Budget 2.4ghz wireless microphone systems

[dgsmith]

Hi, i'm looking to see if we can get a stop-gap (or a little extra capacity) on our wireless microphones by using a few in the 2.4ghz band. Most top-quality kit still tends to use the UHF bands and typically the licensed band for which don't have a license.

 

Does anyone have experience using 2.4ghz kit and is it viable in the likes of school halls where other devices are competing on the same wavelength, or does it not tend to pose an issue? Wouldn't be looking to use more than 2 or 3 devices if we did consider this approach due to potential interference.

 

Gear4music have a very cost effective dual lavalier set here although given it's very cheap I would be weary if it's up to the job (both in terms of build quality and the fact it's on the 2.4ghz band). If anyone has used the SubZero (or similar) brands, what is your experience or even just experience of 2.4ghz kit in general? Obviously it won't be in the region of Sennheiser et al but if it can do an adequate job then it's better than someone not having a mic at all.

[TronXP]

I have not used this one, but we use the Audio Technica 10 Pro system, which is 10 channels on 2.4 Ghz. We use it every day in the assemblies but also for Drama\Theatre productions, Musicals, Music recitals, band nights. So far had no issues with dropping out or interference. the 10 Pro system antennas can be extended using cat 5 cables to get closer to the stage if needed. The biggest limitation for us is only 10 channels! For our bigger productions, we hire in additional wireless mic systems.

[DaveTheTech]

https://www.proaudiocentre.com/pa-live-sound/chord-hu6-n-6-way-neckband-uhf-system.html

This is what we have. Works really well.

[dgsmith]

I have not used this one, but we use the Audio Technica 10 Pro system, which is 10 channels on 2.4 Ghz. We use it every day in the assemblies but also for Drama\Theatre productions, Musicals, Music recitals, band nights. So far had no issues with dropping out or interference. the 10 Pro system antennas can be extended using cat 5 cables to get closer to the stage if needed. The biggest limitation for us is only 10 channels! For our bigger productions, we hire in additional wireless mic systems.

 

Do you also have a lot of 2.4ghz devices in use (bluetooth, WAPs etc) or is this a very clean environment with little that *could* interfere? I have read very mixed stories about 2.4ghz kit, some that works fine, others not so well and very dependent upon environmental factors. Do you find the direct line-of-sight need to be an issue or is it still workable even when it's a little obscured?

 

https://www.proaudiocentre.com/pa-live-sound/chord-hu6-n-6-way-neckband-uhf-system.html

This is what we have. Works really well.

 

This is on the free ch70 UHF band, for which we have devices already (albeit 4, not the "extended" 6), hence my query being around the 2.4ghz band.

[TronXP]

The hall has a 2x WiFi points inside and can have anything from a couple to 100 devices connected, and so far there has not been any issues. We only use a couple of Bluetooth devices ourselves so can't say much more on this.

[SamanthaD]

Also consider the 1.9 GHz band - also known as DECT. This band is quite empty and will probably be more resilient than a 2.4 GHz system when faced with a hall full of students phones! (We've been testing a 1.9 GHz Catchbox mic in one of our large lecture theatres, probably up to 600 / 700 devices in the room, no issues at all.)

[dgsmith]

The hall has a 2x WiFi points inside and can have anything from a couple to 100 devices connected, and so far there has not been any issues. We only use a couple of Bluetooth devices ourselves so can't say much more on this.

 

Encouraging then. If we did look at this, it'd only be a handful to minimize any potential impact but I guess if 2.4ghz was non-workable then the products wouldn't sell!

 

Also consider the 1.9 GHz band - also known as DECT. This band is quite empty and will probably be more resilient than a 2.4 GHz system when faced with a hall full of students phones! (We've been testing a 1.9 GHz Catchbox mic in one of our large lecture theatres, probably up to 600 / 700 devices in the room, no issues at all.)

 

I have looked at this space too (as another "free" region) but systems operating in this band seem very far and few between and thus the cost isn't exactly always attractive compared to a few more marketed towards the 2.4ghz band.

[Lyptherion]

I've used the line 6 gear and it really is top notch but I have seen dropouts when a student has there phone next to the reciever. Despite being told not to bring it on stage

[nahtan]

Would you be open to the idea of paying for a Channel 38 licence? Whilst I understand it’s an ongoing cost, I believe it only costs around £90 a year and that gives you access to Channel 38 as well as some frequencies between 823-832 MHz.