Which wireless mic?

[charic]

My vocalist is on the lookout for a new wireless mic, at the moment I think shes using one of these : http://www.dv247.com/microphones/akg-perception-wireless-vocal-set-channel-38--97530 but kinda struggling to cut through the mix and it's feeding back very easily.

We're a female fronted symphonic metal band, her vocal range is probably more of an alto than soprano.

Apparently the wireless aspect is essential

Budget is around £500

Any thoughts / recommendations?

[EBS_freak]

http://www.mercury-av.com/sales/Sennheiser-EW100-945-G3---Range-E--.html

Although if you are suffering with lots of feedback, I would suggest there is something fundamentally wrong with the way that the PA is being tuned.

Edited May 26, 2016 by EBS_freak

[charic]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1464248832' post='3057823']
[url="http://www.mercury-av.com/sales/Sennheiser-EW100-945-G3---Range-E--.html"]http://www.mercury-a...-Range-E--.html[/url]

Although if you are suffering with lots of feedback, I would suggest their is something fundamentally wrong with the way that the PA is being tuned.
[/quote]

It's more in the rehearsal room, loud drummer, not so loud vocalist, small room... but we can tell that the mic is definitely a contributing factor by what happens with the other mics in the room.

[charic]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1464248832' post='3057823']
[url="http://www.mercury-av.com/sales/Sennheiser-EW100-945-G3---Range-E--.html"]http://www.mercury-a...-Range-E--.html[/url]

Although if you are suffering with lots of feedback, I would suggest their is something fundamentally wrong with the way that the PA is being tuned.
[/quote]

On a quick browse I think it was these that stuck out :

http://www.dv247.com/microphones/sennheiser-ew-d1-935s-h-eu-hand-held-wireless-microphone-system--222408

http://www.dv247.com/microphones/sennheiser-ew165-g3-system-wireless-radio-handheld-microphone-system--63934

But I've not done a lot of reading just yet.

[RockfordStone]

if its in the rehearsal room why not just use one with a lead?
i can see why you would use a wireless on stage, but if you are only having issues in the rehearsal room just get a decent '58 and plug it in.

wireless rigs play havoc in rehearsal spaces.

[charic]

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1464250397' post='3057834']
if its in the rehearsal room why not just use one with a lead?
i can see why you would use a wireless on stage, but if you are only having issues in the rehearsal room just get a decent '58 and plug it in.

wireless rigs play havoc in rehearsal spaces.
[/quote]

SM58s really don't suit her voice, she wants to usethe same Mic for rehearsal as live (probably a bit of stubbornness too..)

[RockfordStone]

each to their own i guess. i just use what's given

[Phil Starr]

The problem with singers and wireless mics is that they will walk around with them

I'm sure a lot of the problems of feedback could be solved with some technical knowledge, simple things like putting it back on the stand when she is not using it and not accidentally pointing it at the speakers or into the corners of the room (usually the most resonant points).

However the mic probably isn't that great, if you buy the £500 Sennheiser system the mic itself is only taking up about £150 of that so your £150 system probably is using a £50 mic. AKG are usually pretty good at feedback rejection though.

One consideration is the mic itself. The E945 is a super cardioid (quite directional) good at feedback rejection but demanding on vocal technique. If your vocalist is non- technical and is used to a cardioid like the one you are using then a system based on say the Shure Beta58 might be better for her. It isn't an SM58 and although described as a super cardioid it is very forgiving of mic technique http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Shure-BLX24RUK-B58-Beta-58A-Rack-Mount-Handheld-Wireless-Mic-System/TUC?origin=product-ads&utm_campaign=PLA+Shop+-+Shure&utm_medium=vertical_search&network=google&adgroup=2+-+Brand+Level+-+Shure&merchant_id=1279443&product_id=38676d1&product_country=GB&product_partition_id=85063544839&gclid=Cj0KEQjwvZq6BRC9kfq2zKfQ_94BEiQAOeUVC-lqUOKQvqhTwNsvPgQqMMhuyKoYbzpPqOowfOpjuP8aAnAa8P8HAQ

If you can go to £500 then this is a bit of a bargain [url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/shure-glxd24uk-beta87a-digital-handheld-wireless-microphone-system?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&gclid=Cj0KEQjwvZq6BRC9kfq2zKfQ_94BEiQAOeUVC4HoC62XnXaRi27Du83FofoQsOSWwhcjfMDEpqEoOkkaAje08P8HAQ"]http://www.pmtonline...oOkkaAje08P8HAQ[/url] the Beta87 is a fabulous mic.

Edited May 26, 2016 by Phil Starr

[RockfordStone]

I did a quick look, and these could be quite good? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Halsall-Echo-Mike/dp/B002FB4OLI

[charic]

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1464251606' post='3057847']
The problem with singers and wireless mics is that they will walk around with them

I'm sure a lot of the problems of feedback could be solved with some technical knowledge, simple things like putting it back on the stand when she is not using it and not accidentally pointing it at the speakers or into the corners of the room (usually the most resonant points).

However the mic probably isn't that great, if you buy the £500 Sennheiser system the mic itself is only taking up about £150 of that so your £150 system probably is using a £50 mic. AKG are usually pretty good at feedback rejection though.

One consideration is the mic itself. The E945 is a super cardioid (quite directional) good at feedback rejection but demanding on vocal technique. If your vocalist is non- technical and is used to a cardioid like the one you are using then a system based on say the Shure Beta58 might be better for her. It isn't an SM58 and although described as a super cardioid it is very forgiving of mic technique [url="http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Shure-BLX24RUK-B58-Beta-58A-Rack-Mount-Handheld-Wireless-Mic-System/TUC?origin=product-ads&utm_campaign=PLA+Shop+-+Shure&utm_medium=vertical_search&network=google&adgroup=2+-+Brand+Level+-+Shure&merchant_id=1279443&product_id=38676d1&product_country=GB&product_partition_id=85063544839&gclid=Cj0KEQjwvZq6BRC9kfq2zKfQ_94BEiQAOeUVC-lqUOKQvqhTwNsvPgQqMMhuyKoYbzpPqOowfOpjuP8aAnAa8P8HAQ"]http://www.gear4musi...juP8aAnAa8P8HAQ[/url]

If you can go to £500 then this is a bit of a bargain [url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/shure-glxd24uk-beta87a-digital-handheld-wireless-microphone-system?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&gclid=Cj0KEQjwvZq6BRC9kfq2zKfQ_94BEiQAOeUVC4HoC62XnXaRi27Du83FofoQsOSWwhcjfMDEpqEoOkkaAje08P8HAQ"]http://www.pmtonline...oOkkaAje08P8HAQ[/url] the Beta87 is a fabulous mic.
[/quote]

Oh, don't get me started on walking around with the thing... I do point that out at most practices. Technique wise she's not bad actually and really quite consistent it's just a case of her not cutting through the mix (working on catering the mix to suit but the mic is definitely a weak link).

Never tried the beta87, I'll have a look!

[Dan Dare]

I use an AKG WMS 420. Based on the D5. Plenty of level and good feedback resistance. Less than half your budget.

[EBS_freak]

Re: mic costs - probably should refer to capsule costs as opposed to mic costs... The transmitters in wireless mics vary greatly in quality.

[charic]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1464254185' post='3057872']
Re: mic costs - probably should refer to capsule costs as opposed to mic costs... The transmitters in wireless mics vary greatly in quality.
[/quote]

Budget is ideally for the whole system rather than just the mic. I figured it would probably be a balancing act between mic and transmitter which is why I'm asking here.

If only we could go wired... so many awesome mics in that budget then

[EBS_freak]

Not sure if you got what I was on about - there's essentially three parts to a wireless mic system - capsule, transmitter (which is housed in the "mic") and the receiver. Any weakness in those will impact the performance of the whole system.

A lesser capsule on a performant RF system will always be better than a red hot capsule on a system with poor radio capabilities. Fortunately the latter don't appear too often.

As for digital vs analogue, I'd always go for analogue over digital for wireless vocal mics as I'm an inears user and the last thing you want is the latency of digital mics, digital fx and a digital desk ending up in your ears. Singing against a delay is horrific. If you aren't an inears user, this is of less importance.

Of course, 2.4ghz vs 5gz vs channel 70 vs channel 38 (Inc 823-832) is another topic you'd want to consider.

[charic]

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1464255835' post='3057896']
Not sure if you got what I was on about - there's essentially three parts to a wireless mic system - capsule, transmitter (which is housed in the "mic") and the receiver. Any weakness in those will impact the performance of the whole system.

A lesser capsule on a performant RF system will always be better than a red hot capsule on a system with poor radio capabilities. Fortunately the latter don't appear too often.

As for digital vs analogue, I'd always go for analogue over digital for wireless vocal mics as I'm an inears user and the last thing you want is the latency of digital mics, digital fx and a digital desk ending up in your ears. Singing against a delay is horrific. If you aren't an inears user, this is of less importance.

Of course, 2.4ghz vs 5gz vs channel 70 vs channel 38 (Inc 823-832) is another topic you'd want to consider.
[/quote]

Noted on the analog v digital! I'm looking to move to in ears and I think the rest of the band will slowly follow

Thank god for distance selling which gives us plenty of trial and error

[RockfordStone]

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1464254551' post='3057875']
Budget is ideally for the whole system rather than just the mic. I figured it would probably be a balancing act between mic and transmitter which is why I'm asking here.

If only we could go wired... so many awesome mics in that budget then
[/quote]
tell her to stop being a diva and use a wired mic then

[charic]

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1464260304' post='3057959']
tell her to stop being a diva and use a wired mic then
[/quote]

Tried that... even tried tempting with a pretty mic too

Singers eh?

[RockfordStone]

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1464270405' post='3058073']
Tried that... even tried tempting with a pretty mic too

Singers eh?
[/quote]
i know right, ego maniacs the lot of them