At a glance
Choose a microphone the speaker can use consistently throughout their session. A handheld suits managed exchanges, a lavalier supports movement, and a lectern microphone suits a fixed position. Every choice still needs a realistic trial, including gestures, clothing and listening to the signal that will actually reach the translation system.
Start with how the person will speak
Choose the microphone whose use will remain consistent during the planned session. Ask whether the speaker will sit, walk, read notes or demonstrate an object. Try that situation before deciding based on how the microphone looks on camera. A realistic task is more useful than a perfectly still microphone check.
A conference often combines several formats. You can keep one setup for a presentation and provide another microphone for exchanges. The guide to connecting the rack to the mixer explains why every relevant source must reach the translation feed.
Test the constraints of each format
With a handheld, practise passing it between two people and check that the next speaker waits until receiving it. With a lavalier, ask the speaker to turn their head and handle their notes. At a lectern, have them look towards the screen and then back to the audience. These movements expose problems a stationary sentence can miss.
Sennheiser explains how reflections affect speech intelligibility. If listening is unclear, work with the audio team on capture and the venue before assessing translation. A different microphone format deserves its own trial.
Prepare each speaker handover
Assign someone to hand over microphones, help with placement or confirm that a person is ready. A clear, quiet transition is preferable to a speaker starting while adjustments are still underway. Explain this before speakers arrive on stage, then briefly remind them at their position. Make sure the moderator knows who can help.
Example: for a demonstration requiring both hands, try the lavalier while performing the actual task. For the short answers afterwards, test the planned handheld. Listen to both through the audience headset rather than assuming the first microphone settings will automatically suit the second.
Approve capture through the complete setup
The specifications provide one input for a microphone signal or a mix of several microphones. Microphone selection and operation therefore need joint preparation with the audiovisual team. Listen to the original feed before trying to diagnose a word that was translated incorrectly. Keep the agreed usage instructions with the running order.
Anyone covering a crew role should receive the same practical instructions.
- Every speaker tries their actual position and gestures.
- The audio team checks the feed sent to the rack.
- Microphone changes are rehearsed.
- Someone listens through the audience equipment.
- A replacement microphone is identified in the session plan.
Explore further
Rack specificationsRack rentalSennheiser | Acoustics and speech intelligibilityWritten with AI assistance, using public product specifications and documented sources.
