Here is our new product! MIC-MOUTH! We introduced it at the Vent Haven Convention!

http://www.axtell.com/micmouth.html

Wow Steve! You are going to sell a ton of these! Congrats! Another great idea and product from you! Hope you're having fun at Venthaven.

Ken

I can envision the new Axtrax's coming up. Perhaps some Frank Sinatra, Scooby Dooby Doo, or some "scatz" (Is that the word.) Ella Fitzgerald style. Or even a lesson on how to do ventriloquism.

Yeah, lip-synching to records or vocal impressions (like Terry Fator's) would be funny. Neat device.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSvGdfOfLFw

A friend of mine said that he wants to get a mic mouth, but he already has a mask. I suggested that he use both at the same time. I think that would be great!

Question: Who is your favorite movie star?
Mouth: I really love Angelina Jolie. People even think we have some of the same facial features.

As soon as I get my MIC MOUTHS I'll give my masks a rest

Mic Mouth will give my audience a fresh approach to my old routine.

Thanks Ax! Yodaman!

I have one of those lie dectector helmets. Baxt also has an excellnet lie dectector lantern. It buzzes and lights up when you ask silly yes and no questions. I was thinking the Mic Mouth might be excellent to make it more funny, and make sure the kid gives the right answer. Plus, it will take any seriousness out of the lie dectector. I always have the feeling the kid might be thinking they do not lie, and then the machine goes off. ( I sometimes make it go off no matter what they say!) Sometimes I think everyone is laughing but them. With this, they will know it is me making them lie, and will make it funnier. I will turn the joke on me!

Thanks for the great prop!

Just a note: If you can choose your volunteer before the show and tell them that you are going to put a lie detector on them and explain it will all be for fun, plus they can even lie if they want, then they may not be as self-conscious.

Steve, I've been using your amazing drawing board for many years and now you've really got my attention again. This will be great for my school shows---what a super, visual, fun idea!
I intend to get one!

Khevin Barnes
The Dr. Wilderness Show, Inc.

Khevin... thanks, I'm honored!

Ax

On the home page there is a great photo of Steve and his big mouth. (No offense.) When one clicks on it you'll see that Axtell hopes to start shipping in Sept./Oct.. Also, as in the past, you get a significant savings with the introductory price! In January it goes up to $149.

Just ordered mine today Steve.

Hopefully I will get it before October. Theresa told me 10-12 weeks. You guys are busy!

Bart thanks for your order! She is going to try to beat that of course, but YES WOW we are busy!

Steve,

I ordered my mic-mouth at ConVENTion after seeing Mark Wade's introduction.
The prototype we were shown had a natural lip color that could be used on either a male or female subject.
The production models we are seeing on this site are red almost lipstick color wich would be more female.
Are these models going to ship this color or have they not had their final paint touch up?

After looking at the photos from Vent Haven and talking with our staff we decided to punch them up to a brighter saturated color. They will show better from the stage, they'll be funnier even on a guy, and since it's entertainment we wanted them to "POP". If you want the less red, more pink look, let Theresa know. She can specify that in production or might find one that is less-red in the batch for you. Email Theresa directly at [email protected]

Ax

Steve, I have had to tell my wife that you are my supplier. She has known for years about my addiction. I started off with some pretty mild things, like a vinyl Vern, or an Amazing Ape. But I quickly found I wanted more. Just one and I was addicted. The bear satisfied me for quite awhile. But then you kept creating. You kept demonstrating. Other addicts kept telling me about new substances you had created.

My wife found my stash. I hid it in the cleaning supplies because I thought she would never look in there. But her sister is coming for a weekend and my supply was discovered. She also found the pictures of the mic mouth under some papers in my desk drawer. I swore to her that nothing was going on... yet. But she knew of my desire.

I am trying to convince her that these are for medicinal purposes. I don't know how I could function at work without them. She is looking for a local VA chapter. Ventriloquists' Anonymous, but so far even the chapter is anonymous.

I just don't know if Mic Mouth and I can get together in the near future. I really want to work things out with my wife first. I'm sure that she'll eventually see that this is a healthy relationship.

Tony, tell her you only need the MIC-MOUTH so you can use it to.... "Just Say No"!

Steve Petra made this masterpiece....




Speaking of Masterpieces....

Has anyone who has gotten theirs had any problems with the mouth not closing all the way? Mine will only close with the bottom lip going to the bottom of the teeth and will not close all the way.

People have told me that I have trouble keeping my mouth closed as well.

Problem has been resolved by Steve & Joel. Thanks very much!!!

Hey Steve,

How is the Mic Mouth production coming along? I am 300 and something in line!

Production is moving very well...it's gone from 25 to 50 per week or so...and will increase from there. Thanks for your order... don't hesitate to get in the list now. Still quoting about 4-6 weeks on current orders but trying to beat it.

Well worth the wait! It's awesome!!

At Kidabra, they just auctioned off the one MIC-MOUTH we sent for $305!

Ax

Steve,
The MIC-Mouth has been selling well here at the KIDabra Conference!

Ken Scott used it in his show and it was very funny. What a great idea!

I ordered mine, and I know it will arrive before the KIDabra Chapter Meeting, and the SAM meeting in September. I can't wait to show it off.

Did I miss the list of places and items were it can be used on your web site? I did see pictures, and Animals and some other places, but is there a list?

Dennis

Congratulations!! its a good idea and looks great, mi sugestion with all respect is that if is posible to use a cable going for the back of the person and finish in the MIC so you can pull in the same way, move to your own mouht when you talk and return to the "star" and keep moving his mouht with more liberty!!
I hope that idea help you in the next model GOD Bless You keep creating more magic and fantasy to us!!!

Check it out:


Quite OK for a start, next time I must kneel beside the kid as it's a little uncomfortable standing up in that manner...

You could also sit in a chair next to the child. I like the arm motion. A Bieber wig and/or sunglasses would be good. (We won't mention the legalities of using the song.)

JEFF MCBRIDE



MICHAEL FINNEY



KEVIN JAMES



DAVID WILLIAMSON

Mine is on the way! Can't wait!

Ken

Hey Ken, mine is on the way too! Hope they don't get mixed up - ordered mine with lots of facial hair!

Sonny Fontana does an invisible man act... here Kevin Johnson interviews him.

Check this out...Alan Horne bought a MIC-MOUTH and took it with him to Kidology... seems it was a hit!

Lots of new updates on the Mic-Mouth site - http://www.axtell.com/micmouth.html

Send me your photos and videos!

Ax

More information -http://www.axtell.com/micmouth.html


Ax

Steve, I've had just about enough lip out of you! Just when I thought it was safe to visit the forum you tempt us again! Aaargh! I can see the hillbilly mouth in drug shows warning about the dangers of meth. And I can see all kinds of characters with the beard.

For a ventriloquist, Steve, you seem to be losing your lip control! Your lips are moving all over the world!

Love the Un-Boxing and Breaking News vids. Didn't notice the missing tooth on the redneck mouth until the great interview. Nice touch!

May I suggest the handlebar mustache micmouth? Perfect for English gentlemen and Mexican bandito characters...

Yes indeed Travis... that ones in my notebook to do next. quite big handlebars. The only thing about beards and mustaches is that once you have it up on them... you kind of have to keep it there to stay "in character".

With the standard Mic-Mouth you can take it down and put it back up like Jay Johnson did in his interview with me. Ax

Steve can that device (lips) clip off and onto a live mike? Eddy

Eddy - The current version doesn't pull off because the body of the fake microphone houses the mechanics of the lever that moves the mouth with your thumb. You can use it with a headset mic if you want to amplify your voice. The question has come up before so we are thinking of ways to do this. Normally the person who is controlling the mouth on someone else would be providing the fake voice, so they wouldn't want the volunteer / subject / victim / to be heard. Or someone would lipsynch to a famous recording like "my way" or some other big song.

Lisa Laird had a great idea.... Interview a Monster!

AX had given me many ideas with the mic mouth, for those of us who have already purchased the first mic mouth, if you want to make one that looks like the red neck, with a blacked out tooth do just that, take a piece of black construction paper cut it out to fit the tooth and place it over it, has the same appeal, still working on the others...anyone have ideas?? Get your thinkarinios working and come up with some wicky wacky ideas of your own...

Yes you can make your own redneck from your standard Pink MIC-MOUTH. how would you hold the construction paper up to the tooth? Try double sided tape, water based elmers glue for temporary bond.. How about the fur mustache and beard on the Redneck? It can be done.. give it some thought. Ax

Been playing with the mic mouth. When held against the volunteer's mouth it looks good from the side as well as the front. Really nice! I was pleasantly surprised with the realistic look of the microphone as well. I started to say, "And the redneck moustache doesn't tickle", but I realized that since I already have a moustache it may feel different to me. Same goes for my wife.

If a person wants to hide the thumb movement more they can loop a string with a ring around the threaded end of the control. Then slip your thumb into the ring and manipulate behind the palm of your hand. I haven't tried that, but it might work.

Great to hear Tony! Love to see some photos or video when you get it.

Mic-Mouth Testimonial...from Taylor Mason:

Frankly, I didn't think it would work.
I opened the box and I thought, "what am I gonna do with this?"
Last Thursday USAirways canceled flights, delayed flights and didn't send my luggage to Cincinnati for a performance where I showed up 2 hours late. The audience (those who remained) was not happy.
I had no puppets. I had only the "MicMouth."

Taylor Mason wrote the book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ventriloquism".

Been playing with Mic Mouth and have this idea about "adjusting it". When I bring someone up to talk to, the voice is wrong for them so I pretend to turn a knob on the bottom of it and the voice changes.

I love that idea! Kids are used to toy microphones that change their voice from robot to chipmunk to echo. You could do all of those and the kids would go right along with you. I can picture Willie Nelson, Elvis, Ariel the Mermaid, etc. by switching.

Great idea Neale. Bill DeMar did a voice changing routine on one of his tapes. Jay Johnson does a voice switch with Bob in his show. Some years ago I did a voice changing routine a robot puppet. Now, using the MIC-MOUTH and a volunteer it opens up ALOT of new possibilities.

For non-vents they could play clips of different singers, male or female, and time the changes so they have time to "turn the knob" at the bottom of the mic.

Neale this just took it up a notch! Great idea and I love the way the idea builds with others. Love the knob.

Hi Steve,
Congratulations on such a wonderful invention! Very clever. Any chance that you would add a baby's mouth? A big mouth with just a couple of baby teeth?
Best Wishes, Brenda

I think the Mic-Mouth is just the best laugh maker I've got! I use it everywhere, in the shops, I put it on at the check-out and even my dentist! My dentist laughed so much, don't be too surprised if he orders one. To get the complete effect I slip on a hairy spikey wig (blue) and that seals it up as a laugh machine. To stop the latex holding together sometimes, I put a Bicycle playing card between the teeth when storing it, and that stops that first sticky tug when using it. I think the cards have a coating that repells the latex and it holds the lips just apart. A joker card of course! Anyways, that's a small matter, and as far as I'm concerned, it's the best comedy prop of the year! I use it in every show we do, for ourselves, for the comedy just flows with it on. Add-libs are so easy to do. Even just "the look" (a-la Jack Benny) with the lips slightly apart, gets plenty of laughs! No need to say a word!
best always.
Terry

Baby mouth .... probably someday we'll add more styles. This would be funny.

Terry that's great to hear. The sticking isn't the latex it's the 303 protectant. You can put a wipe of armorall on the lip. With the 303 barrier already on it. You're good.

Here's a tip I just read on Facebook from Daryl Sprout.....

"...I've noticed that when you get a volunteer up to use it on, it helps if they know what's going on a little, so I have them turn their back with me and out of eye angle for most of the audience I do a short "invisible man" bit with it for the volunteer, and tell them it's going to talk for them...."

Thanks, Good tip!

What else can they be coached to do in that brief time? Maybe wave their hands around to the sound?

Well, Steve, it is official. I now HAVE to use the mic mouth in my shows. I have tested it in schools, churches, birthday, and a fair setting. It gets one of the biggest responses in my whole show! MOST IMPORTANTLY, the cameras come out!

Tomorrow I'll have a Dad sing "Isn't She Lovely" to his daughter for her 6th birthday. Can't wait!

Watching my friend, Terry Wild on Skype convinced me to order this. It will be a great new addition to my Christmas magic shows, especially the ones that hire me from year to year.
Now I will not be able to sleep at nights, thinking of cool routines to use this.

Hey Steve
I am currently on a magic tour where we will be doing 50 shows in 35 days, exciting! I have recently gotten my mic mouth and being VERY comfortable with ad-libing, I LOVE this thing! I use it in my kids shows and adult shows as well,NO MATTER what is said, the prop itself illicit amazing reactions.

I have discovered a great place to keep the mic mouth during the show that I think will appeal to many magicians and entertainers. Check out the picture below, it perfectly fits in any briefcase handle! Its perfect! It keep it handy, CLEAN and uses space that is usually useless. What do you think!?

Thanks for the great product. I am a huge fan of your company.

Regards,
Eric Leclerc
Canada's 2 time Magic Champion
http://www.ericleclerc.com

First off, I want to say how much I love the mic-mouth.

I covered the back of mine with a thin piece of plastic film using double sided tape.
Now I can use mine and with a quick spray of some antibacterial spray be ready for the next use instantly.

Question: Does the spray have a bad odor to it? I know that kids will shrink back from anything that has an odor.

Also, I would like to remind anyone who is on the fence that the mic mouth's introductory price ends this year (2011). Personally, I have found this to be the most useful and crowd pleasing product I have purchased in the last couple of years! It packs small and plays big and uses audience participation. It is also very sturdy. Bob Abdou hasn't had a truck drive over one yet (and I wouldn't recommend it) but I just put mine in a gallon size zip bag and toss it in with the puppets.

Chris, I think I like your idea of clear plastic. If sprayed with LYSOL it may give the volunteer the impression it is treated with antibacterial spray. Hmmmm That's another way to go.

I am a returning vent and I use it every Vent show (and now in all my Magic Shows)

A "FAKE MIC" is an exact duplicate mic without the lips. Use this as the mic on your audience member. " Hi! What's your name?" (hold the dummy mic to them but they can't be heard). "Hmm.. speak louder... still louder... (nothing). Wow it must need batteries, let me get another mic". (Then return with the Mic-Mouth!) More info herehttp://www.axtell.com/micmouth.html

Okay - last call for the introductory offer on the amazing Mic-Mouth. Jan 1st it goes up $20.

If you don't have it yet - get it now!

http://www.axtell.com/micmouth.html

Ax

I am going to reiterate that when I use the Mic-mouth the cameras come out. People love to see their friend or family up there with those big lips. The advantage is that I'm also in the photo. And you KNOW they are going to show the picture around and probably put it on facebook. Free advertising for me! Now I just have to figure out a way to put my website in the photo. Hmmm. Perhaps a rubber stamp for the volunteer's forehead! Or an NBC style sign that hangs from the microphone. Only it would have my website on it.

Great idea Tony! Website on the mic id,,,hmmmmm, why wouldn't you have it on there...

The id placard would help hide the thumb movement! Mind if I use that idea Tony?

Great. Just let me know how you connect it and leave room to hold the mic. Appreciate any assistance.

We are working on a Clip on Mouth for a real Mic. This would be for those times you need a live mic to use on yourself, or to give to someone who will be using their own voice. My thinking is "Karaoke"!

Ax

I will Tony. After the holiday rush, I''l get a chance to work something up. I'm think a spring clip attached to the placard that could "snap" onto the front of the mic.

Thanks again Tony for the idea.

Ken

I cannot encourage people enough to pick up a mic-mouth if they haven't done so already. It always gets the biggest response at my shows and the cameras or phones with cameras have always come out.

Tomorrow night is New Year's Eve. I plan to do out with the old and in with the new at a church and dress the pastor in the Big Baby prop. But I'll get someone up with the mic-mouth as well. Now I just have to find a dark hooded robe and a scythe.