This month’s question comes from Fred in Myrtle Beach, SC., who asks “When should I use a wireless microphone versus a wired microphone? Is there a difference other than a cable?”.
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The difference between using a wired and wireless microphone for a specific job is no longer about sound quality. It’s about a group of other factors, many of which users should consider before making the choice.
Since the development of wireless microphones some 60 years ago as a novelty-convenience item, their performance and use have grown tremendously. As with most everything in pro audio, there are advantages and disadvantages to both wireless and wired microphone systems. The choice should be determined by the user’s specific application. Some make the decision simply to reduce the amount of cable clutter, while others look deeper into other issues.
Here are a few considerations.
A wireless microphone, combined with the right public address system that can receive a clear signal from the microphone and broadcast the sound strongly and without signal interference, can be a major asset to presenters and performers in church settings. The pastor or minister who wants the freedom to walk away from the pulpit to engage his congregation, the choral director who wishes to have every choir member’s voice clearly heard, or the youth director who wants to broadcast loud, clear directions to widely dispersed children outdoors while he/she moves among them…each of these individuals benefits by using a high-quality wireless microphone paired with a powerful PA system.
Today, there more microphone options than ever, but also some new challenges, such as increasing signal interference encountered from the proliferation of today’s wireless devices.
A big thing to consider is cost. A single wireless microphone channel will probably cost about four to 10 times as much as its wired counterpart. Modern digital wireless systems are highly accurate and reliable. Quality is no longer an issue. The majority of issues fall upon the mic cable. Use the best quality cable and connectors and that is rarely a problem. If it happens, a simple switch of the cable fixes the problem. Wired mics can save on cost and complication.
The FCC sees billions of dollars to make, not from audio companies, but from cell companies. So, the spectrum will become smaller and smaller. What we as manufacturers have to do is become more efficient at how we use the frequencies we have.
Also, because of frequency shortages, wireless microphone use in the United States is going to get tighter in the coming years, because everybody is carrying around a smartphone in their pocket these days, there is less and less spectrum for wireless microphones. The FCC is taking the spectrum away from television stations and wireless microphones and it’s being resold for use with cell phones.
Forty years ago, you might have been able to fit five wireless microphones on a slice of spectrum, we can now we can fit 40. It’s taking whatever they give us and figuring out how best to use it. Over the next five years, it will get pretty ugly as this conflict continues.
Where absolute reliability is demanded, use wired microphones. But if you have the proper technicians, the necessary funds and need to be without cable, wireless microphones are now unmatched in audio quality.
Here are a few of the wireless mics that are available today.
Handheld Wireless Microphones
The handheld wireless microphone was a natural outgrowth of the handheld wired microphone. Handheld microphones don’t have to be handheld; they can also be placed into a mic stand – either floor standing, or on a pulpit, podium, or lectern.
Handheld mics generally have a larger head and thus greater sensitivity to picking up sound than other microphone types, such as lapel or headset.
A common type of handheld mic is called “cardioid,” which is so-named because they have a heart-shaped sound pick-up pattern. It is designed to pick up sound from the person holding the microphone, plus sounds to the side of him or her – such as a choir or musical instruments – but not to pick up sounds from the back of the microphone, which would be audience sounds such as talking, coughing, etc.
Another advantage to handheld wireless microphones in addition to their sensitivity is that they typically contain their transmitter within the microphone. A transmitter is needed because a wireless microphone does not employ a wire or cable to transmit sound from the microphone to its amplifier and speaker.
Headset Wireless Microphones
The popularity of the headset wireless microphone has grown along with their increased use by popular entertainers. Headset wireless microphones also have become an important tool for many individuals who spend long hours on the .
Although headsets were once exclusively wired, the availability of wireless models has enabled more freedom of movement, allowing individuals to roam far from their or PA system.
Headset wireless microphones can provide better sound than handheld mics because the microphone is in a fixed position in front of the user’s mouth, whereas someone not skilled in using a handheld mic tends to move it away from their mouth at times, thus diminishing the sound quality.
As with wireless handhelds, wireless headset mics require a transmitter. Since typically there’s no space in the microphone itself, it is connected by a small wire to a “body pack” transmitter, which is typically worn on a belt or placed in a pocket.
Some people do not like to use headset microphones because they interfere with their appearance, hairstyle, etc.
Lapel Wireless Mics
Wireless lapel mics are less obtrusive than handheld or headset mics. Typically, they are placed in the presenter’s lapel or a buttonhole. As with a headset wireless mic, they require a body pack transmitter.
A disadvantage to lapel mics is that they tend to be sensitive to the distance placed from the presenter’s mouth, and if the presenter turns his or her head too much during a presentation, sound quality can diminish.
Over-the-Ear Wireless Mics
As the name implies, over-the-year wireless mics are worn over the ear rather than on the head or in a lapel. They, too, require a separate body pack transmitter. Some over-the-ear wireless mics are flesh tone colored to make them less conspicuous.
Any wireless microphone tends to be only as good as the wireless system that it is paired with. Some wireless PA systems are engineered so that they work well as a system for the particular application the user is looking for – audience size, indoor or outdoor, voice only or music, one presenter only or multiples presenter, portability, etc.
Many PA systems also feature a Bluetooth receiver so that the devices can receive wireless Bluetooth transmissions – music or voice – from a Bluetooth enabled device such as a smartphone.
One of the challenges with the popularity of today’s wireless communications is channel interference. Look for a PA system designed to be worry-free from this problem.
One of the key advantages of using a wireless mic is having the freedom to roam far from the PA system, and today’s wireless mics are extending the range of pick-up ever farther.
Wireless mics are a great hands-free convenience for instructors and coaches, and there are additional accessories available that are designed for special applications.
From the sanctuary to the meeting room, gymnasium, swimming pool or athletic field, wireless microphones and PAs are perfect for transmitting worry-free sound in today’s churches.
Like everything in the audio world nothing is simple, everyone’s building is different, everyone’s system is different and everyone’s needs are different. Researching your products before purchasing will help guide you along the way. Many companies offer house of worship help in designing and product offering, make sure you take advantage of this, it will take you in the right direction to spread the word.
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. And we will introduce the latest Shure wireless systems:
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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.
For further learning, take our Getting to Know Wireless course to learn more about Analog vs. Digital Wireless Microphones.
VHF vs. UHF Bands vs. 2.4GHz
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.
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.
Frequency Agility & Automatic Frequency Selection
If you plan to use several wireless microphones simultaneously, each microphone must operate on a different open radio frequency so that the signals do not interfere.
Wireless microphone systems that are “frequency agile” offer users various frequency paths to work with during production. Being frequency-agile is essential if your venue requires multiple wireless microphones to operate simultaneously, or if stationed at a location with many competing signals from wireless devices.
Today, some wireless microphone systems have automatic frequency selection, readily scanning the environment for open channels and automatically picking the best one. This functionality is handy for novice users or volunteers with little experience coordinating or deploying available frequencies.
The three things you must know if you want to go wireless are:
Below are some of the most popular Shure wireless microphone systems. All systems mentioned below come with a variety of best-in-class Shure handheld, headset, lavalier, and instrument microphones.
Recommended Shure Wireless Microphone Systems
BLX
The ideal wireless microphone system for small venues and cord-cutting newcomers, BLX offers professional sound in a variety of convenient configurations with a simple setup and an intuitive interface for performance you can trust right out of the box. BLX is a great choice for anyone looking to buy their first wireless system. It's affordable and easy to use yet high quality.
GLX-D+ Dual Band
The perfect solution for musicians and presenters who want to go wireless without complexity, GLX-D+ Dual Band operates in 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz ranges and offers automatic frequency management with backup frequencies. The included lithium-ion rechargeable battery delivers up to 12 hours of use, and there are multiple microphone options. The rack-mount version allows up to 16 channels on air simultaneously.
SLX-D
SLX-D provides crystal-clear digital audio quality with >120 dB dynamic range so that you can handle a whisper-quiet pastor and loud worship bands alike. SLX-D maintains stable signals with high efficiency for rock-solid, reliable performance with up to 8 hours of use from either 2 AA batteries (included) or optional Shure lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
QLX-D
Ideal for mid-sized presentation spaces, music venues, and houses of worship, QLX-D wireless microphone system supports up to 17 simultaneous systems per 6MHz or up to 22 systems per 8MHz. Featuring pristine 24-bit digital audio and remarkably efficient RF spectrum usage, the QLX-D will give you clear, uninterrupted, worry-free performance. Confidentiality is ensured via AES-256 advanced encryption that generates a randomized key for each use.
ULX-D
Ideal for large conferences, convention installations, and rental companies, ULX-D wireless microphone system supports up to 47 simultaneous systems per 6MHz. Dual and quad receivers include Dante digital audio networking. ULX-D brings you crystal clear 24-bit digital audio. This wireless microphone system is loaded with the latest cutting-edge wireless technology - including predictive switching diversity, sophisticated interference detection, and AES 256-bit encryption.
Axient Digital
Axient Digital wireless microphone system delivers world-class sound quality for the most critical broadcasts and live events with high channel counts. With impressively low latency, flat frequency response, and multiple digital audio output options, the sound will fill every corner of your space—clean and clear. Axient's ability to detect and avoid interference is second to none. Axient's Spectrum manager provides advanced frequency scanning. When using the Axient Spectrum Manager, backup frequencies are constantly monitored, ranked, and automatically deployed in the event of signal interference.
Shure: The Perfect Choice to Help You Go Wireless
When you're ready to take your facility wireless, Shure has the best wireless microphone systems to fit your unique needs and budget. Contact us today to get started!
Here are a few other resources you might find helpful:
How to Choose the Best Microphone for Vocals
How to Choose the Best Microphones for Home Recording
How to Choose the Best Mics for the Guitar
How to Choose the Best Mics for Brass, Wind, and String Instruments
How to Choose the Best Mic for the Pianist
How to Choose the Best Mic for the Pastor
How to Choose the Best Mics for the Choir at Worship
How to Choose the Best Handheld Mics for Worship