I have a shoot coming we're there are four presenters that are going to podium to make some remarks. I don't want to put a wireless on each one of them or have them trade it off to the next person. So, I want to attach a hand-held microphone to a table top or floor mic stand and have them use this. I have an SM58 but thought it doesn't pick up well unless you are very close to it. I am looking for a good mic that will pick up well even if some of the presenters talk softer than the next. Any recommendations?
Podium Microphone Recommendation
- Thread starter nklaeser
- Start date
The sm58 is a very decent podium mic when used properly. But as you mention, you must be fairly close, say 12" or less, since it is a dynamic. A phantom powered mic will give you somewhat hotter output if your talent cant or wont eat the mic, up to 24" max for decent audio. You should ride the audio levels on your cam, or via a mixer (preferably) to get the right level for each speaker.
Grant
Grant
paulears
Veteran
If the visual impact is important then one of the slim condensers is quite nice, or if you have budget hire one of the schleps with extension tubes like the old AKG 451 system. If budget is tight, you can also use a wired lav, with the cable inside a bit of micro ore plastic tube. Split the tube down with a craft knife and insert the cable. One serious point with podium mics is mechanical noise transmission from the note tray through the mic mount to the mic. One really slim condenser I have is hopeless on those truss fabricated lecterns because the thing rings like a bell. This is why I tried the split tube idea because it isolated the mic from the metalwork. Timber ones are not too bad, but a nervous speaker drumming his fingers can be a problem.
