While the first microphone was invented more than 130 years ago, the wireless version was created more than 60 years ago. Since then, with improvements and innovations such as more affordability, reliability, and battery life, the demand for wireless microphones has increased more than ever.
If you are a microphone user who wants to be free of wires to keep your hands free while talking or to avoid tangling your feet up in cables, you’d go for wireless microphones too. However, since audiences judge presentations, videos, and vlogs by the quality and strength of the audio, you need to get the best quality of wireless microphones for your own use.
Most people are familiar with the different types of wireless microphones: the hand-held, the plug-in, the body-pack, the headset, and the phone microphone. However, few know how to choose the right one.
if you are thinking of buying a good wireless microphone and you need some help with how to choose the right one before making a purchase, no worries. This article provides you with a summary of five (5) tips for choosing a wireless microphone that fits your needs.
Tips for Choosing the Right Wireless Microphone
When considering buying a wireless microphone, you first need to consider three things. First, you need to be clear about your purpose or how you will use the microphone. Is it for a podcast, to record your music, or for a live program on social media?
Second, you need to know the place where you would be using the microphone. Will it be indoors or outdoors? The location matters because if you use the wrong microphone in a room that echoes, bounces off sounds, or a place where sound transmission is an issue, then the audio will suffer.
Third, you need to consider your budget when choosing a wireless microphone. This will guide you to identify the right spec of a wireless microphone that you can afford. For instance, here are five key specs to consider when you are looking to buy a wireless microphone.
Frequency
You need to be mindful of the frequency of the microphone that you want to buy because this will affect the quality of your microphone audio. When streaming to a far distance, as is the case for online performance, it is best to choose a microphone within the 470-548 or 902-928 MHz bands. If you plan to use your microphone for video streaming, it would be best to go for a microphone with a 2.4GHz band so that you can overcome obstructions between the microphone transmitter and its receiver antenna.
Microphone Type
The type of wireless microphone will depend on your personal preference, how you will be using the microphone, as well as the purpose of the microphone. You can buy the handheld, headset, or lavalier microphone.
With the handheld microphone, you will find it easy to move around. Although it is usually held by hand, it can also be set up on a microphone stand.
The headset microphone is usually worn on the head and positioned with a capsule receiver near your lips. This type of microphone allows the user to free the hands to do other things while using it.
The lavaliere microphone is tiny and usually clipped to the user’s clothing. Most streamers prefer either the headset or lavaliere microphone because it frees the hands. Depending on what you intend to use it for, you can also purchase an external iPhone microphone.
Microphone Reliability
Since your microphone is an equipment that you’ll be using for some time, you should purchase a reliable unit. It has to be a durable one that won’t develop a fault after a little use. To check out the reliability of a wireless microphone, try out the wide range of wireless microphones at www.saramonicuk.com and choose to buy one that gives you the best value for your money
A standard and durable mic can be a bit more expensive compared to the cheaper wireless microphone models, but the end is the justification. You shouldn’t purchase a microphone that will need to be repaired frequently or one that could go off the air abruptly and cut you off while you are using it. Try and find out the best microphone you can get for your money’s worth; you will be glad you did.
Operating Range
The wireless system of the microphone that you will choose should have an operating range of 1,000 feet or more. If you choose a wireless microphone with a shorter range of operating distance, you might frequently experience issues such as sound interference.
This can affect your general production quality when you are, for instance, carrying out a streaming session. If you are streaming video and audio for online use and not for an open-air session, the operating range does not have to be that wide as long as your audio is clear and audible.
Condenser VS Dynamic
Your usage preferences and the spaces where you will use the microphone can help determine the type of microphone that you will purchase, whether it is the condenser or the dynamic type. The output and frequency levels of these types do differ, so you need to be aware of the best one that fits your needs.
The condenser microphone has a higher output level and frequency response compared to the dynamic type of wireless microphone. At the same time, the condenser wireless microphone is more sensitive compared to the dynamic type. If you breathe while vocalizing or speaking into the microphone, it will pick up the sound of your breathing.
In other words, a condenser type of wireless mic can pick up even the slightest of sounds within your recording space, which can be a problem if the place is not soundproofed. It can pick up even the rustling of paper, the sound of keyboards, of pencil on paper, the creaking of a door, the sounds of an air conditioner or a heater, or the squeak of wheels on a chair.
This factor should help determine your purchase choice. If you have a tranquil recording space, you can purchase a condenser microphone. If you are recording outdoors and you want to pick up all noises, then the dynamic microphone is fine. However, you should also be aware that dynamic microphones can mask and reduce any distant noise that is not associated with the main sound.
Takeaways
Choosing the right wireless microphone for your use depends on varying factors, such as the purpose of a microphone, the environment, your budget, etc. Whatever choice you make, endeavor to select a reliable and durable wireless microphone to benefit you well in the long run. The summarized tips in this article should help you to a good start.