Any live audio guys in the room?

[Captain Pierce]

I realize this is not the primary purpose of this forum, but if there's any of you out there, I could use a little advice.

I've decided that I need some Countryman E6i mics in my company's rental inventory. (Well, technically I decided that about a year and a half ago, but now I think I'm in a position to actually make it happen. ) I have about three to four shows a year where they'd be useful (and that's in my office, we have five other branches), which are the following:

1. Big room, exhibition hall, speakers flown from ceiling. Have successfully used E6 or E6i (not sure which, rented by client from another company, but I think they're the same mic element anyway, just a different boom) omnis for presenters in this room, but also have a need for four to be used by singers using floor monitors.

2. Same big room, smaller audio scale (whole room doesn't need, or even want, to hear the show), mic'ing chefs doing cooking demos (those white chef jackets really don't work for lav placement ). Stage is about 16 feet wide, with speakers on floor stands right at the front corners.

3. Recurring show held in various hotel conference rooms at least twice a year, using house sound (ceiling speakers) for presenters.

Based on show #1, I already know I need four of the cardioid/hypercardioid switchable versions (if that show comes back) to go with the floor monitors. What I'm wondering is, based on the other two shows, do you think I should gete any omnis at all, or do you think the omnis are going to give me feeback issues in those circumstances and I should just cross-rent if I need a couple for show #1?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

[Indywannabe]

the E6 is a great choice. I've not had good luck with the E6i. You'll like the stronger boom on the E6.

As for the question over directional vs omni, yes the directional is recommended if you sing in a rock band. Although, I've not had big feedback problems with the omni and frontal monitors for musical theatre as long as the monitor is not blasting.

For presentations, et al, the key is the voice you are mic'ing. If the speaker has a constant strong voice then the directional will work just fine for all applications. But if the speaker has a week voice or varies high and low, then the omni is your better choice.

 

[Captain Pierce]

The reason I was thinking E6i was that it's described as "Highly bendable boom straightens to perfection, supporting multiple wearers;" and certainly I'm going to have multiple wearers, to say the least--I mean, I'm talking 6 to 8 people per day. (But only a day or two at a time, and then they go back into their case to sit for a month or two. ) Would you still recommend the E6 under those circumstances?

 

[Indywannabe]

The E6 boom is also bendable but the added stiffness retains the shape better. The boom is usually not the part that will require much adjustment from user to user...it's the ear fit (which is about the same on both models).