Re: [Worship] Wireless headset mic feeds back, no volume control

[Ben Bradley <bbradle@CLEMSON.EDU>]

>We tried out a new wireless headset mic for me this past Sunday so I could
>have more freedom of movement as I sing, play keyboard and direct the music
>team.

I love my audio-technica headset. Although it is not a wireless mic, it 
still gives me much greater freedom when I play the keyboard and when I 
need to turn my head to signal the rest of the band.

However, the part that keeps the mic on my head has begun to disintegrate, 
so it may be time for me to buy a new one..... there's only so much a big 
wad of tape can do.....

>Unfortunately it kept feeding back like crazy from the monitor, and
>nothing we tried (moving the monitor, adjusting volume, etc.) seemed to
>help.

Well, this is most likely a question better answered by a seasoned sound 
tech, but I may have a few ideas. First of all with headsets, it is very 
important to pay attention to where the microphone is directed. As with 
most microphones, they pick up sound best from one direction (even when 
they say they are multi-directional) so if the mic is not angled directly 
toward your mouth, it'll pick up more stage noise than voice. Also, I've 
noticed that these mics pick up sound much better than hand-held mics. 
Maybe it's because it's so close to your mouth (and most people don't sing 
with a hand-held right next to their mouth, even though they are supposed 
to) or maybe the electronics just give it more gain. Either way, the 
headset might be giving a stronger signal to the mixing board, and if the 
mic's channel gain is not adjusted, this could easily cause mad amounts of 
feedback. Similarly, this mic will have a different frequency response, so 
the EQ on the channel needs to be re-worked as well.

But remember, this is coming from someone who hasn't run a sound board in 
about 8 years, so I may not know what I'm talking about here. ;-)

>In addition, I can no longer "work" the mic as I sing (softer, louder,
>etc.) because the mic is always right there. I know other worship leaders
>use this...how do you overcome these problems? Thanks!

Breath Control! You can no longer use the distance from the mic to control 
volume, but you have a natural volume control inside you already. The 
important thing is to keep your breath support firm and strong while 
changing the volume of your singing. It's a very similar concept to playing 
a wind instrument. (that's where I picked it up - 8 years playing in the 
school bands!)

I hope this was somewhat helpful!



Benjamin Bradley
Senior, Electrical Engineering
Clemson University
864-858-3237

http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~bbradle/

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when
the true worshippers will worship the Father in
spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of
worshippers the Father seeks."
	John 4:23
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