How to mic a choir - practical choir micing tips from Shir Soul Sound

"What microphones do I use to mic a choir?"
"How do I mic a large choir?"
"I'd like to pick up some new choir micing techniques."
Look no further!
Today, we at Shir Soul Sound are at Yeshiva Ktana of Passaic sharing some practical tips on how to mic a choir!
For bookings and info, contact David Ross @ 917-817-2897 or [e-mail]
www.JewishWeddingBand.com​
www.ShirSoul.com
/ shirsoulmusic
Instagram: @ShirSoulMusic
TikTok: @ShirSoul
Twitter: @ShirSoul
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:20 - Microphone selection
1:10 - Microphone placement/Techniques
1:48 - Monitoring
2:25 - Positioning the Choir
2:38 - The Performance
2:47 - Outro
3:17 - Outtakes
We hope you enjoy this video which focuses on the options and details when micing a choir for a live event. Please let us know if we can be of service to you for your next live event! As always, definitely share this video with family and friends, and don't forget to like, comment and subscribe below!
We'd love to hear what you'd like to learn about next. Let us know in the comments below!
Check out some of the gear we used!
Mics:
Shure SM58: amzn.to/30s184Y
Shure SM57: amzn.to/3l3RBe3
Shure Beta 58a: amzn.to/3t1W2cg
Neumann TLM103: amzn.to/2QoXIyg
Mixer: amzn.to/3sFAlOI
Snake: amzn.to/3qrsF19
Speakers: amzn.to/38lLzR3
Monitor: amzn.to/2MWCu9B
Subwoofers: amzn.to/30ouZvh
XLR cables:
(20') amzn.to/38ltYZb
(30') amzn.to/2OtRUTf
(50') amzn.to/30owVUz
Headphone Amp: amzn.to/3t1PvOu
Headphones: amzn.to/2OtTowN
Camera Tripod: amzn.to/2ONJLtx
Laptop: amzn.to/3s5qPER
Links included in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that we provide, we may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! We appreciate the support for our channel so we can continue to provide you with great free content.
© Copyright 2018 by Shir Soul. All Rights Reserved.

[@theDfLopes]

Thanks a lot for the video, a great class. We coordinate a little church choir (only 20 kids), but use only one mic don't cover all voices. And you turn on the dyn mics just on solo time?

[@artiechoke649]

I can't believe I have just watched a "how to set up microphones" video where the presenter is practically drowned out by background noise from the room!

[@jambam6176]

😂😂😂

[@rockinrio96]

I give you major props for showing and doing this in less than ideal situations!

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Thanks so much - I really appreciate that!

[@woolenwoods665]

thansk for ur effort put into the video. this is very educational and informative video!

[@HannahYael-MayaDevi]

That’s good to know! The sound was wonderful!

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Thanks so much for saying!

[@quoleo]

great video, thanks for sharing

[@paulson2008]

Thank you so much 😊

[@TheHxpro]

Baruch Hashem :-) Couple of questions. Why are you so close to the stage? Would be better to monitor from further away. Why send to the monitor any of the mics as you stated? In this case they should not need to hear themselves in the monitor. Would you consider using 4 choir mics? I LOVE your K10's. I have them as well as K Subs.

[@shadowplay5995]

Awesome job!

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Thanks so much Antonio!

[@ShirSoulMusic]

So glad you enjoyed our video

[@apsietese8718]

Thank you Sir

[@ShirSoulMusic]

My pleasure!

[@borisaranchuk2279]

What’s the microphone model to pick up the sound for the chorus about 50 singers. Thank you.

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Hi Boris, we linked all the microphones we used in the description. We used a couple different ones, so take a look and see which might be best for you!

[@thomasyamaguchi6434]

Thanks !

[@ShirSoulMusic]

It’s absolutely our pleasure! Thank you so much for watching our videos. Do you do live sound as well?

[@edwardmorris9735]

Hi Edward here I need to identify something to use in audience or congratulations for testimony purposes for live streaming.

[@paulson2008]

can you please tell me if those pencil microphones are Sennheiser or not ? if not please tell me the brand so it will be of great help. Thank you so much 😊

[@jukkahuhtanen6640]

To me they look like Samson C02 Pair

[@ShirSoulMusic]

@@jukkahuhtanen6640 They are indeed!

[@joaov.m.oliveira9903]

Hi, Please what's the brand of mic you used with this choir?

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Hi! We just put links to all the equipment we used in the description. Take a look and let us know if you have any other questions!

[@adriancressy8363]

would have been really helpful to hear the actual feed instead of the noisy room sound

[@samkaykasheef6982]

Hello sir Well at church we have singers, the band etc. but now I need your assistance in what I will need when I want to record good quality of them singing and the band at the same time. They sing in front and I am at the back in the sound engineering console so what is it that I need to produce quality audio and videos. Like what software's, what gadgets etc. Thank you for your help. Hope you understand what I am trying to say 🤣🤣🤣

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Do you have a digital mixer with multi-track recording?

[@samkaykasheef6982]

@@ShirSoulMusic No but want to get one so any suggestions? Is there a way I can contact you so you can help me out please

[@DarkPa1adin]

what polar pattern are your mics? and does it matter if it is cardioid or super/hyper cardioids?

[@theDfLopes]

The mic is thensamson C02. It is just cardio.

[@marsshalt]

Hi thanks, is the berhinger c-2 best for choir?

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Hi Marshal - thanks so much for your question! I’m not familiar with that (I don’t use Berhinger’s stuff) - is that a microphone? I can check it out and let you know what I think!

[@nisuda]

what type of mics did you use on this video?

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Just the iPhone

[@ShirSoulMusic]

I realize now you meant which microphones we used to record the choir - oops! We've included links to all the mics and equipment in the description.

[@jarrodposey7741]

Do you link and pan the condensers

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Yes I certainly do

[@roshnilight.hazaribaghjhar2647]

Sir how to use same time condencer mic and dynamic in soundcrart signature 16 mixer.

[@markgregnisperos1818]

You cant.

[@neilanyon4792]

@@markgregnisperos1818 Yes you can. I assume you're talking about having phantom power on all channels. No problem, dynamics will just ignore it. Only old ribbon mics might be problematic but pretty sure you won't be using any of them.

[@markgregnisperos1818]

@@neilanyon4792 I have tried it and a lot of our mics died (LITERALLY LOL) and can no longer be used. Most of our mics are made out of stainless (not quite sure but it's conductive), you can feel a little sting when you accidentally touch it with your lips when singing (some singers tend to do that tho, and I am not sure what are the reasons they do that because mic doesn't work that way obviously).

[@neilanyon4792]

@@markgregnisperos1818 That really is odd. Which mics are dying - condenser or dynamic? To kill a dynamic you would need a helluvah current as you'd literally have to fuse the internal wiring/transformer/voice coil. Can't see any phantom supply having the guts to do that (normally talking milliamps only). Condenser circuits can be damaged by high voltage which is certainly possible with a faulty mixer PSU, and might explain the tingling if voltage exceeds insulation breakdown potential. Sounds like you may have an issue with your particularly desk; it's not something I have come across, and certainly wouldn't expect it in a Soundcraft mixer. Would love to know if and how you manage to resolve it. Best of luck.

[@markgregnisperos1818]

@@neilanyon4792 I've checked my mixer right after I've read your reply. Im using alto live 1202. Im using the built-in phantom power. I have no problem with condenser mics (inserted in xlr inputs). But when im using condenser and dynamic mics together, dynamic mics breaks. The solution I've done to resolve it is to insert dynamic mics in unbalanced mic input. It caused me to buy cables and male plugs for it.

[@mikepruett1745]

question I bought pendomax mic they work on 1- 10 V DC what about phantom power these don’t work they make noise

[@ShirSoulMusic]

I’m unfortunately not familiar with those mics, Mike. Sorry!

[@mikepruett1745]

@@ShirSoulMusic never heard of a mic with that voltage i looked them up and they have the right ones thanks

[@trevormadsen]

You could use neckband mic for soloists.

[@ShirSoulMusic]

You mean a headset mic? Definitely could do that as well, but there were many soloists each just singing a line or two (and that could get expensive)

[@elwinceria8266]

Can i use my overhead mic from my drum mic is that the same of your mic sir?

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Yes! Any small diaphragm condenser microphones will work. A matched pair will deliver the best results, in my opinion.

[@rmsaf870]

you did not tell us brand of the mics you used

[@ShirSoulMusic]

We added links to the description! There, you'll find all the mics, the monitors, mixer, stands, and more!

[@Johnxmusic]

He use Samson C02 to the choir!

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Yes - they sound pretty great!

[@Johnxmusic]

If I have 40 voices in my choir, wich mic, including that Samson mic, do you recommend?

[@robertkent4929]

Well damn, you're just down the street from me

[@ShirSoulMusic]

Really?

[@robertkent4929]

@@ShirSoulMusic yeah, I'm in Paterson (but do sound for a church in Bridgewater and occasionally a Temple in Closter)

[@IlyaZlatyev]

прикольно, но не понятно

[@A1CLGroup]

Weak sauce bro.