OT: Budget handheld mic setups - what's good?

ken c wrote on 7/19/2007, 6:09 AM

Hi -

I've got an upcoming seminar, it looks like the hotel wants to charge $300/day each for handheld wireless mics (!).. so if I have 3 of them, that would cost me nearly $2,000 for a 2-day event. I don't want to spend that much on a rental.

Instead of that, does anyone have any recommendations for handheld wireless mic setups, eg 2-3 mics, that work well, for a relatively small ballroom type seminar? On bhphoto I see a lot of low-end mics w/transceiver kits that start at around $300...

I need to put 2-3 mics out in the attendees' area, on tables, for them to be able to ask questions during the seminar, so that it picks up for the camera.. so it'll be patched to house sound via the mixer..

any tips on which ones are ok? which to avoid? I'd like to buy my own 2-mic wireless handheld system (w/receiver) for under $700 or so if possible - any ideas?

thx,

Ken

Comments

farss wrote on 7/19/2007, 7:01 AM

Why do you need wireless???
Cable and gaf tape is very cheap and extremely reliable.
I bought a AT804L to use for handheld walkup interviews but it don't sound too shabby at all, seems to have higher output than most dynamics, most of which are vocalist mics unless you get into the really expensive stuff.
I was a bit nervous about using an omni but the lack of the proximity effect is helpful. The lack of unwanted noise rejection isn't, guess you have to choose your poison.

Bob.

rs170a wrote on 7/19/2007, 7:08 AM

As usual, the hotel has a deal with a local rental house where they (at least!!) double the rate yo ucan get by dealing direct :-(

In the Toronto Ontario area, day rates for mics range from $25 (wired) to $125 (Sennheiser wireless).

I'm wondering why you feel you have to be wireless.
I've set up and worked a lot of seminars and conventions and wireless mics at these kinds of events are a rarity.

If you're looking for a good setup, ask the audio department of a high-end rental place for their recommendations. They deal with a wide range of mics daily and will only stock what are known good systems.

If you're not sure, rent a system or two for a day or two and see which one you like.

Mike

rs170a wrote on 7/19/2007, 7:32 AM

I'd like to buy my own 2-mic wireless handheld system (w/receiver) for under $700 or so if possible - any ideas?

Spend a bit more and get much better quality.

Sennheiser G2 series - $500 each and up, depending on model.

Audio Technica ATW 1800 series - same pricing as the Sennheisers.

Mike

ken c wrote on 7/20/2007, 5:38 AM

Thanks for the tips, makes sense. Good idea re wired as an alternate, and I'll also look at those senn/atw ones too, thanks!

ken

[r]Evolution wrote on 7/20/2007, 8:35 PM

Same Question asked on 7.13.07
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=536212&Replies=6

There are some other Mics Mentioned

ken c wrote on 7/25/2007, 4:34 PM

Thanks for the tips, I ended up getting one of the sennheiser G2s... should be a great mic!

-ken