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[Chris Poynter]

I just upgraded from a Sennheiser EW-D1/835 wireless microphone to a Shure QLXD/SM58. I use the mic for MC work and for people giving speeches at events. I have a KSM9 head on order as well, which I'm looking forward to receiving.

The QLXD is an awesome system and a much needed upgrade from my the 2.4 Ghz unit I was using, but...

Why the hell is there so much handling noise??? The Sennheiser mic had a “thick-feeling” metal and there was almost no handling noise. The metal on my QLXD handheld feels thinner and more “tin-like” and it transfers a LOT of noise. I’m not sure how else to describe it, but I really notice it when somebody who isn't comfortable holding a microphone uses it... when they change their grip, shift from hand to hand, etc.

Hell, it even picked up the sound of my wedding ring clinking against it the other day, when I picked it up. Like... it actually came faintly through my speakers!

I bought the unit from an authorized reseller, but I emailed Shure (here in Canada) today to confirm that it was indeed an authentic Shure product, not a counterfeit. They looked at my photos of the mic and receiver, said the serial numbers were genuine, and offered to forward my email onto their tech support team or whatever.

I thought I'd just pop in here to see if this is normal for the QLXD handhelds. I popped on a Beta58 head today as well, and it didn't change anything.

Thanks everyone.

[Luke Geis]

I would say it's normal for pretty much any mic, some just more so than others. It is more prevalent with cheaper mics for a multitude of reasons. The predominant reason is probably due to lack of shock absorption or element isolation. This would be followed closely by uninsulated bodies/shells that are resonant and conduct the handling noise into the mic element.

When you look at higher dollar mics, they typically have better elements which are more able to reject noise and the shock mount/mic isolation fixture is of course better. Many mics will also use goop, silicone, or hot glue to insulate and reduce handling noise. All the little things add up. With wireless mics the issue is harder to deal with though. There are other components that have to fit into a reasonably sized shell. Lower end product lines are going to be fraught with more issues like handling noise because in order to get to the $$$$ amount they have to cut corners. The quality of the sound may have been made as a focus, but to save a couple bucks, they slacked off on the body engineering to reduce handling noise.

I say its normal simply because most wireless mics do have some handling noise. I feel that Sennheiser provides the best value for the dollar and presents a better product than sure at the same dollar amount. I think this is possible for them because they don't have a large number of model lines and don't change the model's lines very often. They made a good product initially and let it ride longer.

[Thomas Le]

Hopefully there's a LCF engaged on the mixer?

[Tim McCulloch]

For those who have both_

Are the ULXD HH transmitters any better with handling noise?

[Chris Poynter]

Hopefully there's a LCF engaged on the mixer?

It doesn't make a difference. It's actually the higher frequencies that are getting picked up too. Like, if I run my hand down the mic, it picks up the sound of my hand sliding. It feels to me like maybe the type of lightweight metal and paint combination is contributing to it? I don't know anything about noise isolation with the physical body of a microphone though.

All I know is that compared to my much lower-end Sennheiser mic system (EW-D1, metal body) and my lower-end Shure system (PGX-D, plastic body), this one picks up a great deal more noise from people's hands. Not an issue when I use it personally, but for inexperienced MCs and people giving speeches, it's noticeable.

Just hoping to find out if this is the case with all QLXD handhelds (maybe somebody on here with one could test it out for me quickly?) or if there is something wrong with mine so I can send it back under warranty.

[Luke Geis]

The ULXD is very good with handling noise. I haven't noticed it to be any more than a typical good quality mic.

[Isaac South]

Wouldn’t a proper gate fix this? Unless the handling noise is heard while the gate is open.


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[Chris Poynter]

Wouldn’t a proper gate fix this? Unless the handling noise is heard while the gate is open.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lots of things could remedy the issue, but what I'm wanting to find out is if this level of handling noise is considered normal for the QLXD series.

If so, it's unacceptable (IMHO), given the price.

[Isaac South]

Lots of things could remedy the issue, but what I'm wanting to find out is if this level of handling noise is considered normal for the QLXD series.

If so, it's unacceptable (IMHO), given the price.

Ahhh my bad. I misunderstood your question.


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[Jordan Wolf]

Chris,

We deploy multiple QLXD handhelds daily and I do not notice handling noise with normal use.

[ProSoundWeb Community]