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markmcdermott New user Belfast, Northern Ireland 24 Posts |
I am thinking of buying a Radio Mic. I have no experience of these what ever. What should I be looking for in terms of quality/range.
I may be interested in one I don't have to hold but always felt that 'head' microphones give the impression that you could also receive information. What are clip on mic's like? Thanks Mark |
RayBanks Special user Nassau Bay, TX 533 Posts |
I think most any wireless mike would work for a magician.
The only problem with range would be how far away the PA amplifier was as that is where the receiver will be. Even the most inexpensive mikes should have enough range for you. A hand held mike should probably only be used to ’interview’ an assistant then put down unless you are adept at one handed magic. As for the other types, I don’t think the audience will have a problem with a "head-mounted" mike (technically a boom mike) since many performers are using them now. The clip on (lavalier) mikes are definitely a good way to go BUT careful placement is required so that your coat or other apparel doesn’t rub across the mike and make noise. You didn’t state whether you have your own PA system or rely on others. Matching the impedance of the mike to the input of the amplifier is necessary for the best operation. Some receivers have both "mic" and "line" outputs. Nearly all amplifiers have both as well but will always have one or the other. Just another little thing to consider when purchasing. I know this was a bit long but I hope it helps. If it was me I’d get a boom mike first and then maybe add a handheld later. Have fun _________________ Ray Banks
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Pick a card, any card...No. not THAT one...THIS one Ray Banks |
The Dead Ranger New user Biloxi, Mississippi 45 Posts |
Personally, I use Azden mikes and mixers for my work (including video production). They are good pro-sumer mics and not outrageously priced. They also manufacture a wide range of mics ( stick, lav, etc... ).
http://www.azdencorp.com/ If you can't find a dealer locally, B&H Photo/Video carries their full line and has excellent prices... http://www03.bhphotovideo.com/ Hope this helps... <- Can't feel his legs... |
Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
Hi folks, I'll introduce myself officially in the appropriate area in a minute, but I wanted to post here.
Outside of my work as a mentalist and a magician, I'm a sound engineer for theatre, so I suppose you could say I know from where I speak. Hands down, the best microphone you can buy is a Sennheiser Evolution 100, 300, or 500 series microphone. They range in price from the 100 as the lowest on up, but all are quite affordable. Every sound engineer and designer I know who has used these mics love them -- they sound great, work great, and are rather inexpensive as good mics go. You can find cheaper ones, but I wouldn't recommend it. Get yourself a good UHF diversity system (that means it has two antennas and two separate receiving circuits in the receiver, which helps eliminate dropouts in the signal) that has at least a few different frequencies it can switch between (important because otherwise you can end up with a nearby transmitter interfering with your mic if it's on the same frequency or certain other multiples of that frequency). Shure's are okay, too, but I'd go with Sennheiser. Samson's are so-so, not quite as good as Shure, which are not as good as Senn... As for headset vs. lavalier (clip-on), it depends on your style, but it's really a personal choice. I tend to like a headset, but that's just me. I would, however, encourage you to stay away from the large standard Shure headset if you do get a Shure -- it sounds horrible. Spend the extra money on a Countryman or DPA headset for it. If anybody has any specific questions about sound equipment, feel free to either post it here or e-mail me privately and I'll be glad to help out. Best, Andy
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
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stevenking New user Cleveland, England 61 Posts |
I too use a Sennheiser, but prefer a corded version instead of a radio mike - I have found them to be more reliable (and cheaper).
As for what to buy, it all depends on what you're going to use the mike for ... the reason I went for a hand held rather than a head set or lapel mike is because you have far more vocal control over a handheld. You can move it 'closer' or 'further away' from your mouth. Holding it 'close' when I whisper or lower my voice and 'away' when I am raising my voice means that there is no change in volume. Hope you understood that??? Difficult to explain, maybe Andy could follow this thread further ... I'm sure there's a technical term for it Kind Regards Steven King |
Gawin Regular user Germany 171 Posts |
As Stevenking said radio mikes are toooooo expensive.........
my own opinion. |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
You can get a cheap wireless mike, but the problems that you'll have with it will create a big headache! I replaced a couple of wireless mikes because they were obsolete, almost as soon as I bought them.
I use a wired handheld mike because the kids kept heckling that I had a cable coming out of my butt, when I used a wired lavaliere. LOL! With the handheld, on a gim-crack holder, no one heckles about a cable -- they see the mike. Also, the hypercardoid pattern on the Sennheiser E845s cuts down on the feedback, dramatically. |
karmic New user 15 Posts |
I use a SAMSON AR1 plug on transmitter and receiver that you can clip on to any lead mic ...the receiver is only the same size as a deck of cards so it dosen't take up much room in your case.
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Jim Morton Veteran user 361 Posts |
I use a Shure Presenter, which is a VHF system with two antennae. As Andy pointed out, there are some drawbacks to this system. It's a single channel set-up, so if someone nearby is on the same frequency, you're screwed. That being said, I've never had this happen, but I'm sure the fates will make it so one day. I hope to upgrade eventually, but the cost differential between a VHF single channel system and a UHF multi-channel system is substantial. The sound I get out of it is perfect for me. I've had people comment favorably on the sound quality. I don't perform in front of more than one hundred people at the extreme limit (more like twenty to fifty), so I'm mainly using the mike as an enhancement rather than a full-on amplification system. I use a lavalier because I loathe headsets. I don't like the way they look on me, and I don't like they way they look on other magicians. Different strokes for different folks. I guess I'm just an old fuddy-duddy.
One note on omnidirectional lavalier mikes when you're working with a club's PA system. When the sound guy gets ready to set things up. Tell him to turn the volume way down and bring it up gradually. If he sets the pots where he normally does for stage mikes it's gonna hurt. Jim |
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