Wireless microphone systems have become a standard part of live events. They’re so common that oftentimes even presenters speaking from a podium wear a backup lavalier microphone to protect their audio in case they turn their head or move out of the preferred range.
Because they’re such a mainstay, it’s easy to assume that all wireless microphone systems are essentially the same – or that they’re at least close enough in quality that there isn’t a noticeable difference unless your event features a musical performance.
The idea that all systems are created equal, however, could not be further from the truth.
From sound quality to the ability to handle frequency interference and so much more, a quality wireless microphone system protects the integrity of what is, arguably, the most important aspect of your event: audio.
Keep reading to learn why your audio system matters – and how to identify a high-quality one.
How Wireless Microphone Systems Work.
You can’t learn algebra until you know addition, and the first step to understanding what determines the quality of a wireless microphone system is understanding how it works.
Wireless microphone systems typically contain handheld microphones, headset microphones (which go around the ear or over the head and are taped to the cheek or forehead) , lavalier microphones (which are attached to the presenter’s clothing, often on the lapel) or some combination of all three.
When sound goes into a microphone (like from a presenter speaking), it travels to a transmitter that converts the audio signal it receives into a signal that is interpreted and shared by the receiver. The microphone, transmitter, and receiver communicate by all being on the same frequency or channel.
What to Look for in Your System.
Sound Quality.
High-quality systems produce clear, detailed, high-resolution audio. They pick up the different tones of the presenter or performer’s voice and instead of compressing it, transfer the entire sound, creating audio that is full and natural sounding, rather than flat and, sometimes, tinny.
Automatic Frequency Coordination.
This one may seem a little complicated but it’s incredibly important.
Imagine you’re driving in the car listening to the radio. As you travel to different locations, you may need to tune the channel to receive a signal from an antenna that is many, many miles away. When you’re tuned into the right channel, you hear what is on the radio.
Wireless microphones function the same way. The microphone and the transmitter need to be on the same frequency or channel in order for the audience to hear the audio.
It sounds simple enough, but when you’re in an event space that has several sessions running simultaneously or are nearby any other audio systems (including radio stations or broadcast studios), it’s possible for two different systems to use the same frequency, resulting in audio interference. This could sound like audio glitches – but it could also mean the wrong voice coming through your speakers.
When this does happen, the channel the system is on can be changed manually, but it takes time to scan for an available frequency and switch both ends of the system. Besides, there’s no guarantee the channel will stay free and you won’t need to quickly adjust again.
The solution? Systems that automatically detect and coordinate frequencies.
They do this by consistently scanning for interference. If any is detected, both the microphone and the transmitter automatically switch to an available back-up frequency. The best part? It all happens instantaneously with virtually no noticeable audio changes for the audience.
Of course, not every audio system does this. It’s not a feature you’re likely to find in lower-quality or inexpensive systems, and even some expensive systems don’t have automatic frequency coordination. However, if you are using a high-quality system (with a price tag to match), this is definitely something you want your audio system to have.
Range.
Different systems have different transmission ranges, which refers to how large of a distance they work over.
When considering what range you need for your event, a good rule of thumb is to think about the full size of the room you’re in, and then double it. This ensures that you’re not stretching the range to its absolute limit and are protecting your audio.
In our experience, bad or inconsistent audio is the hardest thing for an audience to forgive. It affects their ability to hear speakers, understand their messaging, and get as much as possible out of the event.
Do you want to learn more about what system will best fit the needs of your event? We’d love to help! Contact us today and we’ll help you determine what audio system will make sure your event shines.