Important Extras
Windscreens
Windscreens are necessary in some applications. Made of acoustically transparent foam that fits around the head or windscreen of a mic, they help to reduce the noise created when the wind "blows" on the mic element while in use. If you know you will be using microphones in a windy location, make sure you prepare for this possibility.
Shock Mounts
Shock Mounts are very useful and necessary accessories that float the microphone in a neoprene rubber band "cage", thus mechanically isolating the sensitive microphone element from vibration or thumps transmitted through a mic stand or desk top. This is vital for studio and broadcast applications where people might be hitting the table with their hands, walking on a wooden floor, etc.
Mic Stands
Mic Stands are an often neglected issue. "We just need enough stands to hold all of our mics" is a phrase often heard. Many will grab some of the 50 year old stands and if it holds the microphone, excellent. There are a number of very clever and high tech mic stands and booms available today. Pay attention to some of these. They will make your job easier and position that microphone exactly where you need. The new Heil SB 2 is one of these tools. They are perfect for getting microphones into tight places around drum kits and guitar amplifiers.
Listen, Listen!
It is surprising how many folks work in sound but don't listen. When you set up a PA or recording system, budget the time to listen to each microphone univocally during set up to be sure it works correctly and sounds good. This is where you can spot a bad cable, connector or defective mic. Try different mics on different instruments and vocals. Each model has a unique tone and sound to it and "fits" with a particular source better than other mics. One singer may sound better with one mic than another. The sax may sound better with the mic that doesn't work so well on vocals. A good mixing engineer is an artist too and the microphones are the instruments---colors on the palette to build the sound he or she wants to achieve. Determine for yourself which sound is the best for your particular situation. Learn to classify the sounds and audible characteristics of each microphone you own and know where to put them before you get to the gig to get the most out of them.
Listening is a mental process. Hearing is a physical process.
