Members cascade Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 From the perspective of those who jam out regularily, how lame would it be for a singer/guitarist to use a headset mic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Prog Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Originally posted by cascade From the perspective of those who jam out regularily, how lame would it be for a singer/guitarist to use a headset mic? Personally, I don't care. Only the trend-mongers care. The audience doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members flanc Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 If you move around alot, I'd say a headset mic would be a nice to have. Two brands I recommend are the Crown CM311a and the Countryman Isomax headset. Crownhttp://www.zzounds.com/item--CWNCM311A Isomax Headsethttp://northernsound.net/Sales/mics/countryman/countryman.html The Crown is pretty rugged and sounds great. The Isomax is very low-profile, sounds great but is fairly fragile. For a decent, budget headset mic, I'd recommend the Audio Technica Pro 8HEx mic.http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/AudioTechnicaPRO8HExHeadsetMic?sku=270420 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members flanc Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 I just re-read your post and see you were looking for opinions on the use of headset mic's by guitarists and not for actual mic recommendations. I went down the ole hardware recommendation route right away! Anyway...if you want/need/prefer a headset....then go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cascade Posted May 19, 2006 Author Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 The drummer brought over a nice headset mic for me to try, and it has sat for over a month now without me touching it until tonight. We're more of a hard rock/punk/metal band, and I don't want to look cheesey. I'm a long time guitarist, but getting better with singing and I really like to sing and play guitar at the same time, but I'm a looker when I play guitar, so it's hard to stay on the mic properly for me - at least right now. I tried the headset mic tonight, and I really like the way it sounds and it allows me to concentrate alot more on guitar. Plus, I don't just strum chords; I write alot of detailed guitar lines that I'm not sure I'll ever be able to play and sing without looking at the guitar. Thanks for the recommendation by the way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members worthyjoe Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Originally posted by cascade From the perspective of those who jam out regularily, how lame would it be for a singer/guitarist to use a headset mic? Quite lame. And the audience will notice/care. I'm not saying it's the end of the world but if you want to retain any amount of coolness in the eyes of a bar audience, I would say don't do it. Unless you are Garth Brooks, it's lame. I don't mean to offend - just being brutally honest. And I'm by no means "mr. cool" myself so don't get me wrong. But like it or not, appearance does play a part in gigging with a band that is getting paid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members smaynor Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Originally posted by worthyjoe Quite lame. And the audience will notice/care. I'm not saying it's the end of the world but if you want to retain any amount of coolness in the eyes of a bar audience, I would say don't do it. Unless you are Garth Brooks, it's lame. I don't mean to offend - just being brutally honest. And I'm by no means "mr. cool" myself so don't get me wrong. But like it or not, appearance does play a part in gigging with a band that is getting paid. Sorry, but I've gotta agree. Maybe for a drummer, but not for a guitar player or lead singer. Another vote for lame. Oh, and I'm about as "un-cool" as it gets, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Prog Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Originally posted by Prog Only the trend-mongers care. See what I mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ctardi Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 To me, I could care less if you use one, unless you are a boy-band. If it lets you concentrate more on guitar, then go for it! Thinking wireless? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 If you are a really hot player, does it matter what anyone thinks? The idea is that the audience are focused on your playing and band, not your face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members milesdf Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 whatever works, just beware that they usally dont sound as good or are as easy to use as conventional microphones. boy bands usally use backing tracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ashivraj Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Personally, I prefer the 'safety' of being stood behind a mic stand. Might be a psychological thing, but for some reason I always feel a bit naked without the mic stand... Concentrating on your guitar shouldn't be an issue. Make sure you've got your lips touching the grille (you'll need the right mic though, to avoid proximity effect), and then you can be looking pretty much anywhere and not have to worry about mic pickup. Of course, make sure the mic isn't gonna shock you first! AS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Marko Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 As a "non-pro" (as the audience would be)... I think if a Musician MOVES AROUND A LOT, the positives of a headset would FAR outweigh the negatives. The Musician would be far more interesting and fun to watch. In a case like that, I really feel that the vast majority of the audience would feel that they're getting MORE their money's worth... like he's working harder for it, and more "into it". I'd say "try it", be a Leader... it might even catch on. ps. Why is it just okay for Garth Brook? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members picker13 Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Do you move around alot while playing, interacting with other band members and the audience? If so, then you could use one. If you stand still, then use a mic stand. If you think you need it so you can look at your left hand while playing, then learn how to play without looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rickkreuzer Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Our guitar player, bass player and pedal steel/acoustic players all use them. It may be lame, but it works for us and the club owners we're packing patrons into. It allows the front guys to get out into the crowd and interact. For setups and tear downs, since we play avg 130 shows/year for the last 5+ years, it makes it very easy since everyone is 100% wireless mics, transmitters, and IEM's. I never have to spend precious time "ringing" out monitors or what not. I'll take lame. I'm ok with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fantasticsound Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Headset mics are great if you like to move or just don't want to be situation behind a mic stand, however, beware of these issues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members worthyjoe Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Originally posted by Prog See what I mean? There's a huge spectrum of rational thought between "gung-ho headset wearer" and "trend-monger." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fastplant Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Speaking from experience: The guitarist in my last band used one, and not one show went by where people in the audience (people I didn't know, mind you) didn't come up to me to complain that our guitarist looked like an idiot. If you don't mind people constantly thinking this about you, go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members worthyjoe Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Originally posted by fastplant Speaking from experience:The guitarist in my last band used one, and not one show went by where people in the audience (people I didn't know, mind you) came up to me to complain that our guitarist looked like an idiot. If you don't mind people constantly thinking this about you, go for it. Thank you. And I'm not making a judgement on whether that opinion is right or wrong. It's just reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Prog Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Originally posted by fastplant not one show went by where people in the audience (people I didn't know, mind you) didn't come up to me to complain that our guitarist looked like an idiot.All because of a microphone? Didn't those audiences have anything better to do? I find this dubious. I think there was more to him looking like an idiot than the microphone. Of ALL gear ever used by any rock band since 1960, is the headset mic the only thing that would cause this? If a player makes gear work, it works. There are no hard-fast rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fastplant Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Originally posted by Prog All because of a microphone? Didn't those audiences have anything better to do? I find this dubious. I think there was more to him looking like an idiot than the microphone.Of ALL gear ever used by any rock band since 1960, is the headset mic the only thing that would cause this?If a player makes gear work, it works. There are no hard-fast rules. I'm just telling you what happened. You can choose to ignore it and see what happens. They specifically mentioned the headset was what made him look bad, and asked me to tell him to take it off. But Joe has a point, a big part of being in a band is looking the part. Whether or not you want to accept that. You can sound amazing, but if someone looks dumb, that's something that some people will pick up on, some might not. But I'd think if you were serious about being in a band you'd try to win over as many fans as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Yeah... and I'm sure Elton John (for instance) looks whatever the part he wants to look and laughs all the wayto the bank. Yeah, he (sometimes) looks rediculous but who cares, he's a hell of aplayer and songwriter. Doesn't stop anyone from putting down a lot of cash to buy tickets. Wonder if your band has these attributes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fastplant Posted May 19, 2006 Members Share Posted May 19, 2006 Originally posted by agedhorse Yeah... and I'm sure Elton John (for instance) looks whatever the part he wants to look and laughs all the wayto the bank. Yeah, he (sometimes) looks rediculous but who cares, he's a hell of aplayer and songwriter. Doesn't stop anyone from putting down a lot of cash to buy tickets. Wonder if your band has these attributes? True, if you're a mind blowing musician and people flock to your shows, you can do almost anything you want, because your music will far overshadow anything else. But I'd think if you were at that level, you wouldn't need to ask the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rbts Posted May 20, 2006 Members Share Posted May 20, 2006 Hmm, interesting I have both the Crown 311 and the countryman isomax headset mics, and have used both. First off I just want to say that the sound of both of these is excellent. I bought the crown for singing when I was playing drums, then bought the countryman when I wanted to play a harp in a rack, which the crown will not permit. The contryman is a VERY LOW PROFILE micropahone, and I don't think anyone would say you looked dumb in it. The only comments I ever got were #1 whoa that sounds pretty good, and #2 whoa is that a countrman, dang you went all out. I also don't actually like the looks of the crown except on a drummer... although a whole band full of dudes wearing them might be sort of cool, and as mentioned, the countryman is a little more delicate in as far as getting it to stay put where you want it, but playing my guitar, and harp in a rack, I LOVE the freedom of movement that a headset mic permits, even a wired one, which is what I have. just my thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members stevehanks Posted May 20, 2006 Members Share Posted May 20, 2006 Our Bass player / frontman uses a Crown. It sounds great, and he likes to get out in the crowd and interact. The whole package is pretty sweet really. Brings the crowd right into the show. Years back I used an At. I don't recall the model but it was decent. Just was not for me. I don't recall ever hearing a disparaging word from anyone about it. If it helps your performance go for it!! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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