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Billy Whizz Special user Plymouth, UK 576 Posts |
Does anyone use a lapel mic in your kid shows? If so what type do you use and whats the quality like?
Thanks |
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Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
I don't use them because for me I always have a terrible time with volume going up and down as well as feedback when I try and turn the volume up. I would imagine that you would have to invest in an expensive one to really be worth it to use one. A cheap one is not worth the trouble.
Like I've said before I use an ear type of headset mic. The new one from Mipro is very thin and comes in flesh tones as well. JoJo
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
Yeh, JoJo. You and me used the same sound system, Mipro. It's loud and superbly clear.
Anyway, Mipro is from Taiwan. |
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RJE Inner circle 1848 Posts |
I prefer a cordless microphone with a "round the neck" style holder (you can see it there in my picture). This way I can slip it out and back into the holder quite easily and hold it to any volunteer I might be using. I also have a microphone stand which I can place the mic in at any time as well. Any good quality cordless mic should be fine. I feel this is the most versatile system for me.
Rob |
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
HI,
I too work like RJE, If I was to work any other way it would be with a mic in a stand then a head set then a lapel in that order of preference. for me the headset does not give me enough control for stage whispers and too amplify what may spectator says, the lapel mic is worse because they pick up from all directions stage whispers are difficult and it picks up any thing your specs say even things you might not want amplified, therefore personaly I would always prefer a full size hand held mic with neck holder or stand. Starrpower as you do hypnosis shows where a certian element of control is essential I assume you might have similar thoughts ? I am interested as I am seriosly putting together an hypnosis act at the moment Phillip Phillip |
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Rupert Bair Inner circle ? 2179 Posts |
Hi Billy, In the past I have used them to no success, head mics are better and even better are cordless microphones with a mic holder. Im looking at getting a new wireless soon. I will ask my mate what are the best type as he's a DJ.
Matt |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I have spent a lot of time the past few years developing mic technique, because I felt it was something that I was lacking in, and neglecting. Good technique can really elevate the quality of any show.
I do however, agree that the cheaper systems can be a nightmare. Although I have my own system (both lapel wireless and corded mic on a stand), I typically request to use the house system, and the quality range can sometimes take you by surprise. Always do a mic check beforehand to flush out possible problems. Sometimes speaker placement is everything. Whenever possible, elevate the speakers. That will drive the sound a little further out without having to up the volume knob. Speakers placed too low simply send the sound directly into the first few rows of people where it is quickly absorbed. Be aware of your perimeter when moving around. There are usually areas to avoid or you will get some feedback. Just because the mic is wireless doesn't necessarily mean that you can go anywhere in the room. Learn to use a stationary mic on a stand. They are usually reliable. But from experience, I've learned to ask many questions concerning a house system, before I get there. A microphone can be the best made and still useless if it's attached permanently to a lecturn. It's no fun giving them a choice of either seeing you or hearing you. I ALWAYS have a mic stand with me in the car. Many systems do not have one, as they always use their mic as a hand-held. Naturally, we need to be hands-free. It's also a good idea to have small elastic straps or rubber bands or some kind of reliable tape to attach their mic to your stand in the event the mic won't fit the clip. My wireless lapel mic is a Pro-Star by Telex. It is far from the best available, but pretty ok, reliable, and a whole lot better than some others, especially the cheaper, self-contained units. I usually run it through a decent system of amp, mixer, and speakers, because your system is usually only as good as your weakest link. There are times when even the best system will develop a ghost in the machine. There is a private club here in Birmingham that is on top of the mountain, and directly under several TV broadcast towers. Anything can happen wityh a sound system up there, and wireless systems are the most vulnerable. Here is an interesting device sold by Bruce Kalver. https://raisin.site-secure.net/tophatpro......852.html It is a voice enhancer, not exacly wireless, but you aren't connected to anything. The speaker, etc. is on a belt pack, and the headset mic has a wire that connects to it. I'm not sure how large of an area it will cover, but I was very impressed with the quality of the sound. Of course if you need to do stage whispers, you need something you can pull your mouth away from.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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Mike Robbins Elite user Anchorage, Alaska 447 Posts |
I use a dpa 4066fm. It's a thin, flesh-colored headset which is inconspicuous and has excellent sound. I started out years ago with one of those head mics with the big black ball at the end. It looked like I had a growth, so I went to a lapel mic. The problem with those is my voice would get stronger or fade out depending upon the position of my head. I also often had feedback problems. So I went to a cordless handheld on a holder that fit around my neck. That worked until I found the dpa. I wouldn't use anything else now.
I bought the dpa two years ago for $550, but it paid for itself in the first show I used it. Mike
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
Shakespeare |
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I have a Samson lavelier mic. I also have a few of the aforementioned "around the neck" holders for a hand-held mic, but I don't like them. They move too much. However, I do like the freedom they give you to remove the mic for times when you want to have a kid helper heard. Most (all?) lapel mics have a MUTE button for stage whispers and such.
Naturally, you only need a mic for larger events, but I have even worked small b-days that were held in apartment complex party rooms. The rooms are large, and it's nice to be heard by the parents in the back (as well as be heard OVER the parents in the back!) Any comic will tell you, it's always best to have a mic than not have one. I think the mics that wrap around your head like you work for NASA make you look like a dork. Personally, I think these do more to feed the ego fo the wearer ("Look at me! I have a highly conspicuous mic; I'm important!") than to actually provide superior sound. There are such good pick-up devices out there that these are really quite unnecessary. Phillip, I only use a hand-held wireless for my hypnosis shows. I don't need the use of my hands as much as I do for magic, and the hand-held definitely gives you the best sound and the most control. It also allows me to place the mic by the hypnosis subject to hear what they have to say. However, it's the hands-free operation that we need for magic, so I seldom use it for that application. My hand-held is also a Samson. I often plug it right into the house system. Early one, I used a hard-wired lapel mic (I still have it in the bottom of a drawer somehwere.) I think I got the construction idea from a Chris Carey book. Anyway, I got a lapel mic form Radio Shack, made a belt clip from a coat hanger, and attached on an adapter (the mic had a 1/8" plug and standard mic have 1/4".) I still had a cord dragging behind me, but my hands were free, and for most applications this worked very well. I think this would be an ideal and inexpensive solution for birthdays, as you are not spinning around illusions and such. |
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kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts |
I think the mics that wrap around your head like you work for NASA make you look like a dork. Personally, I think these do more to feed the ego fo the wearer ("Look at me! I have a highly conspicuous mic; I'm important!") than to actually provide superior sound. There are such good pick-up devices out there that these are really quite unnecessary.
Starrpower you could not be any further from the truth. The Headsets sound BETTER! Iuse a countryman E6, I am that dork that Starrpower is talking about. Ken |
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
As billy already knows, I use a headset mic for the magic show ansd a hand held mic for the games. I prefer the headset for the magic show because it sounds better as you don't get the fading in and out as you turn your head. The only downside is you can't use it for the helper to talk into.
Mines one of the dorky looking ones, though I don't think it makes me look a dork It makes me look like a pop star, A fat 44 year old pop star.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Ken, I would NEVER call you a dork ... I said people who use them LOOK like dorks!
Sure, a mic right in front of your mouth is going to get marginally better sound, but not so noticably that I'll look like a goof in order to use one. But you do not need to have a mic within 1/4" of your mouth to sound good. All the broadway people use mics hidden in clothing and in their hair. Only since pop star freaks started using these "1960's telephone operator" mics have they become popular, and it's an image thing. I guarantee you that you would not notice any fading or poor sound in my lapel mic (I attach it to my second from top shirt button), and it's not even top of the line -- about a $400 unit. BTW, look what they use on TV newscasts ... and they have exceptional sound quality, even when turning, looking around, or talking to guests and co-anchors. |
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
There are lots of them out there, I think the problem is always finding the right one.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts |
>BTW, look what they use on TV newscasts ... and they have exceptional sound >uality, even when turning, looking around, or talking to guests and co-anchors.
Bad example Starr, If I were not TRYING to amp. my voice then yes I would use a mic like the anchors use. But look at the sport games, football games most of those guys use headsets now. Lance Burton In Vegas uses a headset now. An I have used lav's and I cannot get the same sound out of it like I can the earset mic. So Billy to answer your question I don't use the lav anymore. Ken |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Quote:
I think the mics that wrap around your head like you work for NASA make you look like a dork. I'm that dork because I've spent thousands on tons of magic and have not sprung for a decent headset. The major drawback with a headset is asking an assiatant a question. No one hears the answer but you. Ken Weber in his Maximum Entertainment has a whole section on Microphones and the beauty of hand held mikes. A close friend of mine only uses a hand held mic and doesn't trust headset mics because they went out on him in the middle of a show, twice! He uses this hand held very effectivly and is comforable with it. I've tired hand held and feel like I am on a lease! After reading what Ken Weber said, I understand his principles. Lapel mics have not worked for me except in recording on video tape. Even then, the batteries ran out.
Dennis Michael
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glodmagic Special user USA 501 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-12-30 16:01, kenscott wrote: Yes that was a bad example in that case. Sound reinforcement and AGC broadcast systems are two different animals. In addition there are studio booms that hang above the anchors for the mix. I am sure you have noticed when a TV anchor has his/her dual lapel off how the hollow room sounds as the boom pics them up in a backup. I'm not stepping into the the collarworn, lapel, headset firestorm here but had to get in 2 cents on the TV studio issue which I have experience in. "Now back to you Ken"
Remember ANY of your posts here can be Googled by your customers and Clients. Just entering your name in Google can bring up your negative comments that stay for years!
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Billy Whizz Special user Plymouth, UK 576 Posts |
I used to use a headset, but when you've got a baldy head like mine, I agree with some of you in that it makes you look like a dork. OK if you have hair to hide it a bit more.
At present, I have a few wireless handhelds, which clip around my neck. The reason I was thinking of using a lapel, was mainly just for house parties. I have to use a mic, even if there is only a small number of kids, because my voice is so deep, I find it difficult to get heard if I don't use a mic. I thought it might look better in a house if I had just a small lapel mic. I like the sound of the Mipro ear type headset that JoJo and others have mentioned. Do you have a link to their website please? Many thanks Thanks to all for your comments. Billy |
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
I prefer the headset for the magic show because it sounds better as you don't get the fading in and out as you turn your head. The only downside is you can't use it for the helper to talk into.
Hi, I have read several times on this thread aboutthe problem of fading in and out as you turn your head , this is just poor technique you just need to learn to turn your shoulders too this is then a non existant problem Phillip |
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Billy Whizz Special user Plymouth, UK 576 Posts |
I've never had the problem with fading in and out using the hand held. Like Philip says, maybe just try adjusting your posture.
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I'm not trying to sell anything, or even convince you. I'm just offering my opinon. And I would prefer to look natural rather than having a chunk of wire and plastic wrapped around my head and face. I find it extremely hard to believe that your shows are so precise that you can't get good sound -- very good sound, in fact -- from a lapel mic.
So go right ahead and look like the guy hawking "Kitchen Magicians" and "3 in 1 mops" at the state fair. Personally, I just think they look goofy. |
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