ProSoundWeb Community

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: Debbie Dunkley on May 27, 2018, 12:37:15 PM

Title: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Debbie Dunkley on May 27, 2018, 12:37:15 PM
I have been using a Shure SM35 headset mic for the background vocals for about 3 years and I have been happy with it for the most part ( I mix sound, run lights and sing backing harmonies from the audience). The SM35 is basically the headset version of an SM58 from what I can tell.
A few months back I picked up a cheapy mic off Amazon as back up.
This one  MIC  (https://www.amazon.com/PMEMS23-Cardioid-Condenser-Headset-Microphone/dp/B00EEJYSI8)
Crazy cheap but not so nasty it would seem. I tried it last night for the first time live and everyone agreed it sounded better than the Shure. It was clearer and cut through really well retaining warmth. No more feedback than usual - I do get some feedback on the odd occasion depending on where I mix from due to being in front of the speakers. The Shure can sound a little muddy sometimes.
The only thing is I doubt it will last - cheap construction, thin cord etc. Sound wise though - excellent. The Shure is better put together.
I thought I'd share for anyone looking for headset mics on a budget.

If I could find something that sounded as good or better than the Pyle, had some quality build to it, but won't cost me an arm and a leg - I'd be good to go.
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Weogo Reed on May 27, 2018, 08:57:01 PM
Hi Debbie,

> I have been using a Shure SM35 headset mic for the background vocals for about 3 years and I have been happy with it for the most part ( I mix sound, run lights and sing backing harmonies from the audience).

Are you using IEMs when you are out in the audience?

Thanks and good health,  Weogo
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Debbie Dunkley on May 27, 2018, 09:51:58 PM
Hi Debbie,

> I have been using a Shure SM35 headset mic for the background vocals for about 3 years and I have been happy with it for the most part ( I mix sound, run lights and sing backing harmonies from the audience).

Are you using IEMs when you are out in the audience?

Thanks and good health,  Weogo

When I first started singing this way I tried using a wireless pack with in ear earphones but I found that it prevented me from being able to do what I considered my main job - mix the band.
I considered using over ear headphones too so I could put them on and take them off when needed but it was all too awkward to mess with - mixing on one tablet, controlling lights on another, a headset mic on my head and a wireless pack on my belt.
So in the end, I just went for it and the PA is my monitor.
It means the guys in the band have some latency to get used to and I can never hear 'more me' ( sometimes harder to pitch)... and once in a while we get a tiny bit of feedback if I am too close to the speakers but in the end it works. Probably because I sang in bands for many years and in the early days we didn't use monitors- I just had to rely on what I could from the reflections off the walls ( yeah - it was a long time ago)
So we get good results overall and it is always a talking point for members of the audience.
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Luke Geis on May 27, 2018, 10:00:39 PM
I was going to say, the Pyle stuff is about as good as it comes; without the price tag. I would invest in multiples simply because of how inexpensive they are. If one does eat it, you would at least have a backup. I own 2 and they have been kicking butt for me for about 3 years!!!! Sound amazing, and the reliability hasn't been an issue for me. A way undervalued brand for some of their stuff. Shure, Countryman and some others should take heed, you can no longer convince me that a $300+ mic is better than than this $25 gem........
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Debbie Dunkley on May 27, 2018, 11:14:57 PM
I was going to say, the Pyle stuff is about as good as it comes; without the price tag. I would invest in multiples simply because of how inexpensive they are. If one does eat it, you would at least have a backup. I own 2 and they have been kicking butt for me for about 3 years!!!! Sound amazing, and the reliability hasn't been an issue for me. A way undervalued brand for some of their stuff. Shure, Countryman and some others should take heed, you can no longer convince me that a $300+ mic is better than than this $25 gem........

If I can't find something better made and sounding as good as the Pyle, I'll just pick up a couple more as spares. I only paid $17 for it!

One more thing - the TA4F connector isn't wonderful on the Pyle - it's a bit tight but it works.
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: John Fruits on May 27, 2018, 11:19:20 PM
Let's see, there is the Garth Mic and the Madonna Mic and now we have the Debbie Mic.  How nice.
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Dave Pluke on May 28, 2018, 11:37:52 AM

I thought I'd share for anyone looking for headset mics on a budget.


Good to know, thanks Debbie!  I need to add some head-worn mics for "talking head"-type presentations/panels.  Although I've been burned by that brand (a long time ago), I might be tempted at that price.

Does Pyle use the terms "mini XLR" and "TA4F" interchangeably?

Dave
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Craig Hauber on May 28, 2018, 01:43:55 PM
I was going to say, the Pyle stuff is about as good as it comes; without the price tag. I would invest in multiples simply because of how inexpensive they are. If one does eat it, you would at least have a backup. I own 2 and they have been kicking butt for me for about 3 years!!!! Sound amazing, and the reliability hasn't been an issue for me. A way undervalued brand for some of their stuff. Shure, Countryman and some others should take heed, you can no longer convince me that a $300+ mic is better than than this $25 gem........

We buy the pyle theater earset-type mics for school productions.  At $25 each you can almost consider the mics disposable compared to the cost of equipping a production with Countryman.
And when running through a school's Mackie mixer and wall-mounted MI-grade speakers on either side of a proscenium in an echo-chamber Gymna-Torium, there's minimal if any tonal or GBF difference from the high-dollar mic.
Surprisingly they put up with the abuse from kids quite well and usually last multiple productions before failing or issues.

I do draw-the-line on cheap Pyle stuff when this particular beast gets carried into rehearsal by a well-meaning music teacher:
https://www.amazon.com/8-Channel-UHF-Wireless-Microphone-System/dp/B06XF5T3F7/ref=dp_ob_title_ce?dpID=51Uj8ssc65L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Mike Caldwell on May 28, 2018, 04:06:06 PM


I do draw-the-line on cheap Pyle stuff when this particular beast gets carried into rehearsal by a well-meaning music teacher:
https://www.amazon.com/8-Channel-UHF-Wireless-Microphone-System/dp/B06XF5T3F7/ref=dp_ob_title_ce?dpID=51Uj8ssc65L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

Pyle, Vocal Pro and the other various four and eight channel wireless systems are total crap, I would hate to guess the amount of money that churches and schools have wasted on them.

As far as I know Pyle only offers their headset and ear set mics with the Shure wired TF4 connector.

I found YAM audio headsets on Ebay that have an adjustable headband that work great for school productions for about $35 each delivered. There available with Audio Technica, Shure and Sennheiser connectors.

Keep in mind when the new Audio Technica 3000 comes out the connector on the body pack has been changed, not a smart move be AT if you ask me.

I just wanted to add that the above mentioned mics would not work on rock n roll stage or anywhere near one!
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Debbie Dunkley on May 28, 2018, 06:07:51 PM
Let's see, there is the Garth Mic and the Madonna Mic and now we have the Debbie Mic.  How nice.

 :)
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Dan Mortensen on May 28, 2018, 09:08:28 PM

A few months back I picked up a cheapy mic off Amazon as back up.
This one  MIC  (https://www.amazon.com/PMEMS23-Cardioid-Condenser-Headset-Microphone/dp/B00EEJYSI8)


You broke the company. Comes up "Currently Unavailable".

Nice going.

 ;)
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Craig Leerman on May 28, 2018, 10:46:00 PM

and I can never hear 'more me’

You can always hear more you, you have the fader! ;D. Of course the mix might sound a bit strange with the harmony louder
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Debbie Dunkley on May 29, 2018, 09:54:13 AM
You can always hear more you, you have the fader! ;D. Of course the mix might sound a bit strange with the harmony louder

Yep - that's the problem - LOL. It's either me or the audience....
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Debbie Dunkley on May 29, 2018, 09:54:41 AM
You broke the company. Comes up "Currently Unavailable".

Nice going.

 ;)

There must have been a rush.
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Debbie Dunkley on May 29, 2018, 09:59:45 AM
Although shipping isn't free here, the price compares :

 PYLE MIC (https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1UZ1ZV3917&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-MI+-+Microphones-_-9SIA1UZ1ZV3917&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9LPYBRDSARIsAHL7J5neOM3Z3E8wIKhlimJRGsUnolMBbPm8ZZpXaqN0h827LNOx2ZQglDEaAnslEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Lyle Williams on May 29, 2018, 04:00:05 PM
While the 4/8 chan cheap wireless may be crap, the school's objectives will be educational outcomes.

As long as the gear doesn't intrude (eg cut out and stop the show) then sadly it will do.

Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Mike Caldwell on May 29, 2018, 05:01:28 PM
While the 4/8 chan cheap wireless may be crap, the school's objectives will be educational outcomes.

As long as the gear doesn't intrude (eg cut out and stop the show) then sadly it will do.

I have never seen/heard one of those systems that did not have some sort of intermittent problem all the way up to a dead mic or two.
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: John Fruits on May 29, 2018, 05:32:28 PM
As far as the linked 8 channel unit, is that even legal, just judging by the image. Perhaps that is why it's in the car audio section of Amazon.
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: John J.R. Bogle on June 03, 2018, 11:53:46 PM
I have a friend who helps out a lot of school and amateur productions. Yup the cheap headsets are the way to go. He bought about 6 inexpensive Chinese mics on eBay and has since talked a couple of schools into doing the same. In the old days we used to use lavaliere mics or area mics for larger productions - Bad sound and a serious pain. As a comparison, a headworn mic is awesome. The sonic difference comes far more from the superior placement than the better element (Placement = 95% - element = 5% quality increase). When there is a serious risk of them getting damaged, why risk $500 (the cost of an E-6 when they first appeared on the market) when you can risk $25 and consider them disposable (often the contryman's were beyond repair anyway).

If you're dealing with high end production and professional entertainers, sure spend X20 for that 5% increase in quality but you're certainly approaching the point of diminishing returns.

If the rider demands it, yes you provide it but if not..........give them the cheapie and they'll probably be just as happy.

Just my .02 (or is that $25) worth :).
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Dave Pluke on June 04, 2018, 10:13:24 AM

I found YAM audio headsets on Ebay that have an adjustable headband that work great for school productions for about $35 each delivered. There available with Audio Technica, Shure and Sennheiser connectors.


Any insight into the different model numbers/price points?  The specs & descriptions are identical for the HM1, HM3 and HM5 versions....?

Dave
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Mike Caldwell on June 04, 2018, 04:24:35 PM
Any insight into the different model numbers/price points?  The specs & descriptions are identical for the HM1, HM3 and HM5 versions....?

Dave

The HM1 does not have an adjustable headband, the HM3's headband is adjustable. The HM3 is the one I use. The HM5 has and adjustable head band and replaceable cables.

Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Debbie Dunkley on June 04, 2018, 04:46:46 PM
I can't use the ear hook style - it has to go over my head like a headband. I am always on the look out for an affordable good sounding cardioid condenser headset mic - Shure connector.
Title: Re: Very decent headset mic - CHEAP.
Post by: Dave Pluke on June 04, 2018, 07:04:45 PM
The HM1 does not have an adjustable headband, the HM3's headband is adjustable. The HM3 is the one I use. The HM5 has and adjustable head band and replaceable cables.

Thanks a lot, Mike!  Makes sense now.

Dave