Headset mics for old ladies

[Rob Spence]

So, I set up a simple system for a ladies luncheon group to replace a system that died.
They had been using a handheld wireless but like most untrained users, the mic was rarely near where it needed to be for the presenter to be heard.

The system is just a ZXA1 on a stand with a wireless receiver and belt pack.

I was concerned about using a lav as these are amateurs setting it up each month and I would expect feedback before intelligibility.

I supplied an over the ear boom mic but it was finicky to position though sounded great once in the right place. I trained them in how to position it and thought all was well.

Now I find out that they need to pass the mic around to several people at any one luncheon and positioning it is too much hassle.

So, now am looking for an over the head boom that isn't expensive (not Countryman or DPA).

Any suggestions? It would need a connector for an AT belt pack.


Sent from my iPad HD

 

[Matt Lillie]

Re: Headset mics for old ladies

Rob, I use the AT PRO8HEx for these type of things. Cheap, sound awful but SQ is not usually the top of the priority list. You're gonna get, "It will mess up my hair" with any headworn (not ear set). Send them a handheld, too, for the first meeting and ask them which they like better. This a sale or ongoing rental?

So, I set up a simple system for a ladies luncheon group to replace a system that died.
They had been using a handheld wireless but like most untrained users, the mic was rarely near where it needed to be for the presenter to be heard.

The system is just a ZXA1 on a stand with a wireless receiver and belt pack.

I was concerned about using a lav as these are amateurs setting it up each month and I would expect feedback before intelligibility.

I supplied an over the ear boom mic but it was finicky to position though sounded great once in the right place. I trained them in how to position it and thought all was well.

Now I find out that they need to pass the mic around to several people at any one luncheon and positioning it is too much hassle.

So, now am looking for an over the head boom that isn't expensive (not Countryman or DPA).

Any suggestions? It would need a connector for an AT belt pack.


Sent from my iPad HD

 

[Brian jojade]

Re: Headset mics for old ladies

Passing a headset around seems like quite a hassle. Even if you do, the rule of inverse square law for a headset mic will be pretty pronounced due to the starting close proximity. Meaning, a mic placed a half inch away from the mouth versus an inch and a half away is actually 3X the distance from the source. The result is different positioning will have a dramatic effect on the sound.

I don't know that using a headset will work better than a handheld without the requisite training either way. Training someone to hold a mic to their mouth would probably be easier than training proper and consistent headset mic positioning.