When you are asked to speak in front of a group, and a microphone is offered to you, this is my plea: Use the mic! So many people refuse to use one because they think they're loud enough. There are two problems with this:
- You probably aren't. Many people seem to think they have a loud voice and yet it turns out they do not project well enough for everyone in the room to hear them without straining.
- Even if you know how to project, it's still easier on everyone's ears if you would just use the technology available to you.
I honestly can't back this up with scientific facts, but it seems to me that there is something about amplified sound that is simply easier to hear. It's not just about volume. I don't know if it's because the sound cuts through background noise better or what, but that is my observation. Maybe someone who knows more about acoustics can back me up.
I have decided to move this to the top of my pet peeve list, right above people who drive slow in the fast lane!
The other reason is that even if they are able to project to the whole audience, keeping up that level is near impossible. The speaker will inevitably taper off the longer he is speaking. I agree that this shouldn't be allowed and violators should be flogged.
Posted by: Ken | August 30, 2007 at 04:19 PM
lol..."violators should be flogged."
Posted by: Bill | August 30, 2007 at 04:27 PM
Yeah, I agree with Ken. I think it's because with amplification you can talk at a conversational level (not mumbling, mind you) and still be heard well. It's much easier on the audience's ears because you're not straining to be heard all the time. We would all rather be conversed with than shouted at.
Of course, you have the people who think the mic needs to be 0.0001 inches from their mouth. That's not pretty either.
Posted by: dave paisley | November 30, 2007 at 07:37 PM