What’s your biggest frustration with wireless microphones?
I posed this question to the huge Behind the Mixer community on Facebook and received a host of responses. Many repeated the struggles of others. I’ve compiled their responses and summarized them into 11 areas of frustration and challenge and then presented ways to fix/overcome/defeat each of them.
1. Poor battery life
Wireless microphones quickly suck battery life. Think about it, as soon as the wireless transmitter is turned on, it’s sending a signal. The key to a good battery life is to pick the right batteries.
If you have to use single-use batteries, check the microphone manual for what the manufacturer recommends. These will usually be Alkaline. I prefer the rechargeable route. You pay more upfront but the batteries will last for years and that’s less batteries going in the trash or recycling bin. In this case, look to Ansman or Horizon rechargeables. Check out this page from Horizon on rechargeable batteries:
If you run multiple services on the weekend, turn the microphones / battery packs off between services. Once you have reliable batteries that can last five or six hours then it’s not a concern. We use rechargeables that can last throughout a Sunday morning from 8:30 AM until 12:15pm.
If you want to read up more on battery types and selection, check out this article by Audio Technica:
2. Difficult frequency coordination with multiple microphones.
Wireless frequency configuration is easy with a couple of microphones. Most modern microphones have an auto-scan to find a clear frequency and when you’re working with more than one of the same model, the manual can include frequency settings for multiple microphones to prevent intermodulation.
If you’ve got a lot of microphones, then it’s helpful to go a bit more high-tech and check out the Shure Workbench 6 system control software to help navigate what is available and it also networks with many of the Shure microphone receivers for easier control of frequency selection. Check out this site for details, including the free download and video tutorials:
3. Off/Mute control inadvertently activated.
The Shure Axient system has remote control over the wireless microphones so if they accidentally mute them, you can turn them back on – which is great unless they do it during a song or mid-sermon. But that’s a high end system so let’s look at more common options.
See if the wireless microphone/pack has a locking option to lock the device in the ON position. When this is the case, you don’t have to worry about fidgeting fingers. Those that don’t have the locking option can use black electrical tape of gaff tape to secure it in the ON position.
As a tip, record the channel frequency settings the microphone uses in case it’s accidentally reset or changed. I’ve had one reset itself for no apparent reason. While newer systems enable device-pairing (as long as you are within about three inches between the two devices), sometimes it’s faster to use the controls to reset it yourself – especially when you are backstage such as at a larger church. You might even write in on a label inside the battery compartment. Some allow for disabling the mute button such as with the Sennheiser EW300 G3 handhelds.
Sometimes a pastor might say they want to keep control of the power to their microphone. When this is the case, remind them they will have a delay between when they turn it on and when they can use it. I’ve seen a microphone with a ten second delay time.
4. Poor microphone technique
Ok, so this isn’t limited to wireless microphones. But if no one on stage knows how to properly use a microphone, it’s your job to show them, be it handheld usage or head-worn mic adjustment and placement. If it’s a struggle with only one person, talk with them or in the case of a band member, talk with the worship leader if you don’t feel the musician would listen.
5. Upcoming FCC regulations
This isn’t a wireless problem unless your microphones are in a range the United States FCC is taking back. We lost the 700-800 band a few years ago and now we are looking at 614 MHz to 698 range. Check out this article for more information – plus a free resource at the end
If your wireless equipment is in the 600-700 range, start planning for replacements but wait until the FCC finalizes the auctioning off of this airspace so you know exactly what range is now prohibited for wireless microphone use as they might not auction off the whole band. Also, check with microphone companies for possible rebate offers as they offered back when the 700-800 band was lost.
6. Poor design
Poor design comes in a variety of flavors, from cheap plastic parts prone to breaking, to poor design such as when 9V batteries are twisted when the handheld’s base is screwed on. If you’re dealing with some sort of design problem that hampers your ability to create a problem-free service, it’s time to look at replacing the equipment. In some cases, check with the manufacturer in case it’s a design defect and the manufacture can provide a solution.
When it comes to buying a new wireless microphone, check them out in the store. Are batteries secured? Does anything use light-weight plastic? I prefer metal transmitter packs but when price is a concern that becomes a trade-off. I recently tested out a microphone system by CAD that I really like but there was a difference between the two available packages and it came down to metal versus plastic.
A tip on equipment that uses 9V batteries. The plus terminal, the larger one, can widen from use. If the battery isn’t fitting as snug as before, use a small pair of plyers to gently squeeze it a little to decrease the gap inside.
7. High cost
This is a tough one because you get what you pay for. There’s a reason that high-end Shure’s and Sennheiser’s are as expensive as they are; build-quality, stability, automations, and audio quality. For example, a cheap microphone can carry less of the audible frequency and/or use a poor-sounding form of compression.
There are several options and much of it depends on your budget. Buy high quality when you can. If you can’t, either go wired or prioritize. For example, spend the extra money for a wireless microphone for the pastor and the worship leader and then then buy wired or lower-priced wireless for all other uses. If budget’s a problem, I’d go wired unless wireless was necessary.
If you’re looking for a reliable low-price wireless solution…I can’t give you a good recommendation. You get what you pay for. Right now, I do recommend the Sennheiser XSW-2 series that runs around $399 USD. When you drop below that price range, the sound quality will likely suffer or it eats through batteries or it’s made of the cheapest plastic, or…etc.
8. Interference / signal drops
Let’s start with wireless limitations. I’ve known churches located next to electrical power stations and radio towers – these can force a church to go the wired route. Next, when it comes to interference and any sort of signal drop, this can take a bit of work but the problem can be solved.
Make sure there’s a direct line-of-sight between the transmitter and the receiver.
If interference or signal drops occur on a regular basis, use the auto-scan feature to find a new transmission frequency. Pick a different one if it first gives you the same one. Make sure there aren’t other microphones in the same area that use that frequency channel. For example, if you have two wireless systems in the same building, such as one in the sanctuary and one in the youth venue, by turning one on, it can block the other or you pick it up instead.
If you still can’t get a consistently clear signal, look into an RF analyzer (or call someone who has one) and run it for a few hours to find out what’s going on. Only then can you find out what wireless frequencies are really safe for use.
Over on the Behind the Mixer Facebook Group, Michael Miller had a great suggestion to check for RF problems, “A quick check for radio sources outside of your system is to leave the mics off, and then check the receivers for RF activity.”
9. Lav’s with feedback ring
A complaint I hear about lavaliere microphones is they can produce a ringing sound. This is a problem associated with a few things. A lav microphone is usually the most sensitive of microphones found on stage in a live setting. Because of this, they can be prone to causing feedback when they are near a loudspeaker or a monitor. With the monitor, a pastor should NOT have their vocals in a monitor.
Also, a wireless microphone has a gain control on the transmitter and if the gain is set too high, the console’s channel gain might be set to zero with the signal still bleeding through. Or, the transmitter gain could be set too low and therefore require excessive gain on the channel and thus either dealing with feedback or excessive line noise.
When a pastor is using a lav microphone on stage, make sure their channel is not routed to the monitor and that all stage microphones are muted if not in use. Also, review the gain structure during the sound check by setting the fader at 0 and the gain at the 10 o’clock position if on analog (on digital, go with about a 30% gain to start – or wherever the console suggests if it indicates a preferred range). Then have the pastor speak on stage. If it’s too loud. Turn back the gain on their wireless transmitter. If it’s not loud enough, boost it. Repeat until you get a strong signal and sound without feedback or line noise. If you still get a little feedback, notch it out with an EQ cut – it might have to do with the room.
10. User constantly adjusts their headset
I get it, you spend the money on the ear-worn or headset microphone and the pastor or musician seem to constantly mess with them. This is a combination of training and time. They need time to get used to them but they also need trained on how to place them on their head and make sure the microphone is in the proper location.
A huge tip that will help is make sure each person has their own dedicated head-worn microphone. You don’t want the pastor to wear it one day and the next weekend they’re on vacation and someone else is bending the wires to fit their head. Too much wear and tear and you’ll have to replace the microphones but also, when someone has their own microphone, they can bend it to fit and then never struggle with it except for the occasional adjustment.
11. Wall-warts
I know this is a minor complaint but the truth is wall-warts can take up a lot of space and cover up other usable plugs. If you’ve got a wireless receiver with a wall-wart plug and you’d like another option, consider the 1 foot cord cables perfect for freeing up plugs and space with wall-warts. You can grab them for cheap here:
As you can see, wireless microphones come with a host of potential problems but all can be overcome.
If you’re interested in upgrading any of your audio equipment, BEFORE you make that first purchase, check out this resource to guarantee you get exactly what you need.
Thanks for the idea on the feed back on the Lav’s micophone. I will adjust the gain settings on the transmitter
Hi Chris,
Our church has a problem with their Audio-Technica lavalier lapel wireless Microphone where loud pops appear to be caused by the mic fouling against clothing especially when arm waving is present. Is there any sure fast tip to prevent this?
Thanks.
that sounds like a short in the wire or a loose connection. Be there, done that. :(
Hi Chris,
Our church is using Shure PGX4 systems and even with the recessed on/off button on the top of the transmitter- they were still accidentally getting turned off when they were in a pocket.
Solution: get a package of stick on bunion pads at any local drugstore. The pad is the perfect size to stick on over the button, and now you have to use a fingernail to turn the mic on or off-no more accidental power offs!
Keep up the good work!
John
I love it!
Me too! Nothing like simple, but elegant solutions!
When we use our Countryman mics we always use clear medical tape to tape the mic on the face, prevents it from moving around. If the person is acting or moving a lot we use to pieces of tape. First piece of tape goes in front of the ear before the face contures toward the mouth.
Second piece of tape goes behind the ear. Make sure the person can turn their head without the mic wire binding. Also if the person is wearing makeup the tape will not stick, use a couple pieces of tape on and off to remove some of the makeup or just try using the second tape spot.
Great tips, Alan, especially when it comes to working in theatrical venues…and that’s just one more reason for me not to wear makeup! ;)
Thank you so much for all of the info! Quick question; Where should you initially set the gain on the receivers to begin the gain structure? The people who ran the system before me always started with 100% on the receivers.
The gain is usually set on the transmitter. There are a few ways to set this. For your situation, as long as you can lower the fader all the way and nothing comes through the channel, then you are fine. That being said, if starting from scratch, I’d set the fader to unity, the channel gain to around 50% and with the transmitter gain at 100 percent, i’d have the person talk into the mic and low the transmitter gain until it’s where you’d like it in the room. That’s the short version. Just remember you want as much gain as early on in the signal chain (the receiver) as you can get, because you can add something effectively that isn’t there to start!
I’m not sure how many mics offer this feature, but you mentioned the Sennheiser EW300 G3. That, and I suspect, it’s more expensive brothers have an RF Mute setting which shuts off the transmitter. Just think about it. The mic is a radio station with a microphone, preamp, signal processor of some sort, and a transmitter. The transmitter portion is very likely the biggest consumer of electrical power in the system. When the switch is engaged, the receiver shows no RF signal. Anecdotally, I have found that when we can use this function, the batteries last far longer.
One day, I will have to do a side by side comparison of a couple of identical mics to get a better idea of the time difference in battery life. Of course, the time will vary with the duty cycle of the mic.
I just finished with multiple dance shows in which the mic was used for final announcements only. After a 12-hour day, I still had battery power left.
I remember an article you wrote about 3 ways to approach gain structure in the console. In the part #9 (ringing lav’s), I would disagree with adjusting the transmitter once you’ve found the setting where the loudest voice does not quite reach overload in the transmitter. At that point, the transmitter should produce its best signal-to-noise ratio. Then work with that level in the console. Depending on the receiver, you may have a very hot, possibly a mid line-level signal, but I would deal with that by one of the following methods depending on the capabilities of the equipment:
> switching the receiver to mic-level out (not my first choice)
> lower the receiver output level (not mic gain)
> add an inline 10 or 20dB attenuator to the mic line
> use proper adapter to plug receiver output into a line input which usually handles a 10-15dB hotter signal without clip. Generally my first choice.
BTW, thanks for the mention. I was not expecting that. I enjoyed this article because I was picturing one of my pastors fiddling with his headworn mic even though we have the “second ear loop” to add to his Countryman E6, AND we still haven’t convinced them to put out the money for a second unit so that both pastors have their own mic. Uffda!
Excellent tip on the RF mute. I’d just as soon turn it off so when I look down, I see it off. I’d hate to assume it was “live” when it was on and RF muted. That being said, as long as the tech or stage manager knows to watch for it…I like it!
Actually, the of/off switch indicates the same whether set to mute audio, or mute RF. The switch lights up when the mic is fully on so you have the same visual indication.
On the issue of Wall-warts – most of the packs you’ll be using are needing 12v DC ~500 milliamp inputs which is the same as CCTV cameras and a bunch of other similar kit. You can easily buy a single PSU with a 3 or more amp rating that you can use to replace a whole bunch of individual PSUs. In my case I got rid of the PSUs for 4 IEM transmitter and 2 radio mic receivers with a single pack. (I’m in the UK but this one on Amazon.com will help any left-pondians: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CNJJ4FG)
Thanks for the tip!
Clear tape, one small piece on the cheek. That solved the “let me mess with this mic all service long” problem I was having with two pastors and a plethora of worship leaders.
Excellent
Chris, thanks so much for your articles. Most people who write sound articles never take into account that lots of us handle sound on a limited, or non existent budget. You always include tips for us, and quality information, even for analog systems that are still in operation and doing fine. The bottom line is, the best quality sound that we can give them with what we’ve got. Your insights help me to do that for my church!
Thanks again
Thanks, Joey!
I may be doubling up on info if it was in the battery selection article but it’s worth mentioning. Most wireless mics that use AA’s require 1.5V batteries which is generally standard on single use batteries such as the Duracell Procell’s or Energizers. Rechargeable batteries can come as either 1.2V or 1.5V but more often than not I’ve seen the standard for rechargeable’s be 1.2V.
So make sure you’re getting 1.5V batteries when purchasing rechargeable’s.
Most modern wireless microphones will work with rechargeable batteries without additional tweaks or changes. When I say most modern, I mean the old standard Shure SLXs from early 2000s.
I’ve had zero issues thus far with Eneloops. Again, YMMV.
Chris, I thought I found a typo, but it’s my brain. i really appreciate you sharing your expertise with us. I’ve worked in church A-V for about 50 years and have used you , Ham Radio, electronics repair experience and Rane Notes for helping keeping sound and video working in them.
I also share with your articles (as links in e-mail) with sound people and preachers I know.
BJ, thanks for your note and glad I’ve been able to help!