How to Choose the Right Wireless Microphone System
0#Public Address Systems #Microphones #Wireless Microphones #UHF Systems #UWS9800 #Pro Audio #Musicians #Houses of Worship
#Digital Wireless #Live Performance #Vocals
How to Choose the Right Wireless Microphone System
Wireless microphones give you unparalleled onstage freedom to connect better with your audience. No matter if you’re addressing an important shareholder meeting, spreading the gospel at church, or rocking a local club, this guide can help you find the right Shure wireless microphone system.
Wireless microphone systems play a critical role in modern productions, from energetic rock concerts to passionate house of worship services and big business presentations. Musicians, pastors, CEOs, journalists, vloggers, and fitness instructors all depend on wireless microphones to get their message across loud and clear.
A wireless microphone system offers undeniable advantages over traditional cable-bound options. A wireless system lets you take advantage of an easy setup process and eliminates unnecessary onstage clutter. And most importantly, it allows performers or speakers to move throughout the sanctuary while performing or speaking freely. With a wireless microphone system, you no longer have to make holes in the walls and floors to accommodate wired microphones. Not only does it save labor and costs, but it also protects you from unnecessary drilling!
There are many options for wireless microphones, from simple analog microphone systems to complex, multi-channel digital microphone systems. Choosing the best wireless microphone system based on your unique needs is critical in creating an optimal sound environment for your production.
This guide will teach you several critical factors to consider when selecting a wireless microphone system and will provide you with wireless best practices.
Sound Quality – Analog vs. Digital Wireless Microphones
When choosing a wireless system, sound quality is typically the chief concern. Analog wireless microphone systems use a compander – the word is a contraction of the words compressor and expander – to squeeze the entire dynamic range of a voice or instrument into the narrow frequency allocation provided for wireless mic use.
On the other hand, a digital microphone system can transmit a consistent digital sound that provides a full dynamic range without companding and gives a more natural sound to your audience.
VHF vs. UHF Bands vs. 2.4GHz
The Basics – Transmitters and Receivers
Every wireless mic system has two major components. One is a transmitter – typically worn or held by the performer. The other component is a receiver – which collects radio signal from the transmitter, converts it to audio, and sends the audio through a cable to your mixer or power amp.
Wireless handheld microphones usually have a microphone capsule integrated directly into the transmitter body. This integration allows wireless handheld microphones to be quick and easy to set up. Lavalier and headset mics connect to a transmitter pack, usually worn on someone’s belt.
Most wireless microphone systems operate in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band of 470 - 952 MHZ. Some work in the VHF (Very High Frequency) band of 49 – 216 MHZ. While VHF systems are typically more affordable, they will have fewer available channels. And VHF requires extremely long antennas.
However, the UHF band contains several bands that are readily available for wireless microphone systems. You can achieve high-quality audio in the UHF band and accommodate many concurrent systems.
The UHF band has been the standard for many years and typically gives the strongest and best performance due to its extensive frequency range and smaller antennas.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has limited the number of operating frequencies for wireless microphones. These limitations have caused UHF wireless microphone systems to become considerably more efficient in bandwidth use to accommodate multiple wireless microphones in a frequency band.
In addition, you can find several wireless microphone systems that operate in the 2.4 GHz band. Keep in mind that the 2.4 GHz frequency band is the same as your Wi-Fi network, making its operating range much shorter. It is best practice with 2.4 GHz wireless systems to make sure that you have a controlled environment.
Pro tip: To provide optimal communication between the transmitter and receiver, you must maintain a clear line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver.