Headset Mic

Too cheesy?

I'm using one (a pretty high-quality Sennheiser with their digital wireless), and I have to say, I LOVE the freedom, especially playing bass and singing. It looks mildly douchey, but it really allows me to put on a better show.

Just wondering about everyone's thoughts...

Just was watching Live Without A Net (the Van Hagar concert video where Sammy uses one for a LOT of the show), and it reminded me I wanted to post a thread like this in the singing forum.

Brian V.

Yes it is douchey. Yes it is cool to be able to move around and mingle with the audience.

I say use a standard mic and stand most of the night, and bust out the headset for one or two big numbers.

dk

I'm not just a singer, so the freedom is good in general as an instrumentalist instead of being tied to a wired mic - and obviously a normal wireless with a stand isn't an option. We're a three-piece band, so the more movement on stage, the better. Being tied to a mic stand all night isn't conducive to an active stage show.

What also sort of makes me okay with it is that it's consistent with what we do. We're a pop covers band - mostly 80s stuff - so it goes along with that. There was a lot of headset mic use and abuse in that era.

I'm surprised there haven't been more replies castigating me for my douchetasticness.

Brian V.

i say go for it! who cares what it looks like if it works dont fix it.. *laffs*

if it were me i'd have a wireless mic and instrument so i could run around jump on tables, in laps... done it for yrs. wont stop till i drop!

I always though there was something off about you!:poke:

After being tethered to the mic and guitar in my last 3-piece band...a headset mic doesn't sound too bad.

I own one, and use it sometimes for originals gigs in larger venues.

For day to day or cover gigs where the "show" isn't as important, I just live with standing behind a 58 on a stand.

I don't own any..but thinking to get one very soon. so any suggestions are welcome.

I have a friend that blows harp and sings backup that has one. He always buys top quality gear, so i dont think quality is an issue. Its just doesnt do as good a job as the old sm 58 he used to use. If he knew how it sounded ,, eh would scrap the thing. But he keeps using it. It might be a good option for a back up singing drummer ,,,, since the convenience would outway the lack of sound. In this guys case ,, its hurting the show. I think they look kinda gay,, and his didnt deliver the goods. Its a duo and his harp and his back up vocals are very important. I can see why he likes it. But the show does suffer.

I use a Sennheiser ME3 through one of the Digital 1000 series wireless units (same basic technology as the Line 6 X2 Wireless stuff - no compander).

It sounds at least as good as my 58 - maybe a little better so long as I watch my plosives (they are WAY amplified using a headset - you have to keep it sort of off to the side).

Did another gig this past weekend with the headset - and other than my own goof (not using a brand-new battery), it was great - I didn't even have to get the mic stand out at all during the show.

My headset is the Crocs of microphones - works well, feels good, looks completely dorky.

Brian V.

lulz:lol:

rhat ever think it could be the sound guy wasnt gettin it right?? i dont think i would blow anything hehe but i sure wouldnt use a head set for a harp... and Dthraco that was funny and i took it with a grain of salt hehehe...

damn straight i'm a little off thats why the work is pouring in hehe.. i''m not just back round noise for the party, they are my party! waaahoo. when i play a gig its like being at cheers where everybody knows my name instead of not even noticing hehehe...

last head set i had was an akg444 and too many sound guys distorted it so i had to go fix it... when u know the key to sound almost (almost) any mic, wired or wireless with a range of 50hz to 15khz can be made to sound good.

cause the only guy i know that can sing down to an open E on a bass, like

41. something hz is arthur prysock a national jazz singer i ran sound for in the late 80's. i think he's deeper than barry white.

No one mentioned a headset biggie, feedback rejection. Headsets do not feedback compared to handheld or stand mounted mics. The difference is striking. I play keys and feedback from monitors has plagued me for years, I've had enough and am headset bound.

I actually had some problems with feedback when I realized I had the sensitivity turned up way too high. As soon as I fixed that, I haven't had any feedback whatsoever.

Brian V.

I say go for it, I would.

I used one a few years ago for about a year, it worked great though I now once again prefer a mic on a stand.

I don't see anything cheesy about them , they work great for some and not so for others.

As has been mentioned you can use it for part of all of your sets, up to you really.

I use a Shure Headset Mic. I would'nt trade it for anything.

Hey Gigmaster! I live in Cohutta, GA. Not far from you. Where do you play. I've started kicking arond the idea of doing some aocustic open mic nights and would like to see a loca'ls set-ups.

For me how it looks...more importantly how it's percieved is very important. I used one for about a year but just felt to "douchey" LOL! But to each his own. The quality was decent enough. I think quality was only an issue in the early days of wireless mics etc... Today it's like anything else... there's the good stuff and there's the not so good stuff

Na no way was it the sound guy,every one runs their own sound. These guys are full on pros, they have been playing this resort town for years,,know every venue like the back of their hand. the guy does wear alot of hats. He plays congas , sings backup and blows harp and plays steel drums. can flow from instrument to instrument laying in some steel drum then do a harp fill all while playing congas he is a killer musican. Seen tons of their shows over the years. the heaset mic isnt as good as the old way with the boom mic. I am sure the headset is way more convenient. I liked it teh old way.

I'm primarily a keyboard player who simply got tired of having to contort in order put my head in the right position to be "on mic" while my hands were busy at one end of the keyboard or another. I paired up a Crown CM311AESH with a Shure PGX wireless system bodypack and receiver unit and have been a happy headset mic user ever since. It's a quality microphone that is comfortable to wear, sounds good with my voice - and has great gain before feedback characteristics. I absolutely love the fact that I can position myself for whatever feels best for keyboard playing - and simply sing - without having to worry about being on mic.

As far as looking "douche-y" ... who cares? I've always been a firm believer that function trumps form any day of the week - so I don't worry much about how it looks. Far as I'm concerned - real men wear pretty much whatever they want.

That's my favorite part about it - that and not worrying about breaking my teeth on the mic when I'm being all active on stage.

With you 100%. I have to be honest - I feel good about using the headset mic. I made the thread mostly because I just wondered what the "Rock and Roll Rule Police" would have to say about it. I probably should have posted this thread over in BSWTB...that might have been funnier.

Brian V.

Just make sure you don't mutter an expletive to one of your band mates, or the entire audience will hear it.

It's already happened a couple of times - fortunately at bar gigs where people thought it was funny rather than offensive. I usually play it off and crack a few jokes about it.

Brian V.