Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Nathan Riddle]

Thank you all for the helpful info and suggestions. I don't have access to work email at home, so a little late getting back.

I understand that one can't defy basic audio/physics principles regarding mic distance and live sound, and totally agree that the ideal approach would be a headworn/wireless system.

There is also an acute sensitivity to environmental/EMF factors that preclude using headworn or wireless. A while back I conducted a shootout with top-shelf shotguns on our church stage which simulates a convention/large hotel ballroom, but even the best couldn't do it with the open loop/live sound component.

I very much appreciate the pro comments here, and will recommend that whatever mic we use, it has to be closer.

Like Dave said earlier, use a wired headworn mic.

It doesn't have to be wireless.

[Dave Garoutte]

There is also an acute sensitivity to environmental/EMF factors that preclude using headworn or wireless.

How is a wired headworn generating any significant emf?

[Jon Goin]

For those who aren't affected by EMR/EMF it's nothing. For others it's something serious to avoid.
I wasn't aware of MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities, etc.) until pretty recently.
Some folks have big reactions and can't be near it.
It's hard to describe unless you know someone who's there (not imaginary--research...)
Thanks.

[Tim McCulloch]

For those who aren't affected by EMR/EMF it's nothing. For others it's something serious to avoid.
I wasn't aware of MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities, etc.) until pretty recently.
Some folks have big reactions and can't be near it.
It's hard to describe unless you know someone who's there (not imaginary--research...)
Thanks.

Then it sounds like your best hope is a speech therapist and voice coach if head-worn is out.

Is the issue with head-worn a matter of chemical/metal reactions with the user?  If so there might be some way to create barriers to avoid off-gassing or skin contact.  If the user is affected by the EMF of voltage at the microphone level, it's over.  See first sentence.  I don't envy you for this challenge.

Perhaps another thing to look at is the noise floor of the halls, auditoriums or rooms the presentations are given in.  Every dB of noise floor drop is a dB of gain you don't have to add.  It might be helpful to have them turn off HVAC before the presentation and keep it off until the presenter is done.  Moving lights, video projectors, all kinds of stuff have fans that produce noise with spectral content that seems intended to interfere with intelligibility.

[Mike Caldwell]

 I just did a quick read on MCS. In his case is it the skin contact of a headset mic and or the close proximity to the RF of a body pack transmitter that causes the issue.

[MikeHarris]

We had a interesting need..non MCS related solution.
One of our church clients that uses the Que audio headset (formerly DaCappo) had a motivational speaker needing a mic...but due to a horrific fire had no ears. We supplied the DPA necklace mic which seems to be no longer available.
The CCM is indeed as the top of the pile for quality...and it seems the fancy/expensive boom accessory is in use. Due to medical issues a creative solution is required.

[Jon Goin]

Thanks again for your helpful input and suggestions--well taken and I'll look into them!

I use Que headsets mostly and find them the most natural and clear.
The adjustable boom length and petite model are great options.
I'm sure DPA is great, but many others haven't compared.

[Keith Broughton]

There is also an acute sensitivity to environmental/EMF factors that preclude using headworn or wireless.

Could you expand on this?

[Jon Goin]

EMField or EMRadiation. There's a bit more in earlier posts, and any search will yield overview info sites plus many companies that specialize in shielding, clothing, gadget accessories, etc.

5G will certainly change the world, though its higher frequencies seem to require more power and numerous, lower to the ground antannae for distribution in urban areas.

OK, I 'm not trying to start another thread or further the discussion here! 

Thanks again everyone and I'll build on your helpful input and suggestions.

[Tim McCulloch]

I know that chemical reactions resulting from metals, plastics and other chemicals touching human skin can and do cause problems and that some folks have much more significant reactions that other folks.

The RF/EM... is easier to dismiss without research and from my brief reading I'm not sure what to make of it other than a small number of folks appear to be headed for a very tough time as more and more devices are made to connect exclusively via RF.  My gut reaction after reading some of the more hysterical stuff is that for a significant number of people their RF/EM sensitivity is... uh... psychosomatic.  Again, for a very small number of individuals this is real (kind of like people who claim they have a particular food allergy but only have symptoms when they think the food product might be around - many of them don't have a genuine allergy) but for others it seems suspicious.

Jon, is there any hope of increasing your presenter's vocal output via physiological training and voice coaching?  One of my college voice professors developed a method of teaching speech to people who'd received a laryngectomy as treatment for throat cancer.  Far better than the Ma Bell throat vibrator, one grateful alumni gave the college a crushed cinder track (the music dept got nothing, it was an interesting look at "gratitude" in academia).  That scenario, and having worked with singing coaches who have helped with  breathing issues and phonation/diction problems for public speakers, I'm holding out hope that your client can find the right person to help.  Between a 6dB lower noise floor and 3dB increase in his output, you might get a significant improvement in audibility and intelligibility.

[ProSoundWeb Community]