Shure Wireless Microphone Systems Place "wireless" in front of the word "microphone" and you get 2 immediate implications: 1. freeedom from restriction of movement (hopefully, without loss of sound quality) 2. a huge increase in the options available to choose from! Freedom of movement is great for many kinds of mic users - for example, vocalists, platform speakers, aerobics instructors, bingo checkers, rock guitarists, etc. But the vast number of wireless mic options, even from just one supplier such as Shure, means increased RISK to the microphone buyer as well as the user... What risk, you may ask? Risk of wasting time and money by buying the wrong wireless mic system Risk from increased technical complexity - the wireless link failing, or the battery running out in the middle of a performance Risk of interference from nearby TV station, or mobile phone use in the area Risk of not having the right license Aaaahhh!!!! The good news is that with modern technology, you can get consistent, reliable, excellent sound quality results from all but the "cheap & nasty" end of the market. (Not a sector served by Shure!) So for those of you who have done your research, and whittled down the risks to a manageable level, here's where to find the Shure wireless mic systems you want at great prices. For the rest of us, still figuring things out, here's a roadmap to navigate you quickly through the decisions you need to take in order to get it right for your particular situation. Wireless Mic System Selection Checklist: 1. Applications: What will the mic be used for? Sound sources voice - solo or groups? instrument(s) - which? Sound destination sound system to live audience - size? recording broadcast Physical Suroundings - Where? Room Acoustics Ambient noise Special needs or limitations
merge with room decor RF interference sources to avoid Performance Level radio quality audio quality reliability - what is impact of downtime? 2. Microphone Type Physical style Handheld or stand Lavaliere or clip-on Headset Dynamic or condenser frequency response required for sound sources used directionality - sensitivity pattern omni-directional uni-directional (cardioid, super-cardiod, hyper-cardioid) bi-directional 3. Transmitter Type physical - handheld, bodypack, plug-on? antenna style - internal or external? control functions - power, muting, gain, tuning indicators - power, battery condition batteries - type, operating life, accessibility physical - size, weight, durability, finish interchangability of mic elements (handheld & plug-ons) input connections - hardwired or detachable? multi-use inputs - impedance, signal level, bias, connector type 4. Receiver Type diversity or non-diversity? - only consider non-diversity receiver if budget is severely limited controls - power, output level, squelch, tuning indicators - power, RF level, audio level, frequency antennas - type, connectors electrical outputs - connectors, impedance, line/mic/headphone level, balanced or unbalanced battery power 5. Number of Simultaneous Wireless Systems existing and future requirements how many frequencies needed to support all units? 6. Operational in which Geographic regions? potential conflict with broadcast TV frequencies
touring? - which countries? 7. Frequency Co-ordination with other signal sources - avoid interference professional advice required re frequency selection? essential for multiple system installation frequency coordination - operating band? operating frequency list? fixed location - choose unused TV channels touring carry additional systems on alternative frequencies use frequency-agile units 8. Accessory Equipment Required? - depends on operating frequencies and application remote antennas - 1/2 wave, 5/8 wave, directional mounting hardware - grackets, ground-planes antenna splitters - passive or active antenna cables - portable or fixed Click here for access to Shure's Wireless Comparison Charts You'll see that you can choose your favorite Shure mic, whether its an instrument mic such as the SM57 or the world's best known vocal mic, the SM58, or the Beta series - Beta 57A or Beta 58A Summary of Shure Wireless Microphone Systems - same microphone selection criteria as for wired mic use - entry-level - use PGX14 or 24 - smaller coverage area - use SLX series - larger area, more channels, higher sound quality - use ULX series - get professional advice for any but the simplest requirement Buy Shure Wireless Microphone Systems here.