I have had a Wireless Shure Headset Mike for several years, that is not bad sounding.

Once at an Outdoor Pool party, the hostess asked me to switch back to my Handheld wireless, because people did not think I was actually singing. I also had a few people come up to me as I was walking/singing around and start talking to me, like I could answer them and continue the song.

Obviously it is somewhat different when I also have my Guitar wireless and stroll around with that and the wireless headset.

Usually at gigs around The Villages, where we use backing tracks and wireless mikes, we cover the audience pretty good.
Billie, (who is much more animated) really gets into her steps and Theatrical moves for showtunes like "All that Jazz" and such.
I find that the freedom of a wireless and the L1, allows us to be much more personable with our audience.

Nothing like recognizing a regular in the pause between a verse and a handshake in front of their guests, while you are singing, to get a round of drinks going. We are there to make them glad they came and we appreciate them.

The Bose L1 helps create a sound and an atmosphere that really helps you work your audience. Especially at the smaller gigs, it makes the experience, casual, yet professional sounding. People are definately more at ease and enjoy the closeness, without fear of being blasted out.

Hi ST


The Crown CM 311A is Great ! Exxxxxcellent Sound, when used with the preset designed for it.

I used it at a concert this weekend and was bowled over.

Excellent Clarity !

I love the freedom a headset offers.

I use a gate to reduce/eliminate breath noise.

I am using compression ( Via a Voicelive )to stabilize the volume level, I do lose a little dynamics,
I should probably spend more time adjusting the threshold

I am Veeeerry happy with the sound I get from this mic, read the instructions and use it the way Crown
suggests, it makes a difference.


Ted

Joel, thanks for a very descriptive post and it sounds like our acts are similar. I can also relate to people talking to you while you're walking around wireless.
I've people try to sing into my mic....with it on my face

@Ted: you mention a preset for the Crown. I don't find one for the CM311. It it the headworn mic category you're speaking of?

theleo

quote:

Joel, thanks for a very descriptive post and it sounds like our acts are similar. I can also relate to people talking to you while you're walking around wireless.
I've people try to sing into my mic....with it on my face

I definately will not venture into the audience if I am singing "My Way". That's looking for trouble.

Hi theleo


I have an L1 classic ( with version 2.0 presets ) and the preset for the CM310/CM311 is # 08 on mine.

Do you have a T1 ? If so, I am not sure what the preset is on the T1.

If you have an L1 classic with version 1.0 presets, you may want to consider upgrading to the
newer presets. It's free !


Hope that helps,

Ted

Hi Ted...my bad, I have a model II with a T1 and it was the T1 I was speaking about.
I shoulda read a little closer, but thanks for the courteous reply.

leo

quote:

Originally posted by theleo:
Ted: you mention a preset for the Crown. I don't find one for the CM311. It it the headworn mic category you're speaking of?

Hi theleo, How is the CM311 working out for you?
I'm using the general headworn mic preset in the T1 and am experiencing feedback that I can't seem to get rid of, since my switch to the Model II. It's a really odd "wooshing" sounding frequency that I can't locate, and it happens at odd times, not necessarily when the mic is pointed at the tower. I will have to try Ted's gate idea.
Any other tips?

The CM311 is really working out great. My act goes from a mellow singer/songwriter thing, to a full blown midi backed show where I get to really crank up. And the crown always comes thru with no distortion, even when I'm dang near screaming.

Sorry to hear about the odd sounds.

I'm guessing you are not wireless but if you are, gain setting on the receiver would be the first place I would look.

I guess I'm lucky, but I've never experienced feedback so I'm not sure about that.

Crown suggests that the mic press on your lips, I find that a little annoying, so I back off just a tad so I can just feel the foam brushing my lips (or mustache). I'm sure you have, but if you're using the beltpack, put in a new battery.

Best of luck, keep trying and let us know how it goes, and I'll speak up if I think of anything else.

leo

www.leodean.com

A new battery...why didn't I think of that?
Could well be the culprit.
I'm not wireless.

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Drumr:
A new battery...why didn't I think of that?
Could well be the culprit.
I'm not wireless...

When I use the CM311A wired, I always use the phantom power and don't even insert a battery into the beltpack.

quote:

I always use the phantom power and don't even insert a battery into the beltpack.

I would have never thought that.

OK ST, now you've even got ME thinking about a headset mic! Dang it...

My gear-laden friend says that the Crown sounds much better than the many others he's tried. I'll ask him about the CountryMan.

So, did YOU compare the Crown & CountryMan? Just on looks in the pictures, The CountryMan seems more sleek and comfortable, and I would like the behind mount much better than over-top.

Can you elaborate on a comparison of the two, please? I look forward, as always.

Thanks, Mike

Hi Mike,

Just to get this out of the way, I found this picture of the Crown CM 311A. It looks like it goes behind your head like the Countryman.


--== click the picture to see it in context ==--

More in a bit.

Hi again Mike,

I don't have the Crown so I can't give you a comparison between the two.

I do have an now outdated AKG headworn microphone that is a bit clunkier to wear, but it seems fine for speech. I find it a little harsh for singing. It works fine and sounds better with my (antiquated) wireless rig.

So back to the Countryman. It was not so much a conscious choice, but one of opportunity, ten or more years ago. Back then I was occasionally seen leaping about the stage running wireless on both Guitar and Microphone. At that point I was looking for something a little sleeker than the AKG, and the Countryman was on sale at a local music store. I also did a lot less singing back then, than I do now. Quality of sound for my vocals was an afterthought.

I never did get around to figuring out how to make the Countryman wired microphone work with my wireless rig. So it sat basically unused in a drawer until recently. Mark (Le5) has given me lots of information about the wireless issue - but that's another discussion.

---

Using a head-worn microphone

I've tried it a few times now. I like it. It is different, and it feels like I am more open and accessible to the audience. This is not without consequence, but more on that in a sec.

I like *singing* into the Neumann KMS 105 better. It is still the more most effortless, transparent microphone I have ever used. Brutally honest, but that's okay. The fact that I am singing a lot more now, is something I attribute directly to the L1™ and to a lesser extent, the Neumann KMS 105.

As you mentioned, there is still something to be said for getting up behind the microphone *to sing*.

Bad habits
Using a head-worn microphone I have greater liberty to indulge old bad habits.

With the microphone on the stand, I have it up high enough that I am in a decent posture for singing. With the head-worn microphone I am not compelled to do that. I tend to drop my head which makes it harder to reach certain notes. But perhaps the worst thing is, I lose sight of the audience. At that point, I can completely forget that there *is* and audience.

Not so bad
With the head-worn microphone, if I keep my head up and my eyes open, then I do feel more connected with, or less protected from, the audience.

Boom
The last couple of times I with the head-worn microphone, my allergies (or my nervous tell) came out of the woodwork. I was plagued with an itchy nose. Every time I scratched it I hit the microphone in the process. "Boom"

Life is a work in progress.

Mike, I hope you experiment with this and let us know how it goes for you. We've all been at this for awhile, and I think it is good to give ourselves a chance to try things differently, or just try different things.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ST,

Hey ST,

THANKS for all that info and experience.

I will at least try on and try out my friend's Crown, hopefully A--B it with my 105 with the L1, maybe even try it at a performance.

I have an AKG wireless kit with the cool little transmitter that just plugs into the XLR - that should work. I do see that they have models pre-wired for different wireless systems...

I'll get back with results, but it will be a few weeks.

Best, Mike

We did a A-B test with 3 headsets on Saturday.

-dpa 1088

-Sennheiser ME3

-Countrymen ISOMAX

Unfortunately, we A-B thru the music stores pa and not a L1. So I am alittle worried about this.

The results were such:

-1st Countrymen ISOMAX (for the drummer and bass player)

-I picked the ME3 over all. It was the cheapest mic by far but after alittle eq, it sounded the best. Just had a nice full, complete sound.

-The dpa was last. We actually intended on getting this headset. No matter how much we eq, it just sounded honky and unstable.

I think I will get the sennheiser wireless system with the ME3 and try. If I don't like, I may retro with the ISOMAX or try the Crown 311 again.

Hi Steve,

Thanks for this update!

For the Countryman ISOMAX did you get the Hypercardioid versions for the Drummer and Bass Player? What wireless system are you going to be using for them?

Thanks

ST

I didn't do a very good job at getting all the info on the ISOMAX. I am not sure if it was the cardoid or hypercardioid.

I will have to email the rep at the store and check.

We are looking at the Sennheiser wireless systems, I believe the EW 152 (Evolution series) but I am not sure of this either.

The Countryman Isomax we got recently came with different "end-caps" for the mic itself; those are what determine the pick-pattern ... and they also (according to the accompanying graphs) cause a boost in the HF response (compared to "omni"), and so may need more HF EQ adjustment as the end-caps are changed.

Dan

Are you happy with the ISOMAX?

Does it cut thru the mix well (like a Audix OM5)?