Tech: Head -set mics - pros / cons

Subject: RE: Tech: Head -set mics - pros / cons
From: treewind
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 03:12 AM

Mary uses a Sennheiser G2 100 radio headset. It's UHF, while most of the cheaper ones are VHF, which means it's less likely to interfere with others in the locality. It can be set to hundreds of different frequencies but I've never had to change the original setting I programmed in, which was chosen to be legal for unlicensed use in the UK.

The sound is excellent, and it's always performed flawlessly.

We got the idea from Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman, who use AKG headsets that didn't cost as much as Mary's but had worked well for them when we saw them.

You can mute the transmitter if you want to speak unamplified.
A big advantage for Mary is that she can talk, e.g. introducing the next song, while turning around, putting down one instrument and picking up another. Not having a mic stand in front of you makes a big difference to communicating with the audience too.

The whole radio mic spectrum is under threat of being sold off, to digital TV in the USA and I'm not sure where in the UK. It's madness: radio mics are used all over the entertainment industry, in theatres, radio, TV and pop concerts, sometimes over 50 mics at the same event. And by a few folkies as well....

You can get some of the advantages with a headset mic that's wired direct to the PA (no radio), but you have to remember that you're tethered by a cable: not to wander about and wrap it round mic stands and other paraphernalia on stage (or round yourself) and to unplug it it when you walk off at the end of the set...

Anahata

Subject: RE: Tech: Head -set mics - pros / cons
From: Jim Lad
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 08:59 PM

A good USB mic will cost you as little as $30 and pick you up any where within reason.

Subject: RE: Tech: Head -set mics - pros / cons
From: s&r
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 07:40 PM

You can't move away from the mic - you hear breathing wheezing coughing. You can't vary the tone by varying mic position and distance. Other than that they allow movement, and you have a reasonably constant signal into the desk. Our caller uses one so that she can move among the dancers if need be.

I prefer a mic on a stand. Radio mics are OK but you get what you pay for.

Stu

Subject: RE: Tech: Head -set mics - pros / cons
From: oggie
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 06:06 PM

What you are talking about is essentially a radio mike with a headset. There are issues about radio mikes and I don't know where you are which may impact on that.

Shure and Sennheiser do a number of quality mikes which fit the bill but you pay for what you get. GOOGLE will find you any number of deals.

The biggest problem with using them is that (unless you switch them off) you are always connected so if you mumble to your guitarist "have you seen that etc stc..." the audience will also hear it.

Dependent on your performance there can be advantages in being tied to a mike stand whilst singing or playing (it doesn't seem to inhibit Bellowhead).

Steve

Subject: RE: Tech: Head -set mics - pros / cons
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 06:03 PM

I'm sure a very informed reply is on the way from Treewind.
Mary Humphries uses one all the time very effectively. Don't be tempted by "cheap" and cut corners. When you think what an almost invisible blob on a stick is being asked to emulate (SM58 for good example) a good make is a must.

Andy

Subject: Tech: Head -set mics - pros / cons
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 05:45 PM

I would love to have the freedom of a head-set microphone, i.e., to be able to move my head around in a more natural manner than always needing to be in close proximity to the bulbous end of an SM58 or whatever.

I was thinking that some Catters may have experience with the head-set mics and be able to give an opinion on good models, bad models - or no good models. You may also know some of the problems associated with them during a stage performance, or the positive aspects of them. I would appreciate any feedback on this before I just run blindly into the store.

Over the years there have been many "pop stars" that have used them but I haven't seen any folkies use them at all. Can ya' help?
Cheers.