Please don't let the title of this month's Sound Sanctuary lead you to believe that I think that being wireless makes one more Godly. It just seems rather obviously that an all-knowing, all-powerful being does not need to be wired. So, if you are planning on shooting me an e-mail, relax; I am only going to discuss the wireless needs of our mortal pastors, priest, rabbis and preachers, etc.
Okay, there are only two positions when it comes to wireless microphones. Your house of worship either uses them or it does not. If your house does not use wireless, you can still read this article. If your house does use this type of microphone, then we really have something to talk about.
Police, Fire, Aliens
What type wireless does your preacher use? My least favorite are lavalier mics. However, they are probably the most popular. Next would be a headset mic, and lastly, a handheld wireless microphone. As you may by now know, the FCC officially took over the 700 MHz band of frequencies as of June 12, 2010. Actually, they took 698-806 MHz. these frequencies were used by television stations, but since TV went digital, they are now reserved for police, fire and emergency services, not to mention alien transmissions (just kidding about the last one). Anyway, all wireless microphones (and similar devices) transmitting in that frequency range are no longer legal. (For the latest on FCC "white spaces" restrictions, see cover story.)
What are similar devices, you may ask. Well, wireless intercoms, in-ear monitors and wireless audio instrument links that fall in the 700MHz frequencies are no longer usable.
Placing Lav Mics
Now that I have re-stated information you probably already know, let's get to your personal house wireless system. As I mentioned earlier, I am not a big fan of lavalier mics. And the reason is because most people do not position them properly. You want to attach your lav microphone to a shirt or blouse lapel as close as possible to the throat – not down in the middle of the chest, hanging off a button. A properly-placed lav mic can and should work very well.
My favorite wireless mic for preachers is the headset mic. Not the large, bulky ones, but those tiny, almost-invisible ones. They even come in a skin color that is really unnoticeable. What I like about these microphones is that they can be positioned near the mouth easily, and they stay in that position until removed. A few preachers use handheld wireless mics, but not many. These mics are more durable and can sound more natural, but in order to use one you must give up one hand (the one that holds the mic), and most preachers use both of their hands to make a point (especially if they are Italian). Of course, you can put your mic on a stand, but then you may as well have a wire attached to it.
Wireless Options
So, what wireless should you use? Well, if you are looking to purchase a new wireless system, I will give you a few of my ideas. UHF (Ultra High Frequency) models are now the most popular. However, you can find gigahertz systems (digital frequencies) and infrared wireless.
Let's start with UHF systems. Most of these systems are true diversity, which means the receiver has two antennas and the strongest signal will be automatically received. Along with this feature, you would want an auto sync or auto scan feature. This feature finds the strongest signal between the mic and the receiver and locks into it. This is very important to avoid RFI (radio frequency interference).
If you have experienced RFI during a sermon, it is certainly not pleasant and definitely distracts from the message being preached. Basically, your wireless system picks up some other transmission. This can come from a heavy RF environment, but can also be exacerbated by the construction characteristics of your house of worship.
Infrared Wireless
I mix at a church near the LAX airport. This is not only a hostile RF environment, but the building itself is constructed using a lot of steel I-beams. Basically, it acts like a giant antenna. Needless to say, wireless microphones have not worked well. I convinced the church leaders that an infrared system would solve their problems, and it has worked perfectly since it was installed.
Infrared is not subject to RFI or EMI (electro magnetic interference). Infrared very simply works by line of sight. And unless that line is broken, the signal is not subject to any interference. The only limitation is distance. In my situation, the infrared receiver is about 50 feet from the preachers' transmitter. I believe the signal will travel up to 100 feet, but that is obviously not necessary in my case. The transmitter is a pendant type and worn around the neck. It has a natural sound and very good battery life.
Digital Wireless
Another wireless system you may consider is digital wireless. I have had limited experience with these systems, but one of the common claims is that digital is less affected by RFI. If any of you out there are currently using a digital system, I would like to get hear your experience. As you know, it is difficult to have an opinion on gear I haven't used.
Before you make a decision on any wireless system, see if you can try out a floor model from your local music store. My home church is in Pasadena, Calif., and the local mom and pop music store let us test out a few different wireless systems to see which one we liked best. We ended up purchasing a Shure UHF system with a lavalier microphone. Unfortunately that particular music store has since gone out of business. However, if you have a store near you that is willing to lend you gear to test in your worship house, it will make your decision process a bit easier.
I think the last thing you may want to consider is battery life. How long will those batteries last in your new transmitter? This may not make or break your decision, but it should be considered. For myself, when I go to a house of worship to mix, I always carry extra batteries (9 volt, AA and AAA) in my tool kit. Better safe than sorry.
