excalibur]

I think my views on this are well known.
I'll just add that it's well known that I don't want to run the risk of my punters being denied access to the pearls of wisdom I offer them. To this end, I've recently added a Shure Beta 58 wireless to the SM58 wireless and AT2000 Series I take to all gigs. ( The two members wetting themselves at this should note that if word of it gets out, I know who to blame. :Naughty: ;) ;) ;) ) In case of battery failure, there's an array of cabled mics. One SM58, another being delivered, a Sennheiser, another Shure, and if all else fails, a Behringer. You can't beat having backup. ;)

[sweetie]

I think my views on this are well known.
I'll just add that it's well known that I don't want to run the risk of my punters being denied access to the pearls of wisdom I offer them. To this end, I've recently added a Shure Beta 58 wireless to the SM58 wireless and AT2000 Series I take to all gigs. ( The two members wetting themselves at this should note that if word of it gets out, I know who to blame. :Naughty: ;) ;) ;) ) In case of battery failure, there's an array of cabled mics. One SM58, another being delivered, a Sennheiser, another Shure, and if all else fails, a Behringer. You can't beat having backup. ;)

there's a saying here in Ireland and I think it could be applied to you, Excalibur:

'He'd say Mass':) :D

[Excalibur]

there's a saying here in Ireland and I think it could be applied to you, Excalibur:

'He'd say Mass':) :D

You're closer than you think. ;) Close, but no cigar. :D :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

:zip:

[Excalibur]

:zip:

Keep it like that, and there's a Caffreys with your name on it at BPM. :thumbs_up: :beer1:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Keep it like that, and there's a Caffreys with your name on it at BPM. :thumbs_up: :beer1:

Only one? :D

[Excalibur]

Only one? :D

More than one could be construed as blackmail or payola. ;) :D :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

More than one could be construed as blackmail or payola. ;) :D :D

Yeah, and? :D

[Excalibur]

Yeah, and? :D

Go Google Southern Comfort ads. ;)

" No Gentleman would ask for more" ;) :D :D

[DJ Jules]

Mic work has always been my major weak point - I agree with everything up there though, it's a matter of getting comfortable with the sound of your own voice, and having the confidence to know that what you're saying is going to come out right. I started off slowly with the odd announcement, then did the a few kids parties where I had to be vocal and then worked up to weddings where the B&G sometimes rely on the DJ to keep people informed and give order to their day.

Now I don't mind using the Mic, but, it doesn't come naturally to me, and when I'm over-tired or fed up, I tend to shy away from picking up the Mic. I did a kids party back in April after a sleepless night and getting up at 6:00am for my day job, so I just didn't have the energy or the confidence to use the Mic as I normally would - and the result? The kids walked all over me... (literally at some points during the afternoon) :(

Whereas your mood/mental state doesn't always come across when you're playing music and mixing, it always will come over on the Mic, so I find you have to understand yourself and your limitations a bit more before you pick up the Mic because bad/inappropriate Mic work can ruin a party.

Julian

[rob1963]

I'd like to participate in this thread...but I have no idea what mic work is.

:shrug:

[Corabar Entertainment]

I'd like to participate in this thread...but I have no idea what work is.

:shrug::whistle:

[rob1963]

:Laugh: