I'm running sound with wireless mics for the first time - any tips?

[Blah067]

Just a note on the rechargables-don't go cheap. Cheap=bad. You get what you pay for.

Other notes-
Don't ever let anybody but yourself deal with on/off. One person deals with this, the board op.
Tape over power switch (or lock if you have that option).

Having the receivers near the board in a fixed installation is better imo, because you can see rf status, interference, etc etc.

You may want to get it through your head that DIFFERENT does not necessarily equal BAD.

[giwiens]

Just want to add my bits in. I use wireless mics quite extensively for the live events in my multi-purpose theatre. What the others have said is true, espicially the new batteries and not letting the performers touch the on/off/mute switches. Control the mute yourself. I talk to each speaker/presenter/performer who wears one of my lav mics or uses a wireless handheld that the mic will be live once they step onto the stage and go mute once they leave the stage. This does require me to pay close attention but that is my job as the tech. I have just found that this way you don't get that one person who thinks that they are muted actually muting themselves when they go on stage.

Garth

[AlexD]

Also I find that placing a mic near the thought picks up breathing very easily, this might depend on the headmic its self but mine do. Annoying coz the headmics I got are huge and really hard to hide. Making headmics out of leviers is a much better route to go. If only we had some

[NickVon]

to reiterate, and expanand on some of the thoughts

for high end wireless having the receivers in front of you can be priceless for troubleshooting problems. For consumer level wireless it basicly only becomes helpful to see whether the receiver is receiving signal... (which it might not be if it's cheapo wireless and way far way up in the booth,) Cheaper wireless units, always better to have them as close to the packs as possible, off stage and ideally in line of sight.

all thoughts regarding placing mights the EXACT same way each time by the same people is very important. in addition, each performer should be getting the same mic each time as well. (lable them with masking/board/gaff tape)

Batteries: New ones each performance. and as someone mentioned used the half used ones for future rehearsals, eletric toothbrushes, flashlights, TV remotes, cameras, etc.

I'd stay away from rechargeable unless you keep careful track of how many times they been discharged/recharged, as after a time they will become worse then just reusing half dead ones :-).

CheapBatteries.Com - Batteries - Duracell Alkaline, Procell Alkaline, Eveready Energizer, Rechargeable Ni-MH, Flaslights, CD's, DVD's, iPod Accessories, & Blank Tapes.
sight looks sketchy but they are in fact very well prices, best prices on Duracell Pro Cells i've ever gotten.


BUT most IMPORANTLY HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED when dealing with Wireless:

You will also need an Apple Pie, Caffeinated beverage of your choice, and something that you can bunch with out damaging something to get you through the show.

Also the reason why I use wired mics when ever possible ;-)