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Stand up and speak out.
I started to prepare this Technology Showcase article about "podium" mics. So, I delved into my Merriam-Webster's the other day and discovered that the term podium is really used to indicate a platform that the conductor of an orchestra would stand upon to be raised and visible to his or her musicians. What much of the A/V industry sometimes refers to as a podium is really a lectern: "a stand used to support a book or reading materials in a convenient position for a standing reader or public speaker; one from which scripture lessons are read in a church service."
Well then, I'll take the role of microphone evangelist and bring you some of the gospel about lectern mics for meeting rooms, lecture halls, distance learning environments, and even houses of worship. While some of this may be preaching to the choir, it's valuable information to have when your client calls you for a replacement or an install for a brand new lectern. Similarly to boardroom and conference table setups, lectern mics come in two basic types: boundary mics and conventional directional mics. Boundary microphones are either omni or cardioid, and for our purposes, cardioid (unidirectional) is preferred. Fighting feedback from P.A. systems and stage monitors is a major consideration in podium miking, as is speech pickup from a user who may move slightly around the lectern during his or her delivery.
I should offer this caveat to the readership: Many of the consultants in this business are moving away from the use of boundary devices on lecterns, and current thinking advises caution when using boundary mics here. It is easy to inadvertently place scripts, binders and documents on top of the mic (because it is almost flat and not easily noticed), and the very nature of mounting a boundary mic can lead to thumps, bangs, and other disturbing noises. Some experts prefer using more conventional mics on lecterns. As always, this article is not an absolutely exhaustive list-I simply can't cover every single model out there. Remember that some vendors repackage other manufacturers' microphone elements, so it's somewhat redundant to cite each and every cloned unit. I'll hit the best of what's out there, and the Web...