Effective delivery (p3) is essential to an excellent presentation (p cubed). The good presenter will have practised, arrived early and ensured that both slides and the presentation area are ready, before stepping onto the stage. “Mumble, mumble essential to mumble mumble clinical practice,” is all that is heard. Microphones are designed to amplify the spoken voice in a large auditorium. This only happens if they are used correctly.
Never assume or worse, assert, that your voice will carry. Whilst you may have taken an elocution class and can project like a Shakespearian actor, amplification is to ensure that every audience member can hear clearly. This is not a criticism of your classical training but more a reflection of the difficult room acoustics and hearing issues of the audience. It may also be that the organisers are recording your insights for future dissemination. If a microphone is offered, use it.
Various technical types of microphone need not concern the presenter. Beyond this, three setups will be offered; fixed (podium), hand held and lapel (lavelier). Each has specific characteristics that must be understood before they are used. Importantly, the majority of Audio Techs will allow a Good Presenter to choose amongst these the microphone that best suits their presentation, but only if you ask. Remember though that time is required for setup time and changeover. If in doubt, discuss with the Tech which best suits the style of presentation you have planned. Whatever the final choice one must understand the strengths and limitations. The most important consideration is the sound envelope; that area in front of the microphone that picks up speech. if the speaker speaks into that, this will be amplified, if your speech is outside of that mumble mumble no-one mumble mumble you.
The commonest set-up is a microphone fixed to a stand or the podium. This has an envelope that is also fixed. Usually, a presenter facing the microphone will be “heard”. Turning to face the projected media or physically moving away from the sound envelope even by a few cms will cause the input to be poor. Unlike rock stars who have a sound monitor in front of them to help them hear what is being broadcast, the majority of speakers only hear themself through their own feedback monitor, their own ears. Thus even when outside of the microphone envelope they hear themself but the sound for the audience is lost. Some presenters, afraid of this issue, end up contorted over the microphone apparently pinned by their mouth whilst their body moves.
A handheld microphone allows the presenter to move freely across the presentation space. Even though most of us have been bedroom/bathroom rock stars using a hairbrush as a microphone, none of this was about good audio capture. For that to happen the microphone (!) must be held within 3cm of your mouth and in the same direction as your jaw line at all times. Variation outside of this space and line means that the projected voice will be outside of the sound envelope and will not be heard. As above, the presenter will not be aware of the changes caused by an ineffective position. Remember as well that with a handheld microphone in one hand, a slide changer in the other and a presenter using hand gestures, often results in mumble, mumble dancing octopus mumble, mumble.
The solution is often a lavelier microphone either fixed to the clothes or worn as a headset with the microphone close to the mouth. It is connected to a small, palm-sized unit that broadcasts to the AV system. (Be aware that this is best worn on a belt, trouser loop or pocket. This may affect your choice of outfit.) Once in position (and activated) the speaker can move, turn their head and speak, being heard clearly in almost any position or circumstance. Audio techs will advise on issues such as long hair, dangling earrings, spectacles, or beards that may interfere with the signal. This is why it is essential not to reposition the device once equipped. They will also advise and instruct about the on/off setting to avoid a potential “Naked Gun” moment.
Most presentation spaces are better with a microphone. The audio tech will help you with choices and set up. Be aware of the individual sound envelope otherwise mumble mumble good as mumble.