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Back in the Day:
A Wireless War Story
One of my early experiences with running multiple wirelesses was a near-disaster. At my church in Idaho, we brought in six extra wireless systems to supplement our needs for the annual Easter production. Most likely these were VHF, fixed frequency systems since it was the mid-80s. All seemed to go well during rehearsals, but on opening night, I was soloing up all my inputs right before showtime and noticed a familiar tune. It turned out to be The Cosby Show from a nearby TV station. The actor on that wireless was to begin his lines as he entered from the back of house. We put him on a 100' corded lapel mic that he dragged along with him during the course of the evening.


Scott Nelson

Cherry Hills Community Church

About the Church
This year we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. We have occupied two other facilities before settling in to the growing Highlands Ranch area. CHCC is a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and our Sunday attendance is typically around 6,000 worshippers.

I'm pretty sure that our first experience with wireless were two Cetec Vega systems: a lapel mic for the pastor and a handheld for the liturgist.

Testing, testing:
Enter UHF-R®
Shure's Doug Gould told me about the UHF-R system with KSM9 before it was even released. I was able to arrange a demo of two UHF-R wireless systems with KSM9 through Doug and Pro Tech Marketing last March.

Upon hearing the KSM9 capsule, we were just amazed at the quality. With our previous configuration of SM58, Beta 58 and Beta 87, we needed to be careful about matching mic models to voices. With the KSM9, it didn't seem to matter; it sounded great on any voice! Bruce Springsteen apparently needed one of the mics, so we had to give up the demo earlier than we wanted to.

"Bruce Springsteen apparently needed one of the mics, so we had to give up the demo earlier than we wanted to."

CHCC was in the process of building a large, liturgical chapel and an atrium with a performing arts venue, both of which needed wireless systems. We had planned to install the ULX series, but after the demo we decided to move the existing UHF system from the Worship Center to the new venues and upgrade to the UHF-R. This provided upgrades in all our venues.

Our new 16 channels of UHF-R arrived the evening of Good Friday. I assembled them into a portable rack along with an off-the-shelf network Wi-Fi hub that night. I ran through the programming at home and we had a rehearsal the next morning. Our annual outdoor Easter service at Coors Amphitheater on Sunday with 14,000 of our closest friends went off without a hitch (see photo).

"With the KSM9 it didn't seem to matter; it sounded great on any voice!"

In the year that we've had the system, we haven't had so much as a single RF hit!

Our annual "Christmas at the Ranch" performances require us to pull out all the stops technically. Quite often, multiple performers use the same wireless system.


This year we used the bodypacks on speakers, guitarists, and a saxophone with a SM98. The handhelds found their typical use on a wide range of voices. For one song, we had a percussion ensemble that used a KSM9 on two supplemental snares, a hand drum, and a cajon (percussion instrument with very low frequency output). After some tweaking I was impressed that the snares didn't overdrive the wireless and the KSM9 captured the deep pitch of the cajon.

The following week we had our children's program, which required even more versatility. I miked two small choirs using the KSM9 with outstanding results! Most people won't use the mics in these applications, but it's great knowing we have the versatility.

"I miked two small choirs using the KSM9 with outstanding results! Most people won't use the mics in these applications, but it's great knowing that you have the versatility."

 

Wireless Workbench
The new Wireless Workbench 4.2 really has been great to work with. The addition of the timed battery life indicator has been very valuable. Early on, it was beneficial to view the waterfall plot to ensure that we didn't have temporary gremlins creep in. I would like to see a level reference printed beside the audio level bar graph for more accurate measurements.

Configuring the System
I can honestly say that the Shure system is by far the easiest to configure of all the wireless systems on the market today. The Wireless Workbench software can do everything on its own and allow greater capabilities for the power user. Controlling and monitoring the wireless system gives me great confidence. Configuring the receivers is very straightforward, while the IR port makes programming of the transmitters a breeze. The UHF-R system makes it easy to temporarily incorporate wireless systems from other manufacturers when a traveling artist comes through. Even something as simple as the ability to "label" each microphone to ensure that the artist grabs the proper mike is awesome.

"The Wireless Workbench software can do everything on its own and allow greater capabilities for the power user."

Peace ... and Quiet
I've been amazed at how quiet the wirelesses are. Even with a dozen open at the same time, the noise floor is below the threshold of a typical live venue. The bottom line is that the system sounds great and is incredibly easy to use!

 

The Purchase Decision – Scott's Tips

1. Resist the temptation to save money by using the included antennas, and invest in the proper distribution system. I've seen too many instances where churches have tried to save a buck and wonder why their best wireless systems don't perform like they should.

2. Plan long term when purchasing your wireless microphones. While you may only need a few right now, your needs can change dramatically in a very short time.

3. Purchase only in a band that will provide ability for long-term growth. When it is time to add wirelesses in your venue, don't mix and match from various bands and manufacturers. You're only asking for trouble.

Gear Check

Current Wireless Systems - Worship Center
18 UHF-R® receivers
10 KSM9 microphone
8 bodypacks with various lapels, headsets, instrument inputs" Shure antenna distribution system and antennas
SMC network

Other Wireless Systems on Campus
16 UHF wireless systems
3 SM58® microphone
3 Beta 58® microphones
4 Beta 87™ microphones
6 bodypacks
2 Shure antenna distributions systems (different locations)
10 various UC transmitters
4 SLX® bodypacks
3 various ULX® transmitters

 

 

 

We thank Scott Nelson for sharing his wireless wisdom. You can learn more about Cherry Hills Community Church and their innovative approaches to worship by visiting www.chcc.org