Left, Right, or Swivel?

Mic boom position preference?

  • Left Side

    Votes: 10 34.5%
  • Right Side

    Votes: 6 20.7%
  • Swivel

    Votes: 13 44.8%

  • Total voters
    29
I really wish I had a swivel mic boom. We have left earmuffs, and left side micbooms, so I have to wear my headset there, which creates many unfortunate circumstances, like trying to stay on headset and look down a followspot sight.

Also, it makes hearing people talking on your left extremely difficult.
 
Really depends on what I'm doing and next to whom I'm sitting. If I'm wearing a single-muff (stop snickering because that's really what they're called)<and stop="" snickering="" because="" that="" s="" really="" what="" they="" re="" called=""></and> while programing a show, I want the mic boom and muff on the opposite side from the designer or stage manager. If I'm alone, being right-handed, I generally want the mic boom on my left ear.

You didn't mention double-muff headsets <and stop="" snickering="" because="" that="" s="" really="" what="" they="" re="" called=""></and> but they're a must in loud environments, like rock concerts, and some musical theatre. A double can temporarily become a single just by pulling the non-boom side off one's ear, but it's annoying to have to wear one disposable ear plug in the non-muff side. I've posted before about some people who will wear disposable ear plugs under their double-muff headsets for extremely loud concerts--I've done it and it works. I understand David Clark makes some excellent headsets, but I've never used them. I prefer the Beyer DT-108 (single-muff) and DT-109 (double-muff). I also own a ClearCom CC-26 "designer" headset, which I sometimes use for corporate shows where I know it's not going to get too loud.

One more thing--I "grew up" with ClearCom headsets that would turn the mic off when you swung the mic boom over your head. I was surprised to learn that most other brands don't do this. So try not to get into the habit of not using the beltpack's mic on/off switch. The rest of the crew will chastise you endlessly if you forget. I know someone who was terminated from his position because he said something "inappropriate" in person to someone thinking his headset mic was off.

Hope this answers your question. Not really the best choice for a poll, as you should add at least 3 more options (single vs. double), maybe more if you count (lightweight vs. standard).
 
Do the Beyerdynamic DT-108's let you choose what side to wear it on; as in the mic boom will work from the left or right ear?

Looking at getting one myself.
 
Yes, completely bi-ear-ial. Available in Grey or Black. Be sure to get the proper version for your system. I believe ClearCom uses the 200/400 ohm, but double check me on that before purchasing.
 
I have had a PH-88 made by telex for about the last 6 years and it still works great. I can wear it for hours on end without issue. I do need to buy a double muff headset for lound shows, probably going to go with a David Clarke.
 
my school have 5 Beyerdynamic DT 108's
which have been great, they haven't been problem free but normally they have been great, but i would like to add something else to the mix :)

we i am running sound and don't normally have to have comms on me all the time i use a phone can handset



(it's the one on the left)

note the connection it has, it's the oppisite on our comms boxes, so we need to always use a "gender bender" or gender changer to it, to connect

wow derek, single muff, my gender benders, where turning this into a circus of sexually suggestive language :)
 
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In the UK I built my own out of bits of different makes of broken ones. I wanted a swivel mike and left ear muff (i'm a bit deaf in my right ear) and I have a quite large diameter head and couldn't find a head band that fitted comfortably so after a particularly bad run I spent a morning in our electrics workshop and built one. It looked like s**t but it was really comfortable.
 
Sorry, left it in the UK and don't think I have any pictures. I will look through my album of pre digital and see if I have a picture of me wearing them.
 
Like several other people, Van's been really happy with his Production Intercom gear and I'm about to become a customer myself. I'll let you know how it works out. I've had some bad experiences with poor quality from Clear-com lately.
 
I use an Eartec Monarch headset, it is a light-weight dual muff with mic boom on the left. I love it, especially on 10/12 tech days, as it is so light that I often forget it is there. Also, it isn't hard to hear people talking to me who aren't on com, or to hear the show during a performance. They are kind of like the "swoop" style headphones. Here is a photo:
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If I use a regular CC style headset, I also usually wear it over my left ear.
 
Icewolf08, I like it! Especially the part about "...offers a unisex fit." But this link, shows the mic boom on the right. Do you know if it can be ordered either way, or did they just "print" the picture backwards? I'm guessing it wouldn't be very effective in loud environments though, right?
 
Icewolf08, I like it! Especially the part about "...offers a unisex fit." But this link, shows the mic boom on the right. Do you know if it can be ordered either way, or did they just "print" the picture backwards? I'm guessing it wouldn't be very effective in loud environments though, right?

Okay... okay... rub it in that you're in Vegas and your shows are loud. ;)
 
That is interesting. I bought mine from Markertek who have it pictured with the boom on the left. I was not asked if I had a preference when I bought it, only what I wanted it wired for. At the time, they had a better price than Full Compass, but apparently that is no longer true. I suppose it may be worth calling and asking. It certainly doesn't have the sound isolation properties of an "over-the-ear" style headset, but you can make them pretty loud. I usually only have to touch the volume a little way up from nothing on my CC beltpack and I can hear just fine, and here what is going on around me. I would venture to guess that it may not be the best choice for working a rock concert, it is a great all around headset.

Eartec has a full line of headsets, you may find another style that you like. My SM uses the Slimline Single, and is very happy with it. The Proline Double, may be a better choice for louder environments. You get the over-the-ear style in a mid-weight headset.

There are lots of headset choices out there, but in terms of one company offering lots of options, I have found Eartec to be the best. All of the comms manufacturers like Clear-Com, Telex, Prod. Intercom, etc., have a few headset offerings, but I have found them to be bulky and heavy, or super light and flimsy, plus they just don't have as wide a selection. I suppose the other big thing is that if you are going to spend $80+ on a headset, it ought to be one that you like, so everyone has to make their own decisions.
 
Okay... okay... rub it in that you're in Vegas and your shows are loud. ;)
Down boy!:twisted: I'm not "rubbing it in." There's nothing to rub in. I would prefer that the shows I work not be as loud as they are, but the level of the PA is, almost always, beyond my control. And I've done plenty of rock musicals not in Las Vegas where double-muff headsets were a requirement, or I could never have heard the SM.
 
I have to agree with Icewolf08 here, kwotipka. (And really I don't mean to keep bringing this up) but the HMD410 would not work for concerts. The Sennheiser HMD280 is the preferred headset for sportscasters, and for broadcast, one needs the superior quality of the mic and earphones. But to be able to hear better that slight buzz inherent in every intercom system? Only if you're in a rich private school like Charc's!:)
 

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