[Elecraft] OT Headset mic

[David Guernsey]

Thanks for recommendations.  I have talked to the person who asked, and they will be looking into getting a mic.
 
73 de Dave KJ6CBS



On Tuesday, December 17, 2013 10:40 AM, Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:
 
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
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