GEARREVIEW
Audix MicroBoom System for Choirs and Vocal Ensembles
BY DOUG DOPPLER
OVERVIEW
KEY FEATURES
Outstanding Clarity and Depth
Lightweight and Low Profile Sturdy and Easy to Move
Great for Churches of All Sizes
Audix developed the MicroBoom™ System
to address the growing challenges Churches were facing with traditional hanging choir mics . The Audix MicroBoom System is available in a number of set configurations of mics and stands designed to deliver a simple solution to this somewhat complex challenge , right out of the box .
BACKGROUND In days past , a Church choir would consist of roughly the same number of people singing at the same location on the platform , which is why hanging mics made a lot of sense . However , once you took the time to hang your mics , you were somewhat committed to the size
and placement of the choir . The physical size and placement of the mics themselves is also a potential issue when it comes to sight lines for projection . You don ’ t want the congregation noticing the choir mics , especially when the choir isn ’ t on the platform . The MicroBoom ’ s tiny footprint and configuration options provide a modular range of solutions to these challenges . When considering which MicroBoom System might best fit your Church , the size of your choir or vocal ensemble , number of risers , and stage volume are key things to keep in mind .
CONFIGURATIONS What makes each of the MicroBoom Systems so effective is that they make it easy to get what you need , with the ability to upscale your system with additional components . Each system includes one mic , one carbon fiber boom , a clutch assembly , a twenty five foot shielded cable , and a windscreen . Audix makes a 21 ” stand , but it is not included in the system , so keep that in mind !
There are a total of four mic choices available all of which have a 50Hz-19kHz frequency response . The lower output M1250B , M1250HC feature cardioid and hypercardioid patterns respectively , as do the higher output M1255B and M1255HC . According to Gene Houck from Audix , “ the 1250B is the most popular model for miking
close distances , whereas the M1255B highsensitivity condenser mic is widely chosen for long distance miking .” The carbon fiber booms are available in 24 ”, 50 ” and 84 ” lengths . The 24 ” boom gives you the freedom to use one of your choir mics on a lectern , allowing you to make the most of your investment . As noted in the demo video we did , the 50 ” booms work great for vocal ensembles or small choirs . The 84 ” boom is great for getting your mics high above a choir , enabling you to focus the mic on just the right spot . At the bottom of this page you ’ ll see a link to the “ How to Mic a Choir ” Audix put together . I strongly encourage you to watch this . It does a great job of explaining the ins and out of miking choirs without feeling like you were watching an Audix commercial .
CONCLUSION As demonstrated in our demo video , these mics sound amazing . The MicroBooms made it super easy to place the mics exactly where I wanted them , enabling me to capture the nuance of the vocalists with minimal bleed from the room . In working with a larger ensemble in Church , they were super easy to set up , virtually invisible on the platform , and made a dramatic improvement over what we ’ d been using before . Whether you ’ re serving at a mega Church , satellite campus , or plant , the MicroBoom System makes it easy for your choir or vocal ensemble sound great .
PRICE MAP : $ 510- $ 710
CONTACT AudixUSA . com
48 Jan � Feb 2017 WorshipMusician . com