On 12/16/2013 9:02 PM, David Guernsey wrote:
Looking for recommendations on a headset type mic that cud be hooked up to an audio amplifier. A friend who has a daughter with a traumatic brain injury like my wife, needs it for her daughter who can only whisper at this point.
You probably want a professional unit, but "suitable" will depend a lot on what she can comfortable wear. Some givens. A professional microphone will have balanced wiring, and most will be electret condenser mics that require phantom power. They will also require a preamplifier, and many such preamps provide phantom power.
Most pro headworn mics do NOT come with headphones. Professional "headworn" microphones are used by performers, preachers, exercise instructors, and are generally quite lightweight. They are often used with wireless mic transmitters, and there are unbalanced versions for this use.
Depending on what she can wear and/or tolerate, she can choose from separate headphones and a headworn mic, or those with a boom mic attached. Sennheiser makes a very nice boom headset, but it's fairly heavy (rather like Yamaha CM500). I've not worn one of them, but Sennheiser is a great company and I suspect they are quite comfortable. They're not cheap.
There's another interesting option. Tascam, a major mfr of semi-pro audio gear, now makes some rather nice USB audio interfaces that have inputs for both balanced and unbalanced mics and headphone outputs. They would work well with a low cost set like the CM500, and also with the Sennheiser, because it provides phantom power for pro mics. They do NOT provide bias for unbalanced mics (like the CM500).
Yet another option. Virtually any unbalanced mic can be used with a pro wireless mic system, and these systems DO provide bias for electret mics. The headphones, or in-ear phones, could be wired, or could be used with a wireless receiving system. Several companies make them, including Shure and Comtek. Those used by performers are called "in-ear monitors" and those used by broadcasters are called IFB systems (that's what you see newcasters wearing).
I'm copying this to a pro audio colleague who may be able to help you. Ray Rayburn is an audio systems design consultant who has designed sound systems for many churches, and for both houses of Congress. He also sells inexpensive mics and wireless mic systems, mostly to churches. Ray is also a ham. Michael Petersen, an applications engineer at Shure, would also be a good resource. You can reach him through their main number.
73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
