Has your radio mic died on you at the wrong moment?

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Question for those of you that have \ use radio mics.

Has your battery died at the wrong momment

I was doing a wedding last saturday and later on in the night was calling out the dances for the ceilidh.One dance was finished and i was about to start announcing the other when my battery died on me.

Yes the amber light indicator was on but i thought i would ok for a while.Obviously not.Anyway i had to quickly nip out to the van and into the toolbox for a new procell.Lesson learned,if your not sure just change the battery.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Every gig I use the the radio mic I put fresh batteries in and a backup pair with me around the console area. I use the old AA's for home use in a remote etc..

[Excalibur]

All depends on the mic. My Shure that runs on PP3 uses them up at a fair old rate, so if it's going to get any prolonged use, it gets changed for a new one beforehand.

The Shure on AA's just eats them, so they are changed before it ever gets switched on.

The AT on AA's runs forever, so tends not to get changed religiously.

Buy the Duracell packs when they're on offer, AA's are cheap enough to change virtually every gig. I always have more than a few in the mic box.

[Vectis]

I used a dual receiver with two colour-coded handhelds. One was always mine, and the other was the 'roamer' - the roamer was the one given out for speeches etc.. Mine always had new batteries at the start of every gig, and the part-used ones were marked with a permanent marker pen to show they weren't 100%. As Neil says, these then got used around the house in clocks, remotes, Apple trackpad etc..

But I wouldn't dream of running a "proper" gig (ie a wedding or corporate event) without a corded mic within grabbing distance ;)

[DazzyD]

My radio mics use 9v batteries and I always use new batteries at the start of every gig. I factor in the cost of batteries when I'm quoting for the gig and only ever use Duracell Ultra which I get them at ASDA as they sell them 2 for £5.

As per Martin, I always mark the part-used ones with a Sharpie that I carry in the bits and bobs box and these get used round the house - usually for practising karaoke at home (or giving them to dad to use in his radio mic at home).

As per the OP, I've never had a radio mic die at the wrong moment but I have had the battery power drop when I've had karaoke singers using it. My receiver is a dual-channel one that picks the strongest signal over the 2 channels. When the battery power drops, this sometimes causes the receiver to switch from A to B channel which then causes a very slight (fraction of a second) drop in signal. Others have said they haven't noticed this but I can, and do, notice it and I think it's a slight design flaw in the receiver. However, when I'm using the Shure or Carlsbro radio mics, this loss of signal doesn't happen when the channel switches. However, I tend not to give these mics to just anybody - most karaoke singers only ever get the cheaper ones.

[Larry B Entertainment]

New battery's for every event here but its not often the radio mics go out TBO, most of the time I use corded.

[ppentertainments]

Blimey - I normally get at least 3/4 gigs out of a set of batteries. Even when I am compere for a charity event or race night where the mic gets used a lot more than a disco I get at least 3 gigs out of a set of batteries.

Must admit though, when doing all day weddings I do always put fresh batteries in for the speeches.

[Jiggles]

For those who go thought batteries at a rate of knots go for procells (CPC sell them for not many pennies) they are the pro version of Duracells. They are exactly the same but aimed at the pro markets etc.

[DazzyD]

For those who go thought batteries at a rate of knots go for procells (CPC sell them for not many pennies) they are the pro version of Duracells. They are exactly the same but aimed at the pro markets etc.

Thanks for that tip, Callum. I've just googled them and Amazon do a pack of 10 9v ones for just £7.25. That'll save me an absolute fortune!!

:beer1:

[Matty12]

yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jonathan Ford]

I've never had a radio microphone for this very reason.

[DJ Paulie]

I always have 2 fresh replacement batteries in my mic case. There's even a space for them ! I always stick a voltmeter on the ones in the mics and test the ones in the case. I always have spares in my gadget box as well. The sunday market here sells packs of duracels for €3 a pack (4 AA/AAA or 1 9V) never let me down and this is only a cheap n cheerful 'Pro'sound Maplins dual mic !

But I'll look into the ones Callum mentioned, if they're a good price for here worth getting some in stock. :-)

[Jiggles]

AA - £11 for 20 :: http://cpc.farnell.com/duracell/7036348/battery-procell-aa-1-5v-pk20/dp/BT02404

PP3 - £11 for 10 :: http://cpc.farnell.com/duracell/15070557/battery-procell-pp3-9v-pk10/dp/BT03891

AAA - £11 for 20 :: http://cpc.farnell.com/duracell/7036349/battery-procell-aaa-1-5v-pk20/dp/BT02403

Prices correct: 5/12/11

[Excalibur]

As far as I can see, there appear to be two grades of battery, one approximately twice the price of the other.

http://cpc.farnell.com/duracell/15036367/battery-procell-pp3-9v-pk10/dp/BT00358 Just over £20 for ten batteries.

http://cpc.farnell.com/duracell/15070557/battery-procell-pp3-9v-pk10/dp/BT03891?crosssellid=BT03891&crosssell=true&in_merch=true& Whereas these are approx £20 for twenty batteries.

I'm guessing ( though capacity figures aren't quoted for both ) that the more expensive ones are a higher capacity.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Funnily enough, this was an issue recently. My older mic SM58 uses 9V batteries and lasted for ages and gave me a warning with a the red light but the newer one uses AAs and doesn't appear to give any warning at all.

I was doing a quiz when it just died when I found this out recently, so I use the batteries for a couple of gigs and replace them now.

[Excalibur]

Funnily enough, this was an issue recently. My older mic SM58 uses 9V batteries and lasted for ages and gave me a warning with a the red light but the newer one uses AAs and doesn't appear to give any warning at all..

Don't you get an "Amber Alert"? I'm fairly sure I do on my Beta, which runs on AA's.

[djdave01]

ive got a cheap set of kam cordless mics, which i occasionally use during karaoke nights. I bought decent duracell rechargables, which run all night on one charge. A second set in the charger ensures ive got spare if needed.

for normal dj work, i just stick to a wired sm58

[Excalibur]

for normal dj work, i just stick to a wired sm58

So do I.





And a Senny 825.






And another SM58.











And a wireless Beta 58. Talkative little soul, ain't I? :D :D :D :D :D

[ppentertainments]

GP Alkaline batteries are my choice. Last a long time, cheap as chips and came out top of the 'gadget show' tests.

[axeman]

i use re-chargeable batteries, but also wouldn't dream of running a "proper" gig (ie a wedding or corporate event) without a corded mic within grabbing distance !

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Don't you get an "Amber Alert"? I'm fairly sure I do on my Beta, which runs on AA's.

No, hence the reason I said I don't get a warning at all....

[Roy James]

Hi, not had that problem, I use a shure SM58 when the LED on the mike goes red, I know I have about 20 mins left, so I just change the battery as soon as this happens.

[paulg]

I use 280ma/h rechargeable 9v batteries which are more than enough for one gig and maybe two. I suggest you try them. The Batteries are changed at beginning of every gig so there are never any issues. I always keep another radio microphone on standby.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I use 280ma/h rechargeable 9v batteries which are more than enough for one gig and maybe two. I suggest you try them.

I am sure when I bought my first SM58 radio mic years ago, that I was advised not to use rechargables. I'm not sure why, but it stuck in my mind.

[paulg]

I am sure when I bought my first SM58 radio mic years ago, that I was advised not to use rechargables. I'm not sure why, but it stuck in my mind.

Yes, you remember correctly - that would have been the advice years ago when the average rechargeable delivered around 170Ma/h. I think the advice will still appear in most handbooks.

These days, rechargeables are much more powerful and can retain charge for longer so they are a reasonable lower cost option. You'll not get the same performance that you would from a standard duracell but I've tested them with my Sennheiser E100 cardioid and condenser mics and and they will last around 5 hours (constant on). I got similar longevity from a Shure PG58 that is used for karaoke singers. On occasions I've had normal batteries last for less time.

Rechargeables deliver 8.4V and do so at a constant rate until the end of a cycle when the voltage drops off quickly. There is a downside, you don't get much warning when a rechargeable is going to flatten hence, always pop a new one in at the beginning of each gig.

I don't leave radio mics switched on when they are not needed so 5 hours is plenty.

[Ajaysdisco]

Hi, not had that problem, I use a shure SM58 when the LED on the mike goes red, I know I have about 20 mins left, so I just change the battery as soon as this happens.

Same here but I use the PG58.
I normally carry a couple of spare batteries. I haven’t had problems with batteries (touch wood!) but I have had it change channel on its own! :eek:

[BossmanKaraokeDisco]

Hi, not had that problem, I use a shure SM58 when the LED on the mike goes red, I know I have about 20 mins left, so I just change the battery as soon as this happens.

Use a SM58 and also twin radio mics for when I do Karaoke. Have 2 chargers plugged in under Deckstand, one with 2 9v on charge and the other has 4 AA in it. Always make sure freshly charged go in at the beginning of every show and the others are always on hand on the charger.
Never had any problems.

[BeerFunk]

I don't own one, but does anyone use a battery tester, which indicates the amount of charge left on a battery? Could be handy for this very thing.

I don't use wireless mics because, well I'm always at my mixer when using it. I don't do karaoke, kids parties or any 'direct' interaction with the crowd.

So as a DJ, what are the reasons for using a wireless mic, and would these reasons outweigh the disadvantage of a potential cut-out?

There also seems to be a hell of a lot of batteries getting used on all these wireless mics, and hopefully they're being disposed of responsibly, but just a wee tip - I noticed my local Tescos have a bin for old batteries next to their battery stand now :)

[DazzyD]

I don't own one, but does anyone use a battery tester, which indicates the amount of charge left on a battery? Could be handy for this very thing.

I don't use wireless mics because, well I'm always at my mixer when using it. I don't do karaoke, kids parties or any 'direct' interaction with the crowd.

So as a DJ, what are the reasons for using a wireless mic, and would these reasons outweigh the disadvantage of a potential cut-out?

There also seems to be a hell of a lot of batteries getting used on all these wireless mics, and hopefully they're being disposed of responsibly, but just a wee tip - I noticed my local Tescos have a bin for old batteries next to their battery stand now :)

When the ones I've bought are totally flat I put them in the battery bin at Sainsbury's (which might sound an odd choice when I originally bought them at ASDA! :confused: )

[Jiggles]

As far as I can see, there appear to be two grades of battery, one approximately twice the price of the other.

http://cpc.farnell.com/duracell/15036367/battery-procell-pp3-9v-pk10/dp/BT00358 Just over £20 for ten batteries.

http://cpc.farnell.com/duracell/15070557/battery-procell-pp3-9v-pk10/dp/BT03891?crosssellid=BT03891&crosssell=true&in_merch=true& Whereas these are approx £20 for twenty batteries.

I'm guessing ( though capacity figures aren't quoted for both ) that the more expensive ones are a higher capacity.

There was a thread on the blue room about that and if I remember correctly there is no difference just CPC being CPC. :daft:

[spin mobile disco]

This seems odd readign the times you all seem to get from batterys I use a twin JTS mic set each one only takes 1 aa and I have yet to replace them nearly 5 months later.
That is with pretty heavy usage as well, speeches my use etc. Maybe its because they turn off the transmitter when not in use like a wired mic. I know my old Senheisser ate batteries like crazy. My old Kam 1940's werent bad all round for batteries and neither were my twin audio intimidation i used for wet hire.

I do always use the lithium based batteries by energiser though maybe that is why.