Karaoke Forums

I use 2 Bose L1's with the tone match. I have 2 Shure58's and an audix OM5 mic wired and I love them. I would like a wireless set, but haven't found any good ones that 1) will last and 2) don't have a lot of feedback. Any suggestions?

You're going to get many different recommendations as to what people like. Remember, it's all very subjective. As for me, I use Digital Reference by Audio Technica. It's the 3600 series. You can usually get them for $250 from GC.

Here's a link:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Digital-Ref ... er-reviews

Now, about the mics...They're awesome. They have a natural crystal clear sound, are well made and have a good range. My customers will always choose to sing out of one vs a Shure SM58, and so will I.

Other popular options on here are the AKG WM40's and the Shure wireless. I've tried these well and in my opinion, the Digital Reference blows away the AKG and as far as the Shure goes, well that's a matter of preference.

I have 3 of these, I for me and 2 for the singers. The singers love them and like I said, when I did a test of both the DR and the Shure, the DR was the preferred mic.

I can't say enough good things about it. Audio Technica makes great stuff.

If feedback is a problem look for a super cardioid mic like the Shure Beta58 wireless. I have an old Shure wireless with the Beta58 element and it's an excellent mic, it makes my voice sound great. The Samson Q7 wired mic that I have has very low feedback problems, but I don't know which Samson wireless system uses that microphone element.

Where you position your speakers, what kind of speakers and how high you have the mic channel turned up all affect feedback. I have less feedback problems with my EV speakers than with other brands and when I'm behind them I have no problems at all. If my mixer is adjusted properly I can walk out in front of the speakers with no feedback with my Samson Q7 mic and sometimes even with my cheapo Nady DKW Duo wireless.

There has been a lot of excitement lately around here about the AKG WMS 40 PRO DUAL wireless system. For $250 you get a receiver and (2) microphones. From what I've read it sounds like the best deal out there for a high quality but reasonably priced wireless mic.

I got nothing but interference with the q7 wireless. Total piece of junk. Much happier with my AKG's.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

One other wireless mic that I've read good things about is the Line 6 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XDR955/. It's digital and from what I've read, that seems to be a good thing. I'm dying to try one out.

There are higher end wireless systems from Samson that use the Q7 element. My point was that it's an excellent mic and very low feedback. I'm getting rid of all of my wired mics and just going to use a couple Samson Q7s when I need wired mics. I'll have to research it to find out which higher end models use the Q7.

Also, you might want to decide how much you want to spend on a mic that drunks are going to be abusing (yelling into it, dropping it, etc.). Most of us are not comfortable handing over an expensive mic to one of these people. For that reason, some people have chosen to go the cheap route with a couple of Nady wireless mics for $50. That way, if something happens to them, it won't be as bad as losing your $300 mic because off some drunken a*****e.

Now, are the Nady's s**t? Of course they are, but that's the trade-off. So, your decision is do you want the sound quality of a better more expensive mic knowing the risks? Or do you go cheap and sacrifice sound quality and not worry if someone breaks it.

Indeed. The real question is -- do you want your show to have a feel of quality? If you don't care, and your show is entirely a party for drunks, then by all means go for the low-end wireless. Otherwise I recommend a higher-end product, with the AKG WMS40 or Shure PG288/PG58 as the bottom end of that spectrum.

The good news is that the worries about drunks and microphones are largely misplaced. The better microphones are more durable, and will tolerate drops and hits fairly well. The people with cheap microphones see theirs getting chewed up and think "Whew! It was a good thing that wasn't a good microphone." Well, if it had been a better microphone it wouldn't have suffered so much from the drop.

If you do 100 shows a year, and spend $300.00 for a pair of mics, that's $3.00 per show. For the $50.00 pair of mics, that's 50 cents a show. But at the end of that time, my bet is the better mics will still be in decent shape while the cheap pair will be worthless.

We've gotten 160+ shows out of our pair of AKG WMS40. They show no sign of quitting, and sound as good as the first day we had them.

Do you pay for quality? Sure. But you usually get something for the extra money. That's why they say "you get what you pay for".

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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.

That's not the point. Even though you've paid for "quality" do you still want to give these expensive mics to a bunch of drunks who have no respect for your equipment?

In my case, the venues that I've performed at have people who are more interested in singing then getting drunk and making fools out of themselves, so I use my $300 microphones. And even at that, I still worry about the ocassional drunk (s) who could care less about your equipment.

You may have a $3000.00 mixer that's built like a tank but would you still want some drunken a-hole to come up and lean over it with a drink in their hand? Or better yet lay their drink on the table next to it? After all, you get what you pay for and it shoud'nt be damaged if something spills, right?

So again, it's not about how good the equipment is, it's about letting expensive equipment be abused. I know I would'nt want it. But then again, I won't work for a venue whose main clientele consists of drunks.

One time, when I was using corded mics, some idiot started to swing it around by the cord and it came flying off. I had to punch this guy's face out. Just kidding, but he was banned from singing the rest of the night.

One final analagy: You let a friend of yours borrow your car. This friend can't parallel park for s**t. Everytime, he uses it he puts some dents in it. But wait, the car still runs and drives fine, just looks all dented up. Under these circumstances, would you still let your friend continue to borrow your expensive car?

Sure it is. It is my point. It may not be yours.


Sure. They seem to survive.


I don't usually use wireless mics at bar venues. Not so much because I am worried about them breaking, nor even because I don't want the singers walking all over the bar raising heck. I like the idea of a "show" where there is an "audience". The sitting-at-the-table-singing "show" doesn't do it for me.

They only go to singers in the one venue, where we have plenty of drunk people but they are adults and are not (usually) out of control.


Completely different situation, and I don't grant the analogy.

It may be that conditions are different in different parts of the country at different types of places. In my area, it is rare to see people of any age so disrespectful that they will abuse equipment on purpose. Of course my area is more Midwestern and even the "big city" is less big city. If people are abusing equipment and won't stop when I ask them to -- which has happened to me about twice -- I just turn off the sound and collect the microphone.

Again, this is what works for me. Penalizing the vast majority of respectful singers, and cheapening my show, with crappy sound because of being afraid of the actions of a few jerks isn't the way I prefer to live my life. You can certainly feel free to live yours that way.

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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.

I put the speakers side/behind me because they are BOSE L1 towers and I don't want any drunks to start strip teasing on the poles! I am willing to spend $$ because mics are going to get dropped regardless and I want a tough casing. I would like the wireless mainly for my use, but also customers if they prefer it. Has anyone had any experience with the Bose speakers I'm talking about? I may try the Line 6's or the Q7......Nady--absolutely not--lot's of interference and I ended up breaking the damn thing myself!

Just decided after reading up --I'm going with the LIne 6's. Thanks everybody. I'll report back on how they do!

Who here has ever stated they used a $3000 mixer Love it when people just make up a rediculous number to try to prove their claim.
As far as the OP goes, Carvin actually makes a pretty decent mic. I used one last Sunday & was very surprised at it's sound quality.
http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/s ... -MC&cid=36

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I posted that I had used one recently as well, and was pleasantly surprised. It also seems pretty durable.

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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.

Quoting the Carvin Wireless and not the $3000 mixer - correct?

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I know, don't you just hate that?

Carvin makes some pretty top quality stuff.. they don't get the recognition simply because most don't recognize the name, it isn't inexpensive in price, and you can't really 'try before you buy' since they're sold only direct from a catalog.

But everything i've ever gotten a hold of from Carvin has been top rate stuff.

In the wireless microphone debate, one must really consider what they want in a microphone.

For me, I want something that works well, is durable, and doesn't cost a bunch of money.

If I were playing top end clubs, getting paid $400 a night, and had nothing but pro singers who were respectful of my equipment, i'd buy top dollar mics.

I, however, play juke joints and dives with crowds of largely good time drunks who often drop mics, swing 'em around by the cords, spit in the mics as they sing, etc.

So while I can appreciate the quality of a $5,000 wireless rack mount 2 microphone wireless system, like the Shure UR24D/BETA87A Dual Handheld Wireless System from MusicansFriend.com (Actual price is $5,119.00) that's more than I paid for my friggin car. If I had a set of mics that cost that kind of money, no way i'd want drunks spitting into them or dropping them, no matter how resilient or well constructed they are.

If I had a set of mics that cost $500 ($250 a mic) there's no way i'd want drunks spitting into them or dropping them, either.

So for me, I try to find a balance between low price, decent sound for the venues i'm playing, and durability.

I'm still looking.

Well for the record, the O1V that I use was $2500 brand new.

Regarding Carvin, they do make some quality stuff, I'd put them at about the same level as Mackie as far as their overall quality. They make some really nice stuff at a good price. No you can't try before buy, however everything I've heard is that they'll do everything they can to make sure your satisfied and if you're still not, they're very good about returns.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Yes, I sang through that Carvin wireless mic and liked it a lot.

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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.

I agree with this 100%. The whole "I'm not going to buy $300 Shure mics to have some drunk drop & ruin them" line drives me nuts. SM58's, wired OR wireless are no fragile flowers. I am confident I could throw one of my wireless 58's out my second story window and other than being dented, would still perform just fine. Mine have been dropped MANY times and keep on rockn'. Replace the ball & good as new.