Wireless and You
One of the greatest problems facing people when they are
deciding to tackle wireless systems is understanding how
they work. Without understanding, many choices are made
difficult or even impossible. There are many applications
where wireless is the best way to go, but people delay because
they don't know where to begin.
In live audio there are wireless microphones and audio
inputs, and there are wireless in ear monitors. The technology
works the same, but they are used in opposite ways. With
wireless, there is always a transmitter and a receiver.
They are not they same thing in wireless microphones and
in ear monitors, however.
In a wireless microphone or wireless audio input, the transmitter
is the belt pack or in the microphone itself. Examples of
these are belt packs used with lavalier or headset microphones,
as well as with electric guitar or bass. Also, handheld
microphones with the transmitter built in. The receiver
is the unit that outputs to the PA system.
In a wireless in ear monitor system, the transmitter is
what has the PA system outputs plugged into it; it then
transmits the signal wirelessly to the in ear monitors.
The in ear monitors consist of a belt pack, which acts as
the receiver, and the ear buds. The ear buds will have the
same mix as the output of the PA system, with only an overall
volume level adjustment.
Because the technology isn't fully understood by most that
wish to use it, there are a number of questions that arise
when using it. The biggest questions usually involve how
many systems can be used at once. Also, can I use just one
system and only buy individual components after that? The
answer depends on the use. It is usually best to look at
how the technology works, and the answer will become apparent.
Wireless involves transmitters and receivers. The most
common form of these that people do understand are radios
and televisions. In radio and tv, the transmitter is the
tower that transmits the signal. The receiver is the radio,
or the television. Only one frequency is transmitted by
a single tower, but many receivers can pick up the signal.
However, a single receiver can only be set to pick up one
frequency at a time.
So, when you are using wireless microphones (transmitters)
one microphone can be picked up by several receivers. However,
one receiver can only pickup one microphone or belt pack
transmitter at a time. This means that you cannot buy one
complete wireless microphone system and just purchase individual
microphones after that. You need a complete system for every
microphone or belt pack transmitter being used.
Unlike wireless microphones, you can use several wireless
in ear monitors on one system. Because the in ear monitor
belt pack is the receiver, you can have multiple units receiving
the same signal from only one transmitter. This means that
you can purchase one wireless in ear monitor system, and
many individual belt pack receivers (with the ear buds)
after that. There is no practical limit to how many receivers
you can use with one transmitter. The only drawback is that
the mix will sound the same to everyone, because it is all
coming from the same transmitter. This is not usually an
issue outside of large concerts, though. If a large enough
PA system is used you can have multiple mixes for the monitors,
but for each mix you need a separate transmitter.
With those major questions answered, the only other question
is which type of microphone to use? If the microphone is
mainly being used by one speaker, clip on lavaliers are
the best choice. If the microphone needs to be handed around
to multiple speakers, or if it will be used for vocal performance,
a handheld microphone would be the best choice. There are
also clip on lavalier microphones available as instrument
microphones, optimized for musical clarity. Regardless of
the type of wireless system you use, it is much easier to
use once you understand it. We at Microphone Heaven hope
that this article has cleared up some questions about wireless
for you.
