Lights and Sound: Boundary Microphones

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Boundary Microphones

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Lights and Sound
Forum Discription: Technical discussion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2978
Printed Date: 4/29/24 at 2:11am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Boundary Microphones

Posted By: ange
Subject: Boundary Microphones
Date Posted: 2/15/08 at 6:44pm

We are doing a mystery production with 22 characters. Many are on stage at the same time. I didnot want to use wireless mics. Has anyone had success with boundary mics?? And if so, which ones? What do you look for in buying these?? The stage is not big, but it is 3 levels. Any other recommendations for practicality would be appreciated.

Replies:

Posted By: Attreui
Date Posted: 2/19/08 at 12:46pm

Originally posted by ange

Floor mics are very useful if they are tuned correctly. If the show is a musical you will have a lot more trouble with floor mics. If not, then it may be worth a shot for you. I have used most types and for theatre use I have found Crown PCC160's to be the most effective. You may need to buy several so you can put them on the levels also. That would be trial and error. They have a decent coverage but of course are limited.

Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 2/23/08 at 7:53am

I purchased EZB Easyflex Boundary Microphones from Shure for our small space and they work wonderfully!

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In a world of margarine, be butter!

Posted By: GoldCanyonLady
Date Posted: 2/23/08 at 11:02am

We are using Astatic 930VP and they also work good. We use them in conjunction with overhead mikes and no one uses a wireless.

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Barb Hofmeister,
MountainBrook Village Players, Gold Canyon, Arizona.

Posted By: ange
Date Posted: 2/23/08 at 2:50pm

Not to be funny, but were they on the floor or did you attach them to the ceiling?? I just had someone tell me to try that.

Posted By: Aimee
Date Posted: 2/25/08 at 6:12pm

We just finished a show (12 Angry Jurors) and used floor mics only. It worked quite well actually. I know they are Sure plate (floor) mics, but I can't recall exactly what type. Very small, inconspicuos too. I'm told they can be mounted to the scenery if needed. But the larger the area they are on , the better sound you get. Like others have said combine these with the over head area mics and you should do fine.

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Aimee

Posted By: ange
Date Posted: 2/25/08 at 9:53pm

What size stage did you have and how many floor mics??

Posted By: Bruce Bartlett
Date Posted: 1/22/11 at 12:57pm

As a general guide to how many floor mics are needed for a certain stage width, the recommendations below have worked well with supercardioid boundary mics. The goal is to pick up actors anywhere left-to-right on stage with reasonably equal loudness:

20 ft. stage: 1 mic center stage
25-30 ft. stage: 2 mics 12 to 15 feet apart
35-40 ft. stage: 3 mics 15 feet apart
45-50 ft. stage: 3 mics 17 feet apart

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http://www.bartlettmics.com

Posted By: TimmyP1955
Date Posted: 6/06/11 at 12:07am

On our stage they work well for large vocal ensembles, but not so well for spoken word (they are great for picking up footsteps). But our room is exceedingly lively, which I'm sure hurts a lot.

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 6/06/11 at 2:18am

In a small church hall, I used AKG 451s tied against the drop ceiling (which was so low that it was actually closer to the actors than the floor. It worked OK.

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David M

Posted By: Majicwrench
Date Posted: 6/06/11 at 1:52pm

I bought a pair of cheapy Nady boundry mics a few years ago and use em in my kid's shows. I put them on music stands at stage level right up against the stage. If I have kids talking mostly stage center I just use one. When I use two, I put em about 20ft apart. So far have had wonderful sound with this arrangement, and I have NO tec knowledge.

How big a venue?