Shotgun mics are very directional and, as such, are not suited to providing a balanced sound when working with a large group of musicians, except when placed at a distance. You would be better served by a cardioid microphone with a wider response area; however, if a shotgun mic is all you've got, or if it isn't practical to place microphones near the choir, you can still achieve good results with a shotgun mic.
Instructions
Using One Shotgun Mic
1. Position the choir in a tight semicircle. The singers should be as close together as is comfortable and in two or three lines behind one another if necessary. Have the rear lines stand on a higher level; everyone should be able to see the microphone.
2. Plug the microphone into the mixer or recorder using the XLR cable. Set up the microphone on a stand.
3. Place the microphone in front of the choir at a reasonable distance, depending on the size of the choir. Much like taking a picture, everyone needs to fit in. Every singer should be within a 45-degree sector or funnel directly in front of the microphone. If not, move the microphone back. Point the microphone directly at the center of the group.
4. Listen on headphones as the choir sings. If possible, record a little bit and listen back to the results. That way, you'll only be hearing what the microphone is picking up.
5. Move the microphone. Find the best compromise between distance and balance--the closer the microphone is to the group, the warmer and clearer the sound will be, but it will also mean less balance between the singers in the middle and those on the edges. The position of the microphone is key, so take your time and listen closely.
Using Two Shotgun Mics
6. Using more than one microphone is always preferable. If you have more than one shotgun mic, use the following setup.
Position the choir exactly as before, in a tight semicircle.
7. Plug both microphones in and set them up on their stands. Position them in front of the choir, one to the left and one to the right.
8. Imagine the microphones were lasers. The beams should cross at a right angle just in front of the choir. Looking at the choir, the microphone on the right should be pointed toward the center of the left half of the choir, and the one on the left, toward the center of the right. Again, the singers should be within the 45-degree sector, but now each microphone covers only half of the choir, so they can be positioned closer for better sound.
9. Listen and adjust as before.
Tags: front choir, 45-degree sector, choir left, half choir, more than, Position choir
