When putting on an event, there are a lot of considerations, from the lighting and catering to the venue itself. Of course, event audio is also very important—especially at an event featuring presenters or entertainers. How do you make sure the message they’re delivering is received by the audience? Generally, it comes down to choosing a wireless or wired handheld microphone, lavalier microphone, or headset. Deciding on which is best will depend on the type of event you’re holding, the event audiovisual services you need, and the needs and wants of the talent.
Microphones
Thomas Edison is credited with refining the wired microphone as we know it, way back in 1886. Of course, over the years it has been refined to offer better quality sound without interference, but its purpose remains the same: to amplify one person’s voice throughout a crowd. For events featuring one speaker at a time, often behind a podium, a wired microphone is a simple solution that works without the worry of dead batteries.
In addition to wired mics, innovation has now given us wireless handheld microphones. This allows the speaker or entertainer to move about the stage unrestricted by a cord. It’s perfect for dynamic speakers and performers that don’t like to be tied down to one spot. The hand-held wireless mic can also be handed off to others, ideal for roundtable events where a number of individuals may be interacting together (they can even be handed off to the audience for questions, which is often better than waiting for people to leave their seat and approach a wired microphone on stage, which can be awkward at best and a time-waster at worse).
Perhaps the biggest challenge with a wireless handheld microphones is relying on the presenter to use it properly. Speakers have been known to drop them, or get so comfortable that although they start with them at their mouth, over time they loosen up and wind up holding the mic at their belly, reducing clarity for attendees. When gripping the mic, fidgety presenters may also unintentionally turn it off with just the flick of their thumb.
Lavaliers
While the term lavalier originally referred to a pendant worn around the neck, today it also describes the type of microphone clipped to the clothing of an individual (originally, the device was worn around the neck, hence its name). Lavalier mics are small microphones that can be attached to a speaker’s clothing (the closer to the mouth, the better, which is why they’re often called lavalier lapel microphones).
Lavalier microphones are great for presenters who like to “talk with their hands,” gesturing often and emphasizing points through movement of the hands; this simply isn’t possible when trying to hold a mic at the same time! They’re also convenient for roundtable functions, as each speaker can be hooked up in order to chime in at any time without having to pass a mic around.
Are there challenges with lavalier mics? Perhaps, but it comes down to the speaker. An inexperienced speaker may have the tendency to fiddle with their new accessory, may turn their head away from the mic too often, or could accidentally hit it when gesticulating. Either way, this can create audience-unfriendly interference and distract from the message or performance being delivered.
Headsets
From the Backstreet Boys to the “Material Girl,” event headsets have certainly helped singers—who also happen to be dancers—perform their hits while displaying their moves. Not surprisingly, it was a singer who triggered the idea: artist Kate Bush, wearing a microphone attached to a wire clothes hanger on her head, creating the first ad hoc wireless headset during a 1979 tour.
Today, wireless event headsets have become very popular for event planners putting on a show in which one person will be the main focus for the duration of the program. This doesn’t mean just the aforementioned singers. Many professional speakers—Bill Gates, for example—love the freedom wireless headsets provide. And don’t worry; they don’t look anything like the old Walkman headsets of yesteryear. Many wrap-around designs are practically unnoticeable from a distance, hooking around both ears or to a single ear without any bulky components. They are also available in multiple colors to match the wearer’s complexion.
Planning an Event or Have Questions?
If you’re planning an audiovisual event in New York City and have questions, or need microphone rental, lavalier rental, or headset rental, talk to the experts at One Way Event Productions today. Not only do we offer event audio assistance, helping you determine which type of mic is right for you, we also help with every other aspect of event planning to make sure your event is a success. Talk with us now about your event and our NYC microphone rentals and let’s put on an event to remember.
