Karaoke Forums

The FCC will take another step toward assigning additional TV whitespace to broadband technology with a commission vote on Sept 23. The so-called Super Wifi proposal will open up whitespace, presumably in the VHF band, to be used for a high-powered, low interference wireless broadband internet service. I haven't been able to find actual confirmation from the FCC on the proposed frequencies but from what I understand the targeted frequency ranges will be 60-120 and 180-210 Mhz. The latter band covers much of the spectrum that many VHF wireless microphones use today.

So if you're considering a new wireless microphone purchase, it would probably be worth your while to do some more research on this topic. I'm going to try and find the exact text of the proposal to see if I can confirm the frequencies in question here. For me personally, I hope this is accurate because then it won't affect me (all my mics are UHF). Be an educated consumer, you may want to hold off on any purchases in this realm until you're able to confirm that they won't be affected by this potential action.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Line6 has an interesting approach to this problem. They have developed a line of 2.4GHz digital mics that, by all reports I've read so far, are quite robust in busy RF environments, and are affordable for karaoke at about $500 per unit. They have also included antenna combiners and paddle power in the base units, and there are 6 and 12 channel versions.

I think my next investment in wireless will be in products like these, though I am a bit concerned about handing a musician a mic that says Line6 instead of Sennheiser or Shure.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

i use the x2 (later bought by line 6) from my board to my Bose, never one single issue. tested the mics when they first came in (was still working for GC) and through the whole building and warehouse didnt even get static from what the other emp. told me. not the greatest mic i have ever heard, but will keep up with a 58 for sure.

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

I've heard varying opinions on the X2/Line6 Mics. I've heard some complain about the latency while others say it's almost unnoticeable. The quality of the mic itself has also been called into question in a few places but overall the reviews have been pretty good. IDK I might have to try out a kit and see for myself.

It's definitely the direction everything is headed (hell we've already got digital snakes) but there's definitely a lot of work to be done before digital signals are the norm.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I believe the spec latency is under 4ms, which is similar to 48kHz A/D/A conversion when using a digital console. Maybe enough to be distracting for IEM users if there is another A/D/A conversion happening in the console and IEM rig, but not when using wedges.


The mic itself will accept several capsules from Shure, Heil, and Audix. I've read good things about the stock capsule, but it's nice that they make it easy to switch to another one which is more familiar to performers.

I don't think these things are going to see any use with even B-level bands (though I think, as you say, the technology is headed this way) but for karaoke, this looks like a really good product and a safe investment in 2.4GHz-band transmission.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

don't know about the mic latency, but i have no noticable latency with the bodypack system i am using. the digital idea with no companding and full 20 - 20k bandwith definately seems to put this idea as a strong contender. i was not aware of the ability to switch capsules. hmmmm.....zero compression wireless with a nice audix OM5 capsule... interresting possibilities

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens