If set right, an amplified mic can be as good or better then not, and desk
mics are meant to sit on the desk a bit away from you, if you set it right
it works fine, my MC-80 is set so low it won't trip the VOX in my TS-570
though I never use that anyway, I'm sure I can turn the mic up and the mic
gain on the radio down if I want to accomplish the same thing and use VOX,
this just worked for me at the time, how ever, getting too close to a mic
sounds worse then the echo some people have from being far away and cranking
up the mic.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Keith Barrett" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2004 3:38 PM
Subject: Re: Why a desk mic?


> Hi Ron,
>
> A very interesting question.  I think you are right to be concerned so,
> these are my thoughts, not all will agree with them but heregoes.
>
> I believe the correct way to address a microphone is approximately 1 to
> two inches away and set the gain accordingly.
>
> I also think that the further away one gets, the more likely the distance
> will vary with people moving around e.t.c.  This will result in varying
> levels and either overdrive or  much room echo and fan noise e.t.c.  You
> only need to listen on the bands to hear people sounding like they are in
> an empty room with a power plant behind them, as they stop speaking,
> the background increases, sometimes, the meter sits at a constant level,
> measuring the fan noise e.t.c.
>
> I avoid any amplifyed microphones, as I believe these make things
> worse.  I use a sure 444 but I hold it in my hand and keep it an inch
> away from my face.  This way, I can run my linear amp and computer
> and no one is aware of the fan noises.
>