Karaoke Forums

I used to hate the wired mics at my venue..

They were cheap, the cords we had would frequently go out, and they always had a hissing noise. At the time we used unbalanced 1/4" and I didn't really know about things like XLR, SM58's etc.

We went through several sets of wireless mics over the years. Folks would always drop them, they'd mysteriously vanish, they'd break. We used rechargable Nicd batteries, and when those were fresh we'd get a full night out of one on our first set of mics (A samson maybe?) Later on though we upgraded to some older PG58's, and those bad boys would drain a 9v in less than 2.5 hours of use, which meant swapping batteries at some point of the night.

I think the battery swapping kind of killed it for me. Folks singing into an unpowered mic and giving me strange looks. Being powerless to do anything because all the batteries were run down and drained.

So after 4 or 5 years of this I went back to a wired mic. People drop those too, and they tend to drag the cord around the room so I got a mic stand and taped the mic to the stand. I also left the cord intentionally to short to go off the stage. Folks broke the mic stands by picking them up and slamming the weight on the bottom against the floor. Again, I came up with a solution by buying a big thick dowel rod, cutting it to 4 or 5 inches and epoxying it inside the pipe at the base, it's kept our latest $20 mic stand alive for a while now.

I'm not sure what other peoples experiences are. I've seen folks post about how amazed they are they had a 30+ rotation last weekend, this is every week for me. I'm not bragging, I'm just trying to point out that when you have that many people abusing the equipment every weekend, you eventually have to figure out how to corral things to keep damage to a minimum.

I do have regulars that are great to the equipment. I just had to throw that out there.

So has anyone else reached the conclusion I have? Wireless mics are just a waste of money, and give the singer to much freedom to break your stuff?

I have one wireless mike that i keep for myself and a few select singers that I trust.
As far as everything else, I provide my singers with Audix and Sure mics that really take a beating. They cost more but they are very much up to the task. As for mic cables, I use monster cables (their warranty is is free replacement). I haven't had to replace one yet.

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No venue to big or too small. From your den to the local club or event, we have the music most requested. Great sounding system!

If you don't put out cordless mics, nobody misses them. I have 3 SM58s up front. If I go to a show and they offer a cordless and a corded SM58, I always opt for the 58. Just a better sound. I have cordless 58s that I put out on stage for years - Shure is great about replacing things and I've had to send them back for repairs. Hubby commandeered one of them for the band so I have one now and I use it only, don't put it out for singers. Most don't care - SM58s provide such great sound. And BTW, many shows with cheap cordless mics battle feedback all night.

Toqer

I have "all kinds" of mics. Wired/wireless, cheap, not so cheap. I also have a good headset.

I can't say that there is one answer that fits all.

Usually, I have at least two wired mics at every show. Where I need to get several mics out into a crowd, and can't worry about wires tripping people and the like, I have cheap wireless mics for such occasions.

I am very familiar and comfortable with how the cheap wireless mics respond in different environments and "rarely" is feedback an issue, although admittedly, I am always on the alert for it!

My experience has been that the mics that use 9V batteries will easily make it through a show without changing the batteries if the batteries are fresh at the start of the show. And while I have had mics die, it rarely happens. And when it does, I immediately hand over another mic. And, as you can see, I have plenty to choose from in that regard!

Worse case, I'll give over my Shure wireless, but I try not to make a habit of letting others use it. Aside from concerns about damage, it is the mic I use throughout the show and when I give it up I have to find something else to use when the song is done and I am waiting to retrieve the mic!

I don't know if that helps or it is too damn confusing?

I love my wireless mics. Some of my regulars love them, some wouldn't care one way or the other. To me they're just so much easier. No long cords to run, don't have to worry about the cords getting twisted (especially when there's 4 mics on stage at once), I can keep them by me when not in use, the list goes on.

Batteries are a concern but I've got it down to a science. The PG58s will last me two shows on a single battery. Turning them off when not in use only extends the life.

Ultimately, I wouldn't trade my wireless for wired if for no other reason than the convenience to me as the host.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Nope my wireless mics rule.

I moved to High end Shure mics.

Shure ULXP

http://www.pssl.com/Shure-ULXP2458-Sm58 ... Mic-System

I expect to get 3 years each out of them. With 5 shows a night they cost me $1 a night. quite inexpensive.

They sound great and I still have my last 4 shure mics from 6 years ago. Not one of them ever broke.

I have come to the conclusion the only karaoke host that don't use good wireless mics ARE CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rumbolt: I sort of feel the same way but... If I let one person use them, everyone wants to use them.

Karen: word

Tovmod: I was more or less looking to see if anyone else had reached the same conclusion I had. Thanks for your insights though. Maybe I just haven't found the right combination of rechargeable 9v battery yet.

Tony: I agree, the convenience and tangle free is originally why I went with wireless mics. I also contend there's a safety issue because sometimes jackasses like to swing mics by the cords. Again though, it's why I'm keeping SM58's permanently attached to mic stands on short leashes now.

Cam: Big big response for you... OK I'm not asking what would you do in this situation, I'm asking what can you do? Please fast forward to about 1:25 in the following video.
[youtube]0mlUb7JuwTU[/youtube]

Do you stomp your feet, kill their song and yell "SONG OVER YOU JUST DROPPED MY $900 MIC!" I mean jeesh, I did that before and look what happened on yelp.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/7-bamboo-san-jo ... O-6QhKnOsg

" A pretty important guy from our UK office was in town and we decided to sing Bon Jovi. We got through about 4 lines of the song when my friend managed to throw the microphone by accident. He got so excited and waved his arms around, but mistakenly dropped the mike.

The Karaoke guy flipped his lid completely. Stopped the song, and screamed out "THAT'S A FOUR HUNDRED DOLLAR MISTAKE BUDDY!"

I mean I dunno cam, I'm watching that video 2 years later as an older, maturer toqer and I still see the same thing, the mic getting bounced off the ceiling so hard it flies out into the crowd, accident or not it was careless.

So again cam I ask, what *can* you do? With Yelp you just can't tell folks to take a hike anymore. You really have to mind your P's and Q's.

I just don't see how trying to avoid that kind of equipment abuse is cheap.

I'd say, put a wrist strap on it like a camera... that way if they drop it, most likely it will not hit the floor...

I factor the cost of replacement in for genuine mistakes. I've dropped microphones before. It happens, it's frustating but to complain about a customer with sweaty hands (YUK) letting a microphone slip is a bit harsh. As I see it there are two options buy cheap wired so you can afford to replace them, or buy a really good microphone and hope that it bounces well.

My biggest frustation this year was when the taxi driver dropped my compressor. But it was a genuine mistake a costly one, but no-one was to blame, It could have happened to me or my regular driver.

I will ban anyone who throws a microphone deliberately, and I will stop the music for mic bangers I use wireless since a lot of my customers prefer them, but I would recomend a wired SM58 to any show looking to avoid stress. I love the two I own, especially when they bounce.

Not at all. I think my wireless mics are one of, if not THE best investment I've made in my entire rig. I bought two Shure SM58's and while not intentionally abused, they have definitely been put through their paces. I use 2700Mah NiMH rechargeable AA's that go all night long with plenty of power to spare. They have been dropped of course...it happens. I've replaced dented grilles three times, but they just keep on rockin'.

Nice video. Just for an fyi, I use 2 wired sm58's and have a wireless sm58 for myself or select others, that will treat it right. If that ever happened, yep...MrD is quite certain "flip my lid" would be an understatement!!! There NO excuse for that....I can handle a accident, that is a total careless and lack of respect for the equipment.

MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

So, where do I fit into your theory?

I might be in the minority here, but I look at what happened there as just simply part of the job. The guy didn't appear to throw it intentionally. He''s drunk in a bar, isn't that what bars are for? I just look at it as an occupational hazard that has to be contended with if I'm going to continue to play the bar scene. Mics will get dropped (whether wireless or wired), lord knows I've done it myself. This is why I chose to go with the PG58's rather than additional SLX or ULX units. Balancing the cost against the quality and thinking ahead to the fact that people will drop them once in a while. Quite honestly, for as often as they're used, the instances of them getting dropped have been extremely rare.

In the situation above, I'd not have stopped the song or flipped or anything. I'd have probably shot them a look and maybe joked with them afterward and expressed to them my request that they be a little more careful. But really what did he do wrong? He was having fun at Karaoke and made a mistake, I can't see getting all bent out of shape over it. Ultimately this is what I have equipment and liability insurance for.

Now, the case of someone intentionally attempted to damage a microphone or use it as a projectile, is of course a completely different story. One that would be met by me with immediate and harsh reaction. Including never allowing the person near one of my mics again.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Well, I went back and watched it again..

Tony, I may have come across a bit harsh on the reaction, although NOT appearingly intentional...still stand by my lack of respect for your equipment. Yes, it is a bar..things get dropped, broken...I totally get that. This was more than that. Judging by the tv and the mic, this wasn't a kids karaoke party at chucky cheese...with a cassette player and $15 dual wireless mics.

MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

I've had folks that intentionally dropped mics at the end of a performance. I just don't have any video of it happening. I still do live vid, but I quit recording it a while back.

I have a Shure Performance Grade PG58 wireless ($225 ebay) and a PGX4/SM58 ($320 ebay). Both have been dropped. The PG58 needed a new cartridge to fix which cost $65. Why I didn't upgrade it then to the SM58 cartridge for $95 I don't know. The PG58 uses 9V batteries ans I use ANSMANN 250mA batteries and ANSMANN charger which when new would last for a 4 hour show. Now they last about 3 hours after around a year of use. My SM58 wireless takes AA batteries (much better) and I am using the Sanyo eneloop batteries and charger (starter pack from Costco). The AAs are much better and the extra $100 on the mic will eventually be recouped in battery savings. The AAs are lasting for 7-8 hours or more. It's a lot easier to get AAs in an emergency from almost anywhere where as the 9Vs are not always available at the gas station on the way to the gig.

With your gig toqer I would say that wired mics work just fine, as do my wireds for the most part. I will let anyone use my wireless if they ask for it but prefer keeping them tied to the stage with the wires.

My biggest problem is people cupping the mic which actually happens more on the wireds than the wireless.

- Jonn

I have yet to lose a Shure to breakage, but Shure will repair my PGX heads for a fixed charge. The receiver isn't going to be broke. I buy the $5.00 SM58 balls to replace dented ones -- that has certainly happened.

I do not give the good Shures to obvious drunks. We have some AKG WMS40 used for that purpose.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Currently I use 2 inexpensive wireless mics and have no problems with either BATTERY USAGE or QUALITY OF SOUND. In the past I've had one dropped and broken and the manger of the bar paid for a new one. SWEET!!

I'll use wired mics if I have to but find them messy and just a HORROR to make sure people don't pull them or trip on them and then when I did use them the cords would get all dirty and gummy from people walking on them , spilling beer on the floor etc etc.

I think if I had a $600 wirless mic broken I would feel differently -- But I don't use $600 mics for Karaoke.

<sarcasm> that's because you're CHEAP </endsarcasm>

I don't believe that. If cheap wireless mics were near as good, no one would buy good ones.

They sound terrible, those mics.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.