And if you need a very small mic for drums and don’t have phantom power available, or you just prefer the sound of a dynamic element, the Sennheiser e 608 provides an answer.
The supercardioid element is attached to a clamp and gooseneck mounting for positioning. Extensive damping and shock mounting isolates the capsule and signal from extraneous vibration, noise and impact, and a humbucking coil protects against induced electrical interference.
Another option along these lines is the beyerdynamic TG D52d. While small in size, this little dynamic can handle very high pressure levels and is not very noticeable around the kit.
Hanging & Standing
Small microphones such as the Countryman ISOMAX 2-H provide a workable and often very good solution for choirs, large vocal groups and orchestras. They can be hung above the performance area while remaining pretty much invisible.
The ISOMAX 2-H is available with a choice of omnidirectional, cardioid and supercardioid patterns (and a choice of black or white color), offering a wide frequency response and the ability to handle high SPL levels when necessary.
Along these lines, Audix Micro Series mics – along with their MicroBooms – come in handy for stages and other situations where it’s not possible to hang mics. These carbon fiber booms come in 24-, 50- and 80-inch lengths, attach to any mic stand, and have a built-in gooseneck.
They can be used with M1250, M1255 and M1280 mics, with elements available in omni, cardioid, hypercardioid and supercardioid (shotgun) patterns. The result is a clean, elegant look that puts the mics into suitable positions.
A frequent problem, particularly with school and church choirs, occurs when soloists come forward to sing and don’t stand directly in front of the solo mic, or they grab it off the stand and don’t point it directly at their mouth. A cardioid pattern mic used to be my choice for solos, offering a fairly wide pickup pattern, but a better choice might be the Shure KSM9HS handheld vocal mic that offers both a hypercardioid and a subcardioid pattern.
Basically, a subcardioid pattern is a wider cardioid pattern that still offers sufficient rejection on loud stages. So particularly with the subcardioid setting activated, the KSM9HS works well for miking a group or for solo vocalists who go off-axis. It’s available in charcoal and champagne colors, and is also offered in a wireless version.
Speaking of wireless, my company handles a lot of corporate speeches, and a big challenge is getting good gain before feedback when using wireless headworn mics in a room where the PA consists of ceiling loudspeakers, with some that can’t be turned off located directly over the stage.
The Audio-Technica MicroSet BP894 directional microphone can help, with a rotating cardioid capsule that can be aimed directly at the mouth of the wearer for higher gain before feedback and very good rejection of noise.
The lightweight unit hooks securely behind either ear, or for maximum stability, there’s also a dual-ear mount. It’s available in black and beige colors, and in both wired and wireless versions.