Country Home Products Wireless Microphone Systems - Manual (Page 47)

AEROBIC/DANCE INSTRUCTION
Aerobic
and dance
applications
most often
require body-
pack wireless
microphone
systems to
allow hands-
free use by
the instructor.
The microphone is most often a headworn type,
with a unidirectional element. This will give the best
results for feedback control and overall sound
quality. A lavaliere microphone may be used if
gain-before-feedback is not a problem but it will not
have the same sound quality as a headworn type.
The receiver may be diversity or non-diversity
depending on the performance level required and
is located in a fixed position.
The transmitter is worn at the waist and must be
securely attached since the user is generally quite
active. The antenna should be freely extended and
the controls accessibly located. Gain should be
adjusted for the individual under actual use
conditions.
The receiver should be located with the usual
regard to distance and line of sight. In addition it
should be out of the way of moving bodies and feet.
Since these systems are often set up and taken
down the connections should be regularly
checked.
The primary criterion for aerobic/dance
systems is reliability under extremely active
conditions. These conditions include vibration,
impact, heat, humidity and various bodily fluids! The
basic system must certainly be durable but there are
some additional steps that can be taken to improve
long-term reliability. An accessory belt or pouch
made of neoprene can protect the transmitter from
mechanical damage as well as perspiration. It also
provides a pad between the wearer and the
transmitter to improve comfort and allows the
transmitter to be easily repositioned if the instructor is
doing floor exercises. etc. A design that covers the
controls and/or connectors will further resist
corrosion damage at these points of entry.
Microphone cable life can be prolonged by
routing the cable to avoid extreme flexing or pull.
Allow slack at the headband and at the point of
entry to the transmitter. A side entry design
provides more strain relief and allows for a drip loop
in the cable to prevent perspiration from flowing
down the cable into the connector. If an adjustable
headband is used it should be adjusted only as
often as necessary to maintain adequate stability.
The microphone element can be somewhat
protected by using a foam windscreen. Periodically
remove the windscreen, sponge it in warm soapy
water, rinse and let dry. Replace when it shows
signs of wear. However, even with these
precautions the microphone and cable assembly in
such a system should probably be considered a
consumable item.
THEATER
Theatrical
applications
also generally
call for
lavaliere/
bodypack
wireless
microphone
systems. The microphone and transmitter are worn
by the performer while the receiver is in a fixed
location. Theater combines aspects of presenter,
vocalist, and aerobic/dance applications with
additional unique requirements.
In current theater practice the lavaliere
microphone is often concealed somewhere on the
head of the performer: just in front of the ear, on the
forehead, in the hair or beard, etc. In some cases it is
concealed in some part of the costume such as a hat
or high collar. The intent is always to get the micro-
phone as close to the performer’s mouth as possible
without being visible. The close placement maximizes
gain-before-feedback and minimizes noise and
acoustic interference. Miniature omnidirectional types
are used almost exclusively, but they must be of high
quality for both speech and singing. Avoid obstructing
the ports on microphones with makeup or adhesives.
Transmitters are also concealed in or under
costumes and are often subject to an even more
severe environment than the aerobic/dance situation.
Special packs and bindings are available to attach the
transmitter to various parts of the body. Latex covers
are sometimes used to protect transmitters from sweat.
Routing microphone cables and antennas and still
allowing quick costume changes presents a serious
challenge. Normal wear and tear on cables and con-
nectors will take a rapid toll on anything but the most
reliable microphones and transmitters.
Selection
and Operation
of W
ireless Microphone Systems
48
C
H A P T E R
5
Application Notes