For some strange reason, everyone has decided that if you don't have a wireless microphone, something is wrong with you. So for all of you who insist on having a wireless microphone, let's look at the differences in them.
So many groups are turning to wireless microphones for stage freedom and easier set up. Easier set up?!? What's easier than plugging in a cable? Anyways. So many wireless microphones are out there on the market. They look the same, yet the price differences are enormous. They range anywhere from $150 to $3500. So other than the obvious, like brand, model number, and condenser or dynamic there are a lot of other things to consider.
Since we covered the different microphone frequency responses before, let's look at other differences. First, let's look at UHF vs VHF. Most people know these days to try to go with UHF. Just like with TV, UHF has more frequencies and/or channels than VHF. Most VHF units are not selectable in their RF frequencies. For further reference RF is radio frequency. This is the frequency band that the signal is being sent through the air by and has nothing to do with frequencies in regard to notes or pitch. VHF is much more subject to interference with CB's, radios, TV, cell phones and two way radios. UHF used to be very immune to these factors up until a couple of years ago when digital television took off and cluttered up the air waves. Obviously these problems happen at a higher rate the closer to a big city you are in.
This brings us to point two. How many channels do you have to play with AND how easy are they to change? A wireless microphone may boast having a lot of frequencies, but only have a few or no presets making it a little bit more difficult to program. Look for something with as many presets as possible and a straight forward approach to changing frequencies. Along these same lines, look for a unit that has some sort of dual channel RF. So if one channel get busy the other one picks it up.
My biggest qualm with cheaper wireless microphones is the material they're made out of. I have a hard time with a wireless if it's not metal in construction. The same goes for the receiver. If you're going to have it on the road, buy metal. A wired mic, if dropped has the microphone guts that can get messed up. But in a wireless mic, if it's plastic, the actual plastic could brake, the RF transmission, the mic element, the battery compartment, the on screen display, the switches, etc. How many plastic wired microphones do people use these days?
Other options include XLR or �" output, the ability to add a powered antenna distribution unit and the ability to monitor and change settings via a network with a laptop.
The latest thing that some manufacturers have come up with is pretty slick. Here's how it works. You turn on your system and your wireless receivers in the rack. You press a button and the unit automatically scans the area for free frequencies and sets itself to one of those free frequencies. Once you've done that with each receiver, you take the microphone for that receiver to the receiver and press a button and it sets the microphone to that same frequency. Supposedly this is to make interference nearly impossible. If you go with this system be sure to turn on all other wireless items before running the scan. However, a couple of experiences with theses systems I have already heard trouble with them despite the "goof proof" efforts. The powered antenna distribution is highly recommended and is available on most levels with the major manufacturers
I could go on and on about all the different features. If you're in the middle of deciding ask yourself you feel like you can afford a very good wireless system. If you can't, stay wired. Save up. Don't buy wireless just for the sake of having wireless. The microphones that are $3500 are completely worth every penny. But I'm not saying to save that much. There are plenty of acceptable wireless microphones that would meet my criteria when it comes to RF for around $500 to $1200.
Let me just mention one more thing. I have yet to find a wireless microphone that sounds like its wired twin. So if you like the microphone you're using that's wired, don't expect the wireless version to sound quite as good. Test it, I encourage you to, you know that. Happy hunting.
Josh Hoevelmann
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Written: 04/30/2004
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Category: Monthly ArticlesSound Advice
Comments: 1
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Our church is going completely wireless in the very near future. We were running the Shure Performer series with an SM58, but it kept breaking. We're having great success so far with our new Audio-Technica 3000 series. It's UHF, frequency assignable, bla bla bla...All the rest, and made of mostly metal and durable plastic. It sounds incredible for a mid-class wireless, but I still prefer my wired Beta-87C, and I don't think anyone will ever convince me to go wireless! I think it's a personal choice, especially if you have an ear for sound.
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