Thread by @emilydoesastro

Have you ever wondered/worried about the correct way to use a microphone when public speaking? This thread has the answers!

I've done a lot of public speaking and also have 9 years of both amateur and paid sound engineering experience, so I hope this can help 😊

First off: why even use a microphone?

Even if you're a loud presenter, they're essential in large venues or for recorded events. Anyone with hearing issues will benefit a lot - especially if the venue has a hearing loop, which will transmit your voice directly to hearing aids.

The most difficult microphones to use for the uninitiated are handheld. They'll look a bit like the below, and may or may not be wireless.

It's important to hold them confidently and correctly - too far away and it won't pick up your voice well and may cause feedback.

The microphone should be about 5cm/2" away from your mouth, pointing directly at it. It's tempting to hold it further away, but try hard to remember to keep it nearby. Having it too close isn't as much of an issue.

Also, try not to cup the mic - that will make it sound icky.

Imagine that the microphone is a torch/flashlight, and that you want to light up your smile.

Point it at your mouth and keep it close by! 🎤😁

Sometimes, handheld microphones will be on stands - adjust the stand before you start your talk so that the mic is 5cm/2" away from your mouth and pointing directly at it.

Lecturn mics are common too. They're small and fixed in place, and only need to be pointed at your mouth - since they're more sensitive, you don't need to get too close to them (else they will sound too loud & distorted.) Talk naturally at the lecturn and you'll be picked up. 😊

If a microphone doesn't look like it's supposed to be held in your hand, then the 5cm/2" rule is dropped - it will be designed to work in a different place/further away.

Remember this! Talking very closely into these microphones will probably make them sound distorted. 😢

For instance: lapel mics! They clip onto clothing/blazers, and ideally should be ~10cm/4" away from your chin. You don't have to worry about them once they're set up!

Annoyingly, they tend to work best with men's clothing - if you're speaking, try to wear a shirt or a blazer.

Headset mics are an alternative. They're not as comfortable and probably require a sound tech to set up, but will generally sound better and don't rely on you wearing particular clothes.

They should be 2-4 finger widths away from the edge of your mouth to not sound breathy.

My uni has lots of lanyard microphones in lecture theatres - they come with a lanyard and clip loosely around your neck. They're a little unwieldy, but work with all clothing and are very easy for speakers to put on themselves.

Perfect for small events/lecture theatres!

Conference organisers - do try to make sure that you have more than one type of microphone available, so all speakers/bodies/preferences are catered for.

Having a range of hands-free microhphones (as they're the least invasive to use) and a handheld mic as backup is ideal. 👍

Lastly, some general tips!

Make sure you speak as confidently as you can, and try to project your voice - even when wearing a mic. They're there to *reinforce* your voice, and will only sound as good as what you give them to work with.

Also, be cautious of walking in front of the sound system/speakers in the venue - micrs that are in front of/closer to the speakers are more likely to feedback, so you can help to prevent it by staying on the stage (unless someone tells you/tests to make sure it won't feedback.)

An aside while you're here: please don't say "sound guy" or "sound man" unless you know the people doing it for that event are all men. The stereotype that only men do sound is everywhere - using gendered language to describe a job done by all genders helps to spread it.

It's rather annoying to be one of the ~5% of women in sound engineering and get constantly erased in this way - we do, in fact, exist! I'm fed up of working on events and having people ask me for "the sound guy" when I am "THE sound person". It happens WAY too often.

Anyhow... I hope that was helpful! Microphone technique is an important part of public speaking that is rarely taught as a part of public speaking. It's a useful skill that helps you sound good and helps your audience to hear you.

Shoutout to this article which I stole some of the diagrams above from: sweetwater.com/insync/5-ways-…

Any questions? 📝