What To Look For In A Wireless Microphone System? (Top 6 Factors)

What makes a wireless microphone system good?

When you google this question, what typically pops up are a bunch of paid ads of wireless microphone systems. However, none ever give you the rundown of all the factors that determine what makes a wireless microphone system good in the first place, why, and what’s truly the best bang for your buck.

I have seen too many artists, DJ’s, and musicians throw their hard-earned money away on a system that ended up leaving them unsatisfied one way or another. The goal of this article is to give you a better baseline understanding of what factors makes a wireless microphone system good, and why, so you don’t lose out on money as my friends have.

The 6 Things To Watch Out For When Getting A Wireless Microphone System

Reliability -Signal strength, little to no dropouts or interference
Durability- Able to last long and withstand vigorous touring conditions
Microphone Sound Quality- How good is the sound quality of the microphone. Does the wireless negatively impact the microphone quality compared to a cord?
Convenience- Battery life, battery type (disposable vs rechargeable), setup simplicity, how many compatible transmitters.
Range- Able to have a strong signal to cover a big stage or perform/speak throughout the audience.
Frequency Band- Does you wireless microphone have the globally unlicensed, globally unrestricted, and more future proof frequency band at 2.4GHz? If not, what are the restrictions, licenses in certain countries, or possibilities that your microphones frequency band is already or about to be banned?

Yes we know, every single wireless microphone system manufacturers website says their wireless microphone is perfect in every way shape and form. This article will give you a baseline understanding of how to bypass the B.S. to help assist you on the right wireless microphone choice the 1st time around.

What To Look For In A Wireless Microphone System — Shure QLXD24/B87A

1.Reliability

Reliability of a wireless microphone system is, in my opinion, the absolute most crucial factor in determining a good system. You need to know that your microphone will not randomly cut out due to signal interference while performing or speaking live. When your wireless mic is more susceptible to dropouts, even if it’s as little as once every three events, you still have the “fear of uncertainty” in the back of your mind.

This “fear of uncertainty” while singing or speaking, will negatively affect the way you perform and the overall experience of the event. I personally know about this “fear of uncertainty,” considering a few bands I used to play in used a few wireless mic systems that fell on the cheaper side. It is not only essential but vital to have a reliable wireless microphone system with excellent signal strength and frequency interference agility that will not drop out.

The best way to figure out the honest reliability and signal strength of a wireless microphone system is (1) Make sure it is a true diversity system. This means both antennas work independently each locating its own clearest available channel. (2) Get a wireless microphone system above $500 with excellent reviews. (3) Make sure the wireless microphone system uses frequency interference features.

If you just want a list of wireless microphone systems that will not fail you, check out our Top 6 Digital Wireless Microphones: Buyers Guide For Pros.

2. Durability

The durability of a wireless microphone system is far more important than we think at first. Wireless mic’s cost a fair amount of money. If it’s not durable enough and it breaks, you lose money. You don’t want to spend money on a cheaper built plastic unit thinking your smart because you saved money just to have it break a year later.

If you are a touring musician, you need a wireless microphone system made with a durable microphone and a metal receiver to withstand vigorous touring conditions. A rack-mountable receiver will go a long way as well if you don’t mind a rackmount.

3. Microphone Sound Quality

Even more so important for singers rather than speakers, it is crucial that your microphone delivers excellent sound quality. Microphones were not all made equally. Some mics produce more of a warm tone, some are bright and punchy, some mics are much more articulate than others, and the list goes on.

A few other things to keep in mind for the sound quality of a wireless microphone system.

Dynamic range at 120dB is good
Digital transmission produces higher quality sound than analog
System frequency response at 20Hz-20kHz is good
Dynamic microphones are better at rejecting background noise but condenser microphones are more articulate

4. Range

Range is an important factor for more reasons than just crowd surfing through the audience while singing your song.

For bands or DJ’s who perform corporate events or weddings, the client will require you to provide sound support for any speeches or toasts. Of the 90+ events I have played with in the past four years, the client will typically walk throughout the venue during the speech or toast with your wireless mic.

A safe amount of range your wireless mic needs for corporate or wedding gigs would be 200 ft. Speakers, who are usually the client that hired you, can walk around the venue without any mic dropouts. Some of these details may sound minor, but they speak volumes to the client and 3rd parties of each event. In turn, you are creating more future gigs/weddings/events.

5. Convenience

Convenience is not a common thought when first purchasing a wireless microphone system. In terms of battery life, how to charge or change the batteries, setting up the system before gigs, etc. an inconvenient wireless microphone system gets annoying fast. Not to mention, consistent battery purchases increase the annual overhead at a much faster pace than expected. Therefore, wireless microphones that either use rechargeable batteries or have a much longer battery life is best.

To make it simple, the most convenient wireless microphone system would be a where the receiver automatically picks the clearest open channel while auto-linking the mic to the receiver. If you prefer using a rackmount, a rack-mountable receiver will definitely come in handy.

6. Frequency Band

One of the more complicated subjects in the wireless music equipment realm, which frequency band for your wireless microphone system is the best choice?

First off, what is a frequency band?

The entire frequency range, or radio spectrum, operates between 3 kHz to 300 GHz. Frequency bands are an interval in the frequency domain, having a fixed boundary between a lower frequency and an upper frequency. For example, the wireless guitar system Shure BLX14 -H10 operates in the frequency band between 542-572 MHz. The 542 MHz is the lower frequency when the 572 MHz is the higher frequency, everything between the fixed boundary is the frequency band that the Shure BLX14 -H10 operates in.

In short, 2.4GHz Digital Wireless is the all-around best frequency band choice for your wireless microphone system. 2.4GHz is globally available, globally unlicensed, and has more chance of a sustainable future. The majority of the other frequency bands are either unavailable outside of the US or Canada, need a costly/inconvenient license to operate in some countries, or have an uncertain future with the FCC banning the frequency.