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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: Red Boink on February 13, 2013, 07:31:31 AM

Title: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: Red Boink on February 13, 2013, 07:31:31 AM
For decades the Presidential audio setup has consisted of two shure sm57s with wind screens on, who knows what kind of deal was made for that setup.  Last night's address had a mic that came up on a single stand and the single mic extended seemingly seamlessly into an egg shaped body smooth with the diaphragm end pickup without an apparent pop screen.  The mic sounded great with smooth, consistently level volume picked up perfectly, even when he spoke 45 degrees off axis without any slopes in volume. 

Anyone know what mic they used?  I like it a lot better than the 57s. 

John
Title: Re: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: John Willett on February 13, 2013, 07:49:27 AM
I presume you mean this:-

(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/2/13/1360722849340/Barack-Obama-state-of-the-010.jpg)

(http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2013/0211/20130211_013411_AP110125172608.jpg)
Title: Re: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: Red Boink on February 13, 2013, 09:20:15 AM
yeah, I see it does have a wind screen.  Do you know the mic?

p.s. You presume correctly.
Title: Re: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: DigiGal on February 13, 2013, 09:29:35 AM
Egg shaped smooth body, this AT8615 desk stand that has been around for a long time is the first thing that comes to mind...

(http://www.electrolaser.net/imgs/produtos/A_43_AT8615.jpg)
Title: Re: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: tgakidis on February 13, 2013, 10:32:08 AM
It's funny you bring this up because I always point out the microphones/windscreens used to my girlfriend whenever one popos up on the TV. 
Title: Re: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: Colin Liston on February 13, 2013, 10:50:51 AM
It's funny you bring this up because I always point out the microphones/windscreens used to my girlfriend whenever one popos up on the TV.

Does she think you are a nerd for always pointing that out?  Mine wife does.  :P
Title: Re: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: tgakidis on February 13, 2013, 10:57:38 AM
It's funny you bring this up because I always point out the microphones/windscreens used to my girlfriend whenever one popos up on the TV.

Does she think you are a nerd for always pointing that out?  Mine wife does.  :P

She thinks it's cute, in a nerdy way.
Title: Re: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: Chuck on February 13, 2013, 11:38:49 AM
I assume they always used (2) SM57's in front of presidents, because they are so reliable. You can hit them regularly drum sticks and they hold up. No phantom power needed etc... and of course two of them for redundancy.

But, yeah I did notice the different microphone last night.
Title: Re: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: DigiGal on February 13, 2013, 12:43:18 PM
This screen shot from the 2013 State of the Union Address shows there was no egg shaped base.
(http://cdn.theatlanticwire.com/img/upload/2013/02/12/Screen_Shot_2013-02-12_at_9.15.10_PM/large.png)


For comparison here is a photo from the 2012 State of the Union Address, looks like the same podium mic.
(http://www.newsworks.org/images/stories/flexicontent/l_state-of-the-union-1-12-ap-photox305-2.jpg)

About the only visual change from 2012 to 2013 is the guys are wearing different ties and the Speaker of the House a different color shirt.
Title: Re: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: acidjack on February 13, 2013, 01:25:25 PM
Conversation about the President is so much more pleasant outside the PZ  :)
Title: Re: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: rastasean on February 13, 2013, 01:29:23 PM
I'm interested to know why Congress has podium mics but the Senate appears to use lapel mics. Maybe they don't want something obstructing their heart to reach their state.
Title: Re: State of the Union Microphone
Post by: Red Boink on February 16, 2013, 11:33:26 AM
Maybe that's a "permanent" installation on the podium, but what kind of mic is it?