Microphone Setup

The following needs to be done for each microphone:

Stand

Review the mixer connection sheet (example for the January 2024 concert) for the microphone you are setting up. There are 3 possible values in the "Stand" column: Clamp, Oleg and TSC. A clamp mount looks like this:

(image)

This mount clamps onto another stand (could be a microphone stand or e.g. a music stand).

Oleg's stands are used for Oleg's microphones because TSC doesn't own enough stands for all of the microphones that can be attached to the mixer.

TSC microphone stands, in turn, are of three types: boom stands, non-boom stands and choir stands. Many of the TSC stands are labeled with the type of instrument they are for (e.g., woodwinds, strings) and are stored in a bag which is also labeled with the instrument type.

After the correct stand is identified, it needs to be assembled. This involves screwing together the components, spreading the legs and raising or lowering the end that the microphone attaches to to the correct height which depends on the instrument being mic'd.

(TODO: add a list of how each instrument is mic'd.)

Microphone

Review the mixer connection sheet for the correct microphone to use for the position you are setting up. Each concert may have different microphone assignments based on the orchestra members present, therefore it's important to check the sheet for every position.

If you don't know what a particular microphone looks like, check MicrophonePhotos.

The mixer is configured for the microphones listed in the connection sheet. Using incorrect microphone will result in poor sound from the respective instrument or potentially no sound at all during parts of or the entire concert.

TSC's microphones are stored in the red microphone suitcase. Oleg's microphones are stored in a cardboard box marked "Oleg's Microphones".

Clip

The microphone *should* have the correct clip attached to it. If the clip is missing, locate a suitable clip in the clip bag in the microphone suitcase. Each microphone has a clip that firmly grasps the microphone (sometimes several different clips will work). The microphone should never be loose in its clip.

Screw the clip (or the microphone on the clip) to the microphone stand. Almost all microphone clips use 5/8" female thread; some stands have the corresponding 5/8" male thread on the end but some have 3/8" male thread. In case of the latter, a thread adapter is required; it may be already screwed into the clip, or not. If needed and not present, locate a thread adapter in the microphone suitcase in the thread adapter bag.

Orientation / Placement

The final orientation and placement of the microphone can be left up to the musician, but the microphone should be positioned in the ballpark of its proper placement, specifically:

• Vocal microphones should be placed on stands pointing up and toward the soloist area, so that when a soloist standing in their area is reaching for the microphone, the microphone is pointing approximately at their head.
• Violin and viola microphones should be placed above the shoulders of the musician sitting in the chair, pointing downward.
• Cello microphone should be horizontal, be located in front of the musician's chair, pointing toward the musician's chair.
• Flute microphones should be approximately shoulder height of the seated musician, horizontal, pointing toward the chair.
• Oboe microphone is TBD, however it is normally setup works great.
• Clarinet microphone should be aproximately shoulder height of the seated musician pointing about 45 degrees downward toward the chair. The microphone should point about 2/3 of the way down the instrument in normal playing position.

Cable

1. Figure out the needed length of XLR cable to reach from the microphone to the mixer.
2. Locate a suitable XLR cable in or around the cable box.
3. Run the XLR cable from the microphone to the mixer. The female end of the cable attaches to the microphone, the male end attaches to the mixer. Each end should firmly click into position.