Wireless mics #2

[joltinjeff]

I know all about the FCC taking over the current frequency that most wireless mics are used.
Now my next stupid question is this ... what would work as far as wireless mic setups and where would be the best place to buy

[lonewolf]

If you are looking for a handheld, anything with an Electro Voice ND767 wireless microphone should sound good.

If you are talking headset, Countryman makes the best, but they cost a bit. There is a model they make for Shure called the WCM16 that sounds great, won't fly off your head and only costs around $200 (mic only). They are wired to work with most Shure wireless bodypack systems with the T4 connector.

EV makes the RE2-N7 (with the nd767a handheld) wireless system that can be had for about $400 new--this is the best sound for the buck. Telex makes EV's wireless equipment and they have been at the top of the wireless audio engineering industry for decades. Combine that with the 21st century's best handheld microphone and you have a killer rig.

Also, always remember, VHF sounds just as good as UHF and the FCC won't steal your frequencies. The only noticable difference is the longer antennae. There's nothing wrong with a good, used VHF system.

As far as frequency agility, the odds are that you won't ever need to change frequencies, but having a choice of say, 3-16 channels wouldn't hurt. You might get in trouble with one of those single channel budget systems. More than 16 channels is unnecessary and doesn't make a wireless system any better or worth any more.

Also look for diversity systems which use 2 antenna receiver circuits and selects whichever of the two has the stronger signal.

Handheld systems to avoid: AKG, Shure PG budget, Nady

Something that looks interesting, but I haven't tried is the Audix systems and the Line 6 digital systems with the Audix handheld mic.

[floodcitybrass]

The new FCC regualtion applies only to the 700mhz band (which actually ranges from 698mhz to 806mhz). As long as the band is outside that range, you are good to go. My point being that just because a wireless mic is old it does not need thrown away.

If you have a wireless current system in the 700mhz range, several companies (including Shure and Senny) will give you a credit towards a new system - regardless of brand.


****My bottom line recommendation is the Shure ULXS series. ****
Shure has the following product
lines listed from worst to best:
*PGX
*SLX
*ULXS (ie ULX standard)
*ULXP (ie ULX professional)
*UHF-R


THe ULXP is also good but you are paying for a few features that are not crucial. The

main differences in ULXS an ULXP are:
*ULXP has a battery meter on the receiver
*ULXP receiver cases are metal instead of plastic
*ULXP receivers come with a 1/2 wave anteanna instead of 1/4 wave

So I recommend the ULXS. We have 10 ULXS wireless ranging from: BETA87A, BETA58, and BETA98 that are used for vocals and horns. They are cased in a rack with power distribution systems with 1/2 wave antennas so we didn't need the ULXP features.

As far as lonewolf's suggestion on not needing more than 16 bands. I would partly disagree. You need to look at your long term plans for wireless. If you know that you are only ever going to have 1 wireless, then I would agree with lonewolf. However, we have 10 and then we aquire more if we need to help with a highschool musical where they can easily have over 20 wireless. So in that case, you need to carefully plan your strategies for frequency.

I highly recommend staying away from any entry level wireless regardless of brand. Most

of the companies make cheap stuff as well as good stuff.


*****WHERE TO BUY??? ******

I would give the local guys a shot first. Try calling Phil Reigh Sound. I believe he is a Shure dealer. You call then try Full Compass and ask for salesman Eric Radej.
You won't be able to buy Shure for less than the MAP price online with shopping carts. If you want to get a good deal, you will need to talk to a person. musiciansfriend, samash, et al. aren't my first choice but I have to use them sometimes.

[Hannibal]

Thank you, Flood City Brass for the referral. I've been a Shure dealer for a number of years now and can offer some decent prices. I can usually beat the mail order catalog prices by a few bucks. We do not stock, as everyone wants something different, but we sell a lot of Shure wireless systems.

phil@prsound.com

www.prsound.com

[hicksjd9]

Wow. I have to totally disagree with the AKG statement. I don't know about their wireless mics per se, but I had a snap on system that connected to any regular mic to make it wireless and it was AMAZING! The sound quality and the transmission were flawless and noiseless respectively. Thanks to the stupid channel ban, I had to get rid of mine, but it was outstanding in every way. I'm not sure if they still make a similar model, but mine was a wms 40 (pretty sure). I'd highly recommend anyone looking into one of those.

[onegunguitar]

I use a X2 digital wireless guitar system,(X2 was bought out by Line 6) and it works great,no drop outs,very,very little,if any,noise and I think it sounds as good as if it were hooked up direct. Simple set up too,just plug in,set the channels and let it rip.

[BloodyFingers]

My guitar wireless runs on 170.245 MHz this is good right.....

[tornandfrayed]

Yes BF that is good, also 2nd the X2 stuff. Stevie crashed in the parking lot at music emporium show and killed his wireless. I got him the X2 and it rocks, Very sturdy even for an 11 year old!

[Squint]

Stay away from the old VHF stuff... 169.000 to 205.000 or so... Stick with UHF if you want stable signal. Shure ULX, Senhheiser ew-series, Audio Technica 2000/3000 series.. Stay away from the Shure PG junk, Nady, Sennheiser Freeport... You get what you pay for in a wireless system. If you want it to work night after night, spend a bit more money and get a good one. Frequency agile (tunable) is also a good idea in case your buddies dig your setup and want to get one to.

[lonewolf]

Wow. I have to totally disagree with the AKG statement. I don't know about their wireless mics per se, but I had a snap on system that connected to any regular mic to make it wireless and it was AMAZING! The sound quality and the transmission were flawless and noiseless respectively. Thanks to the stupid channel ban, I had to get rid of mine, but it was outstanding in every way. I'm not sure if they still make a similar model, but mine was a wms 40 (pretty sure). I'd highly recommend anyone looking into one of those.

Yep, I was referring to the mics themselves...the AKG WMS Flexx wireless systems are excellent as far as low cost analog wireless systems go.