Problems with Wireless Microphones And How To Fix Them

Because there are so many problems that you can have with a wireless microphone system, I have decided to write an instructable on how to troubleshoot wireless systems.  This can apply to other wireless systems besides microphones, but I will be focusing on microphones, since that is what most of my experience is in.

If I miss anything, or you would like me to add something to this instructable, please let me know.  Also, if you are having problems that are not wireless related, please see my instructable "Audio Problems", or feel free to contact me for help.

Please keep in mind that I can only cover a few problems you can run into with wireless.  I will only cover the basics in this instructable.

Step 1 Static

This step is taken from my previous instructable "Audio Problems".

Static on a wireless mic is usually caused when the mic is too far away from the receiver, a battery is dieing, or when something is interfering with the signal.  We will cover interference in another step.  Often the simplest way to resolve static is to change the battery, or to get the mic closer to the receiver.

A good way to get the mic closer to the receiver is to move the receivers to an area backstage or onstage.  Many facilities already have wire run from their backstage or onstage areas to their tech booth.  This is generally considered the "correct" way to use a wireless microphone system.

Comments

[Ranie-K]

Hey -you've ripped off other peoples images and expect other people to respect you copyright??
http://www.batronix.com/versand/spektrumanalysator/Rigol-DSA1030.html
http://www.technopraxis.org/2010/02/will-churches-be-excluded-from-wireless.html
http://playthisthing.com/game-taxonomy/static
http://dallaspenn.com/weblog/?p=4633

[thegeeke]

In response to your links:
First link: Got the picture somewhere else, since I can't read the language this is written in, I removed the picture just to be safe and will put another one in it's place shortly. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Second link: Stock photo, that site probably got it from the same place I did.
Third link: Didn't get it from that site, again I got mine from a stock photo site, and it's a picture of static. You really can't pin it down to a specific site.
Fourth link: Again, a stock photo. They probably got it from the same place I did.

I saw copyrights on the websites you listed, but not on the pictures. More than likely, they get them from the same stock photo sites that I use.

I specifically state that I do not claim copyright to the images, however, as far as I know I have the right to use them. If there is any question about that right, I remove the images right away.

Also, for some reason your comment did not show up in my comments section... I seem to remember that happening before on one of my ibles as well. Do you have any idea why that is, or should I report that as a bug?

Thanks again for bringing these to my attention... I do take copyright very seriously. Unless I believe I have the right to use an image or anything, I will not use it.

-thegeeke

[FlatLinerMEDIC]

This guy did this to me too, there was no copyright on the website ....and no comment appeared on my profile.

[thegeeke]

Ya... and it's weird... your comment just showed up on my profile, along with his. Just today! I wonder if there is something going on with the instructables website, or if there is some way he is hiding the comments. Also, he never responds to your reply! (At least he never has with this instructable, or my other instructable he posted something similar about!)

Now I will give him this:
I can't say one way or another if the first link he put on there has copyright on it, so I'm glad he let me know about that, but other than that he seems to be WAY too obsessed with the pictures. If you look at his profile, all his comments are about pictures!

Thanks for telling me, I was wondering if it was just me. :)

[adam 101]

I'm afraid that that people like this will just get worse now that Google lets you drag images into its search bar.

[thegeeke]

Probably. The problem is that many sites will use stock photos, (and probably get them from the same place that I do), and put copyright on the page. They're not copyrighting the photos, but rather the page itself.

[jakdedert]

Most of the information is good, but you shortchange Shure pretty badly, and don't even mention the # 1 brand of RF mics used in most motion picture and video productions; Lectrosonics. The more expensive (and I do mean expensive...a couple of thousand bucks for a complete setup with one lavaliere transmitter/mic and one handheld unit), Shure systems equal any Sennheiser system. They are mainstays of the wireless world for presentations and other live productions. The Lectrosonic units are even pricier, but are nearly bulletproof.

[thegeeke]

You are correct, I did forget to include Lectrosonic. I don't use their products that much because they are so expensive (of course, that shouldn't be be an excuse... Some of those cheaper brands I've only used once...) I will be adding it in the next time I'm on a real computer.

I have to disagree with you about Shure. I've used most of their products, but I use the ULX series quite a bit. I've had nothing but problems with all of their analog products, especially with the ULX. I've spent hours on the phone with Shure to be sure it wasn't anything was doing wrong, of course none of their reps know anything, so they never resolved anything. Now I will admit that their digital products are good (I did mention that), but the reason Shure became popular is that at one time they were cheaper specs to specs than Sennheiser and AKG. I personally own the AKG WMS450 systems, and when I use it in conjunction with the newest ULX systems, it always performs better, and sometimes overpowers the Shures even though I've run intermodulation calculations. (And the WMS450 is significantly cheaper than the Shures!

I realize there are people who will stand by their Shure mics until the end, but I'm sorry. My personal experience with them has shown them to be unreliable.

Thank you for your input, and reminding me about Lectrosonic. I am currently working on another instructable about purchasing audio equipment. I plan to publish it in a week to a month. I am reviewing as many companies as I can remember at the end, but I'm not limiting myself to just mics... Would you mind if I sent you a link once I have it published so you can look it over and tell me if I forgot any companies? Thanks again! :)