Mic Advice please

[dicky]

Hi guys

Since November I have got through

A wired KAM KDM822 Mic (fell to bits after a few weeks)

A replacement for the above (became intermittent cutting out in use, was not the cable)

A QTX UHF wireless mic can't remember exact model - this thrapes batteries, they often last one weekend of use. The battereies tend to fail with no warning and the mic then sometimes starts to 'oscillate' making a horrible nioise like a helicopter till you replace them, and if I face angled away from the receiver the mic is prone to cutting out

A Wharfdale Pro wired mic (came amongst all that stuff from the closed down club) which seems to be reliable at least but I don't like the sound of it (tonal quality) and it seems to have a 'sweet spot' you need to talk directly into when you are holding it to get a good volume out of it

So pretty much I'm not doing very well so far :rolleyes:

Any suggestions/recommendations for a half decent wireless mic that has a reasonable battery life, isn't too directional when speaking into it, has a decent range (distance) and doesn't cost several limbs

I'm not using it for karaoke or singing

Cheers
Rich

[Benny Smyth]

AKG Mini. You can get the duo for 140. Very good mic for the price.

https://www.djkit.com/akg/akg-wms-40-mini2-vocal-set-dual-radio-microphone-system.html

[Shaun]

What's your budget?

I use a JTS Dual system (http://www.sessionmusic.co.uk/product.aspx?productid=7538&gclid=CNvUirSH_MYCFcTJtAodFcIEKg). I'd used Shure SM58 wireless mics previously but much prefer the overall sound of the JTS.

[Nakatomi]

I'd honestly say not to buy a mic without demoing it in person, especially if you're spending any amount of money on it.

Auditioning a mic is almost guaranteed to make you feel a bit of a plonker at first, but put those self-conscious feelings aside & imagine you're at a gig. I've never bought a mic without a demo.

My trusty ancient VHF Trantec (a bargain for just over £100 in 1993) has been going on the same battery since I can't remember when. I tend to switch it off between uses though. Not that I'd give Trantec the time of day since they were bought out by TOA.

[Excalibur]

The AKG seem to be well regarded, as Benny says.

I have one of these (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHURE-RADIO-WIRELESS-MICROPHONE-SM58-/231629248756?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35ee2dd8f4) and it's good.


Also, this (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audio-Technica-ATW-2120A-Wireless-Microphone-Mic-System-ATW-R2100a-ATW-T220A-/201376713540?hash=item2ee2fccb44) which I like the tone of better than anything. These have the stupidest on/off switch ever though.

one of the best budget ones. (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radio-Wireless-Microphone-Mic-Handheld-System-Karaoke-Trantec-S4-4H-S4-4-UHF-/221822487788?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item33a5a68cec)

Strewth!! What a rig! (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trantec-s4-16-4way-system-with-TOA-WD-4800-antenna-distributor-/231628277372?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35ee1f067c) Overkill perhaps for most, but check out the new price.

A quick look on Ebay suggests that Shure kit is now making around £200 plus. There was a time it would be less than that.
If you can get a SM 58 Beta, that's a lovely mic.

In my experience, mics with two AA batteries last longer than the 9v ones. Hope that helps.

[funkymook]

And buy decent batteries - not pound shop ones.

It really is more cost effective if you get 3 gigs out of them rather than having to change them after every booking.

[Excalibur]

And buy decent batteries - not pound shop ones.

It really is more cost effective if you get 3 gigs out of them rather than having to change them after every booking.

I'd love to perpetuate my image as a cost conscious and thrifty little soul, who abhors such profligacy, but Martin is absolutely correct. Duracell for preference, Ever Ready at a push. Cheap ones are asking for trouble.

[dicky]

The QTX wireless one takes 2x AA batteries and I use Panasonic ones which are somewhere between pound shop and duracell price - I switch it off between use too but it does not last long

Shaun - dead right mate this thread is a bit pointless without a price range in mind. £400 - £500 is well out of it

£100 - £200 I can live with (though the top end I consider pushing it a bit). Yepp I know it is probably the most important bit of kit a DJ can have but somehow I just can't bring myself to justify the cost of 500 quid or so Senheiser etc mics


Will have a look at the couple of suggestions within my price range though and I do agree with Juski's comments about try before you buy, if that is possible

Don't mind buying a used mic if in good nick

[Nakatomi]

BTW best AA cell performance vs cost you can get are from Home Bargains & Ikea (!). Look for the 6 packs of 'ReadyCell' AAs, or if near Ikea, 'Alkalisk'.

See here for info on why: http://www.batteryshowdown.com/

[dicky]

Right - taking on Julians advice I had a look at what my local disco shop (Cookies) stocks

The AKG WMS40 Mini2 Dual and the Trantec S4.4H are both in stock (at same as web prices posted here) and available for me to trial so I will start with those two suggestions and see how I go from there

This one is also in stock there that I could demo, and just within my price range Sennheiser XSW-35 Handheld Wireless System.. Any good?

Cheers guys

[Imagine]

I've got through TWO, yes TWO sets of the AKG's this year so far!

Don't get me wrong - they're fantastic mic's (although a bit noisy on body handling), but both kits have had issues.
The first set lasted 6 months before one of the mic's lost it's ability to hear. It was as if it was only picking up the treble in my voice (and there isn't a lot of that!).
The second....it's still in use (just), but occasionally one channel will give a sudden hissing sound as though the mic's lost it's connection to the base unit (and this is with the mic turned off too). New batteries don't seem to stop the problem either.

However, I've just made the big mistake of going over to the KAM1940 (two handhelds plus a headset for kids parties). Utter rubbish and very disappointed with them. Maybe it's because I haven't found the right settings yet, but they seem to pick up every single intake of breath (even from a distance), and sound very muffled and flat to my ears compared to the AKG's.

Might be just my own perception of the KAM's, but I prefer the AKG's when they work any day of the week.

[funkymook]

BTW best AA cell performance vs cost you can get are from Home Bargains & Ikea (!). Look for the 6 packs of 'ReadyCell' AAs, or if near Ikea, 'Alkalisk'.

See here for info on why: http://www.batteryshowdown.com/

That’s really useful - and the batteries I got from the pound shop were bottom of the graphs!

Will definitely pick up some Ikea ones when I go for my next meatball fix.

[DJ Jules]

Thoroughly recommend the AKG's. I've got two of the perception's (one belt pack and one handheld) and they've had weekly use for the last 3-4yrs without any issues at all. They use one AA battery, and each one (Duracell) lasts me about 8-10hrs of use (typically about a month for me unless it's the end of a term and I'm doing a solid week of school disco's). The battery low indicator on the Mic's is also a godsend and gives me about 30mins notice to change the battery.

As has already been said, the only issue I've had with them is the handling noise on the handheld Mic, but in experienced hands it's not really a problem. It becomes more of an issue when you put it into the hands of a nervous speaker who fidgets. Sound wise, I'm not a singer, but I do like how they sound. I also have a Sennheiser badged Transtec UHF system and it holds it's own well against this.

I'll also put in a second vote for the JTS system as everything I have had from them (including a wired Mic at the bargain price of £15) has been solid and reliable (that £15 wired Mic is now 4yrs+ and has survived some very rough handling without any damage). I recommended this Mic a while ago on a Facebook group and was immediately shot down with "if it's £15 it's :Censored:". I've owned Shure, AKG, Sennheiser and many others and it's not rubbish, it's just very reasonably priced :D

Definitely listen to anything before you buy though. Like speakers, Mic's are personal preference. You may also want to take a reference Mic of your own if you're trialling in a shop as their Mixer, PA and the acoustics of the room will also influence how the Mic's sound when you demo.

Julian

[Excalibur]

I'll also put in a second vote for the JTS system as everything I have had from them (including a wired Mic at the bargain price of £15) has been solid and reliable

Our very own Crazy K loves his JTS. I demoed a wireless one in a shop, and was impressed with it in many ways. I know folk who prefer the Shure offerings to it. You pays your money............................................. .


Definitely listen to anything before you buy though. Like speakers, Mic's are personal preference. You may also want to take a reference Mic of your own if you're trialling in a shop as their Mixer, PA and the acoustics of the room will also influence how the Mic's sound when you demo.

Julian
What thoroughly excellent advice. :agree::agree::agree:

Many years ago ( many many years :) ) I went to buy a mic with limited funds. I took my own, and tried a few in the same price bracket. The shop assistant suggested I try something far more expensive as comparison. I gave it back to him after about two words. It made the cheap ones sound like a rolled up newspaper, the quality difference was so great. Sadly, funds wouldn't stretch far enough to buy it. :cry::cry:

[DJColsie]

I use a wired Sennheiser for myself and love it.

The second input on the mixer is always connected to "cheapish" wireless mics to use backup, when I am out front and to hand out for impromptu speeches or bursts of singing.

For this purpose I first used a cheap pair of KAM VHF mics that used 9v batteries. Great value but eat batteries. Then had the AKG minis (which I still have in a flightcase and could sell) but couldn't get on with the handling noise and especially the noise from the on/off switch which was louder than the beat of the music! 

Now use these https://www.djkit.com/kam/kam-kwm1960-hh-uhf-dual-handheld-microphone-wireless-system.html?cat=301 with a "pop shield"

While the sound quality is not quite as good as the AKGs there is virtually no handling noise and the switch is silent. Plus you can change channels to avoid interference which you can't with the AKGs which are fixed channel.

[dicky]

OK I called in the local disco emporium today and tried the AKG WMS40 (a single rather than a dual one though thay had both) and also the Trantec S4.4H

I have to say I was most impressed with the sound quality and the overall 'feel' of the Trantec in the hand and this is most likely the one I will buy. The only thing I would say against the Trantec is that I did think the little on/off switch in the base was a bit fiddly.... but for clarity of sound and the fact you don't have to speak directly into a 'sweet spot' to use it I loved it.

Rich

[Nakatomi]

OK I called in the local disco emporium today and tried the AKG WMS40 (a single rather than a dual one though thay had both) and also the Trantec S4.4H

I have to say I was most impressed with the sound quality and the overall 'feel' of the Trantec in the hand and this is most likely the one I will buy. The only thing I would say against the Trantec is that I did think the little on/off switch in the base was a bit fiddly.... but for clarity of sound and the fact you don't have to speak directly into a 'sweet spot' to use it I loved it.

Rich

I've always thought my Trantec's on/off switch on the base is fiddly, but it is very positive & fairly noise free too. A few times that's been a God send because of some miscreant helping themselves to my mic only to be thwarted by their inability to switch it on :D

Maybe them being bought out by TOA hasn't changed much apart from them no longer offering Shure capsule versions. I'll have to try & find a local stockist when it's time to update..

EDIT: OMG.. they do an S4 handheld with a condenser too. I feel money burning a hole in my pocket..

[yourdj]

I used to use the AKG's but now have these and they are much better for a bit more price. Fantatsic range, pickup & low handling noise (unlike the AKG's):

Kam KWM1960 HH Dual Handheld

https://www.decks.co.uk/products/microphones/kam/kwm1960-hh?gclid=CjwKEAjw0NytBRD-1d3QsdHNpR0SJACGXqgRNcETcWV3JkKTNFrCF_CZ1gdk_TBO1R DExukz3fgMvhoC28Lw_wcB

[DJColsie]

I used to use the AKG's but now have these and they are much better for a bit more price. Fantatsic range, pickup & low handling noise (unlike the AKG's):

Kam KWM1960 HH Dual Handheld

https://www.decks.co.uk/products/microphones/kam/kwm1960-hh?gclid=CjwKEAjw0NytBRD-1d3QsdHNpR0SJACGXqgRNcETcWV3JkKTNFrCF_CZ1gdk_TBO1R DExukz3fgMvhoC28Lw_wcB

SNAP and so says me

[yourdj]

SNAP and so says me

Do you get a high pitch hum noise during speeches? Bit of a pain that.
Only happens when someone speaks into it, probably not noticeable to the average ear??

i am on channel 38 so that might have something to do with it?

[DJColsie]

Do you get a high pitch hum noise during speeches? Bit of a pain that.
Only happens when someone speaks into it, probably not noticeable to the average ear??

i am on channel 38 so that might have something to do with it?

No I haven't noticed that. I am on the free to use channel which is 70 I think.

[Nakatomi]

If you get any extraneous noise imposed on the mic audio it's either interference or a fault in the electronics

[dicky]

I'm gonna get a mic tomorrow

I do like the Trantec 4.4H and I also tried and really liked this one - but it's about £50 more

Sennheiser XSW-35 Handheld Wireless System

Anyone using this mic? Is it worth the extra or am I paying for a name?

Rch

[dicky]

OK to put an end to this

I went back and tried the Trantec and Senheiser yet again

I actually tried both Mics alongside each other - on different chanels of the same mixer and can honestly say that I could not tell any audible difference whatsoever between them - even swapping word for word across the two mics - though standing right in front of the speakers the Senheiser did appear to have slightly better feedback reduction

After checking them out again, and although I didn't like the positioning of the switch underneath the Trantec I decided to buy it, as I was offered a superb price of £119..,,, but then as a last check I realised the Trantec had a lot more handling noise and based on that plus not liking the on/off swith I made a final decision and bought the Senheiser at £195

Used it on Saturday night and I am very much happy with my choice - which is good as I am stuck with it now lol

Hopefully that is my Mic problems done and dusted and I hope I chose well

Rich