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How to set up a Wireless Microphone?
Caption: Cordless Microphone with a wireless transmitter
In a typical microphone system, a few components are essential. These are
- Microphone
- Transmitter
- Receiver
Usually, the wireless microphones have built-in transmitters, or they can be in a separate bodypack unit with specific battery life. Also, the receiver may have one or more antennas, and it is connected to a sound mixer. Remember to correctly set the transmitter and receiver on the same radio frequency to catch the mic signals.
Thus, in digital wireless systems, the microphone captures the sound waves and sends them to a transmitter that may be built-in or held separately in the box. The transmitter then forwards these signals to the receiver, processing the sound and sending it further to a speaker.
Ulta-high frequency band or UHF band runs at a maximum range of 470 MHz to 698 MHz T.V. band. The 2.4 GHz band, also labeled as the new generation digital signals, works in the frequency range of 2.400 GHz to 2.430 GHz. These two types are the wireless signal transmissions that many microphone manufacturers use nowadays for quality audio performance.
How 2.4 GHz Wireless Mic Systems Challenge UHFs?
Caption: Translator Cubicle Interpreting Microphone Switchboard
Here are some pros and cons of a simple 2.4 GHz spectrum system that you must consider before choosing it over the UHF.
Pros
2.4 GHz Wireless Microphones: Simple to Operate
Most buyers purchase these 2.4 GHz systems as they are easier to understand and use. As the locations of WIFI channels are predictable, it allows you to sniff out the occupied frequencies easily. Moreover, 2.4 GHz offers better communication with the other mics since its microchips are more sophisticated than the typical UHF chips with less MHz spectrum.
Also, the 2.4 GHz mic systems do not work on the F.M. modulation technology. Instead, they use digital signals to pass the information. Hence, they become less affected by intermodulation that can damage the UHF channel band.
As the technologies are upgrading, professional mic manufacturers such as Shure, Sennheiser, AKG, and Line6 have tuned them at an acceptable level of latency to work better than just sending the audio outputs over the WIFI signals.
International Compliance
Another thing that makes these 2.4 GHz digital microphones on demand is that you can use them in any country without purchasing a license. On the other hand, if you use UHF frequency bands, you will see that not every country has synchronized these signals—also, the rules change from country to country.
Moreover, in some countries, for example, the U.K., you must have a permanent or temporary license to operate professional UHF equipment. Still, you cannot take a licensed wireless device from the U.K. and use it in the U.S., as it will be illegal according to United States laws. 2.4 GHz mic systems save you from all the regulatory confusion.
Price
Since the 2.4 GHz range chips use smaller wavelengths, manufacturers can benefit greatly. Hence, these systems will use smaller antennas and electronic systems for superior performance. You will get a reasonable price for the same audio quality UHF may provide you.
Cons
Channel Count
A 2.4 GHz system may give you a good sound experience in an ideal environment but limited channel count. Some press releases state that even the EW-D1 wireless transmitter offers eight channels or 15. As the chip operates on less spectrum, it cannot provide a media pool to you.
Moreover, the 2.4 GHz gets crowded with WIFI and Bluetooth, so you may not get all the spectrum for yourself.
2.4 GHz Wireless Microphones: Range and In-line attenuation
A UHF may provide you with a more excellent range than a typical 2.4 GHz system in the same transmission power and other conditions. However, the 2.4 GHz system may have more powerful transmitters to compensate for the loss.
Moreover, you can use a directional antenna to improve the range. But if you use the 2.4 GHz system with long cables, the stable transmission will likely affect it.
Latency
In all professional-grade mics at 2.4 GHz, latency is slightly higher than a UHF mic. However, since the microphones are digital, they do not affect the sound quality. Latency might only be an issue when you are recording a broadcast, or a person observes the critical sound monitor delay.
I.T. department Wrath
2.4 GHz system uses the same brand as your WIFI signals. So, if you are using such mics in a place where it is interfering with the WIFI connections of people, you may be asked to put your device away,
Hence, you need to be careful and calibrate these systems under strict supervision so that you do not interfere with someone’s network.
Caption: Typical wireless mics
Conclusion
2.4 GHz mic systems challenge the typical UHFs in many ways. These two are different, so choosing them may depend on your application and audio signal. The 2.4 GHz systems are a good option if you need a few channels with no regulations. However, you can go for UHF if you need more media, but you have to take a license.
