Singing and the Inverse Square Law

What's the Inverse Square Law?

Ever noticed how your voice changes when you move closer or farther from the microphone? It's all thanks to the Inverse Square Law! Let's talk about how this law affects singing into a microphone and how it can enhance your performances.

The inverse square law states that: the intensity of sound drops by 6 dB for each doubling of distance from the source. The opposite is true when you move closer to the source.

Ok, what?

As you move closer, your voice gets louder, and as you move away, it gets weaker. Duh. But, it’s a wider range than you might think. That’s the whole 6 dB thang!

If you start with your lips on the mic, you will experience more fluctuation in volume (in addition to the proximity effect and more plosives). Movements away or side to side will decrease your volume proportionate to the amount of distance you move.

If you start at too far a distance from the mic, you might not achieve the volume needed to rise above your bandmates (we're looking at you, drummer!). You'll also be left floating in front of the mic, unsure whether or not your angle and distance are the same as during soundcheck.

So vocalists are left with the choice of "eating the mic" and suffering the consequences of the proximity effect and plosives, or, floating in front of it and hoping they stay in position.

Until now!

Mic Trainer helps you find the sweet spot and keep that consistent distance and angle for the duration of your performance.