[Callers] Headset mics, take two

Wed Sep 7 08:13:30 PDT 2016

Kalia and others,

I have been using an Audio-Technica wireless system for over 13 years.  And I am very pleased with its performance.
Whereas I don’t like a mic on my head, this works for me in gigs where I need my hands.  I have both a headset mic (with belt-pack) and a hand-held cordless mic that operate with the same receiver.  They just can’t be on at the same time.  I think the sound quality is better with the hand-held mic, but they are both great, and I have rarely had feedback issues with them.  The hand-held mic is very unidirectional, so does not cause feedback (unless I loan it to someone who holds it far from their mouth and steps right in front of the speaker).    

The Audio-Technica system I have is:  ATW 1451.  A quick check on their website makes it looks like this series is discontinued, but I’m guessing the 2000 series is the current equivalent. http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wls_systems/6bc6d93a774d761d/index.html 

Re beltpack:  I have a comfy/loose belt that I wear around my waist so the beltpack does not need to clip on my clothing.  I keep the belt with the mic and receiver.

Re the sturdiness:  I use this 6 hours a day, 10 + days per month.  I have replaced the mic/headset (but not the belt-pack) a few times in 13 years since the wire is small (also not bulky on me!) and eventually gets shorts in it.  My “local” sound shop can sometimes clip the cord and re-wire, but I find that I have to replace the headset (at $125) about every 18 months or so.
I have never had to replace or fix the handheld unit, even after dropping it on a wood floor.

Re batteries:  They both use AA batteries, and I have found some high-quality rechargeable batteries that I love (Powerex batteries and accompanying Maha/Powerex charger).  
One pair of AA batteries will last me about 10 hours of usage.  (My original AT used 9 volt batteries and would need a new battery about every 4 hours.)

I also know others who have been happy with the SHURE wireless headset.  The sound guys I go to say that the A-T is slightly better quality.

sue

Sue Hulsether
shulsether at mac.com

www.suehulsether.com
608-632-1267  Cell
608-629-6250  Home
P.O. Box 363
Viroqua, WI 54665

> On Sep 5, 2016, at 10:12 PM, Kalia Kliban via Callers <callers at lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> 
> I sent this last week but got a message from Dave Casserly telling me the message had been marked as spam, so I'm guessing it mostly disappeared into everyone's lint filter.  I've read the previous threads on headsets going back to 2014 and there aren't a lot of specifics. JoLaine, if you're reading this, I'd love to know what model you use. You mentioned that it was a Shure and that you loved it.  And Rich Sbardella mentioned last year that his Shure had been giving him trouble.  Rich, what model is yours, and are you happy with your replacement?
> 
> Here's the mail from last week, to get those of you who didn't see it on the same page with those who did:
> 
> Hi all
> 
> I was just working a wedding gig and my old Samson headset mic crapped out.  If the piano player hadn't had hers along, I would have been in serious trouble.  Time for a new and more reliable headset mic.  I use my hands a LOT when I'm doing ONS gigs, so a handheld cordless isn't an option for me.
> 
> I'd love recommendations from any of you about specific models to look at.  I'm planning to plow the funds from this wedding and some of my caller piggy bank into a new mic, so I want something that's really good quality.  It doesn't have to be tiny and invisible, but it does need to be reliable and sturdy. If it doesn't have a belt pack that's a plus, but it seems like most of the good-quality headset mics have belt packs.  I'll deal with it if that's the best bet.  So, recommendations?
> 
> For reference, the one I was working with was a Samson Airline 77, often referred to as the "aerobic instructor mic."  It had the transmitter on the headset, so there were no wires or belt pack, and it worked just fine for a long time until suddenly it didn't.  I would like to hear what folks are using who rely on a headset mic for their calling gigs.
> 
> Kalia Kliban in Sebastopol, CA
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