Most of these suggestions should apply to the use of any mics or amplifiers, ours or others.
We hope they will help and that you will have easy and trouble-free use of your amplifier.
IF HAND-HOLDING THE MIC, USE YOUR NON-DOMINANT HAND.
•MICS AND MIC CORDS WILL OFTEN TRANSMIT SOUNDS FROM TOUCH, BENDING AND VIBRATION. DON'T HANDLE THEM ANY MORE THAN NECESSARY. If the mic is hand held, hold it steady. If you rub your hand up and down on the mic or fiddle with the cord, your listeners will hear very annoying scritches and scrunches. If the mic is on a gooseneck or stand, keep your hands off the mic and mic support once you have them adjusted. And don’t drum your fingers on the podium or table top.
•DON'T CUP YOUR HAND OVER THE MIC. Actors or singers may do this to get a special effect - and they are usually using a mixing system. If you do it, you'll just have feedback and pick-up problems.
•MICS AND MOISTURE AREN'T A GOOD COMBINATION. Spit happens! So if your mic has a removable windscreen, use it faithfully. If your mic has no wind screen, get one if possible. (It will improve sound quality too, by cutting down on windy and hissy sounds.) Meanwhile, check the mic covering or end of the voice tube for accumulation of food particles or hardened saliva. Clean them out gently with a softish, dry brush—don't get water into the mic or scratch it. (NOTE: Wash windscreens often for hygienic reasons. After washing, blot dry and then wait until well air dried before putting back on the mic. If a windscreen fits too loosely and drops off to easily fasten it with a small rubber band - or use a tiny dot of Prit-type paste or glue. Be sure the paste/glue does not get into any of the mic openings. Replace windscreens if they begin to break up.)
•MIC CORDS ARE SENSITIVE TO CRUSHING - more sensitive than lamp cord, for instance. Take care to avoid cords being walked on or having something set on them or pinched in doors or drawers.
•IF YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE MIC PLUG, PULL ON THE PLUG, NOT THE CORD. On most mics, the cord and plug pull apart fairly easily. Also, use care not to kink or fold the cord sharply, especially at the mic and plug connection areas, which are the most vulnerable.
•IF YOUR MIC CORD IS LONGER THAN NEEDED coil the excess amount loosely (around 4 fingers is a good size)and fasten gently with a twist tie. This is much safer than letting it dangle and get caught in things, which might pull it out of your hand or off your head.
•MANY MICS CAN BE PERMANENTLY DAMAGED IF DROPPED ON A HARD FLOOR, SO IT PAYS TO BE CAREFUL. In general, the larger the head of the mic, the more likely it is to be damaged by dropping.
•ALL EXTERIOR PARTS OF YOUR AMPLIFIER CAN BE CLEANED by wiping with a cloth just dampened with Lysol or similar disinfecting spray. DO NOT spray the instrument itself. DO NOT get actual drops of moisture into the mic, speaker or any other openings.
DEVELOP GOOD MIC USE & HANDLING HABITS TO BEGIN WITH - IT WILL BE WORTH THE EFFORT!
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY ACQUIRED POOR HANDLING HABITS, YOU WILL FIND IT WORTHWHILE TO WORK AT IMPROVING THEM!!!
If you have any questions about general mic or amplifier use and care, or problems with equipment purchased from us, please contact us.
06/10 PERMISSION IS GIVEN TO COPY AND DISTRIBUTE FREELY AS LONG AS CREDIT IS GIVEN TO DOROTHY LENNOX, LUMINAUD, INC.
