Over the years, headworn microphones have become significantly more improved, with better performance from smaller, near-invisible packages. So last year, when Audio-Technica debuted its BP894 MicroSet — a design that takes a completely new approach to headworn microphones, I was intrigued about its performance — and sound.
Based on the general design of A-T’s popular omnidirectional BP892 MicroSet, the BP894 takes the approach one step further, featuring a rotating cardioid condenser capsule housing that can be used on either ear — either earworn, or with the included AT8464 Dual-Ear Microphone Mount that converts a single earworn MicroSet to a dual-ear-worn unit for improved stability.
With the BP894 design, comfort was also emphasized. The microphone, boom and earpiece weighs just 2.0 grams, less than half the weight of a nickel, while the ergonomic under-ear design — flexible, lightweight contoured loop hooks behind the ear for a secure, comfortable, fit with or without glasses. The mount system (single or dual-ear) is versatile enough to fit a wide range of performers, from children to adults, and systems are offered in matte black or beige finishes.
The BP894 is available in a variety of versions, ranging from a powering module that allows use with standard XLR (hardwired) applications. Numerous other terminations are also provided, with connectors for popular pro wireless transmitters from Audio-Technica (Uni-Pak locking 4-pin), Shure (TA4F-type), Sennheiser (Lemo or locking 1/8-inch), as well as an un-terminated model for the DIY/special applications crowd.
But the magic here is the 2.8mm cardioid capsule, which can rotate 180 degrees, allowing it to be aimed directly at the sound source (i.e., the microphone faces the mouth), rather than facing forward like traditional earworn mic designs. The capsule end of the support boom looks like a 1/4-inch T-shaped termination and swivels easily for precise placement.
On the Road
I tested the MicroSet BP894 with an
Audio-Technica System 10 digital wireless ATW-T1101 system. The System 10 operates at 2.4 GHz and offers fast setup, clean audio performance and three levels of diversity assurance: frequency, time, and space. Frequency Diversity sends the signal on two dynamically allocated frequencies for interference-free communication. Time Diversity sends the signal in multiple time slots to maximize immunity to multipath interference. Finally, Space Diversity uses two antennas on each transmitter and receiver to maximize signal integrity. In any case, it works and I had no RF problems whatsoever.
I began with the single-ear mounting configuration. The BP894 held securely and simply required a slight bend to the boom to get the capsule in place near the mouth. Both ends of the capsule look nearly identical, so there’s a tiny white locator dot near the base of the “T” that indicates the “front” side of the capsule to help assure the capsule’s business end is pointed toward the sound source (mouth).
With the BP894’s ability to get in close and personal, breath noise and downward-facing nasal exhaling can be an issue. There are several ways to handle this. One could simply apply a high-pass filter at the console, but cutting it before it gets to the system is even better. The BP894 ships with a couple removable foam windscreens. These are effective and as they cover both sides of the capsule, stay in place remarkably well. Another possibility is to slightly tweak the capsule angle toward the mouth; here, a slight downward angle kept the capsule out of nasal noise and was just slightly off axis to breath pops, which worked fine. A third alternative is to use the integral 80 Hz high-pass UniSteep filter, that can be switched in and is built into the XLR powering adapter for hardwired applications.
I also tried the dual-ear mount that’s included with the BP894. Although the single earworn mount is secure under most circumstances, we all deal with certain performers and shows that are somewhat more energetic and require the stability of a neckworn/dual ear approach. It took me a couple minutes to figure out how it worked (sorry, I almost never actually read the user instructions), but it’s actually both easy to use and very secure.
The Sound
Here’s where the BP894 surprised me. Any time spent developing the right sweet spot for placement definitely paid off, both in audio balance and increasing the output signal, which yielded very high gain before feedback, something that can be more of an issue with traditional headworn mics. The BP894’s response is fairly neutral — natural and uncolored, with a typical condenser slightly-rising HF bump, peaking about 4 to 5 dB around 7 kHz. And it had no problems handling high SPL’s — something that should bring good news to anyone who deals with energetic preachers or screaming rock stars.
At a Glance
BP894 MicroSet Headworn Mic
A headworn microphone featuring a subminiature cardioid condenser that can swivel to face the performer’s mouth for increased gain before feedback and less stage/instrument bleed.
Manufacturer: Audio-Technica
Pros: Great sound; secure, comfortable mount; high gain before feedback.
Cons: Requires some experimenting to find optimum sweet spot.
Street Pricing: $349 to $449, depending on connector/termination
More Info: www.audio-technica.com
