A Beginner's Guide to Microphone Headsets
- shaecosplay
- Aug 30, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 1, 2019
I have hand and wrist problems that prevent me from using a handheld mic. I've had a lot of people ask me about what earpiece mic I use so I thought I'd make a post explaining how to choose a headset mic and how to use it. Check out my A-Kon or Ikkicon performance to see me use mine. A lot of this applies to handheld microphones as well; they just have their transmitters built into them so you don't need a walkie-talkie looking transmitter.
What to Buy
There are three major components to every wireless mic system: the headset, transmitter and receiver. Unfortunately that’s what makes audio systems so expensive because you need to buy everything. The headset is the microphone itself, the transmitter is the walkie-talkie looking thing that sends out your signal, and the receiver takes that signal and connects it to the audio system.
Headset: For my headset, I use a Countryman E6i directional (you will need a directional for whatever mic you get because it needs to only pick up your own voice vs. omnidirectional that picks up everything). It’s expensive, like $400, but I checked Reverb for six months until one came up for $100 and I snagged it. Crown headsets are also supposed to be really good, that’s what K Pop idols use, but they’re black and bulky. I like the Countryman because it’s tiny and it’s beige so you can’t see it unless you’re close to the performer. This is where you’re going to want to invest most of your budget.
Transmitter/Receiver: For my transmitter and receiver I use the Shure BLX (it’s the cheapest Shure at $300). Shure is a super reliable brand, so are Seinheiser and Audiotechnica, but this is the cheapest one out of all of them. As long as you’re not performing in the middle of nowhere it works, I’ve never had any trouble with it and I live on a ranch in the country. I'd recommend buying from Sweetwater, they have a large selection of brands and are very kind and helpful during the buying process. They also send you candy with your order!
There are different types of audio transmitter equipment and each brand differentiates them using their own names. I use an H9. Basically since the system uses radio waves or whatever to communicate, you need to check which one works best in your city. If you want an in-depth explanation here's an article from Shure: https://www.shure.com/en-US/performance-production/louder/wireless-channels-the-jargon-demystified. What you want to do before you buy is go to this website and type in your city, and it will tell you which one you need: https://www.shure.com/en-US/support/tools/frequency-finder.
Make sure to scan for every city you perform in- I scanned for Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Fort Worth since I don't go to out of state cons. Make a little chart of all the cities and mark which ones have reserved, and which ones don't work in that area, then you should know which one to get.
Every time you use it, turn it on and hit scan. A little code will come up, in the picture of the full set at the beginning of the section it is A1. Then you'll open up your transmitter:
And click group and channel until it matches.
Cords: There’s also a few important cords you will need. They’ll come with the headset and transmitter/receiver set, but I’ll list them out just to be safe:
There’s a cord that connects your headset to your transmitter that is brand specific: so if you have a Shure transmitter, you will need a Shure cord. This comes with your headset.
There is also a cord that plugs your receiver into the wall to power it. This comes with your receiver.
Finally there is a cord that connects your receiver to the audio system. This is the tricky one: sometimes cons only have sound boards with AUX outputs, other times they have microphone outputs. I usually bring both just to be safe, whatever cord you don’t have you can get for like $10 on Amazon.
Pop Filter: This is basically a little sponge that prevents your mic from popping on certain consonants. I'm still struggling to put mine on correctly, so in some of my performances you can hear a pop when I use "p's". Luckily Japanese doesn't have many of those.
How to Use Your Audio Equipment
Putting it on: Attaching the mic so it is hidden is a PROCESS. I tried to make a video showing how but I couldn't figure out how to do it without showing all of my skin, so I'm going to write it out here and if you have questions just message me.
I start off by putting on my bra and safety shorts. I attach my earpiece to my face using clear medical tape (before I put on my wig, do that last). I put a piece of tape on my cheek, under my ear, and then tape the mic to transmitter cord to the back of my neck. Then I tape it down my back so it hangs off the small of my back like a tail. After this I put on my petticoat, my bustle, and then have someone in Love Notes lace me into my dress. This is where it gets complicated: I then reach down under all of these layers to find my cord tail. I grab it, then grab my walkie-talkie looking transmitter and plug it in. Then I hold my bottom layer of floof with my teeth (or get someone to help me) and clip the transmitter onto my safety shorts. The antenna goes up my back and the entire thing is hidden by my bustle and petticoat. Then I just reach back and switch it on right before I perform.
Set-up: As for set up, most cons have audio staff. I was super anxious when I first started using my headset but now I feel okay with it. You just plug the receiver cord into the sound board and the sound people adjust the levels, you don’t have to worry about any of that, or at least you shouldn’t have to. Make sure to get to your performance space early so that you can fiddle with it and then do a mic test.
Transportation: Carrying all my equipment around the con used to be a hassle since I used a giant box, but now I use a hard pencil box to put my soft mic case in (look at the Countryman picture) and then another small plastic box to put the rest in. Both fit in my con bag so I don't have to carry them around anymore. Always carry your equipment in something hard and sturdy, and never leave it unattended.
Practicing at home: Practicing with your mic is also a must, but few people have an audio system at home to do so. I just bought a $20 bluetooth speaker from Walmart that had an AUX input, and then used my mic to AUX cable to plug my mic in. The sound quality isn't great but it definitely works to practice with.
I hope this helps anyone who is thinking about getting their own mic set, I know I was super overwhelmed and I want to make it easier for others!
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