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[Justin Quinn]

I'm helping a church upgrade some old 600mhz systems to new QLXD systems.

They have a really old Samson UHF Series One system where the microphone and transmitter are self-contained in the headset.  They use it for baptisms which it's great for since all the electronics are neatly contained at the head level.  The issue... it's from 2003, a cheap piece of crap, and operates in the 800-806 mhz band.

Any recommendations for a replacement system where the whole transmitter is contained in the headset?  Samson still offers systems like these but even their higher-end offerings still look CHEAP.

[Caleb Dueck]

I'm helping a church upgrade some old 600mhz systems to new QLXD systems.

They have a really old Samson UHF Series One system where the microphone and transmitter are self-contained in the headset.  They use it for baptisms which it's great for since all the electronics are neatly contained at the head level.  The issue... it's from 2003, a cheap piece of crap, and operates in the 800-806 mhz band.

Any recommendations for a replacement system where the whole transmitter is contained in the headset?  Samson still offers systems like these but even their higher-end offerings still look CHEAP.

Having the Tx on the head is probably not optimal, hence why none of the "real" manufacturers offer it.

Why have electronics in the water in the first place?  Why not a small shotgun mic, either flown or on a stand or wall mount?  I'd have to see the room layout to know which is best. 

[Scott Helmke]

The pro solution in theatre is a "micro pack", very high end tiny transmitters that can be hidden in a wig.  Shure UR1M would be an example.

I've also seen all-in-one headsets in the fitness market, but they tend to be cheap.

[brian maddox]

Having the Tx on the head is probably not optimal, hence why none of the "real" manufacturers offer it.

Why have electronics in the water in the first place?  Why not a small shotgun mic, either flown or on a stand or wall mount?  I'd have to see the room layout to know which is best.

There is one very unfortunate reason.  You probably already know the story.

There was a pastor that was electrocuted doing a baptism because the shielding on the tank pump/heater failed and energized the water.  When he reached out to touch the wired microphone he completed the circuit.

Yes, it was a freak accident, but i still decided to only use wireless mics on baptismals after that. 

I will say that if you can use a shotgun that is out of reach of anyone in the water, that could be a great solution.  The problem is that you've got folks [often kids] being baptized that are asked to speak and they are nervous and tend to be very very soft spoken.  Then you add the sloshing water noise on top of it.  Getting anything into a PA from that without having the mic very VERY close to the source is quite challenging.

My best solution most of the time is just a RF Beta87 on a stand right next to the pool. i put it as close to the folks as i can get but not over the water because i prefer my RF transmitters NOT be baptized.  This usually gets good results, even if it's not always the best look on camera.

[Mark Cadwallader]

I've seen wireless comm systems with the transmitter included as part of a low profile headset, but that probably isn't the look you want.

[Pete Erskine]

I'm helping a church upgrade some old 600mhz systems to new QLXD systems.

They have a really old Samson UHF Series One system where the microphone and transmitter are self-contained in the headset.  They use it for baptisms which it's great for since all the electronics are neatly contained at the head level.  The issue... it's from 2003, a cheap piece of crap, and operates in the 800-806 mhz band.

Any recommendations for a replacement system where the whole transmitter is contained in the headset?  Samson still offers systems like these but even their higher-end offerings still look CHEAP.

Granted, Sampson is not a professional wireless.  However it would be good for this purpose, I believe.  The new verson still is an improvement.

http://www.samsontech.com/samson/products/wireless-systems/airline-micro/airlinemicroearset/

[Justin Quinn]

I will say that if you can use a shotgun that is out of reach of anyone in the water, that could be a great solution.  The problem is that you've got folks [often kids] being baptized that are asked to speak and they are nervous and tend to be very very soft spoken.  Then you add the sloshing water noise on top of it.  Getting anything into a PA from that without having the mic very VERY close to the source is quite challenging.

My best solution most of the time is just a RF Beta87 on a stand right next to the pool. i put it as close to the folks as i can get but not over the water because i prefer my RF transmitters NOT be baptized.  This usually gets good results, even if it's not always the best look on camera.

I thought about a shotgun mic but this was my concern, picking up a lot of water noise in addition to the pastor and the possibility of it getting splashed depending on its location.
The upgrade does include some QLXD Beta87 handhelds so that would be an option, but you still run into the issues of getting a lot of water noise as well as the possibility of being splashed.

Other than being cheap, the headset transmitter did work very well in this situation.  It's even been dunked a few times itself but still works fine.  Perhaps I'll try the new samson ones or just go with the Beta87 route.

Thank you, everyone, for the replies.

[Russell Ault]

Live sound is all about compromises, and this may well be a situation where compromising on quality will get you the right mic position and form-factor. Plus, you'll cry a lot less when it inevitably gets dunked than you would if it were an ADX1M.

Just take extra care to follow all the other wireless best practises (frequency coordination, keep the RX as close as possible, avoid desens, line-of-sight from TX to RX) and you'll probably be fine. Even better, if the mic is only being used in one area then the RX can be kept really close.

-Russ

[Brian Adams]

Doesn't Lectrosonics make a waterproof pack? Surely not the cheapest thing out there, but might be an option. Pair one with a waterproof headset from Point Source Audio and you'll be all set!

[Scott Helmke]

Doesn't Lectrosonics make a waterproof pack? Surely not the cheapest thing out there, but might be an option. Pair one with a waterproof headset from Point Source Audio and you'll be all set!

They do, but the system comes with a little note reminding you that wireless audio can't pass through water. 

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