Hi...I'm a new vent wannabe

When you practice your actual vent act, do you use your sound system?

In my case, for my shows... I bring my own postable sound system. (Peavey Escort and Shure headworn mic)

I figured it might be nice to use the sound system once in awhile so that we can measure the distance of the mic from our mouth and check the settings of the equalizer etc...

What do you think?

Thanks

Wanlu

Wanlu,

Rehearsing is vitaly important; just like a musician practicing daily to flex the brain and muscles. Your idea of rehearsing with your sound system is a great one! Mic technique is, I believe, a good 90% of your performance success with vent.

I also video every rehearsal and performance and study it carefully for thing like:
1. Manipulation of the vent figures. (Do they really look alive?)
2. My vent technique. (How are the lips. Are they still or moving?)
3. Etc.

While very humbling, taping your performances and rehsarsals and using the mic in rehearsal will help to move you to consistent, professional quality before long.

Does anyone use a portable mic system for walk around venting?

If so, what is your system and recommended set up?

Jonathan

Thanks Brooklyn...I've tried doing videos and I enjoy doing it and I actually see my weak side and my good side

I'd like to video an actaul show hopefully this weekend

Thanks

Wanlu

Hi Jonathan,

A friend of mine has this mic and speaker strapped around his waist ala belt bag...sells for about $80...

I wouldn't really know if it works or if you actually need one for walk around. But I can only guess that it will make your job easier because it will amplify your voice

Wanlu

Dear Wanlu,

Any chance of you speaking to your friend to find out the make and model number of the set up he has and if he is satisfied with it?

If he could provide a web link for thi sproduct, that too would be very helpful.


Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,

okay...I'll do that and will let you know as soon as possible

Thanks

Wanlu

Thanks Wanlu!

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,

So sorry to disappoint you but my friend only sent me an SMS saying that the brand is UKAI...it's like a belt bag that has the speakers in it and a mic attached to it.

Wanlu

Thanks for trying Wanlu.

There must be a thread about this on the Café.

I will fire up the search engines sometime soon.

Best regards.

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,

I found this, I hope it helps

http://chattervox.com/

Wanlu

Jonathan,

I bought this 10 years ago. Ronjo Magic still has it.
http://www.ronjo.com/page/R/PROD/S/M010033

For a few years I have been using a Hisonic

15 Watts

180 x 300 x 110 mm

180-260 mhz.

It is fairly light weight and has a great sound. I got it used for about $75.

It can be used for small groups(such as library shows of 1-200, and light enough for walk arounds with a wrap around head set microphone.

Prior to getting the above item I used a waist belt system of 3-5 Watts.

Harris

Jonathon;
Do a Google search for "waistband amplifier" and you will get a slew of similar product in the price range of $50 - $250.

Maybe this is a dumb question (in truth, I don't have what it takes to do vent work) but if you have a sound system, (and it's obvious that your voice is miked) do you make a dummy mike for your figure? (Kinda drips with irony, doesn't it?)

Lou Hilario's "Nacho" wears a headworn mic like the one Lou is wearing

Ony Carcamo uses a mic stand and a a working mic for his "Mr. Parley"

I don't do full vent acts but I'm working on a routine already, I figured having a mic in front of the puppet/dummy makes a better illusion of the puppet talking...

If I find an inexpensive headworn mic, I'll make my hard figure Lou wear one. As for my soft puppets Gonzo (Orangutan) and Troy (Pelican) I think they are doing okay without a dummy mic

Wanlu,
I use a cellphone mic for my figure "Nacho". It is cheap, small and readily available in most phone shops. Look for the older models that look like the expensive headworn mics nowadays.

Great!!!

On behalf of Lou, thanks Lou


By the way, how do I attach it to the figure? Is super glue okay?

Thanks guys... great suggestions and sources for mics!

Jonathan

Wanlu, never do that to your hard figure--attaching the mic using a superglue. Hard figures are delicate. It can damage the paint. Ask Lou how he did it for his figure.

You're right, I just use a standard straight mic stand and a microphone in my vent acts. I place it as much as possible in BETWEEN me and my figure (to appear that we are both using one mic only). But I don't care that much if the only mic is just in front of me (see club act videos of Jeff Dunham, Ronn Lucas, Willie Tyler, Jay Johnson, etc--they usually use one mic only on a mic stand that's right in front of them--no mic for their figures). If the manipulation and dialogues are great, no one will notice the mics.

Old, classic style of performing, yes. But it has been working great for me for years.

Of course, if you're more comfortable with the head-worn mic, it's what you should use.