Adding a monitor to condenser mic situation

[sm49341]

have a 15 person choir, micd up with a big hanging condenser mic. Someone is asking that we add a monitor. We are quite far from the mains so you dont hear yourself much through them.
But i tell these people adding a monitor will just limit how "hot" we can have the mic, and the end result may be less overall volume, which we do want louder. Thoughts?

 

[40Hz]

You might just try to explain that to them.

If the choir doesn't usually rehearse or perform with monitors, they probably don't actually need any. Because it's the choir director's job to direct the cues and balance to make them sound good. So I'm guessing maybe somebody just thinks they do because now they're "being recorded."

I sang in a recording/performing choral group for a few years and we never had monitors. We paid attention during rehearsals and followed the director during our performances. The only time I could hear what the entire ensemble actually sounded like was if I were listening to our recordings. When we performed I would mostly hear (and concentrate) on the 2nd tenor part.

 

[sm49341]

Its the choir director pianist that thinks they need the monitor. Prodded by the main cantors.

 

[s0c9]

So give them one.. Tell them about the downside, and when they get massive feedback the first time.. just <shrug> and tell them you told them so!

 

[sm49341]

Is it unusual to have monitors in an overhead condenser mic situation? Feedback potential seems obvious to me, but maybe theres a "right way" to do this?