SLMC

Grace · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Posts: 40 Location: Atlanta, GA

Posting for my friend Feline -

Does anyone have insight into bluetooth/cordless headsets for musicians.

What are you using? Any recommendations?

(I think she's looking for wireless head set and mic of good quality for live performers)
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Silas Scarborough · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 1635 Location: None

It shouldn't be a problem. You'll see lots of advice not to use wireless for live gigs but that refers to the computer's connection to the router. You definitely don't want that to be wireless. However, a wireless headset is essentially a low-level FM transmitter and there shouldn't be any performance impact at all in using one. Typically there's the headset and there's a receiver that will connect to your mixer or whatever.

Be careful as there are some rubbishy headsets out there. Another option to consider is that the Shure SM-58 has a wireless model. I'm guessing that's not an option as your friend will probably want to be playing guitar or keys at the same time so there won't be a hand free for the mike. If that's not the case, this could give you the audio quality and freedom of movement that you want.

I used a wireless transmitter on my guitar some years back and was amazed at the range. I walked probably halfway up the block and the signal was still coming in strongly and cleanly. What the neighbors thought of my walking around the street playing a Stratocaster is anyone's guess.

Update: Consider also that the problem could possibly be solved with a boom mike stand, one that flexes midway to bring the mike in front of you. It'd also be a whole LOT cheaper!
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Silas Scarborough
Silas World Tour Blog
Find a place to play and I'll roll the P.A. anywhere
If you want to play, bring yer guitar

Norris Shepherd · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:53 pm Post subject:

my 2 cents worth... i try to avoid as much wireless as possible.

Wires are a pain, but they are infinitely more reliable than wireless.

As for a headset, I'm not sure... but i know Nady has been in the wireless mic and guitar business for a while, and I see that the price has come down quite a bit since i last looked at them 10 years ago.

As for experience with a specific model, brand.. .sorry i got nothin.

Silas Scarborough · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 1635 Location: None

By the way, wireless FM transmitters eat up batteries fast in kind of the same way as people in competitions to see who can eat the most hard-boiled eggs in sixty seconds.
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Silas Scarborough
Silas World Tour Blog
Find a place to play and I'll roll the P.A. anywhere
If you want to play, bring yer guitar

Fyrm Fouroux · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:03 pm Post subject:

Hi folks.
I'm sure Silas and Norris are right about wired connections to the router, for tip-top quality. However, I have been streaming up using a wireless connection from my lap-top (studio upstairs, router internet connection downstairs) for most of the past year. It is just that quite a few people have said that they like the sound that I stream up (I'm thinking about Tishe, Woody, Hexx, Bratt etc).

The point I am making to Grace is not to argue against the advice of either Norris or Silas but... If wired is not easy for you (as it is not for me), then maybe if you catch one of my shows sometime you could see if you think the sound you are getting is moderately acceptable?. Nowadays in my one hour shows you should get a voice, guitar, and some keyboard too at some point.

On the question of a boom mic stand - I typically use them when I play out in rl pub buskers nights in the North East of England. The problem I have at home is that my music studio is very small and up in the eves of the house. For voice, I do have one, but not properly assembled. The bottom does not have the legs splayed and the boom is only angled about 30 degrees upwards. The feet are jammed into the corner of the room and the neck sticks out over a bureau desk that is angled across the corner. On the top of the bureau sits my Alesis mixer and my (wireless) laptop. I play my guitar sitting on a bar stool and sing into the mic.

When I want to play my full size electric piano, I have to go over to the opposite side of the studio. I have a second boom mic there. This is extended to its full height and the boom bit angles down (not up) towards the keyboard at about 45 degs. I have a filing cabinet wedged between the end of the piano and the door to the studio. I can't get the mic positioned properly for my mouth if this mic stand actually stands correctly and squarely on the floor. So I lean the stand slightly precariously in towards the piano and then push it back towards the wall, so that the adjustment knob for the boom is wedged tight against the filing cabinet side.

This sounds totally crazy and most unprofessional, I know. But I've got so used to it now I just set it all up on automatic pilot. And, once again, I feel that the proof of the pudding is in the listening. I'm not talking about whether you like my singing, guitar work, or piano playing - I'm talking about techniques to get a passable sound streamed up to SL.

One final point is that I have been seriously thinking about getting a wireless headset for use when I play the piano. I'm still thinking that one through. I do like my AKG mics though.
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Silas Scarborough · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 1635 Location: None

Nah, there's no arguing going on here, just different perspectives. I'm glad Fyrm has been having good luck in wireless from his devices to his router but that is tremendously variable from one location to another. If you've ever turned on a microwave while you're trying to talk on a cellphone, you'll know what I mean. It's not exactly the same thing but similar.

Maybe what you'd want to try is wireless to see if it works for you. If it doesn't, the symptoms you'll experience will be audio drop-outs on the SL side and the audience won't be shy about telling you.

This is totally separate from the discussion on a wireless headset. Please see my previous on the distinction.
_________________
Silas Scarborough
Silas World Tour Blog
Find a place to play and I'll roll the P.A. anywhere
If you want to play, bring yer guitar