Broadcast Media NotesBroadcast Media Notes

Chapter 2:Chapter 2:

Sections 2.4 – 2.5Sections 2.4 – 2.5

Working with a MicrophoneWorking with a Microphone

2 Main Concepts2 Main ConceptsMic-to-mouth distanceMic-to-mouth distanceMic-to-mouth positionMic-to-mouth position

Mic DistanceMic Distance

A good mic-to-mouth distance is A good mic-to-mouth distance is about 6 inchesabout 6 inches

Depending on vocal strength, you Depending on vocal strength, you may move a bit closer or father awaymay move a bit closer or father away

Mic DistanceMic Distance

Working too close to the microphone Working too close to the microphone may distort the audio signal may distort the audio signal

It may pickup more “pops” (p, t, and It may pickup more “pops” (p, t, and b sounds), silibance (excessive s b sounds), silibance (excessive s sounds), and breathing soundssounds), and breathing sounds

Working too far away produces a soft Working too far away produces a soft or weak audio signalor weak audio signal

Mic-to-mouth PositionsMic-to-mouth Positions

Good position usually means not Good position usually means not talking directly into the microphone, talking directly into the microphone, but instead talking slightly off axisbut instead talking slightly off axis

Getting to far to the side, above, or Getting to far to the side, above, or below can get outside its pickup below can get outside its pickup pattern and lowers the quality of the pattern and lowers the quality of the audioaudio

A good technique is to align the mic to A good technique is to align the mic to your nose, then slightly tilt it down your nose, then slightly tilt it down

Watch Video Clip 2.4Watch Video Clip 2.4

Distance & PositionDistance & Position

If asked to “give a level,” it just If asked to “give a level,” it just means you need to speak into the means you need to speak into the mic so the proper levels can be set.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 Never blow into or tap on the

microphone (this can damage the microphone (this can damage the mic) and avoid the often used mic) and avoid the often used “Testing, 1, 2, 3, 4”“Testing, 1, 2, 3, 4”

Mic FrightMic Fright

Varies from person to personVaries from person to personCan be a mild case of anxiety or it can Can be a mild case of anxiety or it can

be nervousness so severe the be nervousness so severe the broadcaster can’t even communicate broadcaster can’t even communicate with his audiencewith his audience

Occurs at the moment you are cued Occurs at the moment you are cued you are on-airyou are on-air

Can occur in front of an audience or Can occur in front of an audience or alone in a studio alone in a studio

Mic Fright SymptomsMic Fright Symptoms

Dry mouthDry mouthSlightly trembling handsSlightly trembling handsSweaty browSweaty brow““Butterflies” in your stomachButterflies” in your stomach

Mic FrightMic Fright

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

Effects of Mic FrightEffects of Mic Fright

Can raise the pitch of your voiceCan raise the pitch of your voiceCan cause you to run out of breathCan cause you to run out of breathPerformer can lose focusPerformer can lose focusCauses the performer to read too quickly Causes the performer to read too quickly

or slowlyor slowlyCauses the performer to speak too softlyCauses the performer to speak too softlyExtreme cases cause the performer to Extreme cases cause the performer to

“freeze” and not be able to perform at all“freeze” and not be able to perform at all

Causes of Mic FrightCauses of Mic Fright

1.1. Disliking one’s voiceDisliking one’s voice

2.2. Fearing failureFearing failure

3.3. Being inexperiencedBeing inexperienced

4.4. Being unpreparedBeing unprepared

Overcoming Mic FrightOvercoming Mic Fright

1.1. Disliking one’s voiceDisliking one’s voice Your voice sounds different to you Your voice sounds different to you

being played back from a recorder being played back from a recorder from what you’re used to. They from what you’re used to. They way you sound on a recorder is how way you sound on a recorder is how everyone else hears youeveryone else hears you

You don’t sound “funny” to anyone You don’t sound “funny” to anyone but yourself but yourself

Overcoming Mic FrightOvercoming Mic Fright

2.2. Fearing failureFearing failure Believing in what you are saying Believing in what you are saying

should help you be able to should help you be able to communicate with an audiencecommunicate with an audience

It helps if you think of delivering It helps if you think of delivering this message to one other person, this message to one other person, not a large audiencenot a large audience

Overcoming Mic FrightOvercoming Mic Fright

3.3. Being inexperiencedBeing inexperienced There’s not much you can do here except There’s not much you can do here except

to perform and performto perform and perform The old saying “practice makes perfect” The old saying “practice makes perfect”

is true hereis true here Good broadcasters don’t limit their work Good broadcasters don’t limit their work

to on-air performances – Many play-by-to on-air performances – Many play-by-play sports announcers have sat in the play sports announcers have sat in the top row of a stadium doing their own top row of a stadium doing their own play-by-play broadcast into a portable play-by-play broadcast into a portable recorderrecorder

Overcoming Mic FrightOvercoming Mic Fright

4.4. Being unpreparedBeing unprepared If possible, don’t try to “wing it,” If possible, don’t try to “wing it,”

although sometimes reporters have although sometimes reporters have little time to prepare for an little time to prepare for an interview or broadcastinterview or broadcast

Pre-reading and practicing the Pre-reading and practicing the script will lessen any chance of mic script will lessen any chance of mic frightfright

Final TipsFinal Tips

Mentally prepare for a performance Mentally prepare for a performance (pronunciation, appropriate mood, (pronunciation, appropriate mood, rate of speaking, key points)rate of speaking, key points)

Find a moment to relax – Close your Find a moment to relax – Close your eyes and take a couple of deep eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. Relax your entire body by breaths. Relax your entire body by loosening up your musclesloosening up your muscles