Live vocals..what wireless mic to buy?

[Brandino221]

Ok guys, I need a little help. I am buying some gear for live vocals. I need a good wireless mic. So I wanted to get some opinions on what mic to get. Now sure I could go 58, but don't really want to. So Sure wireless (condensor), or Sennheiser/Neumann wireless? Now I know Shure mics are freaking tanks. So thats one thing that makes me lean more towards Shure. However, I have not used Sennheiser mics for live vocals. I was also looking into Neumann but don't know if it is really worth the extra cash. Someone shine some light this way. Thanx guys.

[Remoteness]

Ok but, you didn't mention a price range...

Shure and Sennheiser make good mid priced units.

That Sennheiser wireless system with Neumann capsule is not a cheap item.

Shure hardwired mics are tanks, their wireless products are another story.
They are made of hard plastic. You cannot run over them.

Sennheiser make really nice wired and wireless mics for live vocals.

Let's figure out a price range and we'll fill in the options for you.

[Brandino221]

Price is not so much an issue. Dude, you are right about the plastic thing. i can't belive I forgot that. lol. Yea, a good clean sound is the most important thing. EVen if it means over a grand. I just want to make sure it's worth it.

[Jim vanBergen]

Couple of thoughts:
The Sennheisser mics are really nice-- solid RF excellent quality for broadcast, but the LAST round of handheld mics from them have issues in the mic bodies, which they have solved in the most recent design I just saw this week, but I'm not sure if they are actually available yet.

The Shure R series which came out in 2005 have solved some of THEIR issues; new antennae, display, and user interface is good. The UA and UR series I would not go near at this point as a purchase if someone tries to sell it to you.

Shure and Sennheiser RFs are the de facto standards for rock and broadcast; though you may wish to look at Lectrosonics and Trantec which are the only other manufacturers that have good enough wireless transmission to be considered useful.

Lastly: your profile lists several locales in multiple countries. This is as much a concern as anything else, do you need a system that is flexible in multiple countries, or just here in the USA?

Hope these thoughts are useful to you!

Jim

[Jim vanBergen]

Oh, sorry I forgot to address the Neumann thing. The SK5000 with the Neumann KM capsule is FABULOUS, but do you really need to spend the cash? If you're doing Tony Bennett, Celine Dion, or a similar talent, maybe its worth it. I'd rent one first and compare. Most people don't hear the difference live. Can you shed some light on the kind of music you are doing?

Always remember you can order many types of capsules for each type of RF system. Having an option or two is always ideal! I see a lot of requests on equipment riders that stipulate Beta87, Beta87C, Beta 58 and Original 58 capsules, which can be expensive to try and provide!

[Brandino221]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

Oh, sorry I forgot to address the Neumann thing. The SK5000 with the Neumann KM capsule is FABULOUS, but do you really need to spend the cash? If you're doing Tony Bennett, Celine Dion, or a similar talent, maybe its worth it. I'd rent one first and compare. Most people don't hear the difference live. Can you shed some light on the kind of music you are doing?

Always remember you can order many types of capsules for each type of RF system. Having an option or two is always ideal! I see a lot of requests on equipment riders that stipulate Beta87, Beta87C, Beta 58 and Original 58 capsules, which can be expensive to try and provide!

Cool man. Yes, I will be doing the muilti country thing from time to time. I will be doing pop/rock. Yea, I guess you are right about the neumann thing. I guess I was thinking that because I like their studio mics. I just want to get a great live sound. I know I need a compressor/de esser and all that. No big deal. Yea, I will test out a few mics and see what works. I am just worried about the wireless part.

[Brandino221]

ah..what would be a nice de esser to buy? I never had to buy a de esser b4. lol!
I was think to get a 160a for compression.

[Remoteness]

Why not get an all in one device... BSS makes really nice compressor/de-ssers.

I have two old style DPR402 dual compressor/peak limiter/de-essers in one of my trucks.

Brooke Siren Systems



.

[Cosmonauta]

What about Audio-Technica systems?
Is their ATW3141a series any good compared to the standar shure, sunheiser stuff?

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wl...9b3/index.html

[Cosmonauta]

Ahh.. by the way: It´s for a male, soul style singer wich have a bit of nasal mids.

[Brandino221]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

Why not get an all in one device... BSS makes really nice compressor/de-ssers.

I have two old style DPR402 dual compressor/peak limiter/de-essers in one of my trucks.

Brooke Siren Systems



.

How much do those things run??

Also..what would be some nice live vocal chains??? What about pitch Correction units and things like that?

[Remoteness]

I just saw the same BSS unit on eBay selling around $275.00 USD. The person selling them said it was old Clair Brothers gear. The auction may still be up...

Do an eBay search, you may get lucky.

Another great all in one box (not manufactured anymore) is the ATI Pro6. It's basically a channel strip from their Paragon Console in a one rack space box. I have 9 of them... All I need is another 39 and I'll be complete.