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[Joseph Curran]

I have a question about how best to orient shotgun mics. I use some mini ones on a podium, and I have a question about how best to aim them. They are Sennheiser ME 36 super-cardioid/lobar mini shotgun microphones. They have slots on one side of the interference tube. Which is the best way to orient the slots when aiming the mics? Should we aim the slots at the podium top, for instance? Does it make any difference? Thanks a million.

[Kevin Maxwell]

I would think that you want the slots on the top of the mic. But would suggest that you get someone to stand at the lectern and have them read a paper. This is usually the way that they sound the most natural instead of just talking. Then have them turn the orientation of the mic and listen to the differences. Then you should have your answer as to what orientation works the best.   

Be aware that the pickup pattern of a mic like that may cause you to lose the presenter if they are not directly in front of the lecture. And the mic usually needs to be aimed straight at the person standing there. When I have used that type of mic on a lectern I have always used 2 of them (since the mount on the lectern is usually on one side or the other but hopeful on both sides) with the tips touching each other in basically an XY configuration so I have a wide enough area of pickup. I used to carry extra flange mounts and just leave them on the lectern when I was done. I also have to change out a lot of flange mounts that had the threads stripped. 

I used to use the term podium and someone said that you stand on a podium and you stand in front of a lectern. I then started to use what I am assuming is the correct terminology for each of them. If you ask a venue to provide a podium you may not get what you think you are asking for. That is why I distinguish between the 2, not to be a pain. I have other ways to be a pain.

https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/podium-vs-lectern-vs-pulpit/

[Tim McCulloch]

I used to use the term podium and someone said that you stand on a podium and you stand in front of a lectern. I then started to use what I am assuming is the correct terminology for each of them. If you ask a venue to provide a podium you may not get what you think you are asking for. That is why I distinguish between the 2, not to be a pain. I have other ways to be a pain.

https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/podium-vs-lectern-vs-pulpit/

Spot on.  In our PAC we have multiples of both items in a variety of physical sizes.  One-day rental client wants a podium, indicates about 40 inches.  Carpenters run off to put together an Olympics-style winners podium.  Client comes back and asks "what is THAT thing?"  Uh, it's the podium you asked for.  "no, the thing you put your papers on to read from".  Oh, a LECTERN.  "yeah, whatever."

[Joseph Curran]

I would think that you want the slots on the top of the mic.

Thanks folks. My thinking is slots on bottom to mitigate and minimize reflections from the top of the lecturn/tabletop?

[Tim McCulloch]

Thanks folks. My thinking is slots on bottom to mitigate and minimize reflections from the top of the lecturn/tabletop?

The 'slots' are part of the interference tube design which is what creates the directional pattern.  My inclination would be for the 'slots' to not face a close boundary surface.  Perhaps put on some headphones and rotate the mic while a helper speaks?  Give it a close audition, something we can't do during the event.

[brian maddox]

The 'slots' are part of the interference tube design which is what creates the directional pattern.  My inclination would be for the 'slots' to not face a close boundary surface.  Perhaps put on some headphones and rotate the mic while a helper speaks?  Give it a close audition, something we can't do during the event.

Michael Lawrence always says [paraphrasing] "Don't guess. Measure"

A bit of quick experimenting with a friend, or even hooking up a recorder and doing some test records yourself will tell you more than we can possibly tell you here on a forum, no matter how "Expert^TM" we may be... 

[and we are Expert^TM. Just ask us]

[Tim McCulloch]

Michael Lawrence always says [paraphrasing] "Don't guess. Measure"

A bit of quick experimenting with a friend, or even hooking up a recorder and doing some test records yourself will tell you more than we can possibly tell you here on a forum, no matter how "Expert^TM" we may be... 

[and we are Expert^TM. Just ask us]

I like using my ears as a starting point and I don't have to break out a computer.  I may find I like a different "spin" on the tube after I hear up close and inside my head.

When I need ExPurt advice, I consult the Wizards of Opinionated Audio, Dewey Cheatum & Howe.// er Lipnick, Broughton & Maddox. 

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