A perfect wireless microphone can significantly enhance convenience in everyday use while offering creative freedom to sound engineers during live performances. Given this, wireless microphones are often included in most sound systems. There are several types of wireless microphones available: wireless microphones, handheld wireless microphones, headset microphones, lavalier microphones, wireless microphone systems, and more. These categories are usually clear and easy to understand.
Although the history of wireless microphones is relatively short, spanning about two decades, the field is rapidly evolving. Back in the 1980s, they were not commonly seen, with only a few international brands like Neumann and Shure dominating the market. Their applications were primarily limited to major foreign concerts. Over time, brands such as Sennheiser, AKG, and Shure gradually became established in China's high-end audio systems.
With advancements in electronic technology, the technology, market, and applications of wireless microphones have progressed significantly, making them more affordable. Various brands and models of wireless microphones have emerged, especially in recent years. Domestic wireless microphones have flourished, capturing a significant share of the mid-to-low-end market. In Enping, Guangdong, there’s even a distribution hub for wireless microphone production.
Compared to wired microphones, wireless microphones tend to be pricier, technically more complex, and more costly to operate. This article aims to guide users on how to select and use wireless microphones effectively.
The Evolution of Wireless Microphone Technology: Wireless microphones have undergone three stages of development, from early basic FM transmitters and receivers to the current use of advanced PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) technology. Initially, FM transmission and reception were simple, relying on the principle of converting microphone audio into an FM signal for transmission and reception, similar to regular FM radios. However, this approach offered poor sound quality, stability, and interference resistance, making it unsuitable for practical use.
Quartz Oscillation-Based FM Transmission and Reception: Traditional electronic circuits often used RC or LC oscillators, which were prone to environmental interference and had limited frequency ranges, typically around 200-300 MHz. These frequencies were easily disrupted by other signals. Quartz oscillators, however, offered a more stable frequency, leading to better-performing wireless microphones. They could operate in the V-band (30MHz-250MHz) or U-band (200MHz-1000MHz), reducing interference and improving overall performance. However, quartz oscillators had fixed frequencies, meaning each transmitter-receiver pair was locked into a specific frequency pairing, limiting flexibility.
PLL-Based Wireless Microphones: The PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) system revolutionized wireless microphone technology by allowing frequency synthesis. This means the receiver can work across a broad frequency spectrum, switching channels freely. For instance, within a 24 MHz band, a 1 MHz channel resolution allows for 25 channels, while a 125 kHz resolution increases the channel count to 193. The actual number of channels depends on the bandwidth and channel resolution of the receiver. In practice, the PLL-equipped wireless microphone offers adjustable receiving channels, greater flexibility, and the ability to switch channels at will to avoid interference.
Diversity Reception: Since wireless microphones rely on FM technology, their signals propagate in straight lines within the V or U bands. Obstacles can block these signals, creating "shadows" or dead zones that negatively impact microphone performance. To mitigate this issue, high-end wireless microphones employ diversity reception. This technique uses dual receivers to pick up signals from the same transmitter simultaneously. A combiner then selects the stronger of the two signals, enhancing reception reliability.
When purchasing a wireless microphone, understanding the aforementioned technologies helps buyers make informed decisions based on their budget. For general use in settings like conference rooms or multipurpose halls, where movement is minimal and distances are short (within 20-30 meters), quartz oscillator-based, single-receiver wireless microphones suffice. Moving-coil or electret microphones are suitable options. If budget permits, a PLL-type wireless microphone is also a viable choice.
For performance venues, theaters, or similar environments requiring greater mobility and complex reception conditions, it is advisable to opt for PLL-based and diversity-reception wireless microphones. Condenser or moving-coil microphones are typically recommended for these scenarios. Specialized requirements may call for instrument or choir microphones.
In professional settings such as large theaters or recording studios, a well-known brand's diversity wireless system employing PLL technology is recommended. These situations often involve multiple microphones, complex reception environments, and extensive coverage areas. Auxiliary equipment such as antenna amplifiers, distributors, and antennas should also be considered to optimize performance.
In conclusion, selecting the right wireless microphone depends on the intended application, environmental conditions, and budget. Understanding the technological nuances ensures users can make the best choices for their needs.
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