A Guide to Wireless Microphone Systems for Churches

Explore Different Types of Wireless Systems for Churches 

In this post, we'll shed light on the different types of wireless microphone systems available and what to consider when choosing the right one for your church. See how we can help your church, whether that’s nearby in Spokane or anywhere in the country. 

There are lots of brands and types of wireless microphones in the market. Selecting the right system for your room and channel count can make or break the event. When wireless mics drop out, sound harsh, or sound like “static,” it’s disruptive and takes away from the message. 

It takes careful consideration when selecting the right wireless systems for now and in the future. Your “RF'' environment at your campus and surrounding areas must be taken into consideration. This should not be taken lightly! If the wrong frequency band is used, the system can be unreliable and can affect other wireless systems on campus. Trust a team of experts who have experience determining your RF environment based on the specific address of your location. There are tools that can help you get it right the first time, such as RF Spectrum Tools and Antennas for Wireless Microphones | RF Venue (wirelesssystembuilder.com). 

There are many brands of wireless mics and hundreds of models to choose from. Selecting the right brand and model depending on your space and RF environment is critical for wireless microphone consistency and performance. Shure and Sennheiser are the “go-to” when selecting the right system for House of Worship. Here is when relying on an expert to help you plan your upgrade or expansion is critical. 

When working with churches upgrading or adding to their wireless systems, a common mistake we see is not considering antenna distribution. The wireless microphone receiver must receive constant signal from the bodypack or handheld transmitter. Without the correct antenna distribution system, wireless transmission can be at risk. During one event, it works fine; the next event can wreak havoc, causing inconsistent signal and microphone drop-outs. This becomes especially complex when three or more wireless microphones are used at the same time. Reliable performance can also be affected based on other campus systems that do not use a distribution system.

This topic of quality wireless microphones and antenna distribution also applies to wireless in-ear monitor systems.

Here are some things to take into consideration when selecting the right wireless system for your application: 

• General use
• Durability
• Polar pattern 
• Audio quality and clarity
• Vocal use, male or female
• SPL (sound pressure level)
• RF transmission strength

*The same applies to bodypack transmitters for instruments, headsets, and lapel mics.

Microphones that are used with bodypack transmitters are vastly varied. A headset microphone can range in quality and price from $50 to $900. Selecting the right headset mic is critical for fit, sound quality, rejection of feedback, construction quality, and more. The models that provide clear, natural sound and offer a comfortable fit are DPA, Shure, and THOR. 

Lapel microphones, though not as popular anymore, are still used in applications where a headset is not applicable. There are a number of quality lapel mics based on application and acoustic environments subject to feedback. Brands such as DPA, Sennheiser, and Shure are the “go-to’s.”

Ready to Upgrade or Add to Your System?

It’s critically important to get it right. Our specialists are experts in the field of wireless microphones for live applications. 

Reach out to our team at CCI Solutions for personalized guidance and a comprehensive selection of wireless microphone systems suitable for your specific application. Contact us here to get started today!