Best handheld wireless microphone for church
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Posted on Jun 29, 2011 11:30 am
joelsz
Member Since: Jun 29, 2011
I am the A/V tech for a small church in Michigan.
We presently use a Shure SM87A wireless handheld microphone to pass among the congregation who wish to ask for prayers etc.
The problem we are having is that many (most) of our members do not hold the microphone close to their mouths when they talk and therefore we are getting a very weak signal. (Those few who do hold the mic directly in front of their mouths come through fine.)
To compensate we have boosted the gain on our soundboard for that channel to the max. This is causing an annoying hiss/hum and even so their voices are not being heard.
My question is: Is there a microphone that would fit our needs better?
As with all small churches cost is a major consideration.
Thanks
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Jun 29, 2011 12:27 pm Gain before feedback is always going to be an issue. There is no substitute for proximity and projection.
That said -- You're going to get more gain before feedback with a 58 or even a Beta 58 than with the 87. THAT said, the 87 is more sensitive to quieter sounds than the 58. THAT said, I'd much rather err on the side of the 58/B58.
IMO/E, YMMV, etc., etc., yada, yada.
joelszMember
Since: Jun 29, 2011
Jun 29, 2011 12:36 pm I agree but I know there must be a more sensitive handheld microphone available. It is not realistic to expect an elderly lady to understand she has to "eat" the mic to be heard.
Jun 29, 2011 12:44 pm More sensitivity = more feedback. At least with a mic of normal sensitivity, they can hear that they can't be heard. And it should probably be the stage manager's duty (or whoever is actually handing her the mic) to instruct her to keep it close and on-axis. It only takes a second to go "Hold it like this and don't be afraid to belt it out..."
I still do my fair share (more than my fair share, actually...) of live sound -- with and without professional talent. This comes down to simple stage physics - "Quiet in = Quiet out" - There's only so much you can do.
joelszMember
Since: Jun 29, 2011
Jun 29, 2011 01:38 pm I do thank you for trying to help.
Perhaps I am not being clear enough in explaining the problem.
When you say:"they can hear that they can't be heard", you are incorrect. It really isn't a case that they are speaking quietly. They can hear themselves just fine as can the people sitting near them. Just as they would if they didn't have a mic at all.
The microphone is being sent to our soundboard that feeds an "audio loop" that is then picked up by "T coils" in other people's hearing aids as well as the church's speakers and the video recording I do of the services.
This is where the problem arises.
The SM87 is too directional to pick up any sound that isn't directed right into the microphone. Even with the gain set to max we have never had a feedback problem.
What we really need is an omnidirectional wireless microphone.
Again thank you for trying.
Jun 29, 2011 04:23 pm The 58 is a much looser cardioid pattern than the 87's hyper pattern. Omni has no proximity effect -- Unless the source is very loud, you're going to be feeding back.
