recording vocals (sermons)

I am a FOH ENGINEER  for my church and I am recording vocals only live  and manl I can hear all of the noises and use rx2 to clean it up any suggestion on cutting down on the noise
 
  hp 8gbram, 1tb hd, windows

With any voice work you have 4 circumstances.
 
1) Where the sound accompanies a picture and the extraneous sounds have a context that helps the noise from seeming disconcerting. For example; a story about nature with birds singing in the back ground.
 
2) Where the sound accompanies a picture and the extraneous sounds do not seem to be in context to the scene and  the noise seems disconcerting.
 
3) Where the sound exists only as sound and the extraneous sounds have a context that helps the noise from seeming disconcerting. For example; a story about jackhammers with a jackhammer sound in the back ground.
 
4) Where the sound exists only as sound and the extraneous sounds have no context so they seem disconcerting.
 
Most professional speakers will speak loudly enough that their voice will help the circumstance of masking disconceting sounds.
 
If that is the case then it comes down to effective mic placement. 
 
You can try to edit the noise out after the fact. It will be very tedious and the results will likely fall short of the hope or expectation.
 
best regards,
mike
 
 
 
 
 
 

Or just source the speaker's mixer channel as we do using an insert or direct out if ya have one on the board.
 
We also use an earset. It's as if nobody is there. - crickets......
Except for an occasional burst of laughter. Pastor Bruce is a funny man!

thanks brother bitman I tried using the countryman e6 but he sweats so when pastor wipes his face he was hitting the mic and he decided he wanted to use the lapel mic again(I am working on getting him back to the e6 lol)

Hi William,
 I imagine that the reason the other posters have recommended a headset mic is that a lapel mic placed on someone who moves actively is going to pick up all sorts of clothing noises.
 
You can try a gate. I suspect you'll dislike the results... I know I would.
 
If you have to stick with the lapel option then you'll need to experiment with the placement. It can be really frustrating if the subject's wardrobe is noisy. There are some fabrics that are more "scratchy" sounding than others.
 
I often times hide a lapel (I call them lavalier mics) in a neck tie knot. This seems to be a good option as there is usually minimal clothing movement and it also maintains good proximity when someone turns their head. If the subject has a double chin and a starched collar it may not work out well. Add a tiny bit of razor stubble and it may not work at all.
 
Every time I place a lapel mic I consider many aspects of the circumstance and often time second guess myself and make further adjustments.
 
It's all pretty much common sense stuff.
 
The real point I am trying to make is that it is most effective to solve the problem with the mic and not have to look for solutions in post processing. That's the easiest way and it also provides the best final result.
 
all the best,
mike
 

Oh but R-Mix might work for scratchiness. There are some automatic restoration settings that you could try that might detect and lessen that type of scratchy sound. You said RX earlier and I asked if you meant Izotope RX. If you have that program it will have far superior restoration tools so that would be something to try.
 

Am I right in thinking that most of the unwanted noise is down to using a lavalier (lapel) mic that gets knocked, rubs against clothing etc.? How much of a problem is unwanted noise from other people?
 
Are any of he recordings on he web? If so, where? HAving a lisen may help us suggest solutions.
 
In the meantime, a couple of options to consider might be using overhead mics (hang them like they often do in theatres, one or more as needed to cover the area required). Another might be a highly directional "shotgun" mic (of the kind often used with camcorders) on a stand pointed at him from a distance away. If the stand has a camera-mount kind of wivel then it's possible to "track" the speaker as they mover around.
 
A third option might be a mic on a long hand-held "fishpole" boom of the kind used in film and broadcasting, though you'd need someone to carry it and point it etc. and they can be visually obtrusive.
 
If close-micing is necessary (and it's the best way to go if possible) then really it's necessary to persuade him to understand that no matter whether someone's preaching, singing or making a speech they are also making a performance that is being recorded, and a necessary part of the skill of a performer is good mic technique. Then either a headset mic and care when wiping his face or hand-held mic or one on a stand and get him to stand still and use it properly.