Broadcast Media Notes Chapter 2: Sections 2.4 – 2.5

Working with a Microphone 2 Main Concepts Mic-to-mouth distance Mic-to-mouth distance Mic-to-mouth position Mic-to-mouth position

Mic Distance A good mic-to-mouth distance is about 6 inches A good mic-to-mouth distance is about 6 inches Depending on vocal strength, you may move a bit closer or father away Depending on vocal strength, you may move a bit closer or father away

Mic Distance Working too close to the microphone may distort the audio signal Working too close to the microphone may distort the audio signal It may pickup more “pops” (p, t, and b sounds), silibance (excessive s sounds), and breathing sounds It may pickup more “pops” (p, t, and b sounds), silibance (excessive s sounds), and breathing sounds Working too far away produces a soft or weak audio signal Working too far away produces a soft or weak audio signal

Mic-to-mouth Positions Good position usually means not talking directly into the microphone, but instead talking slightly off axis Good position usually means not talking directly into the microphone, but instead talking slightly off axis Getting to far to the side, above, or below can get outside its pickup pattern and lowers the quality of the audio Getting to far to the side, above, or below can get outside its pickup pattern and lowers the quality of the audio A good technique is to align the mic to your nose, then slightly tilt it down A good technique is to align the mic to your nose, then slightly tilt it down Watch Video Clip 2.4

Distance & Position If asked to “give a level,” it just means you need to speak into the mic so the proper levels can be set. If asked to “give a level,” it just means you need to speak into the mic so the proper levels can be set. Read off a few sentences. Read off a few sentences. Never blow into or tap on the microphone (this can damage the mic) and avoid the often used “Testing, 1, 2, 3, 4” Never blow into or tap on the microphone (this can damage the mic) and avoid the often used “Testing, 1, 2, 3, 4”

Mic Fright Varies from person to person Varies from person to person Can be a mild case of anxiety or it can be nervousness so severe the broadcaster can’t even communicate with his audience Can be a mild case of anxiety or it can be nervousness so severe the broadcaster can’t even communicate with his audience Occurs at the moment you are cued you are on-air Occurs at the moment you are cued you are on-air Can occur in front of an audience or alone in a studio Can occur in front of an audience or alone in a studio

Mic Fright Symptoms Dry mouth Dry mouth Slightly trembling hands Slightly trembling hands Sweaty brow Sweaty brow “Butterflies” in your stomach “Butterflies” in your stomach

Mic Fright Despite some people believing a small amount of mic fright can “pump you up,” it generally has a negative effect on your performance Despite some people believing a small amount of mic fright can “pump you up,” it generally has a negative effect on your performance

Effects of Mic Fright Can raise the pitch of your voice Can raise the pitch of your voice Can cause you to run out of breath Can cause you to run out of breath Performer can lose focus Performer can lose focus Causes the performer to read too quickly or slowly Causes the performer to read too quickly or slowly Causes the performer to speak too softly Causes the performer to speak too softly Extreme cases cause the performer to “freeze” and not be able to perform at all Extreme cases cause the performer to “freeze” and not be able to perform at all

Causes of Mic Fright 1. Disliking one’s voice 2. Fearing failure 3. Being inexperienced 4. Being unprepared

Overcoming Mic Fright 1. Disliking one’s voice Your voice sounds different to you being played back from a recorder from what you’re used to. They way you sound on a recorder is how everyone else hears you Your voice sounds different to you being played back from a recorder from what you’re used to. They way you sound on a recorder is how everyone else hears you You don’t sound “funny” to anyone but yourself You don’t sound “funny” to anyone but yourself

Overcoming Mic Fright 2. Fearing failure Believing in what you are saying should help you be able to communicate with an audience Believing in what you are saying should help you be able to communicate with an audience It helps if you think of delivering this message to one other person, not a large audience It helps if you think of delivering this message to one other person, not a large audience

Overcoming Mic Fright 3. Being inexperienced There’s not much you can do here except to perform and perform There’s not much you can do here except to perform and perform The old saying “practice makes perfect” is true here The old saying “practice makes perfect” is true here Good broadcasters don’t limit their work to on- air performances – Many play-by-play sports announcers have sat in the top row of a stadium doing their own play-by-play broadcast into a portable recorder Good broadcasters don’t limit their work to on- air performances – Many play-by-play sports announcers have sat in the top row of a stadium doing their own play-by-play broadcast into a portable recorder

Overcoming Mic Fright 4. Being unprepared If possible, don’t try to “wing it,” although sometimes reporters have little time to prepare for an interview or broadcast If possible, don’t try to “wing it,” although sometimes reporters have little time to prepare for an interview or broadcast Pre-reading and practicing the script will lessen any chance of mic fright Pre-reading and practicing the script will lessen any chance of mic fright

Final Tips  Mentally prepare for a performance (pronunciation, appropriate mood, rate of speaking, key points)  Find a moment to relax – Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. Relax your entire body by loosening up your muscles