10 Questions You Should to Know about wireless conference mic system

High quality sound is a key ingredient of all live performances. Whether in a theatre, concert venue, church, school or conference centre—great microphones result in great experiences.

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Wireless microphones have been used for decades, but what was once an expensive luxury for select venues and performers, is now an affordable reality for everyone. As with all professional audio products, there are specific microphones for different uses. 

Here's our guide for the six things you need to consider about wireless microphones.

1: Handheld, Tie Clip or Headworn?

The main decision to make when selecting your next wireless microphone is do you prefer a handheld microphone, a head worn microphone or a lavalier microphone (otherwise known as a tie clip microphone)?

Lavalier microphones like the Sennheiser EW 100 G4-ME2-E are perfect for use by a single performer or presenter. The discrete microphone can be clipped to the clothing and is barely noticeable to the audience or cameras.

Handheld wireless microphones such as the Sennheiser EW100 G4-835-S are a great choice if you need a wireless microphone which can be passed between speakers at events, such as panel discussions or awards shows.

Fancy the best of both worlds? Why not consider the Sennheiser EW100 G4-ME2/835-S-GB which includes both a lavalier and held microphone as well as the base station, which receives the sound signals from your microphone and outputs them to a mixing or recording device.

Headworn microphones are a popular choice with presenters and performers who need to keep their hands free and clipping a microphone to clothing might not be the best option. Headworn microphones can be a specific headset microphone such as the Sennheiser EW100 G4-ME, or a lavalier microphone which is clipped to the hairline of a singer or performer in drama or musical theatre productions. Headworn microphones generally produce a better sound than a Tie-Clip/lavalier microphone.

2: Microphone Capsule

Microphone capsules convert sound waves into electronic signals, which are transmitted from the microphone to the receiver and then into other audio processing equipment such as a PA system, recording device or TV camera. There are two primary types of microphone capsule: dynamic and condenser.

Dynamic microphones are ideal for capturing loud sounds such as instruments or vocals in a live environment. Dynamic mics are cheap and durable, but not very sensitive to quiet or high-frequency sounds. A dynamic microphone is well-suited to live events with lots of background noise and movement.

Condenser microphones are more accurate than dynamic mics and capable of capturing complex sounds with a greater range of frequencies. Condenser mics are perfect for stunning vocals in a theatre performance or capturing high quality audio in a recording studio. Condenser microphones are more expensive and delicate than dynamic mics (they don't deal with loud sounds very well)—but in the right environment and application, there is no better choice.

3: Cardioid or Omnidirectional?

Microphone pick up patterns are very important but if you've never heard of cardioid or omnidirectional microphones—don't worry, we'll give you all the advice you need

As the name suggests, omnidirectional microphones pick up sound from all directions and are great at capturing the collective sound on stage. But omnidirectional mics aren't such a good choice if there's ambient sounds you don't want to capture—such as recording a person's voice outside on a breezy day. Whilst you’ll record their voice, you'll also pick up the hissing sound of the wind or passing traffic.

A cardioid microphone is most sensitive to the sound produced directly in front of it. Imagine a performer singing on stage, using a correctly placed cardioid microphone will help to isolate their voice from any ambient noise, such as the audience. Whereas an omnidirectional mic would get a bit of everything. Cardioid microphones are perfect for isolating the sounds you want to capture from everything else.

4: UHF Channels and Licences

UHF (ultra-high frequency) connectivity refers to how your wireless microphone connects to the base station. It's very similar to how your devices receive internet signals from a wireless router. Using UHF connectivity maintains the high-quality of audio and minimises the risk of interference (when two signals get jumbled up).

If you're running less than four wireless mics in your venue, you can do so using a specific license free frequency range of 863 to 865 MHz (often called channel 70). If you need more, you can purchase licences from Ofcom to use channel 38 (606.5 to 613.5 MHz). This will allow you to run up to 10 wireless mics in your venue. Details on what kind of licence you’ll need and the relevant fees can be found on the Ofcom website.

There is an exception to the UHF methods discussed, which allow quick setup of a small number of microphones. 1.9 and 2.4 GHz are common commonly used frequencies which are easy to connect to. However, these frequency bands are routinely used by cordless phones and Wi-Fi routers, so interference is more likely.

We understand UHF and connectivity frequencies might be daunting, with every purchase of wireless microphones, we offer a comprehensive support package to ensure you get the best out of your new technology.

5: Batteries

Making sure your wireless mic is fully charged and lasts for the big show is of paramount importance. When it comes to batteries, you have two choices. Built in lithium power packs are popular because they hold a lot of charge and can be recharged between performances. However, if one suddenly dies, this could leave you without a microphone unless you have spare battery packs ready to go. 

The other option is standard batteries such as AAA or AA batteries. Although they need changing regularly, they can quickly be swapped out in the event of battery failure. Both options are perfectly viable providing good battery management and battery charging practises are followed.

6: Build Quality

How often are you going to use your wireless mic? If it's only for occasional use, you'll get away with less durable build quality. But, if you're buying wireless microphones for daily use in a professional performance space, you'd be well advised to go for a high-quality microphone by Sennheiser, a leading manufacturer stocked by Stage Electrics.

Sennheiser microphones are designed for professional use—day in, day out. Constructed from the highest-grade materials, with high quality electronics designed and manufactured in Germany, you won't find a better-quality wireless microphone than Sennheiser.

Wireless microphones are a versatile piece of professional audio technology which offer many benefits to venues and production companies. Whilst there are many points to consider, we’ll help you every step of the way. 

We’re one of the UK's leading distributors of Sennheiser microphones with access to all their products and support services—for professional audio technology you're in safe hands with Stage Electrics.

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:

• The BLX Wireless Microphone System
• The GLX-D+ Dual Band Wireless Microphone System
• The SLX-D Wireless Microphone System
• The QLX-D Wireless Microphone System
• The ULX-D Wireless Microphone System
• The Axient® Digital Wireless Microphone System

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

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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:

• What am I planning to do?
• Where am I going to set up the mics?
• How many microphones do I need in the same room at once?

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

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