Radio Mics....

[Revelationroadshow 0]

Currently own a JTS UHF mic and a Shure SM58 VHF....

 

Both are used for wedding guests to do speaches. Generally, I use a 2nd PA for the amplification - this has been a set of Carlsboro Gamma 8 actives until now which are being replaced with JBL Control 2.4G wireless.

 

Now my problem. The JTS is fine, but is really really directional and really only at it's best close to mouth, head angled correctly. I can get away with the "I've never used a mic before" dad's with the Carlsboro's, but really don't have the headroom on the JBL's.

 

The Shure does seem to be much better and pics up much better from further away, or with an odd angle, but the one I have seems to suffer from drop outs. Not sure if this is simply because it's VHF or because it's a bit old!

 

So looking for some suggestions for a really sensitive radio mic with a fairly wide pick up. Happy to consider 2nd hand if that means better quality for less money.

 

Budget? Cheap as possible? Well OK, would ideally be looking at no more than £100 2nd hand, maybe a little more new. Happy with VHF if that's not the cause of my drop out.

 

Any ideas?

[superstardeejay 0]

I assume you're talking license-free here. If so, then UHF generally performs much better than VHF for technical reasons...at least on the RF side of things. The audio side of course depends on the capsule not the RF performance. Both UHF and VHF license free are restricted on the ERP they can transmit.

 

If you like the SM58 head for pickup, then why not get an SM58 on a UHF transmitter? That way you get the best audio and the best RF.

 

 

[Revelationroadshow 0]

I assume you're talking license-free here. If so, then UHF generally performs much better than VHF for technical reasons...at least on the RF side of things. The audio side of course depends on the capsule not the RF performance. Both UHF and VHF license free are restricted on the ERP they can transmit.

 

If you like the SM58 head for pickup, then why not get an SM58 on a UHF transmitter? That way you get the best audio and the best RF.

 

Two reasons. 1, not sure my budget will stretch to a UHF and secondly wanted to see if there was any better options that would give me a better pick up option (if that makes sense)

[Norfolk DJ 0]

 

Go for the Kam Radio Mic. I will let you know the model number. Three of us local DJ's bought a set last year. They are very very good indeed. I think i paid about £80.

 

It's light on battery useageas well.

 

Rob

[Revelationroadshow 0]

Go for the Kam Radio Mic. I will let you know the model number. Three of us local DJ's bought a set last year. They are very very good indeed. I think i paid about £80.

 

It's light on battery useageas well.

 

Rob

 

No offence Rob, but having used Kam, Soundlab and the other budget brands, it's exactly why I'm after a Shure, Sennheiser, AKG or similar. Honestly, I know you have to pay a little more, or (as I hinted), make do with 2nd hand, but there is such a massive difference between the "budget" and these.

 

I'll lend you my current SM58 sometime - you'll never go back!

[Norfolk DJ 0]

No offence Rob, but having used Kam, Soundlab and the other budget brands, it's exactly why I'm after a Shure, Sennheiser, AKG or similar. Honestly, I know you have to pay a little more, or (as I hinted), make do with 2nd hand, but there is such a massive difference between the "budget" and these.

 

I'll lend you my current SM58 sometime - you'll never go back!

 

Matt, these Kam Radio Mics are exceptional for the money. I've used a Sennheiser recently and the KAM does hold it's own against it. Really good mic for the cash.

[Revelationroadshow 0]

Matt, these Kam Radio Mics are exceptional for the money. I've used a Sennheiser recently and the KAM does hold it's own against it. Really good mic for the cash.

 

But you'll apreciate my reluctance.

 

Seriously, try the SM58 and then tell me the Kam is great! lol!

 

BTW, did you get the model number?

[TonyB 0]

But you'll apreciate my reluctance.

 

Seriously, try the SM58 and then tell me the Kam is great! lol!

 

BTW, did you get the model number?

 

I have and it is

[Norfolk DJ 0]

But you'll apreciate my reluctance.

 

Seriously, try the SM58 and then tell me the Kam is great! lol!

 

BTW, did you get the model number?

 

Matt

 

KAM KWM 1932 - I used it on a couple of Race Nights at The Cliff Hotel last year. I was surprised how good it was. Generally I prefer a corded mic but like others on here I use a Radio Mic for presentations.

 

Rob

 

 

 

[superstardeejay 0]

You could try the shure pg58, similar response to the sm58 but the body feels a little more plasticky.

 

http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=3333&cat=301

 

 

 

 

[Norfolk DJ 0]

I have and it is

 

best of all I picked a new one up on Ebay for £60

[Revelationroadshow 0]

OK, I'm getting the love for KAM here - so does it do what I want it to do - in my original post I mentioned the need for a high level of sensitivity and quite a wide pickup pattern....

 

I do feel I need to explain though. Other than the 3d cluster, I have had particularly poor experiance of KAM gear - my residency has a Kam MIXER and twin CD decks installed and they are SO bad I take my own to use when I work there. It just doesn't fill me with confidence.

 

That said, I am still keen to get some more thoughts on other options (aside from the KAM). If I had the cash there would be little discussion as it would be an SM58 UHF, but as I don't, further suggestions would be welcome.

 

For example, the Sennheiser Freeport, I believe Carlsboro does a fairly good value mic and I have never tried AKG either....

[Kingy 0]

I have no Kam equipment on my inventory.

 

And never will have.

 

And IMHO the radio mics are pants.

[UKHero 0]

OK, I'm getting the love for KAM here - so does it do what I want it to do - in my original post I mentioned the need for a high level of sensitivity and quite a wide pickup pattern....

 

I do feel I need to explain though. Other than the 3d cluster, I have had particularly poor experiance of KAM gear - my residency has a Kam MIXER and twin CD decks installed and they are SO bad I take my own to use when I work there. It just doesn't fill me with confidence.

 

That said, I am still keen to get some more thoughts on other options (aside from the KAM). If I had the cash there would be little discussion as it would be an SM58 UHF, but as I don't, further suggestions would be welcome.

 

For example, the Sennheiser Freeport, I believe Carlsboro does a fairly good value mic and I have never tried AKG either....

 

The problem is Mic's are a very personal thing I love the Sennheiser UHF radio mic's even over the SM58..

 

The best thing to do is go to a DJ shop and try some out even the KAM one that has been suggested.

 

But also look at your EQ and try to ring out some of the hot frequencies when setting the mic up for others to use.

 

Nik

[deejaymitch 0]

I have corded SM58s and so, when I recently had the opportunity to use some wireless SM58's, I was excited. They did the job but, in my humble opinion, were not as good as the KAM KWM1940, which is a twin Wireless Mic set at a fraction of the cost of one big brand radio mic.

 

The only negative thing I can say about the KWM1940 is that the receiver doesn't look as good as some of their other units. But the sound quality is great and I've never had a problem with feedback or interference.

[supersound dj 0]

Mitch is right I have the duel Kam radio mikes and they are as Mitch says and great on batteries and cheap too.

[Dream Catchers 0]

I have a pair of KAM mics that get used for karaoke and speeches, they have worked faultlessly.

They have a nice weight to them too.

 

Jim

[Revelationroadshow 0]

I have corded SM58s and so, when I recently had the opportunity to use some wireless SM58's, I was excited. They did the job but, in my humble opinion, were not as good as the KAM KWM1940, which is a twin Wireless Mic set at a fraction of the cost of one big brand radio mic.

 

The only negative thing I can say about the KWM1940 is that the receiver doesn't look as good as some of their other units. But the sound quality is great and I've never had a problem with feedback or interference.

 

I have to say the comments you made about the wireless SM58 supprised me. I would have to say that my VHF SM58 wireless absolutely walks all over my much more expensive JTS UHF. As I have been saying from the start, if I had the money there would be no question, SM58 UHF all the way. The sound quality in IMHO in a league of it's own, the problem I have with mine is the drop outs and that's something I really can'y have when I'm using it for wedding speeches.

 

I am wondering if the drop outs are simply a fault on my unit - does anyone else use VHF SM58's.

 

Also, thank you so much to all the KAM supporters. It has been noted and I have had a little look, but would seriously apreciate some thoughts from useds of alternatives. Plus, noone has told me if the KAM (or any other brand / model) will give me the sensitivity and angle I need (and I understamd about the EQ bit, so no worries!)

 

Many thanks

[Dream Catchers 0]

For me the KAMs have a pretty good pick up area. The angle of the mic isn't that critical and the distance from the mouth is OK up to about 4".

If you look at the tech spec sheets for the mics it will tell you how uni directional the mic is.

 

Jim

[Paul Forsyth 0]

I have a set of the KAM 1940 radio mics and find them very good, however I did find that occasionally i did get blind spots and therefore embarrassing drop out.

 

I still use the KAMs for occassional Karaoke, but for speeches I have invested in a Shure UHF dual diversity radio mic (the KAMs are UHF but single diversity) - The Shure is a great sound and never had any drop out........... but the price is way over your budget new, not sure what you could pick a second hand system up for though.

 

 

[YourBigEvent 0]

I, too have never had, or going to have anything with KAM written on it.

 

Snobbery - Probably.

 

I run a quality professional company using professional quality equipment.

 

You get what you pay for. Spend more on your equipment and cry only once.....

[Andy Dunn 0]

I, too have never had, or going to have anything with KAM written on it.

 

Snobbery - Probably.

 

I run a quality professional company using professional quality equipment.

 

You get what you pay for. Spend more on your equipment and cry only once.....

 

The trouble with that statement is that we all have different ideas on what constitutes "professional quality equipment"

 

Behringer................Pro or amateur sound equipment?

DBX Driverack PA...........Pro or amateur processor?

 

Would you class any people using the above equipment as not professionals?

[YourBigEvent 0]

There are three levels of equipment as I see it

 

Amateur, such as Chauvet, KAM etc

Professional quality - Behringer etc

High End - A&H etc

 

That doesn't mean that anyone using KAM is ameuterish, just not using higher end equipment

 

Anyway back to the question if you want a cheap and cheerful wireless mic try the AKG WMS40 series, if you have a little more dosh look at the Sennheiser EW range.

[Revelationroadshow 0]

There are three levels of equipment as I see it

 

Amateur, such as Chauvet, KAM etc

Professional quality - Behringer etc

High End - A&H etc

 

That doesn't mean that anyone using KAM is ameuterish, just not using higher end equipment

 

I think I know where you are coming from. There is nothing wrong with the budget end of the market, but it's a bit like people who choose to buy shirts from Asda and shirts with designer lablels. I never got that, always bought on price until I bought a designer shirt. Four years later it was still going strong. There is something to be said for looking at quality brands.

 

To be honest, that was why I made the comment to Robin earlier about trying my SM58. There is a really noticable difference and it certainly isn't anything to do with brand snobbery. Pay more and you generally get more.

 

My residency (sorry Robin, you'll be fine!) has Kan twin decks installed. First night I decided to use CD's and not the laptop and the venue manager caught me at the end of the night to ask why the tracks had skipped and stopped a few times. Because although I try to look after my CD's, they have a set of budget CD decks. I own Denon DND4000's and have never once had a CD skip on me. Don't we try to tell our clients that "you get what you pay for"?

 

That said, I would be the first to hold my hand up and say I can't always afford the best - especially as this pays for my food and mortgage! That's why I guess I am asking for more expensive options that I might be able to find 2nd hand.

 

Thanks again for the advice....keep em coming

[deejaymitch 0]

I understand some of the points being made hear but I would never buy an item on brand alone, and therefore I'll never write one off for that reason either. The reason I am bigging up the KAM radio mics is because I have had my fingers burned with budget gear in the past, including some terrible budget tadio mics. But I tried the Kam before I bought and was delighted. I've honestly never found anything better, including the Shure. Which isn't a knock on Shure because I love my corded SM58s, far better than any other corded mic I've used (although I haven't tried Kam... )

 

Oh, and when I first started out, I had a very old, well-used, second hand Kam twin CD deck and mixer and I never had a problem with it. It still works as well today, no skipping, no hassle. (And it's red!!!)

Edited April 7, 2009 by deejaymitch