Not any response the first time to my question. I want to buy a wireless headset mic system and will run into my PA800 as the amp/mixer. Any suggestions please?

Thanks,
zuki

The best I, and many other users, can recommend is the Samson AX1 system. Very compact, excellent quality, and I've never read or heard any reports of outside interference from other high-frequency transmission sources.

Good Luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

AT892c

I second Fran's suggestion. the AT is a great wireless mic and fits with most wireless systems. It is also available as a complete unit from AT.
We have ours connected to a less expensive AT system or you could connect with other manufacturer's transmiiter/receiver; just plug in the mic.

[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 07-14-2008).]

Gary,

Doesn't appear to be a headset version that I can find?

zuki

Zuki, why would you want the full headset version? Have you ever used that mic they suggested? It's VERY comfortable to wear..., and it's EXTREMELY light. Plus the size of it really makes a world of difference. I've seen so many OMB's using the huge headset mics.., and I can't understand why (with all the complaints here about gear size).., when someone here would then take a huge headset mic and choke their face with one.

I've used this mic listed.., a buddy of mine (guitar player), uses this mic.., and WOW was it nice. Good crisp vocals, and you didn't suck in a ball of foam every time you inhaled. People here often talk about connecting with the audience too. I think it's much more effective when they can see your face.

I saw a guy perform not too long ago (friend of a friend).., he used the full headset mic.., and some heckler came up to him and placed an order for a burger shake and fries (a wise-crack about his headset mic).

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 07-14-2008).]

HE HE HE HE

Yeah.., it was freakin funny man! I had to bite my lip very hard to keep from laughing because for some reason the timing was just right and the guy (the way he was dressed) even looked like a McDonald's employee.

I for one am not an advocate for hecklers at any performance, but let me elaborate more on what this guy did. This man went all out.., he pretended as if he was driving a car, pulled up next to the guy wearing the headset, rolled down is imaginary window and placed a freakin order My lip nearly bled I had to bite it that hard to keep from laughing.

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 07-14-2008).]

Zuki,

The Samson AX1 is not a mic--it's a very small wireless system that makes any mic wireless--handheld or headset. I used the AX1 with my Crown CM-311A with excellent results. Also used it with a PRO8-HEX and Samson Q7 handheld. The transmitter is about the size of a 12-gauge shotgun shell and runs 9 to 12 hours on a single AAA battery. The orriginal reciever was the size of a pack of cigarettes with a 2-inch antenna. The newer reciever is a bit larger and has a pair of antennas for running two systems. The range is about 150 feet with no interference.



Cheers,

Gary



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Travlin' Easy

OK, now I'm really confused.

Squeak, are you referring to Fran's suggestion? That system runs $600+.

Gary, it appears I have to buy separate stuff from different mfgs?

What about this new Shure thing with the very unnoticeable headset? PGX4

Yeah, it's expensive (if you can afford it), but it's a very nice mic and sounds great. I would assume that it would eventually pay for itself if you're performing with it, plus you can use her as a tax write off

If you tried it you'd get spoiled with it very fast. When you get into the groove.., these mics are feather light, and can feel like you got nothing hanging from your ear.

Zuki, all those invisible mics are like $300 plus the receiver/transmitter set-up. The AT892, as I said, can be used with just about any wireless system. So, if you already have a wireless setup, just buy the AT with the appropriate end plug and you're good to go.

Thanks guys. Man, these puppies are expensive

.

[This message has been edited by miden (edited 07-14-2008).]

zuki,

Quality headset mics, both hardwired and wireless, are not cheap. However, some have been coming down in price during the past year or so. It would be a good idea to do some comparison shopping, and to also be sure you can purchase the mic from a retailer that allows you to return the mic in 7 tp 10 days if you're not satisfied with the results.

Over the years I have tried several, however, the Crown CM-311A has been the best I've found so far. The first one I started out with was the Audio-Technica PRO8-Hex, which sells for about $125. It was fairly good, but the clarity left a bit to be desired.

I tried a Samson headset mic, and while it was fairly clear and crisp, the fit was awful for someone wearing eyeglasses, and it was somewhat heavy.

The most expensive was the Countryman E6i, which is nearly invisible and so light you don't know you are wearing it. It's a great mic for a preacher standing at the pulpit, but it lacked depth. When I talked with sales person where I purchased the mic he said for vocals, especially for someone with a relatively soft, deep voice, he recommended the Crown CM-311A.

I havn't checked out the Shure yet, but a good friend of mine has one and he loves it. It's not invisible, but it is less noticible and lighter than the Crown.

The one thing I have noticed is that most of the headset mics that do not sit directly in front of your mouth are usually omni directional. This makes them more prone to feedback, especially if you do not have a powerful voice and need to crank up the gain a bit to get a good balance between keyboard and vocals. The super-cardioids and hyper-cardioids are very feedback resistent, which is a big plus when you are positioned relatively close to speakers.

Headset mics are not for everyone. They require the singer to utilize vocal control much more so than handheld mics because the distance to the mic never changes. However, headset mics give you the freedom of movement that you can never have with a handheld mic on a boom. You never have to worry about where the mic is while you are doing things on the fly. You can stand up, sit down, turn your head in any direction and the distance never changes. If some idiot from the audience comes up to talk with you while you are playing, most of the new mics have mute switches on the belt pack that turn the mic on or off with a single button push without making a popping sound.

Once you become accustomed to using a headset mic, you'll find it difficult to use a handheld mic. At least that has been my experience. As for the cost, well it's just one more business expense. Keep in mind, though, the quality of your vocals is one of the most important features of your performances. You can be the best keyboard player in the world, but if your vocals are not crisp and clear, your overall musical performances will be condisered as second rate.

Good Luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Thanks again Gary.

I think you summed it up pretty good. I do want a comfortable and quality product and nothing less.

Vocals are a huge part of my performance. I have good control on when I need to back off to belt it out and go close for the bassier sound. Not sure a headset can ever give me that, but really need to find out I guess.

Excactly Zuki...I tried one for two songs ripped it off me and went back to my Beloved EV ND767 Mic....

"You Gotta Work The Mic" baby!!!

That's what I was afraid of....will be hard to beat the 767.

I love my 767a, too, but one of the things a headset will do is quickly make you aware of how important the vocal compressor can be, and how to dial it in well, if you record yourself for a reality check...

If you can get a headset to 'sit' well with your arranger, then the same basic techniques can be applied to the regular mikes, too.

Wow.....

"Human Beings Behaving Humanly" "BRILLIANT"

James Lipton



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 07-15-2008).]

Like I said, headset mics are not for everyone. There are singers out there that probably could work without a mic at all--I used to work with one. Fortunately, I'm able to control my vocals without changing mic position. Some folks cannot. It takes a bit practice and you have to learn a different approach to the songs. But, once the techniques are mastered it's a piece of cake to belt out those notes when necessary, and tone them down to soften the mood.

Good Luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

All of this is true, and you can't "work" a headworn mic like a handheld, but you do have a degree of control by adjusting the distance to your lips. The freedom of movement and eye contact has to be factored in.

Yeah, but as Gary pointed out you CAN do this with a headset mic. It's all in VOCAL CONTROL. You don't have to back off a mic in order to do this. The same thing can be done just by simply teaching yourself how to do it (if you're willing to learn). Mastering this can make your performance stronger as well.

I've seen tons of talented musicians (using a standard mic) sing without having to back off of the mic.. They had good vocal control (these weren't major recording artists either). In college I was blown away by some of the undiscovered talent on campus.., some of the best singers I've met in my life were in college.

Zuki, you can do this with a head set mic. As stated you can also adjust the distance between your mouth and the mic itself. You do what works for you of course as we all have a different approach to it.

That's very true, squeak, but as you already know, just about every single CD you hear, every recording ever made for probably at least fifty years, the vocals were treated with a compressor, to tame the dynamics and make it 'sit' in the track.

The thing is, our arrangers have nowhere NEAR the dynamic range of a real band... the drum samples are compressed, the dynamic range is a fraction of a real band. To help 'sit' in that mix, a vocal comp can go a LONG way to adding the icing on the cake, no matter how good the initial vocal control is. It is a rare thing in the studio that a singer is not pushed through an LA2A or similar, while tracking. Even the greats...

Yeah, I know everything's compressed when they do the mix in the studio. Personally I think they're going overboard with it today.., as EVERYTHING is getting compressed. Even live bands on CD (done by major labels) isn't sounding as "live" as it used to be. They got a compressor or limiter on everything!


I also completey understand what you mean about compression on the arrangers too. We've beaten that one to death in the past huh

I guess my take on compression and limiters, both in arranger keyboards and in the studio settings, is they have pretty much eliminated distortion and clipping, which might be a good thing. Of course, if you want distortion and clipping, they have specialzed effects devices and foot-switches just for that purpose.

Cheers,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

I'm looking into the AT system (Fran) and the new Shure (with the very small footprint 09 mic).

The AT system can be had for $569
The Shure at $479

Question: It looks like the AT headset would not be snug? Can't tell by the pic. Does it go around the ear or behind the head? What keeps it on the head?

Thanks again. Want to buy soon because I have my AX-7 on Friday and getting out front soon

[This message has been edited by zuki (edited 07-16-2008).]

I have used this one for two years. The best I've had.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--SENEW152G2

Bernie

Bernie,

Thanks for the advice also. I tried on that unit at GC and it just wasn't comfortable, despite its quality.

So I decided on the Shure PGX with the 09 mic. Great price and will work with me if not satisfied.

Going wireless.......