Wireless Microphone: for your Performance Without a Lead

Wireless microphones ensure ultimate freedom for singers, presenters and lecturers. At last, you can move freely without tripping over cables or having to pull them behind you every second step. This does not only benefit dynamic bands on stage. It will also help at events, trade shows or TV shows. For a list of wireless solutions, click here. If you are not quite sure of your requirements or you are new to the world of microphones, we can provide you with some interesting information.

●    Pocket transmitters from IMG STAGELINE
●    Hand-held microphones from IMG STAGELINE
●    Receiver units from IMG STAGELINE
●    7 tips on how to use wireless microphones
●    A little purchase advice for your first wireless microphone: features, functions, specifications
●    Who is allowed to use which wireless system, where and when?

It is quite difficult for cables, especially if there is a lot of movement. The more you or your audience step onto the cables, the more likely they are going to break. Or even worse: the devices at the end of the microphone cable will suffer. On the one hand, this is the microphone itself. On the other hand, you most probably have got the mixer or an audio interface. Worst case scenario would, of course, be if someone accidentally trips over the cable in the audience or on stage during the event. With a wireless microphone, there is no cause for tripping. Thus, you can even do a tap dance during your vocal performance.

Pocket transmitters are the wireless solution if you want an unobtrusive application. Combined with other microphones, you are able to perfectly pick up quotes from guests in your talk show or participants at (TV) events and can subsequently process them.

Lavalier microphones (also known as: tie clip microphones)

A lavalier microphone is your first choice if you require an unobtrusive operation. There is a reason why public speakers and presenters, priests and stage actors use almost exclusively lavalier microphones. They operate similar to headset microphone systems. However, they replace the microphone worn by your head with a lavalier or lapel microphone. You simply attach it to your clothes, e.g. your tie, your shirt pocket or your open jacket. It is connected to a pocket transmitter and simply transmits to a wireless receiver. For public speeches at quiet places, e.g. in lecture halls, lavalier microphones with omnidirectional polar pattern are perfectly suitable. For scenarios which feature a higher volume level, a directional microphone is important. For more information on polar patterns of microphones, click here.

Headsets

The standard hand-held microphone is not for you if you move a lot or use your hands for gestures during your performance. You would get tangled up in cables and could not evenly speak into the cartridge. And just to get it straight: headsets are by no means standard vocal microphones. However, it is sufficient for backing vocals of a drummer with a whiskey voice. In addition, headsets are the method of choice for singing dancers or for coordinators and trainers, e.g. fitness trainers, instructors, actors, professors in lecture halls, city guides and museum guides. Wireless headset systems consist of 3 components:

1. Head-worn microphone
2. Pocket transmitter
3. Wireless receiver

A wireless hand-held microphone is the ideal microphone system for most lead singers. These wireless microphones are also a top choice for stage situations where a microphone is passed from one person to another. The wireless transmitter is built into the body of the hand-held microphone. Thus, you have only got 2 components with this type of system: hand-held transmitter or microphone and a wireless receiver. Most of the manufacturers offer wireless versions of their most popular wired microphones. Thus, singers do not have to change their sound if they switch to a wireless system.

With particularly cheap wireless solutions, a quality problem often arises. A poor quality is often accompanied by a poor sound which affects the live sound. Thus, we have specifically developed wireless systems for stage performances, e.g. TXS-2402SET.

For a long time now, cables have been the most reliable method for transmitting audio signals at stage performances or TV shows. Nowadays, you do not have to work with interfering cables thanks to professional wireless transmission. However, you can still rely on an excellent audio reproduction. Our wireless transmission systems are designed for professional applications with high technical and acoustical requirements. However, high-quality wireless microphones should not be a luxury item. Excessive features and a lot of gadgets? Not with us. It is only essential for you and your instrument to create a good sound which is then delivered to your audience.

Our portfolio of wireless transmission systems covers a very wide range. We wanted to cover the variety of audio scenarios. An example is our powerful multi-frequency receiver for wireless audio signals.

The wireless transmission systems from IMG STAGELINE feature an impressive audio transmission quality. They are designed for professional applications and ideal products for TV shows, stage events, gigs or performances of large bands or choirs. Audio signals can be recorded or retransmitted lifelike and clear without any interference.

TXS-646: 4-channel multifrequency receiver unit

1. This might seem a little unfamiliar to you as a first-time user of a wireless microphone: always keep new batteries for the transmitter nearby, especially during live performances. If the battery becomes weaker, the signal strength is also reduced and the operating range is clearly smaller.
2. If you switch on the receiver while the transmitter is still off, the receiver often assigns its own frequency.
3. Most of the wireless transmitters feature a button which allows for a synchronisation with the receiver if the receiver has selected a frequency itself. If you press this button, the transmitter will synchronise itself with the respectively active receiver.
4. It is necessary to check the signal level at the transmitter and receiver prior to operating the technology. Thus, you can ensure that you prevent clipping or distortions. The volume level at the transmitter may be set too low if the signal is very noisy or not loud enough.The volume level at the transmitter may be set too high if the signal is very loud and distorted.
5. The best rule against loss of connection: have visual contact between transmitter and receiver. A little tip for headband microphones or lavalier microphones: position the pocket transmitter at the front of the person. All in all, it is more likely to have interference if you have got a great distance between transmitter and receiver. There is also a general rule: choose a wireless microphone system with a specified operating range which is twice as long as possible required. If you require a radius of movement of 10 metres on stage, it is best to have an operating range of 30 metres as it is the case with TX-611SET.
6. Time and again, we can see that the user covers the antenna of the transmitter (i.e. often at the wireless microphone). Thus, be sure to get accustomed to hold your hand a little closer to the cartridge. However, please do not touch the cartridge.
7. With pocket transmitters, please make sure that you do not bend the external antenna at the transmitter, e.g. with your clothes or with the arms when you are sitting down.

Handling and operation

Top specifications are great. However, when you hold the device in your hands, you may not quite know what to do with it. Thus, an easy operation is essential for our customers and for us, too. An easy operation may be the key feature, especially if you need to work with the microphone for several hours. A user-friendly surface facilitates error detection and avoids complications. Relevant information are normally displayed at the transmitter. However, some wireless microphone systems are designed for them to be displayed both at the transmitter and receiver. An ergonomic design facilitates the operation during your work (or hobby).

Mute function

This is most likely to be self-explanatory: to be able to mute the microphone occasionally is convenient and sometimes a real must-have feature. TXS-900HT, for example, is equipped with this feature.

True-diversity system with removable antennas (BNC connection)

A true diversity system is equipped with a wireless receiver which features 2 independent receiver sections with its own antenna respectively (instead of a single receiver with 1 or 2 antennas). Diversity technology means that the transmitter provides the receiver with multiple copies of the same information signal which is then transmitted via 2 or more real or virtual communication channels. This technology is used in wireless communication (not only with wireless microphones) to improve the performance of wireless channels. This particularly makes a difference for applications with a lot of movement. For example, if you have a wireless connection between stage and mixers. Most of the time, the mixer is positioned opposite the stage which means that people are dancing between mixer (receiver) and wireless microphones (transmitters). This is also the case at trade shows, festivals, conventions, etc.

Pilot tone squelch

The pilot tone is like a secret code which is embedded into the wireless signal. The audio circuit is only opened via squelch control if the wireless receiver verifies that this pilot tone is present in the transmitting signal. Essentially, the squelch control is a special type of noise gate. Wireless 2-way devices and wireless VHF/FM scanners particularly apply this squelch control to avoid unwanted noise if the wireless transmitting set does not receive a (respective) transmitter.

In the VVnömL (administrative regulations for frequency assignments of non-public mobile service), the German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) regulates the use of wireless microphones, or more precisely: the assignment of wireless frequencies. In these administrative regulations, the network agency divides the users of wireless systems into 2 groups: professionals and private users.

Professional users include:

• Professional bands

• Opera halls, town halls and concert halls, open-air theatres, theatres, stadiums, etc.

• Touring musicals or theatre groups with their own equipment

• Professional rental companies of technology for tours, media and events

• Outside broadcast vehicles (private companies)

• Trade shows and convention centres

• Schools and other educational institutions

• Congregations

And to have a clear distinction, other users would be e.g.:

• Semi-professional bands

• Solo entertainers

• Part-time DJs

• Small rental setups

• Private events

• Event catering

• Congregations with only a small number of wireless microphones

User permission for wireless microphones and wireless systems

These are the regulations as of April 2020: in Germany, you no longer need permission for licence-free frequencies. However, the frequencies from 470 MHz to 608 MHz and 614 MHz to 694 MHz are reserved for professional users.