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RE: Miking Handbells
Linda McPherson writes:
>Everytime they try to mike the bells only a couple of notes can be heard on
>the cassette tape... We have 3 octaves, C4-B5 is on a top platform and C6-C7
>is on a lower level right in front of them, about 3 steps down.
Because of the way you are setup (two rows with treble bells out in
front) you are going to have a hard time getting a good mike unless you
suspend something from the ceiling. Depending on how wide your steps are
and how many mikes you have available, you might be able to squeeze a
few mikes in on the back row.
We used several different mike configurations when we played. We had 24'
of table in a line for 3 octaves. The two configurations that worked
best were 1) a PZM about 6'-8' out in front of the tables slightly off
center towards the bass end; 2) 8 regurlar mikes on 4 stands. Each stand
had 2 mikes at right angles to each other. Space them out evenly across
the front, but again, off center toward the bass end.
Your best bet will be a PZM if you've got it. Suspended will be better,
but if that's not possible you can put it on a stand in between the two
rows. BE WARNED! The PZM will pick up EVERYTHING. The first time we used
one I kept hearing this thud, thud, thud....When I would cut off the
group, the thuds would stop. We discovered after a few minutes that the
thud was due to the ringers patting the feet to the beat!!
Hope this helps.
Greg Wright
Houston, TX