Karaoke Forums

Last Friday night was my first night with two cordless mics instead of corded ones.  I'm trying to get a routine down on the best way to work the passing and handing off so I'm throwing this out there.....

I found when the singer was done with singing they weren't sure whether to hand me the mic or put it back in the mic stand.  I also found myself constantly checking to make sure the switch was still on when the next singer came up to sing.  At times I would announce the next singer and then hand them the mic I was using as I knew the switch was already on.  I have two cordless mics so at the end of the song I was using the other one to get them off the stage and announce the next person but then I was back to the finished singer not knowing what to do with the mic.  I even put a towel down on the counter as a place for them to place the mic when they were finished and that worked some of the time.

I realize I'm overthinking this but I'm just trying to make this as tight as possible.  I know some hosts (the recently banned big dog - )  used three cordless mics and always had the next singer ready to go with a mic but I don't have that many singers and I only have two.  I'm worried about the switch getting turned on and off all night too.  Any thoughts?

Bump....anyone?

The trouble with answering is that I can't figure out working with only two mics.  I get a lot of duet and group singers, plus I keep a mic for my use only. My smallest venue requires 2 cordless, plus mine, and one wired Shure for those who prefer it.  I guess the quickest way for you is constant mic rotation. You make sure your mic is turned on, as a singer finishes, take theirs and hand out yours-repeat through the night.  I gotta tell you though, this would drive me bats on several levels. My personal mic was selected for MY voice and usage, the others are general purpose. I also have no great need to be overexposed to everyone's germ and saliva production.  I'm not a germaphobe, but I work 6 nites per, and that's a LOT to be exposed to. I prefer working and getting paid.  I really think you should consider AT LEAST one more mic.....

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

I use 4 mics 3 for singers and 1 for me.

I do not put out a mic stand it makes a great chance of someone dropping a mic. I hand a microphone to every singer and I expect them to had it back when they are done.

I have never had a microphone broken, I use a mix of Sennheiser and Shure that run $300 to $500.

eeeeeeeewwwwwww!  Can I bring my own mic to your gigs Joe?  LOL

Regarding "wireless" equipment, can somebody kindly tell me if "true diversity" always has advantages over the single antenna base units ?

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Even in my small place, I have a dual wireless set up, a wired mic, and my personal headset. This way I am never at a loss to be able to jump in and help, or to fill dead air. I have a mic stand for the corded, and my TV stand has 2 holders to the right and left of the set. I keep an eye on the receiver to see if one is left on, and I just kinda turn it off while the next singer is singing if they use a differrent mic.

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

God bless you guys with all this $$$ and energy.  

I put a couple decent/good-sounding (stress-free) corded mics on mic stands on stage,

set myself as far from them as practical,

and enjoy the show.    8)

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

I personally don't use wireless mics, but I have been to quite a few shows that do.

I have seen plenty of KJs put electrical tape around the mic switches in the "on" position to avoid singers turning them on and off. That should solve your problem real quick like!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

for the host mike I have coinsidered a wireless headset mike. That said right now I am not financially able to get one, maybe in the future.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

yes less chance of drop outs.  Moving around won't affect reception as much as two antennae have an advantage over a single one any day.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Well you could do what I did and buy a cheap Samson headset and body pack+ receiver for under $100, and eventually buy a better mic (I biought an AudioTechnia) to plug into the body pack. It works just as well as much more expensive units, and I spent under $300 even with the better mic....

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

Thank you Danny G,  this is just what I wanted to know. Back around 8-9 years ago I picked up two new Nady Gold systems, (at an auction, they were blowing these things out for about 80% off retail getting rid of the things) but they weren't "True diversity".  This is why I'm wondering if the dual-antenna systems (and you've explained this to me) have an advantage !

In fact, the auction I picked these up at was Daddy's Junky Music "Used Gear by Mail" division.  They had online auctions up until about 4 years ago. They discontinued their mail dept until just recently.  They have some decent stuff even regarding PA equipment..   I'll post a link in the Music and musicians thread to daddy's and the mail dept.  I'm not trying to advertise for them, but they carry A LOT of used gear at great prices, and such used gear (backed by reasonable warrantee) isn't always easy to find.

(Since you live in central CT.  I'm sure you are familiar with Daddy's chain)

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Got one just down the street .  Still prefer Musician's Friend's Prices though.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

True Danny,  All depends on a persons market I suppose.  For certain OLD tube stuff,  MF and AMS, Zzzounds, etc aren't an option.  For certain new things I'd opt for MF to avoid sales tax  LOL.   Personally I've had better luck with American Musical Supply customer service.  MF is Guitar Centers mail order division isn't it ?
They do have a lot of nice stuff, but I've had a few probs with THEIR particular "generic" brand stuff.

<not that many of you will ever be purchasing a MF "guitar case".  But DON'T>  LOL
Spend the few extra bucks for TKL, or SKB, or purchase Epiphone cases that are the same price made by TKL for epiphone,  great cases for $59 bucks....  My MF cases -on two separate- ocassions (for $59) appeared to be comparable to SKB's $69 dollar cases, even the vintage Fender <SKB> $129 tweed cases,  well they weren't.  They were particle board, the compartment came unstapled from the center of the case and was mangled cardboard (before I had a chance to even use it, case didn't endure UPS shipping, and the case came wrapped in protective plastic and in a cardboard box, not the best protection for a guitar if when packaged it can't take the road).....needless to say,  from here on in, unless I know a generic makes quality, no more MF brands "comparable to the more expensive similar line"  :(

That aside,  back to the original thread..  Oh yeah,  they didn't want to issue me a call tag either (until they received the damaged merchandise I received) on several ocassions, it wasn't that I changed my mind, the stuff came defective, after receipt of their merch back, at that point they'd issue a check or credit.  Quite honestly, if I receive damaged goods I feel I should be able to have a call tag issued at the stores expense for return shipping, but this was 8-10 years ago, I was miff'd.  I would hope today MF issues call tags,  since than I've ordered smaller stuff from them, and have had good luck, but for larger stuff, not sure I really trust them as much as I trust AMS.  Hopefully they've cleaned up their act to hang with Sam Ash, and a few other stores that are competitive and have liberal refund policies.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I think I kind of worked this out...I  too was wanting to keep a mic for myself instead of smelling everyone elses spittle so I had the same mic for all the singers and once they got done, they either put it back in the mic stand or layed it on the counter area that is right next to them.  I put a thick towel down folded over a few times so I didn't care where they put it.  All of them left the mic switch on which was fine by me and if needed I would pot their gain down.  I have tons of batteries so I don't care about them and they will even take rechargeables when I pick them up.  I absolutely had to get a cordless system for my reg wedding gigs but I can see myself eventually purchasing some corded Shure SM58's for the karaoke gig.  The corded mics I had were horrendous so I needed to kill two birds with one stone.  Thanks for the input folks!