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Microphone & DI Hire | AV Hire

The microphone is the start point of any PA system. It is here where the initial sound signal such as speech, singing or instrumentation is detected and changed into an electrical current before being transmitted to the mxing desk.

There is a huge range of microphones available on the audio visual hire market to suit virtually any requirement. Advise your chosen AV hire supplier of the exact details of your event and this will allow them to recommend the most appropriate microphone for your event.

The details of a variety of mcirophones that are suited for different events and are regularly available on the hire market are listed below:

Handheld Radio Microphone

Handheld radio microphones are units held in the users hand, similar to a standard microphone but without the cable. The handset contains a radio transmitter and requires a battery. When switched on the handset tramsmits to a dedicated receiver unit which is positioned close to the mixing console.

When being used for conference or public address applications radio microphones are useful for on stage presenters who can move around without being constricted by cables but be aware that they have to be held close to the mouth when in use and may have to be stand mounted if the speaker is talking from a lectern. This may prove to be intrusive or aethetically displeasing. Radio microphones are ideal for audience based question and answer sessions as they can be moved around an audience with ease.

Handheld hire radio microphones are also ideal for vocalists and singers but if you intend to use a wireless microphone for this type of application be sure to hire a unit that can cope with high input levels without distorting. Discuss your particular requirements with your chosen AV hire supplier to ensure you receive the most suitable unit.

Lapel Radio Microphone

Hire radio lapel microphones are condenser microphones that clip onto a presenters tie or lapel. The microphone is then plugged into a small, battery powered transmitter unit which can be clipped onto the users belt or placed in a pocket. The beltpack transmits to the receiver unit that is positioned close to the mixing console.

Hire radio lapel microphones allows a presenter to talk very naturally due to the highly unobtrusive nature of the clip on microphone. Radio lapel microphones can be highly sensitive and as such need to be set up correctly to ensure the best sound quality and reduction of the potential of feedback.

Headset Microphone

As with hire lapel microphones, hire headset radio microphones plug into a radio beltpack which transmits to a receiver positioned near the mixing console. Headset microphones are ideal for presentations where a speaker may be regularly turning their head or making exagerated movements. They are available as small skin colured units which clip over the users ear. These are ideal for theatre use due to their indistinct nature.

Also available are more robust hire headset microphones which firmly strap round the back of the users head. These are more suited to events where the speaker is making exagerated movements such as dancing demonstrations.

Desktop / Condenser Microphones

Hire desktop microphones are microphones that pick up speech from presenters seated at a table or standing behind a lectern. Desktop microphones tend to be static, cabled units which can be clipped into small table top, gooseneck microphone stands. Hire desktop microphones are regularly deployed in pairs to ensure all speech from an individual presenter. Condenser microphones are generally diminutive in stature when compared to standard microphones as such they tend to be unintrusive and aesthetically pleasing.

Although high quality models reproduce excellent sound quality, condenser microphones can be particularly sensitive and prone to feedback when not operated by experienced sound engineers. Discuss your requirements with your chosen audio visual hire supplier and ensure you are comfortable with the operation of the equipment if opting for a dry hire rental.

Handheld Cable Microphone

Most commonly used for speech and singing, handheld or stand mounted cable microphones are also suited to a variety of other applications such as miking up instruments.