Using Microphones

Presenting on radio naturally means you'll need to use microphones. In the studio you should find three microphones: mic 1, 2 and 3. If you look at the mixer, you should see each of these microphones has an individual channel. As discussed previously, for a microphone to be broadcast its channel must be ON and the slider must be up. You should find a slider level of 8 gives a good volume for speech, but keep an eye on the output lights and make sure they peak at the top end of the green.

Some general advice for using microphones: you want to make sure you talk into the black foam on the microphones (covering the microphone diaphragm). If you don't, the microphone will struggle to pick you up. Also, don't be too harsh on the microphones or microphone stands; money spent replacing these could be spent better!

Finally, some advice from when I first started radio. 'Treat the microphones like your lover. Soft and gentle.' If nothing else, remember this! It will generally see you right.

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