HOW DO WIRELESS MICROPHONES WORK?

Wireless microphones have two parts: a transmitter and a receiver.

The receiver is generally a small box connected to your sound system. It receives the signal from the transmitter, like a radio receives the signal from a radio station transmitter. A basic wireless microphone receiver does not have an amplifier and speakers built in, instead it connects to an amplifier or mixer as if it was a normal microphone. (For all-in-one systems which do have a wireless mic receiver built in with the amplifier and speaker, see below). The receiver is normally powered with an external power supply plugged into a 240 volt power point.

The receiver needs to receive the signal on the same frequency as the transmitter is transmitting on.

Most quality receivers are capable of receiving many channels, but they need to be tuned into the same channel as the transmitter (like your radio needs to be tuned into the same channel as the station you want to listen to.) Generally the transmitter and receiver are a matched pair supplied from the same manufacturer. The government specifies what frequencies can be used by wireless microphones. In Australia, it is now illegal to use wireless microphones which use frequencies in the 694 -820Mhz band.

The transmitter is what the person speaking uses. The transmitter comes in two forms: either built into the handheld microphone, or contained in a belt-pack that a tie-clip or headset microphone plugs in to. While it is possible to have both a handheld and belt-pack transmitter work with the one receiver, you can not use them both at the same time. It is best to have a receiver for each transmitter you want to use.

A transmitter normally requires batteries to power it. Some wireless microphone transmitters use 9 volt batteries, but it is common for them to use “AA” batteries these days.

WHICH MICROPHONE IS BEST FOR ME?

Which microphone is best for your will depends on the intended use, the required range and your budget. SSi regularly supply Shure and Mipro wireless microphone to our customers. Please contact us to discuss your situation and together we can select the right wireless microphone system for you. We are also able to supply spares parts for Chiayo brand wireless microphones.

PORTABLE PA SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS MICROPHONE

If you are are marriage celebrant, auctioneer, funeral director, school teacher, fitness instructor or have need for a portable PA system with a built in wireless microphone, SSi have a solution for you. We are able to supply small light-weight systems suitable for around 50 people, up to heavy-duty systems suitable for a couple of hundred people. Most of these systems are battery operated and very flexible. They are capable of being used with hand held wireless microphones or with tie-clip or headset wireless microphones. There are also options for playing CDs, MP3s or music directly from a USB memory stick.

Please contact us to discuss which solution is best for you.