Actor Microphones for Theatre
Best Microphones for Theatre
Sing, sigh, yell, chuckle, or whisper … however actors deliver their character, crisp and clear audio ensures the performance captivates the audience. A microphone is an extension of the performer — and whether on Broadway or the local stage, the right performance microphone must be that trusted partner to amplify the actor’s vocals and electrify the audience.
If You’ve Seen This, Then You’ve Heard Us!
Watch how PSA lavaliers are carefully crafted by the A2 on Hamilton
Adam Savage's Tested explored backstage at the San Francisco touring production of Hamilton with a visit to the audio room, where assistant audio engineer Adrianna Brannon gives Adam an overview of what it takes to build, maintain, and manage the dozens of microphones used in the show.
Theatre Microphone Features
A reliable performance microphone will have no problem withstanding all of the drama that a theatre performance can throw at it! Looking for a microphone that can give you great sound quality and durability? Make sure it includes these features:
Precision Audio
Microphones are an essential part of any live theatre performance. They help to amplify the actors' voices and ensure that every word can be heard clearly by the audience. However, not all microphones are created equal. For a musical or theatrical performance, it is essential to have a microphone with excellent audio precision. This means that the microphone will pick up even the slightest sound, including breaths, whispers, and nuances in the actors' voices. This level of detail is what brings a performance to life and helps to create an immersive experience for the audience. Without this audio precision, a microphone is simply not up to the task of capturing the magic of live theatre.
IP 57 Waterproof Elements
IP57 waterproof rating is important in a microphone for live theatre for several reasons. First, microphone placement is often critical in musical theatre as mics are typically placed in the hairline or on ear so it is highly susceptible to the intrusion of sweat and makeup. Second, having a microphone that is resistant to water means that actors can sweat and perform without worry that their microphone will short out. Finally, microphones that are designed for live theatre need to be able to withstand the rigors of multiple shows per day; a microphone with a good IP57 rating will be able to handle this type of use without issue. In short, the IP57 waterproof rating is an important factor to look for when choosing a microphone for live theatre applications.
Flexible Fit
Performance venues are often fast-paced, hectic environments that can put any headset microphone to the test. Headset and earset microphones keep the performance moving along by staying in place with the actor’s head movements. To facilitate this precise placement, our “Unbreakable Boom” allows wearing flexibility for the left or right side, and for children or adults — always resting one to two inches from the speaker’s mouth. The durable Point Source Audio microphones have been tapped to support Carnival UK's fleets as their performance venues are in use a standard 15-hours a day, 365 days a year. With the number of fittings over time, an earworn mic boom can be quite susceptible to breakage — that’s why it’s important to choose a performance microphone with a durable bendable boom.
