Key people in any worship service are usually the worship leader and, of course, the pastor. So having them heard clearly and naturally are the prime directives for sound teams in today's worship environment. Clear and intelligible sound is one goal, but to have the pastor sound “natural” can be much more difficult.
With congregational participation a vital element in worship, being able to understand the worship leader's direction above the music is important. And since many people in the congregation have some familiarity with the pastor's normal speaking voice, having his or her amplified voice sound natural is important as well. Anything else can become a distraction. So, how you mic these people becomes a major consideration in setting up a sound system for your house of worship. While there are a few different methods for mic'ing up the main presenter, including a mic on a gooseneck, wired and wireless handheld mics. In the past, the de facto standard was the lavalier mic, but head/earworn/headset mics are becoming much more of the norm.
Common ground
Lavalier and head/earworn mics share some basic features. Both types are available in different pickup patterns and both are available with dynamic or condenser elements, although the selection of condenser models far exceeds available dynamic models for lavs and head/earworn mics. The most prevalent pickup patterns are omni and cardioid, with some models available with hyper-cardioid or super-cardioid pickup patterns. Omni mics pick up sound equally in all directions, while cardioids pick up best from the front of the mic and reject sound at the back of the element. For hyper- and super-cardioids the pickup pattern is narrower, but there is a “lobe” at the rear where the pickup may be quite pronounced. The thought of an omnidirectional mic in a live sound application may elicit fear and foreboding in some, but with judicious use they can be quite effective, particularly with head/earworn mics due to the proximity of the element to the speaker's mouth. The benefit of an omni is that they tend to be less sensitive than cardioids to “plosives”—which result from the pops or thumps from the burst of wind from your breath when saying words that begin or end with “B,” “P” and “T.”
Dynamic or condenser?
Whether headworn or lavalier, generally the dynamic models will be physically larger than the condenser versions, though it probably matters less for a lavalier mic.
A dynamic headworn mic could bring to mind the “Garth Brooks” look (somewhat large and bulky). Which may be OK for a worship leader but could be visually distracting if used by the pastor delivering the message.
Condensers require phantom power, which is DC voltage (from about 9 up to 48 volts) generally applied to the microphone from the mixing console or from an external supply. Most mixers available today have the ability to provide phantom power. The potential for a smaller form factor makes condensers a good choice when a low visual profile is desired. Again, this would pertain to both headworn microphones as well as lavaliers. In addition to size, condensers have the advantage of generally delivering a smoother high-frequency response and higher sensitivity over dynamic mics. However, condensers are more susceptible to ill effects from humidity and moisture (sweat, or breath).
Is one really better than the other? It depends entirely on your individual needs, the personal preference of the person wearing the mic, and as mentioned at the beginning of this article, which sounds more natural.
What do the experts say regarding the pros and cons of each type?
Lavalier (a.k.a., lapel) mics
Scott Ragsdale, senior audio engineer with Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., notes, “The small size of a lavalier microphone is good for a natural unobstructed look when worn. Great for video, dramas, preaching and even some instrument applications. The person wearing the lavalier microphone can speak naturally, unencumbered, experiencing great freedom of movement. They can sound quite good, when used properly.” On the other hand, challenges can arise, as Ragsdale continues, “If the person wearing the microphone does not project when speaking, then gain before feedback may be an issue. Also, placement of the microphone can greatly increase or decrease the quality of sound. So, good placement and a good source are key.”
A mic by any other name …
While known by a few different names—headset, earset, headworn, and earworn—the mics are similar in principle: the mic is secured in place by attaching to one or both ears and the mic element is attached to a very thin “boom” that extends the mic close to the mouth. Variations in the design include having the boom come over the ear or under the ear, and how the clips physically attach to the ear(s). Generally, units with dual earpieces provide a more stable fit, which is good for particularly active people. Many also include clothing or collar clips to help secure the cable.
