micing dance recital

[soundop]

ok so i need to know how to mic a dance recitial to pickup tap shoes, and i learned our floor mics belong to drama so those are out, im down to 4-5 sm58s across the deck (which will be harder because were going to have three monitor speakers) i may have accses to three shotgun mics, or 2 sm94s

[Dover]

Soundop you are in a tough spot. There is not a real good substitute for floor mics in this kind of application. The best thing to do would be to beg barrow or rent a pair of Crown PCC 160s. If that is not a possibility, the next best thing would be the shotgun mics on desk stands along the number line aimed at the floor center stage. The SM58 is a dynamic short range vocal mic and is going to be next to useless in this kind of situation. And as a last resort the SM94s setup and aimed the same way as the shotguns might get you marginal results.

I hope this helps and good luck

Dover

[rwhealey]

Putting an SM58 on a short stand will cause a reflection issue - the direct sound will interfere with the reflected sound off the stage floor. If you're going to use them, I'd lay them directly on the stage and put a couple of pieces of gaff over handle.

[Dionysus]

At the Celtic Roots Festival, we've run into problems using Crown PCC 160s and other such traditional floor mics to pick up the dancing on the extended fore-stage.
They for some reason, mostly to do with the construction of the stage along with monitor and speaker placements relative them... Well... They sound like crap.

A couple years ago started putting shotguns on vocal stands in front of the stage, across the apron (front of the deck). We still have the PCCs on the deck, but we just tend not to use them much at all.

Putting them on short stands on the deck would not be advised however.

Works well for us since we don't allow audience members that close to the deck anyways (because then they'd be under the truss, and we had a problem as such once in a rainstorm....long story, or more one for another time.)...

[mixmaster]

I know I've seen a couple touring shows that have miked the dancers feet with something, but I can't remember what the mics were. Do you have access to a couple wireless lav mics? I'm guessing you could do a mic on the inside of a dancers leg (mid-calf maybe?)to get the sound from both feet in one mic. If memory serves this was not done to the whole troupe, just a couple dancers, lest it sound like a herd of cattle instead of distinct taps.

[soundop]

thanks guys, i am going to do the shotguns across the apron, and if it dosent work at rehearsel they said they will go with out....new question, whats the best software to run the music?

[Chris15]

Originally Posted by soundop

new question, whats the best software to run the music?

We refer sir to this conveniently stickied thread.

[airkarol]

It's a bit unconventional, but try a few neumann km184 around the stage.

[Chris15]

Originally Posted by airkarol

It's a bit unconventional, but try a few neumann km184 around the stage.

Um excuse me but Neumann?!?! If one can afford to get Neumanns in then one should be able to afford the right mic for the job - a PCC...

Unless I've missed something...

[avkid]

Originally Posted by Chris15

Um excuse me but Neumann?!?! If one can afford to get Neumanns in then one should be able to afford the right mic for the job - a PCC...

Unless I've missed something...

Excuse David, he's having delusions of grandeur again.