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Can You Recommend a Good Headset Vocal Mic

Orangeclawhammr

Orangeclawhammr

Nov 15, 2007
1,685
372
Redford, MI
#1
I'm in a group where I switch between bass and percussion and do some singing. We are starting to play in some coffee shops. I thought a headset mic might be a good idea so I don't have to adjust q mic stand when I change instruments. I don't sing alot and don't need the best available, just one that works decently. Thank you for your suggestions.
 
#4
Two types of mics to avoid: first, avoid musical theater mics, forehead or headset. They will pick up too much ambient sound and at higher SPL will create feedback problems with stage monitors (assuming you're not using IEMs). Second, avoid the bottom end packages designed for aerobics instructors and school teachers.

Here are some things to look for: first, get a mic that has a directional polar pattern (cardioid, supercardioid) so it will reject as much ambient sound as possible. Second, get a mic that faces your mouth as opposed to the ones that sit close to your cheek. And third, get a mic that has a removable windscreen. Headset mics don't handle plosives well because the mic capsule is so close to your mouth. It takes time to learn good technique but in the meantime a foam windscreen will help.

To save money you can get a headset mic that is wired and then upgrade to a wireless system down the road if/when the gigs warrant it. It's also a good idea to get an on/off footswitch so you don't have to worry about a live mic in your face all the time.

AKG and Crown have been the two big contenders in headworn vocal mics for the most part but Sennheiser and Shure also have offerings at a reasonable price point.

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http://www.akg.com/site/powerslave,id,2,nodeid,2,pcategory,14,_language,EN.html

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/profes...s-microphone-music-speech-applications_503155

http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/sm/sm10a-headworn-microphone
 
#7
The forehead mics I've seen are hardly hidden.
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This guy has a fake mic in his hand the the real one on his forehead.

They are even bigger than this.

The ones hidden in the hairline are all over TV, reality shows, and so on.

Put the mic up there and see how it sounds for you.

Yeah, use IEM
 
#9
The Crown differential has the best off axis rejection, so it really help avoid not only monitor feed back but also turning you mic into a face worn cymbal mic. It like most headset mics can be warmed up with a bit of eq, but it should be applied sparingly.
 
#10
walterw said:
do any of 'em sound as good as a 58 on a stand? i've never heard one in a club that did.
Click to expand...

It's a tough comparison. Headset mics are condensers and with the right source they can sound quite good. But the "quality" of sound is far more dependent on vocal technique since you can't vary the distance between the mic and the singer...and that's a huge limitation for a vocalist to overcome.

By the time you buy the headset mic system, the on/off switch, and take the time to re-learn how to sing your parts, that SM58 on a boom stand with a goose-neck makes all the sense in the world.
 
#11
I've had my Sennheiser headset for a couple of years now, and am very happy with it. It has a very warm sound, and I have never had feedback problems using it on stage, or the ever evolving rehearsal space. Overall it's probably the best sounding mic we have, and we have plenty of the standard fare laying around. 57's, 58's, Beta 58's, etc... I would definitely not trade it for any of those.
 

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