If your mic doesn't work, try this.

If your mic doesn't work, here are a number of things to try:

*Let's say that the mic is plugged into a cable. Is the cable plugged into a mixer mic input or a snake connector? And is the snake plugged into the mixer? The answers should be "yes".

*Make sure that the mixer's mic fader, mic gain trim, master fader, and the power amp are turned up. The mic channel should be unmuted, and should be assigned to an output bus (if your mixer has that feature).

*While talking into the mic, listen to the mixer output, or the P.A. speakers, and verify that the mic is working. Check that the signal indicator for the mic channel is flashing.

*Make sure that the mic's fader actually controls the snake channel that the mic is plugged into. The fader might be mislabeled, or the mic might be plugged into a different channel than the fader in use. Turn up other channels to find out.

*Tiny clip-on mics with XLR connectors are condenser mics. If your mic is a condenser type, make sure that phantom power is turned on in the mixer. Some mixers have phantom only on a few channels.

*Preamp 1/4" inputs and direct boxes do not provide phantom power to a microphone. If your mic is a condenser type, you'll need to insert a phantom power supply between the mic and preamp/DI.

*Substitute a known good condenser mic for the dead mic. If the mic works, the dead mic needs service.

*Connect the "dead" mic directly to a mixer XLR mic input. If it works, the connecting cable or snake are faulty. Change the cable or snake channel.

*If you have a wireless mic, be sure that the transmitter is turned on and has fresh batteries.

*If you have an on/off foot switch, make sure that it is on.

*If the mic has an on/off switch, turn it on.