What's the Difference?
Choosing The Right System
Of course, the ideal situation for any house of worship is to access the services of a sound contractor or consultant before making audio decisions, but that's not always practical or possible. Many churches don't have the staff or the budget.
In that case, the first step is asking yourself a few questions:
1. Which microphone/transmitter configuration best fit our needs?
Count the number of users and/or rooms that require any of the following:
Handheld mic with built-in transmitter
Headworn microphone with bodypack
Lavalier mic with bodypack
Clip-on mic with bodypack
Instrument cable with bodypack
2. Where are we going to use this system? One location – or several?
If you plan to use your wireless mic in one location, you only need to make sure that you select a system that operates on frequencies compatible with your location's VHF or UHF broadcast TV channel frequencies.
Multiple locations If you intend to use your wireless system(s) in different towns or neighborhoods, you will likely encounter different active TV channels. Here, you should make sure your system(s) are frequency-agile (that is, allow you to change frequencies as you move from location to location).
3. Do we need one system – or several?
If you are only operating one system in a location where no other wireless systems are in use, you don't have multi-system considerations.
However, if you plan to use more than one wireless system, you will need to select frequencies very carefully to make sure that each system is compatible with the others. And keep in mind – there's a limit to the number of wireless systems that can be used in one location.
4. How Much Can We Spend?
Always a good question. "You get what you pay for" is very true with wireless systems. While the prices have come down…(book page 21)
X Marks the Spot:
Comparing Shure Wireless Microphone Systems
Now, let's look at what Shure has to offer and how they differ.
The key here is identifying a system that has user-friendly features that let you find open frequencies, avoid dropouts and get clear, consistent sound. More and more wireless systems are including sophisticated technologies to help users get the sound and signal they want without having a great deal of technical expertise.
Determining your specific needs and your budget will go a long way in leading you to the right choice.
Personal Monitor Systems
If your church has decided to make the move from floor monitors to personal monitoring for at least some members of your worship team, you can begin to narrow the field by asking a few simple questions:
How many people will be using monitors?
Can they share monitor mixes or will they need to have their own?
Stereo or mono?
How much money can I spend?
1. How many people need monitors?
First, consider the benefits to all of the people on the platform. Then decide if a personal monitor makes sense for each of these members of your worship ministry:
The Praise Leader
Can hear his band or his instrument without distraction and perform at a level that is natural. He or she can exchange cues with the pastor or off-platform and can select what other mixes to hear.
Members of the Praise Band/Choir Leader
Guitarists, bass players, vocalists, keyboard players can all hear themselves clearly, avoiding inevitable volume wars associated with floor monitors. They can hear the click track directly, along with cues from the praise leader. The choir leader can hear the blend of the choir in the background.
The Pastor
Can speak and hear at levels that are more comfortable and can also receive cues from other team members.
Tech Team
Apart from all the other inherent benefits, members of your tech team can also use personal monitoring to select the right spot for microphone placement since, in evaluating different placement options, he will only hear what the mic hears and not the reflections from walls or other obstructions.
2. Can monitors mixes be shared or do certain people need their own?
How many mixes are you using now? Is there a reason to change? Let's look at both options:
Shared Mix – Everyone sharing a monitor mix will hear exactly the same thing. As long as they can all agree, it's the most economical way to provide personal monitoring to a group.
Personal Mix – There are people on your team who will benefit from a personal mix — for instance, the music minister, praise leader, choir leader and musicians, including vocalists, guitar players and often drummers. For these important members, a personal mix is better and worth the added cost.
3. Mono or stereo?
Again, a matter of need and budget.
In mono, both earphones reproduce the same audio. The lowest cost solution.
In stereo, there is a left and right signal, just like your home audio system. It allows user to separate sounds spatially instead of by volume – for instance in a two-guitarist praise band, one guitar in the left ear and another in the right. Or adding the congregation in one ear. Stereo allows the user to hear sound more naturally.
If neither of those features gives you exactly what you want, there are more options:
Dual-Mono A different mono mix in each ear
MixMode® A Shure solution that allows you to hear two separate signals in both ears. This means that the user can blend the volume of these two mixes with the balance or pan control. This is especially popular with praise band leaders.
4. How much can I spend?
There's no doubt about it. What you can have is often a function of what you can spend. The good news is that systems are coming down in price as personal monitor systems have grown in acceptance – and they're offering more features than ever. Keep in mind that you can always upgrade and add systems over time.
In-ear Personal Monitoring Systems:
Comparing Shure PSM Models
These systems are no longer limited to the budgets of globe-trotting touring acts or mega-churches.
Choosing The Right System
In this issue we offer guidance in making the right choices in 2 popular audio categories, wireless microphone systems and personal stereo monitors. We'll focus on primary application considerations and key product features to look for in general. And, we will provide you with a brief feature comparison of Shure's product lines, a departure from our usual generic approach to educating our customers about pro audio products. It's a matter of customer service. You've asked. We're answering.
We'll be looking at wireless mics and personal monitor systems. You'll learn:
- What questions will lead you to making the right choice for your application
- The differences among Shure models and model series
- What you can expect to pay at retail
Of course, the ideal situation for any house of worship is to access the services of a sound contractor or consultant before making audio decisions, but that's not always practical or possible. Many churches don't have the staff or the budget.
In that case, the first step is asking yourself a few questions:
1. Which microphone/transmitter configuration best fit our needs?
Count the number of users and/or rooms that require any of the following:
2. Where are we going to use this system? One location – or several?
If you plan to use your wireless mic in one location, you only need to make sure that you select a system that operates on frequencies compatible with your location's VHF or UHF broadcast TV channel frequencies.
Multiple locations If you intend to use your wireless system(s) in different towns or neighborhoods, you will likely encounter different active TV channels. Here, you should make sure your system(s) are frequency-agile (that is, allow you to change frequencies as you move from location to location).
3. Do we need one system – or several?
If you are only operating one system in a location where no other wireless systems are in use, you don't have multi-system considerations.
However, if you plan to use more than one wireless system, you will need to select frequencies very carefully to make sure that each system is compatible with the others. And keep in mind – there's a limit to the number of wireless systems that can be used in one location.
4. How Much Can We Spend?
Always a good question. "You get what you pay for" is very true with wireless systems. While the prices have come down…(book page 21)
X Marks the Spot:
Comparing Shure Wireless Microphone Systems
Now, let's look at what Shure has to offer and how they differ.
The key here is identifying a system that has user-friendly features that let you find open frequencies, avoid dropouts and get clear, consistent sound. More and more wireless systems are including sophisticated technologies to help users get the sound and signal they want without having a great deal of technical expertise.
Determining your specific needs and your budget will go a long way in leading you to the right choice.
Personal Monitor Systems
If your church has decided to make the move from floor monitors to personal monitoring for at least some members of your worship team, you can begin to narrow the field by asking a few simple questions:
1. How many people need monitors?
First, consider the benefits to all of the people on the platform. Then decide if a personal monitor makes sense for each of these members of your worship ministry:
The Praise Leader
Can hear his band or his instrument without distraction and perform at a level that is natural. He or she can exchange cues with the pastor or off-platform and can select what other mixes to hear.
Members of the Praise Band/Choir Leader
Guitarists, bass players, vocalists, keyboard players can all hear themselves clearly, avoiding inevitable volume wars associated with floor monitors. They can hear the click track directly, along with cues from the praise leader. The choir leader can hear the blend of the choir in the background.
The Pastor
Can speak and hear at levels that are more comfortable and can also receive cues from other team members.
Tech Team
Apart from all the other inherent benefits, members of your tech team can also use personal monitoring to select the right spot for microphone placement since, in evaluating different placement options, he will only hear what the mic hears and not the reflections from walls or other obstructions.
2. Can monitors mixes be shared or do certain people need their own?How many mixes are you using now? Is there a reason to change? Let's look at both options:
Shared Mix – Everyone sharing a monitor mix will hear exactly the same thing. As long as they can all agree, it's the most economical way to provide personal monitoring to a group.
Personal Mix – There are people on your team who will benefit from a personal mix — for instance, the music minister, praise leader, choir leader and musicians, including vocalists, guitar players and often drummers. For these important members, a personal mix is better and worth the added cost.
3. Mono or stereo?
Again, a matter of need and budget.
In mono, both earphones reproduce the same audio. The lowest cost solution.
In stereo, there is a left and right signal, just like your home audio system. It allows user to separate sounds spatially instead of by volume – for instance in a two-guitarist praise band, one guitar in the left ear and another in the right. Or adding the congregation in one ear. Stereo allows the user to hear sound more naturally.
If neither of those features gives you exactly what you want, there are more options:
Dual-Mono A different mono mix in each ear
MixMode® A Shure solution that allows you to hear two separate signals in both ears. This means that the user can blend the volume of these two mixes with the balance or pan control. This is especially popular with praise band leaders.
4. How much can I spend?
There's no doubt about it. What you can have is often a function of what you can spend. The good news is that systems are coming down in price as personal monitor systems have grown in acceptance – and they're offering more features than ever. Keep in mind that you can always upgrade and add systems over time.
In-ear Personal Monitoring Systems:
Comparing Shure PSM Models
These systems are no longer limited to the budgets of globe-trotting touring acts or mega-churches.