An Expert’s Guide to Wireless Set-up and Operation

GO WIRELESS!

Over the past 10 years, I have specialized in providing wireless microphones, wireless intercom and wireless in-ear monitors in churches, corporate events, and theatrical productions as well as nearly every award show on television. I hope to pass on to you some useful bits of knowledge so that you can make more informed choices when buying, installing and running your wireless systems.

THE PRICE OF FREEDOM
There are several rules to follow when purchasing wireless equipment for your house of worship. As recently as 5 to 10 years ago, the choices for quality wireless at reasonable prices were very limited. The old consumer models were not well made and catered more towards amateur musicians, not to the special and wide-ranging sound needs of a church. However, within the past couple of years, technology has expanded and it is now possible for consumers to purchase quality wireless systems without spending large sums of money. In fact, there are almost too many wireless products on the market today to choose from. So, buyers beware.

Rule #1: Remember the old adage, “You get what you pay for”? Well, no truer words were spoken with regards to wireless equipment. Believe me when I tell you this – the lowest priced, no-name wireless systems will cost you much more in the end. I get calls all the time inquiring about this issue and my advice is: If you can’t afford the high-quality product from a well-known manufacturer, wait on your purchase and save your money until you can. From my experience, poor wireless technology not only produces poor sound, it is also extremely unreliable. The time, effort and money you’ll spend on getting a low-quality system to work will triple your initial expense. Play it safe and get the better system.

Rule #2: T ry to stay in the UHF Band. Here’s the problem. Wireless began with the VHF frequency band, which occupies the low end of the frequency spectrum (basically 89.00 MHz to 216.00 MHz). VHF is the most common so there’s a lot of it out there. The chances of running into another VHF system are very high as the FCC designates this low power band for a variety of uses: cordless and cellular phones, radio, TV, pagers, walkie-talkies, etc, as well as other industrial and government signals. On the other hand, systems in the UHF band (approximately 450.000 MHz to 999.000 MHz) transmit with greater power. The FCC has allocated more banks of frequencies in the UHF band for broadcast uses. So, even though UHF is becoming increasingly crowded, it covers a much wider spectrum than VHF. The chances of interfering with another system are less likely.

Rule #3: Always go with a frequency-agile system. “Frequency-agile” means having the option to select from multiple channels within a single unit. Almost all the manufacturers on the market offer frequency-agile systems. Don’t settle for anything less. Single-frequency units are dangerous these days. All wireless mics work within existing television channels. If you try to operate a wireless audio system on frequencies that are already occupied by these channels, interference may render your system unusable. There’s nothing worse than spending a lot of money on a unit, and then hear nothing but the morning news from your local TV station the first time you try it out. This is why frequency-agile is so important, especially when coordinating multiple wireless units.

Rule #4: Choose your wireless dealer carefully. Call several vendors and develop a relationship with someone you feel you can trust. I strongly recommend buying from a vendor who specializes in wireless technology. All wireless technology, including wireless mics, in-ear monitors, walkie-talkies, wireless communication devices, digital lighting, etc, must be carefully coordinated so that the frequencies won’t interfere with each other or other local RF sources. The best way to minimize most types of interference, whether you are dealing with a single wireless unit or multiple units, is by first doing some frequency coordination. Give your dealer the model numbers, or better yet, frequencies of the systems you already use, so that they can better coordinate your new system. A dealer that specializes in wireless systems will take the time to assess your needs and help you with your purchase. Even if the initial price is a little higher, you’ll have the confidence in knowing that someone knowledgeable has handled your situation. Plus, when your unit needs servicing, you’re wireless dealer will have someone working on it who knows the technology exclusively. Once again, an uneducated dealer will only bring you more aggravation in the end.

Rule #5: Go with the brand names you recognize. These manufacturers are known to be leaders in the industry and continue to be innovators in wireless technology. They all carry products that are well made, reasonably priced and perfect for any church, school or corporate environment. High-quality wireless microphones can range from $700 to $5000, depending on your needs. Anything less than that, I question the quality. If someone offers you a system with an unfamiliar name, be suspicious. Ask a lot of questions, go to the manufacturer’s website and learn about their products so that you know what you’re buying. Consider the features, capabilities and reputation of the entire audio system.

GET SET, READY, GO!
Now that you’ve bought your wireless system, it is important to consider placement. Installation within a church can be tricky as the altar or podium is often far away from the location of the sound system. One key thing to remember with any wireless device is that “height is your friend”. When positioning a single receiver unit, place it as high as you can. Think of it this way. Radio and TV towers are located on top of mountains for a reason. To achieve the best stability of transmission signal, no “drift” or “drop outs” as we call it, it is important to maintain the best direct line of sight between the unit transmitter and receiver. Take a walk around the venue to locate possible drop-out areas where the signal may be weak or restricted and coordinate placement accordingly. Large sets, metal objects, lighting grids or walls can also generate signal problems. Metal and concrete will shield RF signals and block transmission increasing the possibility of interference. So, be aware of placement as it can make or break your system.

If you are having trouble maintaining a clear signal throughout the entire space due to size or placement limitations, you may want to consider purchasing an antenna system. Antenna systems increase range and allow you to tie the units together in one distribution amplifier. They enable you to combine up to 16 units on just two remote antennas. You can actually keep your wireless rack near the sound booth while placing the remote antennas almost anywhere in the church. This is both convenient and an efficient use of space. It can diminish most interference-related problems that occur in a large or set-obstructed venue where wireless units are being run off their own individual antennas.

Another issue we have found is that many large churches experience sound clarity problems. Some churches are extremely reverberant with a large open space, hard surfaces and high ceilings. The sound waves just bounce around, therefore causing sound delay and volume dilemmas. One thing that may reduce this problem is the use of in-ear monitors (IEM’s) for your performers and musicians. In-ear monitors allow players to hear themselves without increasing the overall stage volume. A quieter stage level will allow your sound engineer much more flexibility to create a more intelligible mix. In-ears allow everyone to play at a lower stage volume, which makes the mix more dynamic. It can produce an amazing difference. If you are using wireless in-ear monitors, remember to keep the antennas away from the wireless mic antennas. Mic receivers use “receive antennas”, which means they are looking to receive signals from a mic transmitter that is being worn or held. An in-ear monitor base station uses a “transmit antenna” which transmits signal to a receiver which is worn on the body. If the two antennas are too close in proximity, you may cause interference. Be sure to place them at least five feet apart so that they can work together in harmony. Mistakes like these are difficult to detect, especially to a new user, and may cause hours of aggravation.

Now that you’ve purchased a high-quality product, coordinated your frequencies and placed your system in the best location, you can sit back and enjoy your new-found freedom. Wireless technology is never 100% guaranteed; everyone is subject to the instability of the airwaves. But you now have the confidence of knowing that you’ve done everything humanly possible to reduce the chances of something going wrong. Wireless freedom is certainly not cheap, but if you do your homework and follow the rules, you should be on your way to glorious future productions. Enjoy!

Kevin Sanford is the owner and founder of Wireless First, of New York and Boston, which provides sound equipment for churches, small businesses, corporate events and theatrical productions nationwide. Current clients include MTV, VH1, NBC, CBS and Buena Vista Pictures. For more information please contact him via www.wirelessfirst.com or info@wirelessfirst.com.