How to Mic a Panel Discussion | Filming a Live Event

Need to record sound for a live panel event? Don't want to buy a whole bunch of new gear? This video is for you! In this episode of Sound 101 Andrew talks us through some strategies for how to get great live sound at a panel discussion using your sound gear. And we are mainly going to approach the top of sound for video as this is all about audio for live streams that are meant for a PA system. The real secret is we show you how to use an automixer much like Dugan Automixer/ Dugan Automix Live. This feature is found on the Zoom F8 under AutoMix and the MixPre3 Mixassist.
Many people wonder how to mic a panel discussion without using high end live sound equipment. This episode shows you not only how you can be using your sound gear for live events but also how to perform mic checks, where to set up your gear, how to mic an audience and how to get PA systems to work for you.
If you have any questions about running live sound for your event, be sure to leave them in a comment below!
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Summary:
Deity Microphones produces weekly digital web content to help filmmakers and sound mixers grow in their education. Deity Microphones shares this free web series in hopes that the next generation of filmmakers grows in their video production quality and changes the world.
Deity Microphones produces free educational web content to help filmmakers, vloggers, sound mixers and sound designers grow as creatives and take their production quality (be it independent, TV, or studio) to the next level. Deity Microphones believes that budget should never be a constraint to creativity.

[@DeityMicrophones]

What's your tip for running live event audio?

[@JoeatAlphaCreative]

Coming at this from a video documentary standpoint, ALWAYS double mic the talent and record to individual tracks. I've watched far to many keynote videos from national organizations' conferences where someone took a mixed out from the conference center's board and one panelist stepped on the other(s) audio.

[@BadKarma714]

My tip is use all Deity mic's don't mix with low quality mic's

[@gillesmatheronpro]

To stop for a while, get a seat in the spectators area, have a listen (like you're one of them), have a look... that way you may find things to improve, change, adjust, etc. If done at the right moment, it shall erase a few more of those tiny annoying things... you, otherwise, may notice only during the event itself. I remember seeing a sticker on a door, a leftover from a previous event, that happened to have hosted a competitor from the data management company who booked us. Glad I've seen that. It was not sound related, but that saved us lots of troubles anyway !

[@PleasantsProductions]

@@JoeatAlphaCreative thank you!

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks for this Andrew - lots of good lessons here learned from experience. One other little tip - can be helpful to label your equipment. A lot of times I find things can get mixed up on set and it is much easier to sort things out at load-out if your stuff is clearly labeled.

[@BasicFilmmaker]

Those Epson label makers rule. :)

[@curtisjudd]

@@BasicFilmmaker Yes - I use that thing all the time!

[@bicraven]

Your right on Curtis...we just went through getting a label maker and labeling all.

[@user-nk1yy4oe2q]

@@curtisjudd خع7غففففثثه8هص

[@imark7777777]

Yes I had a Pastor return with his laptop from a conference, during Sunday service using it for slides we found out he grabbed the wrong power adapter and it was under powered and the laptop didn't want to use it, it would just power but not charge. Label your power bricks not only to what they go to but that they're yours.

[@soundguyjimmy]

“ Do you really want to sit there for 2 hours moving the faders up and down?” YES! I’m a professional sound mixer, that’s what I get paid for, to pay attention and anticipate who will be speaking or interjecting at any given moment during the live presentation/program/broadcast/webcast etc. I can only assume that the pay rate wasn’t very good hence the F8 and Fender PA I love your channel and your content but please understand that you are an influencer and have the ability to shape the attitude and work ethic of many new sound mixers. It would have been comforting to hear you state that this particular project had the constraints of a tight budget and this was the only viable solution to accommodate the amount of panelist and size of the audience. It takes time, effort ,knowledge and experience to become a professional sound mixer. Using an “auto mix” feature on a device is convenient for a seasoned professional because if the device fails to work correctly it can be disengaged and the sound mixer can put down their smart phone and take over. An unexperienced sound mixer would most likely get the flop sweats and would not know how to recover. Please keep the passion for sound alive and do your absolute best on every project no matter how big or small the pay rate may be.✌️❤️🎧

[@DeityMicrophones]

Hey Jimmy - you make a great point. A lot of our videos are geared towards up-and-comers who are forced to have a DIY work ethic, so that ethos is an implied part of our channel. We are making no efforts to undermine pros like you and have every bit of respect for the hustle and process. We'll be sure to keep this in mind going forward. Thanks for watching :)

[@ahmedthabet8200]

BTW auto mix can catch up what you wont ... in too many mics situation and random talking like this sort of events ..you cant catch up with the things ..Auto mix can do it for you ...

[@soundguyjimmy]

Ahmed Thabet What is considered too many mics for me?

[@ahmedthabet8200]

@@soundguyjimmy hhaaaa ..no ...not for you ...for me ...

[@svenlakemeier]

@@DeityMicrophones I'm sorry, how is this an answer? It is not about being a pro or up-and-coming. If your job is to do live audio for an event, it is your job to "sit there for 2 hours moving the faders up and down" - you might delegate some to an auto mixer, but if you're responsible for the health of the people around, you surely should be sitting there always ready to react to a feedback before it works itself up to deafening levels. There are a lot of valid points in the rest of the video, but putting this aside is in my opinion a major problem.

[@TheLikeys]

I love those Sound 101 episodes.. So many interesting subjects to talk about.. thanks for the great work💪

[@justynakurbiel2342]

This is incredible! Very thorough and professional. Thank you :)

[@JoeatAlphaCreative]

Great topic. This goes overlooked so often.

[@LatinoHollywoodConection]

Love the presentation! Professional, knowledgeable, practical, engaging and even fun. Thanks and keep up the good work! Sending love from L.A.!

[@terryhatziieremias]

amazing video mate

[@teolopez]

Just what I needed! Thanks!

[@Just_Samson]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 so much value. Keep’m coming. 😉

[@protoman247]

good tip on the ambience mics. thanks m8

[@GabrielCuillier]

Super helpful. Thank you.

[@mrheng562]

Thanks for the video Andrew. I learned more about the F8, but still fantasizing about the F6. :)

[@BenjiDWJ]

An awesome video as per usual your content is always super engaging, fun, interesting & insightful. 😁 👌 As an Events Management university graduate, I found this video particularly cool & interesting as I've watched a number of live events over the years i.e. panels for upcoming comic books, film, video games & TV releases etc. Cheers, Andrew! 🍻

[@Jens_Frislev]

Thanks super cool. I love that kind of videos with tips and tricks. Hope you will make a video where you show a audio setup on a movie production with your Zoom F8. How the Soundmixer can communicate with the boom operator

[@DrewTieng]

Yesss thank you!

[@gillesmatheronpro]

You have to like it when the video screams "experience" such as this one. Thank you for this content... filming was a brillant idea !

[@clarkeemalarkee]

Woooo! Cool to see a set up tutorial for an event I attended. 😂😂

[@christianhotter]

Awesome! You answered my question from one of your other videos! This is not an area you want to use trial and error.

[@ForTN0X]

That was awesome, thank you. I wonder how to setup Mics for a live event. Like in E-Sport events where the audience screams all the time. The casters sit there with Headsets and needed to be understandable. Do they use Compressors for that?

[@andersireborg5681]

LOOOVE IIIIT! would you consider using a boom mic as a back up for the panel... some talents don’t eat the mic or move around so it’s loud quiet... or is the dynamic mic good enough in your scenario?

[@bicraven]

Nicely done! Please do a very complete video on your pro lavs comparing and showing against some industry standard lavs like Sanken, dpa, and countryman. Thanks!! Stu Schnurman

[@bofferbrown]

Great video thanks. My question is how do you avoid feedback if you are doing a Q&A and have a mic in the audience? Thanks!

[@emodate]

Oh snap! I know exactly where you guys are!

[@tdrproductions]

Gold

[@BasicFilmmaker]

Question: Being a former musician (wayyy last century 😀) I was told sound checks require you to set the volume output of the speakers LOUDER than you would think, as when all those bodies show up they will suck up the sound and it won't be loud enough. Is this true? Thanks!

[@imark7777777]

Well it might be 2 years later but I got an answer for you. those mobile sound baffles a.k.a. humans will absorb sound with their 90% or so water and squishy fabric. I wouldn't say to set things louder but anticipate that there will be a change as it depends on the room and how and where it gets filled up. Of course there's also the singer that sings really loud during sound check and really quiet during the song, and course there's the opposite sings quiet during practice and... super loud during the song.

[@bicraven]

Great video! I would love to see your wireless setup for that event. That would help a lot. Also, I watched the video a few times to catch how you were setting up shotguns for the audience. The diagram looks like you have the shotguns in the corners, but the video piece where you have the guy setting up the mics looks like the mics are in the middle on one stand pointed in opposite directions. I am not clear on how you're supposed to set up the shotgun mics for that type of audience situation. Thanks for your response. Stu Schnurman.

[@KaidoLP]

I didn't have to do a panel discussion yet but in case I ever have to the mixing board I use has limiters and automix

[@christianhotter]

How about a video on tips and tricks for going from a camera mic to a boom mic? Like, what you would want in your bag if you have the video mic pro location kit and find you have time (and a buddy) to set up a boom for better audio.

[@martyc4906]

I'd like to get your take on audio recorders from Tascam dr-60dmkii?dr-70d and Zooms on up to MixPre 6II and higher end Zooms Do any of these work better with your mics vs the others?

[@DavidEsp1]

My experience of pack-up at the end of an event: Don't let just anyone help! (unless Security are about to throw you out!). Well-intentioned but untrained helpers damage kit. They drop and knock stuff. If something doesn't budge, they force it. Zipper handles get torn off. Plus, if you didn't do it all yourself, you can't be sure they packed everything, or of they mistakenly packed venue-owned items. Really good to have a helper eg to watch over while you disappear off anywhere. Once I returned to find a (different) Security guy playing with my locked-off tripod camera like a machine gun (forcing against the brakes). Beneath the thin veneer of adulthood...

[@ozprana]

I understand that this is a live event. but would this setup be used for live streaming? Because if the shotguns aren't going out and just being recorded how would the room interactions be heard from the viewer without phase issues? I would love to see a live stream setup.

[@jims6687]

Question about gain staging when you have 2 or more input/output levels to adjust. For example, keeping it simple, running from a D3 Pro into a Zoom H1n or your camera's input, where you have a gain adjustment on the mic and an input level on the recorder or camera. What's the best way to stage those levels so you get good s/n ratios an end up with a clean audio? Thanks!!

[@jims6687]

I answered my own question by looking at your channel post history. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpzYmJSwa6x6gK8

[@svenlakemeier]

Wait, did you say 500 people in the opener? I would highly recommend having someone specialized in live sound for that size.

[@biopharmedia]

Hi buddy, 3 years old but still super informative. Quick question - I create highlight reels of small 100-200 person events. I have had a lot of issues recently where venues do not let me plug my recorder into the main feed to capture the audio. I've recorded one event using a shotgun mic under the lectern, plugged into a FXLION Nano Two and a wireless GO II just sitting on the lectern as a backup. Any other ideas? It has not been possible to Lav up the speakers due to quick turnaround of speakers. Thanks

[@ianprice7776]

How would you setup sound with 4 wireless microphones, 1 x Mixer 1 x speaker - we only do 2 or 3 events each year. Can I use an auto fader?

[@vaidehiarts]

Had a doubt.. I’m solo cam/sound guy from the documentary team for this event. Have minimal kit, but the places where the conference is happening has a full blown live mixer (analogue, I think). Is it okay to take an in from the Aux out of the mixer? Anything I should be checking before I do that?

[@svenlakemeier]

Talk to the person responsible for the console at the event. Can they provide a proper signal for recording? Then go for it. If they only can give you the processed sound that goes to the PA, it might be difficult. Best would be an unprocessed multitrack recording with audience mics added (if not part of the plan anyway).

[@mychalsimmons4177]

Done

[@cludford]

#Mailbag Deity Andrew, you used the Zoom F8 with some special routing functions to prevent the audience microphones from being sent back into your live audience, what recommendations do you have for people with less gear, for example, a small House of Worship/Church recording (no digital mixer board present) where that immersive experience you spoke of is needed for the video playback online.

[@DavidEsp1]

Auto-mixers? Wow!

[@BadKarma714]

How about how to do a podcast set up?

[@justinrypma8752]

Just for you Karma! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jam1nH9qfMiDarc

[@Mile26point2films]

I would love to a video on how to fix bad audio when your only source is the shotgun mic

[@DeityMicrophones]

What kind of bad audio exactly? We might have already made a video on the topic.

[@imark7777777]

I know this was 2020 but you would've been way better off with just 2 powered speakers and using the zoom as the mixer. And I do like passive speakers because that centralizes your power at the expense of dedicated speaker cables although you're not running power and audio cables to each speaker so. Audience Mic great idea, if you mix minus that as in not send that to the main mix and out the speakers create a separate mix with an auxiliary send and use that as the input to the stream.

[@cludford]

#Mailbag; What suggestions do you have for keeping track of all your gear during setup and tear down? Have you lost stuff and what do you do now to prevent it? Software or paper-based suggestion welcomed.

[@TheUnMarketingGroup]

You covered this quickly - speaker placement so important! google “gain before feedback”. Speakers & mics are not friends.

[@BTVRhoenrad]

I have a Topic and question: Topic: How do i Mic a Sports Event. Especially I would be interested in how I microphone competitions, as I show them on my KZbin channel. And my question is there a connection between Framrate and sampling rate?

[@terryharris1565]

I can't find a phone number for you only email. So far your customer service is not great. Order mics and paid for. Can't receive any info for tracking.

[@felipemvera]

Yellow FJ Cruiser passing by in opening minutes was all staged change my mind lol