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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Nathan Vanderslice on March 18, 2014, 08:12:04 AM

Title: Wireless mics
Post by: Nathan Vanderslice on March 18, 2014, 08:12:04 AM
I'm curious about whether anyone has tried the "GTD" systems? I know, I know, cheap stuff, and it looks like another example of "you get what you paid for". I do have a bit of a mystery with the handheld mic. The last time I or someone else tried to use it, it didn't work (batteries fine). In the first instance, I finally tried giving it a light smack on my hand, and it started working. A few days later, our pastor used it, and it didn't work at first, but then started working after about 10 minutes. I have dropped the mic a couple of times, but in either case, it was still working without a problem. If there's no idea here of a solution, I'm probably going to have to get something better. I'm hoping to get something in terms of Senheiser, Shure, or AKG, and would like to see if I can get a pair of handheld mics. in about the $600-700 range.
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Thomas Le on March 18, 2014, 09:32:35 AM
GTD looks like a generic chinese brand you'd get on fleabay, I've never heard of this brand so I can't give a recommendation for it.

What I can recommend for the money is the Sennheiser EW100 G3 systems, it beats the Shure SLX/ULX systems in terms of form and function. I have three of the EW135 G3 systems and it works great, I also opted for the ASA 1 antenna splitter so it helps with the antenna clutter when I have it in my rack.
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Tomm Williams on March 18, 2014, 10:40:05 AM
You should also pay attention to the frequency these units broadcast in. Are they in the soon-to-disappear 600 range ?
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Scott Olewiler on March 18, 2014, 11:16:54 AM
I'm curious about whether anyone has tried the "GTD" systems? I know, I know, cheap stuff, and it looks like another example of "you get what you paid for". I do have a bit of a mystery with the handheld mic. The last time I or someone else tried to use it, it didn't work (batteries fine). In the first instance, I finally tried giving it a light smack on my hand, and it started working. A few days later, our pastor used it, and it didn't work at first, but then started working after about 10 minutes. I have dropped the mic a couple of times, but in either case, it was still working without a problem. If there's no idea here of a solution, I'm probably going to have to get something better. I'm hoping to get something in terms of Senheiser, Shure, or AKG, and would like to see if I can get a pair of handheld mics. in about the $600-700 range.

I have a pair of these I bought for just speaking/church events, especially if there are kids involved. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004443DZ2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). So far they have worked surprisingly well and are actually very clear and I have had no feedback issues above any other mic. I would have no problem using it on stage myself, but they do "look" cheap.

 I had a professional stand-up guy who does a lot of sound effects type stuff use one last month and he loved it. I've gotten two more gigs since then from that very sound job.  I have not had any issues so far but you do get what you pay for and sometimes it's inconsistently in manufacturing quality, some units work great , other never work right. Guess I got a good set?
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Nathan Vanderslice on March 21, 2014, 12:43:02 AM
You should also pay attention to the frequency these units broadcast in. Are they in the soon-to-disappear 600 range ?

Okay, if the 600 range is "soon to disappear", what will be the available range(s)?
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Mac Kerr on March 21, 2014, 11:19:23 AM
Okay, if the 600 range is "soon to disappear", what will be the available range(s)?

Most likely 450MHz-600MHz, although it will be much more congested with DTV channels that have shifted down into those frequencies.

Mac
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Russ Davis on March 21, 2014, 12:51:57 PM
Okay, if the 600 range is "soon to disappear", what will be the available range(s)?

VHF is still safe.  I fell back on my VHF Telex stuff when the 700 range went away; now that we're getting an encore shafting, it looks like I'll be dusting it off again, for simple speaking gigs at least.  Gear snobs may sneer, but it's good enough for my humble weekend warrior duties, at least until I decide when/if to invest in UHF yet again.
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Nathan Vanderslice on March 21, 2014, 10:46:46 PM
VHF is still safe.  I fell back on my VHF Telex stuff when the 700 range went away; now that we're getting an encore shafting, it looks like I'll be dusting it off again, for simple speaking gigs at least.  Gear snobs may sneer, but it's good enough for my humble weekend warrior duties, at least until I decide when/if to invest in UHF yet again.

Isn't that what the old Radio Shack wireless mics were? No thanks, they're to prone to interference from many other sources. Someone at our church bought them some time ago, and they are worthless as they pick up too much electrical interference. Maybe that's just because they're Radio Shack. LOL

While I'm still considering VHF, I'm curious about more opinions of mics from the following manufacturers: AKG, AT, EV, SENHEISER, SHURE. I'm still trying to find something under $300 per mic system if possible. I don't need "Broadway" quality, but I do want something reliable so that I don't have to keep replacing them. I'd also be interested in anything anyone else can contribute on VHF wireless handhelds. Again, the major criteria are reliability, and resistance to interference.
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: boburtz on March 21, 2014, 11:05:56 PM
I'm curious about more opinions of mics from the following manufacturers: AKG, AT, EV, SENHEISER, SHURE. I'm still trying to find something under $300 per mic system if possible. I don't need "Broadway" quality, but I do want something reliable so that I don't have to keep replacing them.
Buy some used Sennheiser G2 stuff in the "A" band. It's within your price range and works very well.
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: John Rutirasiri on March 21, 2014, 11:50:48 PM
I'm curious about whether anyone has tried the "GTD" systems? I know, I know, cheap stuff, and it looks like another example of "you get what you paid for". I do have a bit of a mystery with the handheld mic. The last time I or someone else tried to use it, it didn't work (batteries fine). In the first instance, I finally tried giving it a light smack on my hand, and it started working. A few days later, our pastor used it, and it didn't work at first, but then started working after about 10 minutes. I have dropped the mic a couple of times, but in either case, it was still working without a problem. If there's no idea here of a solution, I'm probably going to have to get something better. I'm hoping to get something in terms of Senheiser, Shure, or AKG, and would like to see if I can get a pair of handheld mics. in about the $600-700 range.

The church I helped out bought Shure PGX (not the D)/SM58 for around $300 each.  We put on the SM87A cartridges at $130 each.  Sounds great, never had an issue.

-JR
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Russ Davis on March 22, 2014, 12:46:25 AM
Isn't that what the old Radio Shack wireless mics were?

If they were that problematic, they were probably 49MHz and prone to picking up all kinds of stray garbage.  I'm talking about 174–216 MHz, which the FCC still allows for wireless mic use, and is now a lot less crowded than in the '90's before people started moving up to UHF.
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Nathan Vanderslice on March 24, 2014, 12:56:34 AM
If they were that problematic, they were probably 49MHz and prone to picking up all kinds of stray garbage.  I'm talking about 174–216 MHz, which the FCC still allows for wireless mic use, and is now a lot less crowded than in the '90's before people started moving up to UHF.

Hey Russ, you're correct! As soon as I saw the number 49, I remembered that this is the frequency they're on.
Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Nathan Vanderslice on March 24, 2014, 01:02:21 AM
The church I helped out bought Shure PGX (not the D)/SM58 for around $300 each.  We put on the SM87A cartridges at $130 each.  Sounds great, never had an issue.

-JR

Hey John, have you or anyone else had experience with these?

Shure BLX288/PG58 UHF Dual Channel Handheld

I can get a pair of them for about $550.
Title: Wireless mics
Post by: Michael A. Yates on March 24, 2014, 01:37:33 AM
If they were that problematic, they were probably 49MHz and prone to picking up all kinds of stray garbage.  I'm talking about 174–216 MHz, which the FCC still allows for wireless mic use, and is now a lot less crowded than in the '90's before people started moving up to UHF.

That's why I still lug my Shure LX and SC rigs! Can't beat them! And no FCC worries yet!


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Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Michael A. Yates on March 24, 2014, 01:45:39 AM
Oh and bro if you looking for a good cheap, good sounding mic the New Shure BLX24/ PG58 is only $299 and BLX24/ SM58 is $349. I would go with the SM58, a lot cleaner sound and not as much handling noise. Just make sure you order in the 500 MHz band!!!!


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Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: John Rutirasiri on March 24, 2014, 05:28:57 PM
Hey John, have you or anyone else had experience with these?

Shure BLX288/PG58 UHF Dual Channel Handheld

I can get a pair of them for about $550.

If you go with the BLX, be aware that the cartridge on the handheld transmitter is NOT interchangeable!  You will be stuck with PG58 head if that's the one you order.

So as someone suggested, better to go with SM58 version.

Cheers,
JR

Title: Re: Wireless mics
Post by: Lee Buckalew on March 25, 2014, 05:59:43 AM
You should also pay attention to the frequency these units broadcast in. Are they in the soon-to-disappear 600 range ?

Soon is relative.  Most of the manufacturers expect another 5-8 years before significant issues like vacant notices although to be fair, the FCC targets are closer than that.  Based on past experience the manufacturers don't expect those targets to be met.

Lee