Wireless mic hand-held and headset

[KidRay]

Our singer wants to use a hand-held mic for some parts of the show and a headset mic for others. Is it as simple as both mics broadcasting on the same frequency to one receiver, and muting the mic not in use, or is there more to it?

 

Her current/preferred vocal mic is a Beyer TG-X 80 with a cheap (Samson I think) wireless set, so far she has not found a headset mic that she likes, so any recommendations here would be helpful, budget is limited so I think the DPA and Countryman are out of the question. Size isn't important for the head worn mic, if she can get the sound she wants from a larger mic that's okay.

 

She has a powerful voice and good mic technique, but obviously technique can't be used with a head worn mic.

 

We would also be looking to replace the transmitter/receiver.

 

Forgot to mention, this is for the Diva Fever show, so Rock/Pop vocals in front of a live band.

[mackerr]

While it is possible to use a single receiver and just turn off the unused transmitter, it is not recommended. You will be better off with a receiver for each transmitter so you don't have to worry about the interference if they are both turned on, and you will be able to use 2 inputs on the console so you can mute the unused mic from the console. You will want 2 console inputs in either case since you will need different eq, and probably dynamics processing for each mic.

 

Mac

[Ynot]

Agree with Mack - use two seperate mic sets.

Just muting the transmitter of one set will NOT disable the RF element, so you will end up with the receiver picking up both signals - which CAN cause you problems.

[AndyL]

Agree with Mack - use two seperate mic sets.

Just muting the transmitter of one set will NOT disable the RF element, so you will end up with the receiver picking up both signals - which CAN cause you problems.

Not CAN, WILL cause you problems!

 

Use two systems on two compatible frequencies.

[Bobbsy]

The others have the right of this. There are big potential problems in trying to use two transmitters to one receiver.

 

As has been said, you can't just mute the audio on the unused mic--you'll have to completely turn off the transmitter to kill the RF output. Switching transmitters on and off almost always results in a "pop" on audio if the receiver is still on and it's channel faded up on the mixer.

 

However, reading your original post a second time I see another problem. You can't just assume that any brand of receiver with work with other brands of transmitter--if you presently have a cheap Samson then you'll likely be limiting yourself to the same model of Samson for the headset.

 

Different manufacturers use different standards for bandwidth, pilot tones, extra data like battery info, etc. etc. Some brands don't work at all together, other work "sort of" but sound pretty bad. All in all, this is another reason to have to totally separate channels.

 

Bob

[KidRay]

You can't just assume that any brand of receiver with work with other brands of transmitter--if you presently have a cheap Samson then you'll likely be limiting yourself to the same model of Samson for the headset.

 

Bob

 

Yes but we want to replace the transmitter/receiver too.

Our most likely course at the moment is to get a new headset/transmitter/receiver set and continue using the Samson unit on the hand held mic.

 

Your recommendations for mid-priced headset mics and wireless sets to try out would be very helpful.

[Paddy Dinsmore]

KidRay, Pm or email me at info@loftsound.co.uk, we can offer serious discounts on new sennheiser G3 100/300/500 units which might interest you. regards