Hello all,

I am enlisting your help here. The time has come for me to purchase a new radio microphone. I currently have a Trantec s1000,

What i know?

Im not using radio mic's for my karaoke so i dont need a real good mic for vocals. I dont really understand the diffeence between the mics except for UHF is better and clearer singing etc.

Could someone explain the different capsule's. Also what are you all using out their? Am i mainly paying for the name trantec if i go that route? sennheiser?

Also i have heard the name Audio technica bounced around?

Any advise would be appreciated.

I want a good quality mic, with a good range for the kids parties.

Chris i presume you stock radio mic's your input on prices would be great.

My budget is about £100-200

Thanks in advance

I upgraded from the affordable, then industry standard Trantec to a Sennheiser around 18 months ago. I don't do vocals either , but I did start doing a residency at a club, where I chose to use my own mic, and I must admit that the difference in Audio quality was amazing.

Don't get me wrong, the Trantec gave me many years of faithful service, but when you spend a little bit more you can notice the difference. At the end of the day, you can only justify it by the usage you do. It would be pointless spending £400 on a mic if you only use it for shouting last orders, however, I was / am doing many functions where going out with a Mic was required on a fairly regular basis so I felt the purchase was justified.

VHF / UHF doesn't really affect the Vocal / Mic Quality - that issue comes down to the insert used in the actual pick up of the mic. UHF tends to travel further, and is on a higher frequency spectrum so less likely to "Drop Out" although the use of PLL circuits even on VHF Mics tend to make signal drop outs a rare occurance.

Since the majority of artises / D.J's are still with VHF systems, by using a UHF mic you are less likely to experience intereference to another system on the same frequency if you use your mic in a hotel with more than 1 function room / DJ / Singer . Most higher priced VHF and nearly all UHF Mics now have the facility to change channel should this occur.

At the end of the Day its your choice - I do recommend the Sennheiser systems - I don't think that I would go back to a Trantec now, however if I was just starting out, or didn't do much Mic work, then I wouldn't spend the £££ required.

Lower priced Audio Technica Mics tend to be very similar to the cheaper Trantec Systems, and I'm not a big fan of their Budget UHF System - which is exactly what it is - BUDGET.

Equally if your current Mic Works, and is reliable then why change?.

For me, Im frequently wandering past my speakers, to an from the audience. To avoid howling feedback, I went for the Shure SM58.

Also, for good "interuption free" reception, I went for a diversity (two frequencies with two aerials on the receiver)

Also, I expected that there would be times when the two x 1foot aerials on the reciever might not be enough, so I chose a receiver with "standard" aeria connectors with two mag mount aerials available as accesscories.

Whether or not YOU see youself needing all those features is obviously unknown to me, but hopefully, theres a few options there to consider.

I don't know what others on this forum have heard about the AKG WMS40 radio mics... but from what I hear, they've had a good press from end users.

Could anyone clarify or confirm this as I may be getting the budget WMS40 or the WMS80 in the future.

Cheers,

DJJ

Lower priced AKGs... I dont think much of..... trantec are better. The build quality and switches are troublesome... I had a medium priced one (cant remember the model) but I didnt like it...... Now use a senheisser evolution mic.... spot on! Sure range are looking good too!

I also use the seinheiser evolution range, the ew100's.
I regularly use a system of four of them and am using an 8 way system next month.
They are excellent mics and I have never had any problems with them, just remember to check the battery life before using them because they can go from max RF signal to dead in no time at all.

im an Evolution user too! i have only ever had one problem with it and that was due to a dodgy sound man really so not the mics fault.

the thing also is that VHFis used by cab drivers and i have been at 'dodgy discos' and the cabs pulling up at the venue have caused interferance so be carefull there

very simply rectified... just change the frequency!

To be honest, I cant say I have ever had interference from a taxi or cb user - in 13 years ! The only time I have ever had a problem is when either an mc or band have used a radio mic on the same frequency as mine... which is very simple to rectify!

Never had a problem with my tv either... perhaps thats because taxis cant park that close to my house!

You need a system with a 4 or more frequency change system. Models which have 4, 16 or 32 bands to choose from.

sennheiser evolution weirless 100 radio mic very nice bit of kit

Agree on Senheisser being the best. I use an evolution 100 too, they are absolutely superb. I personally dont like the shure SM58, but its all down to personal preference!!

they are a good basic mic but cant live up to sennheiser

well after using both sure sm68 corded and wireless as well as the trantec ones, i prefer the shure to trantec. but as kingy says that might just be personal taste

Ste