Wireless Microphones
- Practical, reliable and affordable: find your wireless microphone on HiFi-Tower
- Choosing the right wireless microphone for your needs
- Wireless or traditional cable microphone?
- Is one antenna for the wireless microphone enough?
- Wireless microphone: configuration basics
- Main applications for wireless microphones
Practical, reliable and affordable: find your wireless microphone on HiFi-Tower
Do you need to set up a conference room for a ceremony or are you planning to organise a series of events such as product presentations, fashion or music shows? Maybe you have a venue, and want to attract more customers by installing a karaoke system? Wireless microphones are undoubtedly the top of practicality: raise your hand if you have never thought of buying one, maybe just to have fun singing with friends. The first question is: how much do you have to spend to have a cordless microphone for singing or for quality wireless conferences? Much less than you think! Technology is constantly evolving, and on HiFi-Tower you can now find excellent portable microphones at absolutely affordable prices.
Choosing the right wireless microphone for your needs
There are microphones for any type of application, we will tell you about a series of characteristics so that you can select the best microphone for the desired application. The three basic concepts for choosing the right microphone are:
- Transducer type: converts the sound into an electrical signal. There are dynamic, condenser and ribbon microphones
- Polar patterns: they determine quality and ease with which sounds are captured by the microphone depending on the direction from which the sound reaches it. As far as the polar pattern is concerned, microphones can be omnidirectional (sensitive to sounds coming from all sides), bidirectional (sounds from the front and rear) and cardioid (greater sensitivity to sounds from the front and somewhat less from the sides)
- Frequency response curve: this determines the basic sound of the microphone, the lower and higher frequencies it is capable of reproducing. Some microphones have a flat response (wide and uniform response), tuned response to highlight certain voices or instruments) and adjustable response, when it’s possible to select the frequency you want to highlight
After these somewhat abstract concepts to choose your microphone you have to ask yourself some questions.
There is no such thing as a one size fits all microphone; they all sound different, and they all have their specific use depending on the application. However, vocal microphones, including wireless microphones, can be divided into three common categories:
- Handheld devices: handheld microphones offer robust, durable and practical solutions for most live performance situations. However, they can be ineffective for other stages, such as performances and theatres, where more discreet and usually wireless solutions would be more practical.
- Wireless mic headsets: as the microphone is fixed, the performer or presenter can move freely, without restrictions, and the microphone will continue to pick up a uniform and clear sound.
- Lavalier microphone: a similar option to headset, with the additional advantage of being discreet. A lavalier microphone can easily be placed on a costume or attached to the costumes, a great solution for applications in theatres or presentations
The environment you are in also plays an important role in the selection of your microphone and the polar pattern you use. For example, an omnidirectional pick-up pattern can work very well in a studio. Still, in a live environment, where other sound sources are present, it is important to choose a directional polar pattern. A cardioid or supercardioid polar pattern will pick up sound from the front and reject sound from other directions; reducing the possibility of feedback, while a bi-directional wireless microphone picks up sound evenly from the front and back, rejecting the sound from the sides.
Cardioid pickup patterns are affected by a physical presence known as "proximity effect", which causes bass frequencies to increase as the microphone approaches the sound source. This effect can be used by the singer or engineers to fatten up a vowel if desired.
Wireless or traditional cable microphone?
Do you really need wireless microphones, or can you settle for a simple traditional microphone? What good is spending money on a wireless system when you can achieve the same goal with a slightly longer cable? Well, if these are the questions you are asking yourself, then you should know that choosing a wireless microphone system is not just a question of aesthetics or comfort. A cable is not a neutral element, but opposes the passage of the audio signal; therefore, longer cables mean more signal degradation. Furthermore, connectors are subject to wear and tear, and burdened by the weight of the cable, on which you often end up tripping and causing heavy stress, they risk breaking down right in the thick of it.
Exactly: the oldest, apparently most reliable technology is the one that can cause the most problems. In the case of karaoke, then, the wireless microphone is an indispensable tool if you want to liven up the evening and make the patrons sing at the tables. Not everyone has the right personality to stand up in front of everyone and go to the console, but give them a microphone in their hand and you will see them go wild.
Is one antenna for the wireless microphone enough?
As soon as you dive into the sea of online microphone offers, you go for a ride to one of the "physical" musical instrument shops, the first thing you notice is the presence of receivers with a double or single antenna. What really changes? A radio microphone can lose its signal if it finds obstacles between itself and the receiver. In the case of a dual antenna receiver, there is an automatic switch that automatically connects the microphone to the antenna that has the best reception. Dual antenna systems also differ according to which system the receiver uses to prioritise the antenna with the best reception: ant-diversity, which chooses which signal to send to the receiver, and true-diversity, which sends the signals from both antennas to the receiver, which are then selected according to quality. The first system is cheaper; the second guarantees better reception.
Wireless microphone: configuration basics
Setting up a wireless microphone may not seem as simple as plugging in a wired microphone. We always suggest that you follow the advice found in the brand's instruction manual to get the most out of your specific system.
- Turn on your receiver while the transmitter is still off. Most wireless receivers have an "Automatic Frequency Selection" function: press that button to assign a frequency to your receiver
- Most wireless transmitters have a button that will synchronise you with the receiver you have just switched on, once the receiver has chosen a frequency. Press this button, and the transmitter will connect to the receiver you have just set up. You are now ready to transmit wireless audio
- Check the signal levels in the transmitter and receiver to make sure that you get a good signal without distortion. If voices sound too quiet with a lot of noise, the volume control on the transmitter is probably too low. If you receive a solid signal that sounds distorted, the volume in the transmitter is probably too high.
- The distance from the transmitter to the receiver has a significant effect on the signal-to-noise ratio of a wireless system. As the transmitter moves away from the receiver, the overall signal-to-noise ratio worsens, and the signal from the transmitter weakens. As the system approaches the limit of its operating range, cuts will become more frequent, and constant background noise (hiss) can be heard.
Main applications for wireless microphones
No matter what you do on stage, on HiFi-Tower you can easily find a suitable wireless microphone for your needs. Here is an overview of the different types of wireless microphone systems available.
Handheld Microphone with Built-in Transmitter
Wireless handheld microphones are perfect for singers, and they are also ideal for stage situations where a microphone will be passed from person to person. The wireless transmitter is integrated into the body of the handheld microphone, so it only has two components in this type of system: the handheld transmitter/microphone and the wireless receiver. Most manufacturers offer wireless versions of their most popular wired microphones so that users or singers do not have to change their sound when switching to a wireless system.
Wireless mic headset with bodyworn transmitter or bodypack
Wireless headset microphones are the best choice for dancers, vocal drummers, dance and fitness instructors, and anyone acting on stage, a wireless microphone headset uses a headset microphone or earpiece that is connected to a body-worn transmitter that you wear, and a wireless receiver.
Lapel microphone
This wireless microphone is ideal for brass, woodwind and percussionists. Just remember that the microphone is connected to the bodyworn transmitter: if you plug the microphone to an instrument set and the percussionist wears the belt, make sure that he or she does not leave without removing one of the two.
The main difference between this type of system and the lavalier microphone system, is that this system uses a microphone optimised for the sound of an instrument rather than the sound of a voice. Guitar and bass systems have only two components: a pouch transmitter in which the musician directly connects his instrument and the wireless receiver. In the real world, your production or use may require some or all of these types of systems.
Imagine a typical small band configuration: guitars and bass guitars can use wireless instrument systems, the lead singer may prefer a handheld transmitter system, and the drummer may want a headphone system. The important thing to know is that the basic configuration and operating principles of these systems are all the same.