Poor microphone sounds kill good vibes (most of the time)
In conference production, it’s easy to get caught up in big-ticket stuff like stage design, light rigging and special effects. But the fastest way to wreck even the slickest event is the humble microphone that decides to have a meltdown on you, right in the middle of your show, unless you are at the Super Bowl when your crowd takes one for the team.
Screechy feedback sound, complete sound drops, muffled voices or popping “p’s’ on your Q&A will break trust and loses your audience faster than you can say “Hello, can you hear me?” Most of the time, it all boils down to one thing: Bad technique or the wrong mic used in the wrong way.
Sounds like basic logic right, but it can be a lot more complicated than this um, sounds. Choosing the right microphone, the right quality, putting it in the right place for use and understanding how your speaker talks isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential. It takes more than good gear and a good ear. It takes know-how, a bit of tech science. (And maybe a little tech-magic.)
Testing 1,2,3
Every presenter is different. Some speak loud, some soft. Some have a whistle between their teeth that gets amplified. Some talk fast, others slow. Some have strong accents, some pronounce their “p’s” more which shoots a pop or a hiss. We’ve heard it all, including speakers who have unique ways of projecting their voice that need a bit of extra attention to capture clearly (True story).
The only way to get it right? Match the mic to the speaker, to the room and the moment. Speaker placement is vital. Put a mic in front of a speaker box and you risk screeching feedback unless you know exactly which dials to adjust. That’s why our expert audio-visual technicians don’t just plug in and pray. We listen. We test. We adapt. Whether it’s a Hunter Valley conference or a national virtual event, we deliver seamless sound that fits the space and the speaker, that’s also affordable.
Let’s talk mic’s
The unsung heroes of every event are, without a doubt – the mics! Here’s a quick rundown of the main types we use at Bax AV, what makes them tick and the little things that can make or break the sound barriers (literally of course) with any installation.
Lectern Microphones
Best for: Podiums, lecterns and speakers who stay put
These are the long-necked mics you’ll often see attached to a podium. Designed to pick up sound from a fixed position, they’re brilliant at capturing a clear voice while minimising background noise but only when used correctly. Some are omnidirectional, meaning they pick up sound from all directions, which can be helpful in certain setups but also makes them more sensitive to ambient noise. If the speaker turns their head or moves too far off-axis, clarity drops fast.
That’s where we step in – adjusting placement or coaching speakers to keep their voice front and centre. (No big head turns or pacing, please.) And whatever you do, don’t touch the mic. You could disrupt the tech’s precise setup, and they may need to interrupt your speech just to fix it.
Handheld and Stand Microphones
Best for: MCs, live music, walk-and-talks and general audience Q&A
Think of the classic mic you hold in your hand or see on a stand at live events. These are dynamic microphones, built tough to handle loud voices and noisy rooms without feedback. Wireless mics require batteries, but the cabled or corded mics don’t, which makes them more reliable for live sound. They’re less sensitive than condenser mics, but that’s exactly why they work so well in busy, unpredictable environments.
That said, how you hold them matters. Too far away and the sound drops out. Too close to the grille and your speaker’s voice starts to muffle, pop or leave dribble on your hardware. We coach every speaker on how to hold it just right. It’s a skill, not just a grip. (Yes, it’s more than holding it like a trophy, although we know for some, it feels like one.)
Condenser Lapel (Lavalier) Microphones
Best for: Presenters who want to move around hands-free
These tiny clip-on mics, also known as lapel or lavalier mics, offer clear, natural sound when worn correctly. As condenser microphones, they’re more sensitive than dynamic mics and pick up far more detail, making them perfect for capturing voice in a studio-like quality. But that sensitivity comes at a cost. They need phantom power or batteries to run, they’re more delicate, and they don’t cope well with loud environments or being placed near speaker boxes, unless you’ve got a skilled audio tech on the job.
Worn incorrectly, they’ll pick up everything you don’t want like rustling clothes, jangling jewellery or muffled audio and all from a mic tucked under a collar. That’s why we always do a proper sound check with the speaker talking, not just tapping the mic. Because condenser mics don’t like surprises any more than we do.
Headset Microphones
Best for: Energetic presenters, panel discussions, soft-spoken speakers
These mics wrap around the ear with a boom arm near the mouth, keeping a steady distance so the sound stays consistently clear. You’ll recognise them from speakers who walk and talk on stage – think TED Talks. Because they sit close to the mouth, they don’t need to be turned up as loud, which means there’s less risk of feedback compared to other mic types. But they can still get too loud or “hot” without the right adjustments, especially when switching between speakers. That’s where our tech steps in, keeping everything balanced so every word lands just right. (No ear-melting volume here.)
Catchboxes (Wireless Throw Mics)
Best for: Fun, interactive Q&A sessions and breakout groups.
Yes, you can actually toss them! These purpose-made boxes are built with mics inside and made for interactive speaker fun. They are perfect for audience participation without awkward mic passing. We prep the crowd on how to use them and have techs ready to smooth out levels. We love using Catchboxes at our events to spark energy and connection. (Just don’t throw them like a football. They’re microphones, not dodgeballs.)
The little extras that prevent big problems
- Pop Filters / Foam Windscreens: Reduce popping sounds and breath noises, especially on handheld and headset mics
- Mic Clips and Mounts: Keep lapels steady and stop rustling noises
- Real-time EQ Adjustments: Our live audio operators tweak tone and volume based on the speaker’s voice and content
What’s at risk without the right setup?
- Feedback screeches during keynotes
- Some panelists may sound faint or go unheard.
- Popping and muffled sounds ruining recordings or losing whole sentences
- Distracted speakers and disengaged audiences
- Lost live streaming content or unusable event replays
- Missed information and loss of key speaker understanding
This isn’t just annoying, it damages your brand, your speakers’ confidence, and your message. Especially in high-stakes conference production.
We hear what others miss
We don’t just provide AV equipment hire. We offer planning, insight and technical know-how that protect your event from the most common and most avoidable audio disasters.
What you get from Bax AV:
- Custom audio planning tailored to each speaker and session
- Real-time technician support on the day
- Fully tested, EQ’d microphone setups
- AV services for conferences and events across Australia
- A partner who knows conferences inside and out
- A partner who understands effective speaking and matching the right tech, with the right voice and event.
“We don’t just test the mic. We listen to the presenter’s voice, habits and energy and then build the setup around them. We brief them, place the audio speakers for full-range, clear audio throughout the room and make sure there’s no feedback. That’s what good AV should do.” — Dale Bax, Owner, Bax Audio Visual
Make mic mistakes a thing of the past
Microphones are your frontline for sound. When chosen, placed and managed right, your speakers shine and your audience stays locked in.
When they’re not, you risk feedback, frustration and failure.
Need the right mic for the right moment? Talk to us today. Let’s get your sound sorted. www.baxav.com.au ~ Mic-Drop! (the good kind).
