Ready to Go Wireless? The world is full of choices-Regular or decaf? Cable or dish? CDs or vinyl? Microphone selection is no exception. One choice you'll have to make is wired or wireless. What's the Difference, Anyway? Click on Wired System or Wireless System for the answer.
The specific needs of your church will dictate which option is best for you.  We'll start with conventional wired microphones since they're the standard.
Wired Microphones: Is the Original Still the Greatest? The advantages of wired mics are obvious: they're affordable, extremely durable and can be plugged directly into your PA. And since each microphone has its own direct line, you can use as many mics as your mixer can handle without worrying about interference. This makes wired microphones an obvious choice for a church that's just getting its feet wet in the vast sea of sound reinforcement options. Likewise, the disadvantages of wired microphones are pretty apparent. Piles of cables onstage can be messy and cumbersome. In addition, the pastor or worship leader is either limited to a fixed position or has to drag a long cable around the platform. Let's look at the basic components of a wireless system …
Unplugged: Wireless Basics Click on Handheld or Bodypack for descriptions.
					Here are some helpful hints in choosing the type of transmitter you need: YOU ARE YOU WANT A pastor A handheld mic with a built-in transmitter or a headset mic with a body-pack transmitter A guitar, bass keyboard player Short instrument or cable and a body-pack transmitter A horn or woodwind player Clip-on instrument mic and a body-pack transmitter
	The two transmitter types may look different but their function is the same - to convert audio signals into radio signals and send them directly to the receiver. Choosing one over the other is largely a question of what you're miking. Now, for Receivers .... Click on Single Antenna or Diversity for explanation.
					Choose UHF if - You perform in different cities - You need to use more than 5 or 6 wireless systems at the same time - You play in "crowded" radio environments - You're willing to spend a little extra Choose VHF if - You use less than 5 systems at the same time - You perform in "open" radio environments - You play only in one city - Your budget is limited
	Last but Not Least - UHF or VHF Now that you've decided what type of transmitter you need - handheld or body-pack - and whether to go single-antenna or diversity, there's one more specification you need to consider. Are you going to convert audio signals into VHF (Very High Frequency) signals or UHF (Ultra High Frequency) operating frequencies? Wireless microphones come in both varieties. While there are some differences in the radio behavior of VHF and UHF systems, there is no inherent difference in audio quality. However, because of the radio differences, the choice of VHF or UHF depends on the potential for interference and the number of wireless systems that may be needed.
	The "I" Word: Interference The popularity of wireless technology continues to grow on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this growth includes many other forms of wireless technology besides microphones, including cell phones, paging systems and TV stations. As the available radio frequency spectrum becomes more crowded, the potential for interference in wireless microphone systems also increases. The UHF band is larger and allows more systems to operate at the same time. Other than TV stations, there is not much interference in the UHF band. The VHF band is smaller so only a few systems can be used at the same time. There is a little more interference in the VHF band. What you need to know about frequency selection. Most wireless microphones share the same frequencies used by TV stations, both VHF and UHF. Since TV stations are much more powerful than wireless microphones, you have to avoid local TV channels. You can usually find unused TV channels in any given city, but those "open" frequencies are different in each city.
					Whether you choose UHF or VHF, these simple guidelines can help you avoid trouble: 1. Position receivers so that they have "line of sight" to transmitters. This insures the strongest received signal. 2. Use fresh batteries. Weak batteries can cause short range and distortion. 3. Never let antennas touch one another. If you are using more than one wireless system, make sure you leave at least a foot between antennas from different receivers.
			You also have to avoid frequencies that are already used by other wireless systems nearby. Each wireless system must be on a different frequency. Most manufacturers have online tools (see our Wireless Frequency Selection Guide) that will help you select the best range based on your model and location. They can also help select the right frequencies when multiple systems are used.
	So there you have it. It's really just a matter of asking yourself four questions: 1. How much freedom does the speaker or performer need? (Wired or wireless) 2. What am I going to mic? (Handheld or body-pack) 3. Where will I be using the wireless system? (UHF or VHF) 4. How much can we afford to spend? (Wired or Wireless, UHF or VHF) Obviously the most important issue to keep in mind when making any decision about sound equipment for your church is the benefit to the congregation. With all things being equal as far as what is heard, keep in mind that the advantages of wireless are visual as well as audible; the front of the church looks neater without all the cables. And giving your vocalists, pastors or worship leaders the freedom to move around can add significantly to the impact of a service. For more information about wired and wireless microphones, visit www.shure.com. You can visit the K-Base to get answers to questions about wireless, download technical materials and check out Shure microphone specifications.
	Also in this issue: Ready to Go Wireless?    Horizon Church in Clarksburg, WV Down Under & On Top: The Paul Colman Trio Part II Shure Notes Archive    The Shure Calendar    Product Spotlight Change My Preferences    E-mail to a Friend     Privacy Policy