Theatrical 'Skin' Mic

[Bill Keown]

Hi,

 

I have a job coming up where I need to hire a really good quality 'face worn' mic, as is seen in theatre sets a lot. It must be a UHF wireless system, and of very high quality.

 

Who would be top of you reccomended list for dry hire suppliers, and what brands/models/systems would you reccomemd.

[Matt Riley]

You're looking for a DPA 4066 or a Countryman E6 really. Both omni. For wireless stuff, handheldaudio.co.uk are always a good starting bet. Alternatively just try all the big companies. I know wigwam and B&H both use this sort of stuff a lot when they do religious events etc.

 

M

[Bill Keown]

I've come accross handheld racks quite a lot in the past, thanks matt I shall give them a call.

[Bobbsy]

The 4066 and E6 are very nice "earset" mics but, just to be clear, when you say "skin mic", do you want one on a "boom" or are you thinking of the sort of mic we use a lot in theatre, mounted on the skin up in the hairline or over the ear?

 

If the latter, probably the most commonly used is the Sennheiser MKE2.

 

Same suppliers should be able to help with that.

 

Bob

[Bill Keown]

Thanks for posing that question bobbsy, I'm talking about the kind of thing you attach using a medical tape, rather than a boom arrangement. So I guess the sennheiser MKE2 would be a better choice.

[johnlinford]

Last time I was buying MKE2s Thomann seemed to be the best deal (£120ish, Nov '07). I've also had good quotes from Thames Audio in the past.

[Sound Juice]

A thumbs up for the MKE2s from me

[graemeftv]

we can supply and hire the uls micro skin coloured mic

 

mic spec www.ulsmicrophones.co.uk

 

 

hope that helps and offer another valid comparison

 

 

graeme

www.ultralightsound.co.uk

[soundgeek]

Yep - go with the MKE2. Great mics. Combine it with a Sennheiser EWG2 system (500 if you can) and you have a great sound system. I had 12 channels of it running last week - faultless. I have some recordings of it too if you want. For hiring it; I'm in the Sound East and I use TSProfessional, based in Burgess Hill - www.tsprofessional.co.uk / 01444233030

[stagemanagement]

Alternatively, you can ignore the MKE-2 and go for the KA/100 cable and combine it with either the ME/102 or 104 capsule (omni or cardioid) and save yourself some money both when you first purchase and when you replace the capsule and cable independently of each other as the wear out!

[paulears]

Moderation: Ahem.... In the OPs first post he did say the magic word 'HIRE'.

[Gareth Owen]

You really cant go wrong with an MKE2 - they form the backbone of half the musical theatre shows out there. If you've got the money I'd recommend the DPA 4061 too.

 

Make sure if you are hiring the mics that they come with both the different cap lengths. The length of the cap changes the high end response of the mic and is quite important in determining the final sound you acheive.

 

In theatre land mic capsules worn by cast are often considered to be a sale item - the logic being that they are in continuing contact with the flesh of the cast and are extremely prone to breakage and sweat degredadion.