Sound Booth Operation & Microphone Placement Guidelines
02/18/2006
within the microphone’s case itself, remote from
the booth. The booth operator can only vary the
sound level as received from the wireless microphone, which is not quite the same. This is another instance where the operator must be ready to
readjust the room’s sound level if needed.
Introduction
The following notes are intended to give helpful
guidelines regarding the operation of the Kingdom Hall Sound System. As new equipment is
added, additional comments will be made.
It’s important for us to accept that we all come
from different backgrounds having varying ideas
of how to do things. The purpose for presenting
this written information is to make sure we are all
working together in the same way.
Microphone Design Styles:
Two different styles of microphones are used in
Kingdom Halls. One style is called an “omni”
which has a pickup pattern that is all directional –
hence it’s called omni-directional. Placing this
style of microphone a bit high, or low, or off to
one side of a person may not make that much difference in its pickup capability since it “hears”
about the same from every direction.
If you have questions, please see the brother
whom the elder body has put in charge of the
Sound Department.
General Sound System Information
The other style of microphone is called a “cardiod”. It has a pickup pattern that is much more
sensitive to sound from its front than from its
sides or rear. The reason it’s called cardiod is
because its pickup pattern is similar to the shape
of a heart. Placing a cardiod microphone correctly requires a bit more care than placing an omni,
but as long as it is pointed at the speaker, it works
fairly well. The cardiod style of microphone is
generally used at the podium and it is a good
choice since it minimizes the chances of feedback
due to its restrictive pickup pattern.
Years ago, before today’s modern electronics,
careful placement of microphones and speakers
was not only important, it was critical. Today,
we, with only basic equipment, can insure that all
in the audience will hear adequately well.
Most Kingdom Hall’s have more than just basic
equipment and because of that we must learn to
use it properly. At the same time we should not
make the operation of it overly complicated. Our
need for sound amplification is simple and basic
– that being the amplification of instructional
presentations and the simple playing of music to
accompany singing.
Manufacturers produce varying patterns of cardiod microphones – some much broader in their
pickup pattern allowing for a larger pickup area
and others so narrow in their pattern that they
must be aimed precisely at the sound source.
KH’s are most likely in the average pickup area
category.
Sound systems in Kingdom Halls ordinarily use
ceiling mounted speakers. Mounting of speakers
in the ceiling is not the best method to use due to
several shortcomings, such as the lack of “stage
presence” and potential of feedback. Because of
feedback threat, the sound booth operator must
always be ready to adjust the microphone’s volume level.
Over the years microphone designs have improved significantly to the extent that they are no
longer physically large nor is it any longer critical
that they be placed closely to a person’s face in
order for them to pick up properly. Modern
commercial installations commonly use one or
two microphones solidly mounted to the speaker’s stand eliminating the need for a separate mi-
In the case of portable wireless microphones, the
sound booth operator has adjustment control over
the overall room volume level but no adjustment
control over the microphone’s pickup sensitivity
because the sensitivity electronics are located
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crophone stand or for an attendant to make height
adjustments for each speaker.
The Sound Booth Attendant
The following are several important items applicable to the sound booth attendant:
Kingdom Hall Installations
However, most Kingdom Halls continue to use a
separate microphone stand at the podium and also
have speakers mounted in the ceiling. So, that is
what we’ll deal with in these notes.
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The Sound Department is Very Important!
The sound department is one of the more important departments because of the service it provides to the congregation during each meeting.
The meetings are designed to instruct and a
properly adjusted sound system is an important
component in the instructional process. Anything
that can be done to help the audience keep its focus on the topics under discussion is very important.
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Arrive early and be at the sound booth 20
minutes prior to start of the meeting
Play orchestral songs for background
music until 5 minutes before the start of
the meeting.
Identify the piano songs that are scheduled to be played. Write them down and
get the first selection ready to play.
Meeting
Public Talk
Watchtower
Study
TMS & Service
Meeting
A good meeting is one during which:
 The audience’s concentration is not distracted by incorrect microphone placements or delayed sound level adjustments
 All songs played are the correct ones
 Those who comment are reached quickly
 All in the sound department do their job
“invisibly”!
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The Sound Department Coordinator
The brother assigned to manage all aspects of the
Sound Department has a very responsible job –
tasks ranging from publishing a monthly schedule
of brothers who have volunteered to assist to that
of verifying all sound system equipment is available and in working order.
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His is a working position. That is, his duties not
only include the scheduling and supervising of
others but he is expected to be heavily involved
in the “hands on” operation of the sound system –
especially at the microphone controls. The sound
booth is a central point in the operation of sound
during a meeting and the Sound Department Coordinator will be expected to be a major sound
booth attendant.
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Song Source
Chairman of Public
Talk Meeting
Watchtower Magazine
School Schedule &
Kingdom Ministry
Check the microphones and install freshly charged batteries in all wireless microphones.
Prepare microphones & cables for rovers.
The Stage Attendant is the point of contact for all stage requirements. Speak with
him before the meeting begins in order to
fully understand any special requirements
(demonstrations, etc.)
The Public Talk Meeting Chairman is
the contact from which you will get the
song number chosen by the Public Talk
Speaker.
Be ready to connect those who are housebound to the phone line.
Leaving the sound booth: If there is a
need to leave the booth during the meeting,
allow only those previously trained and
approved to take your place – even if
you’re gone for only a few minutes.
Sound Booth Operation
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Importance: The sound booth operator is
the central point of sound activity during a
meeting. He is to be made aware of all
sound system requests made by meeting
participants. In turn, he is expected to assist when necessary by giving direction to
those serving as rovers or stage attendants.
For example, various speaking parts during
a meeting may require a special setup or
some other special attention – he is the
“go-to” brother that makes sure it gets acted upon. This requires that he be able to
focus his attention on the sound arrangements, not allowing himself to be distracted by conversation with others until all
sound system provisions are taken care of.
Capable of Adjusting: A brother assigned
to the sound booth must be active, alert
and capable of adjusting to any situation
that may develop. He must be able to adjust the sound to the correct level based on
the microphone mixer’s sound level metering equipment and using his own hearing
ability. He must also be capable of adjusting to a change of the routine of a meeting
if necessary. Kingdom Hall sound booth’s
are generally put in a convenient but not
the best possible acoustical location from
which to judge quality or sound levels and
because of this, sound adjustments that are
a little “off” may not always be noticed. If
a sound booth operator has trouble hearing
well, wearing earphones is strongly encouraged.
Be Alert: It’s important for the sound both
attendant to be in the sound booth at least
ten minutes before the start of each meeting. About that time someone who is
housebound will call asking to be connected to the sound system. About five
minutes before the start of each meeting
the attendant’s priority focus should be on
the stage so that the podium microphone
can be turned on enabling the chairman to
announce that the meeting is about to
begin. Although it is always enjoyable to
talk with passers-by, this is not a good
time! Also, during the meetings, he must
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be alert and prepared to mask the mechanical sound of microphone adjustments by
reducing the microphone pickup level as
different brothers use the podium.
Audio Mixer Console: Audio Mixer
Consoles have the capability of separately
adjusting the audio level of a number of
microphones and other audio devices such
as tape decks, CD players, telephone connections, etc. It has additional capability
to also handle a number of other devices as
they are introduced in the future. Often
many of the controls on consoles are covered with a sheet of clear plastic. This
shield was installed to protect the preset
controls from being tampered with. These
settings should not be disturbed.
Podium: After the stage attendant adjusts
the microphone appropriate to the brother’s height, adjust the room volume to the
brother’s voice. Leave the microphone
circuit on until the brother finishes his part.
Turn the microphone level down between
podium users to allow for the stage attendant to make height adjustments for
each brother.
WT Reader: Turn on the WT Reader’s
microphone as the reader is about to begin
and adjust the volume to match his voice.
Leave it at that setting until the WT readings are over.
Rovers: When a meeting part that requires
microphone rovers begins, turn the four
rover circuits on adjusting them to the expected level. Leave the microphone mixer circuits turned on during the entire
time rovers are required. Adjust each rover microphone’s room volume as each is
first used, then leave it at that setting
touching it up only when necessary. It
may be lowered in between comments,
but is NOT TO BE TURNED OFF until
the rover part of the meeting is over. Doing this will insure the first few syllables
of every audience comment will be heard.
School Rooms: If there are microphones
connected in the schoolrooms, turn them
on only when they are first used, adjust
their level and then leave them at that set-
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ting. Adjust them downward if they are
picking up undesirable noises such as
coughing or crying babies or causing feedback. You may have to wear earphones to
detect some of these!
 Kingdom Hall Layout: There is a reproduced drawing of the layout of the Kingdom Hall showing the locations of the 12
microphone circuit connections. The
numbers identifying the microphone circuits on the drawing are the same as found
on the sound mixer console. Familiarize
yourself with all microphone circuits – especially with those that are used the most.
 Microphone controls/locations –
1. Table #1
2. Table #2
3. Podium
4. Podium (Preferred)
5. Stage WT Reader
6. Stage WT Reader (Preferred)
7. West Wall
8. West Main Isle
9. North Main Isle
10. North Wall
11. West School (#2)
12. North School (#3)
After the meeting, to return all sound
equipment to where it is stored.
One of the most important activities for the stage
attendant is the physical placement of microphones for the various parts during our meetings
– the most critical being the placement of the podium microphone.
Mic Placement in General:
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Placing the microphone to a position that
is level with the speaker’s mouth is not
the ideal position.
The microphone will pick up just as well
if its level is adjusted a bit lower.
Placing the microphone too high or too
close will distract the speaker, block part
of his face from the audience’s view as
well as possibly block the speaker’s view
of the audience sitting in the front rows.
Placing it too low may block the view of
the speaker’s notes.
When the microphone placement is proper, it will not block anyone’s view nor
will it be noticed by the speaker or by the
audience.
Placement at the Podium:
The Stage Attendant
Place the microphone within 8-12 inches from the
speaker’s mouth with the boom angled slightly
upwards (about 20-30 degrees angle) with the
microphone pointed to just under the speaker’s
chin.
The stage attendant has a number of responsibilities:
 To speak with those who have parts on the
meetings and get from them sound system
requirements.
 To inform the sound booth operator of
special song selections and/or stage arrangements.
 To set up the stage microphones in preparation for the various meeting parts.
 To position the microphone for each person having a speaking part in the meeting.
 To be observant during each meeting part
making sure that all microphones are
placed properly and working correctly.
 To be in attendance during the entire meeting ready to make any adjustments if needed.
Placement for Prayer at the Podium:
As above, but since the brother will bow his head
during the prayer adjust the microphone lower
than usual – pointing it at the knot of his tie.
Standup Demonstrations:
Place the microphone chest high with the boom at
a steep angle and the microphone pointed upwards. The two demonstrators will stand on either side of the microphone stand.
Placement for a Sitting Conversation:
One thing to consider when someone is sitting at
a table during a part, especially if they’re reading
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and talking, is that their head will move up and
down and to the side – much more than if they
were standing.
The Microphone Rovers
An important part of our meetings is the making
available of roving microphones so all in attendance can hear other member’s comments. To
help keep the focus of the group on the topic under discussion, it is important to allow members
of the audience to comment in a timely manner –
getting the microphone to them quickly is desirable.
When the microphone is placed too close to a
person’s mouth even minor head movements will
cause significant audio level changes. The reason
for this is that the sound booth operator will have
adjusted the person’s voice level so that it is not
too loud when the person speaks directly into the
closely positioned microphone. Then when the
person moves their head up, down, or to the side,
the sound level of their voice falls off dramatically – it is not possible for the booth operator to
keep up with the person’s head movements. The
result is the person’s voice level varies much during the part.
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To minimize the sound level variances, place the
microphone as far away from the person as possible, but not further than 8-12 inches. Aim the
microphone at the chin and move it slightly to the
side of the other participant. This will best allow
for up, down, and sideways head movements.
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Pick up a microphone from the sound
booth operator at the beginning of a meeting part that requires rovers.
When the roving microphone portion begins, turn all microphone switches to the
“on” position and leave them there until
the roving microphone portion of the meeting is over.
Caution: Rover microphone circuits will
be live during the entire time rovers are required. Therefore, be very careful as you
handle the microphones so as to not cause
unnecessary background noise.
Try to be invisible. Do not draw attention
to yourself.
Anticipate. Watch the conductor’s head
and eyes and you’ll be able to more quickly anticipate who may be called upon next.
This will enable you to reach that person
quickly.
Know the names of those sitting in the audience near you so they can be reached
quickly.
Hold back from handing a microphone to
someone until you’re standing along side
or in front of them. Handing it when
you’re standing behind them is awkward.
If you’re asked to hold the microphone in
place for someone while they comment,
hold it a bit lower than their mouth, off to
one side, and about 6 inches away. Holding it off to one side avoids the popping
sounds made when certain words are pronounced.
Return the microphones to the sound booth
when the meeting is over.