Microphone Basics - VocoPro VHF-3308 Owner's Manual

Microphone Basics

The VHF-3308's ability to pick-up extremely high and low frequencies makes it an excellent choice for use in the recording
studio as well as on-stage . In either case, we have provided a few tips to help get the best performance out of your VHF-
3308 .
Understanding the Proximity Effect and How It Is Used
The Proximity Effect is a resulting boost to the low-frequency range of sounds that occur with the close-up use of
microphones designed with a uni-directional polar pattern as with the VHF-3308 . Occurring when the sound source is less
than a 1⁄4" from the microphone capsule, the boost is generated mostly in the 100Hz range by 6dB to 10dB . Simply out,
when a sound source is less than a 1⁄4" from the microphone, the sound will be boosted with a stronger and richer bass
tone than if the sound source was farther away from the microphone .
While the proximity effect can intentionally be used as an advantage to enhance ones voice, it can also unintentionally serve
as a disadvantage by mudding up ones voice . To avoid a lessened sound quality when using the proximity effect, keep these
tips in mind:
• Always try to use available EQ or tone controls on external equipment to enhance a sound first .
• If trying it for the first time, try it in a small room with moderately low volume and no tone or effects adjustments . If it
doesn't sound good to you, it most likely won't to others as well .
• Do not try to enhance a sound source without performing a sound check at the location prior .
• Do not rely on the proximity effect to "change" a persons voice . Rather use it to enhance one's voice .
• Avoid the proximity effect in environments with excessive reverb, (cathedrals, school gymnasiums, large dancehalls etc) .
• Try to avoid the proximity effect when connected to high-output amplifiers and loudspeakers .
• Remember that when speaking into a microphone, plosive words can generate loud pops which will also be boosted by the
proximity effect leading to a possible threat to external sound equipment .
Feedback
Feedback is the phenomenon that occurs when an amplified sound from any loudspeaker reenters the sound system
through any open microphone and is amplified over and over again . The resulting sound is an annoying howl that (when loud
enough) poses a serious threat to not only your speakers, but to your ears as well . Most commonly, feedback is caused by
the following conditions:
• Placing loudspeakers too close to the microphones .
• Having too many open active microphones .
• Overemphasis/boosting high-frequency tone controls .
• Performing in environments with high ratios of hard and reflective room surfaces . Overemphasis of effects that generate
multiple harmonic repetitions (reverb, echo, delay)
What can you do if feedback occurs before the sound system is loud enough?
• Request that the singer/speaker project their voice louder into the microphone allowing for a lower master volume .
• Reduce the distance from the talker to the microphone . Each time this distance is halved, the sound system output will
increase by 6dB, mainly in the low-frequency range .
• Reduce the number of open microphones .
• Move the loudspeaker farther away from the microphone .
• Move the loudspeaker closer to the listener .
• Use an equalizer/feedback reducer to cut the frequency bands in which the feedback occurs .
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