|
|
Ashkenazi the Pretty Good Veteran user Northern California 366 Posts |
Ladies & Gentlemen,
I'm having a moment of doubt. After reading here for many hours over the last several days, and finding the best prices, I've decided to go with a Shure headset set-up as the jury is in: headsets sound better. But I can't get around the fact of how lame it will look. I can't justify the expense of a more expensive, less visible headset like the Countryman E6. MOST of my shows are not with me far away from the audience - they're often in homes & libraries: far more audiences of 50-200, rather than 1,000. So I'm conflicted. I'm thinking of putting the purchase off until tomorrow, after reading what you have to say. Did I mention I'm given to over-analyzing? Thanks in advance for your consideration. Respectfully, AtPG
------------
We could have been practicing! |
Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts |
Two solutions:
The obvious, use a different mic. The less obvious but just as effective, put the headset on your neck instead of your head. This will put the mic just below your chin. Tony |
Ashkenazi the Pretty Good Veteran user Northern California 366 Posts |
Make the headset a neckset?
Does anybody else do this? Does this actually work???
------------
We could have been practicing! |
todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I think no matter which direction you go that you should find what YOU like and are comfortable with!
Sure mics. are great and they sound great! Yes- a Countryman is going to be much smaller but at the end of the day it's still a mic. I think that a Sure mic. is just as good as a countryman. Depends on what you want. |
Ashkenazi the Pretty Good Veteran user Northern California 366 Posts |
I should clarify: I'm talking about the awkward bulkiness of the headset dilemna vs. the worse audio, but nicer looking lavalier issue.
Thanks, AtPG
------------
We could have been practicing! |
Michael Taggert Special user Fredericksburg Virginia 656 Posts |
Headsets are a newer trend in wireless mics as they are getting smaller and smaller every day. the choice is realy what you feel the most comfortable with. I prefer my lavaliers only because they are in use and when they break down I will replace them with a head set that has a clear mic. These are the least distracting. to me of the headsets.
as far as useing mics for smaller audiences it all depends on the room. certainly I wouldn't use a mic at in a home unless there was at least 100 people. but in a banquet hall I wouldn't do a show without one. One of the biggest things that can hold you back as a performer is if the audience can't hear you clearly. I know walk around guys that wear a portable system just to give their voice a little presence. if you look real close at the avatar you'll see the lavalier bud pinned to my tie. |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I use an audiotechnica earset that is extremely small. if you're doing small shows I don't see why this would not be a good idea. cheaper than the e6 and I've been quite happy with it. it is kind of "low" on the output side but I've grown to like it a lot. I use it with a PD-150 and am very pleased.
I also use a handheld with a gim-crack at times as well.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
AtPG,
A lavalier can be hidden easier than a headset, so if that is important to you, go with that. I think a good lavalier will work fine for in the venues you describe. Get a good one though. One thing you could do is get a wireless system and then buy another mic later and you could have both. Just make sure that the mic you buy can adapt to your transmitter. It never hurts to have a backup mic anyway! I think this is a decision you are going to have to make for yourself. I own a Shure PGX system with a headset mic and I have been very happy with it. However, you have to get what suits you the best. Regan
Mister Mystery
|
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
I personally don't like the lapel ones. I use a headset mic and get giddy thinking I look like Britney Spears with it one!
Having used both styles, I would say it really depends on what you are comfortable with. The lapel/clip on ones are easy to conceal. The headset ones can give more of a high energy/pop/rockstar instant image (I think Tony Robbins uses a headset mic). |
silverking Inner circle 4574 Posts |
Here's a slightly different way to use a lav that might work for some.
Insted of clipping it to your lapel, bring the mic cable up behind your head, over your ear, and use a combination of transparent first aid tape and toupe clips to put the microphone on your cheek, right below your cheekbone. You use the tape to tape it to the back of your neck and your cheek, and you use the clips to hide and hold the cable in your hair. This technique has been used with great success on Broadway type musicals for a couple of decades now. The headset boom type "Madonna" will still result in a better sound and better gain before feedback, simply because it's closer to the performers mouth. But if you don't want the optics of this type of mic (and it does have its own statement it tends to make) the lav mounted as per the above will work extrememly well, and will be very discreet in terms its appearance. For this to work well, the lav would be required to have an omnidirectional pick up pattern. |
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
There is no "perfect" and affordable answer to this. And, working more in mentalism I am re-discovering the wonderful opportunities for re-direction of focus available when using a hand mike -- and Malloy clip. Great for switches, palms, etc.
As far as head sets -- they are great if you can switch them on and off -- but I have heard more than one forgetful performer grunt his/her way through a sequence. Lapels that are too directional fade in and out on head movement -- and stillneed to be switched off for soto voce; instruction to volunteers.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
What Greg says about the on/off switch is true. Fortunatly, my Shure PGX system has a mute button thet is easy to manipulate.
Regan
Mister Mystery
|
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
I wear my trans pack in he small of the back (my front aint small anymore) and cannot look unawkward if I try to use my mutes.....and I do not have many local techs I can trust/afford to make modifications ala DC.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
James Adamson Special user Deatsville - Holtville - Slapout, AL 945 Posts |
In most cases a headset or earset mic is the best way to go as the source of the input (your mouth) is much closer that a lapel. Thus the potential for feedback in most cases is a lot smaller. Plus as others have already said a lapel mic can fade in and out in volume just by the natural movement of your head.
I have used the Shure "Black Ball" Headset, A Earset Countryman E6I (newest version with slightly larger cable for less fragility), and the MiPro Headset that is an in between size. At the recent SEAM 2006 convention where I ran the sound we used the Countryman and the MiPro in but all of one of the performances. He wanted a lapel for usage for a sound effect gun that he held at his waist. There are other manufacturers available as already posted, do a search. Remember some of the headset and earset mics are only available for their manufacturers equipment. Some can be purchased with a connector for your transmitter if you already have a system. The omni-directions mic element will be smaller than a uni-directional. silverking is right about lapels being used in Broadway shows taped to varies positions on the head, on the forehead, check-bone, etc. Actors are VERY sensitive about nothing obscuring their face! As far as when to use a mic or not I personally believe that if you are on any stage of any type then you should use a mic. There are some performers who believe that you should use one in any size show regardless of the type of show (I have actually seen a speaker that you can wear on your belt, others use a little computer speaker). Their reasoning is that it always sets you off as a Professional. It comes down to personal preference in the small shows. James Adamson
Be remembered for performing what looks like MAGIC, not skill.
|
Nathan J. Roberts New user 38 Posts |
I've been using the Shure headset for years. I took the pop screen off so it wouldn't be as big. Very durable, good sound. I use it in libraries and in auditoriums to 5000 folks. No problems. Just make sure that your receiver is dual diversity (two antennas)
Nathan http://www.nathanjroberts.net |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » F/X » » Please Opine: Smaller Audiences, Lapel vs. Headset (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |