Audio Systems: Bodypacks and mics, wireless headset microphone, wireless headset microphone system

Question
Hello Mr. Smith thank you for making yourself available for questions. I have a friend that is an aerobics instructor. She wants to buy her own headset mic and bodypack. Neither her or myself are very knowledgeable in this area so hopefully you can help. First could you recommend a particular brand of mic and bodypack for that application(aerobics)? Also are bodypacks compatible with any receiver or do the bodypack and the receiver have to be matched beforehand? What is the price range for durable and reliable equipment? Thank you for any help,advice or information you can give me I hope my questions make sense.

Answer
Hi Nic-

Shure is widely regarded as the industry standard brand when it comes to wireless microphones, and indeed, microphones in general. Their products will last for a very long time, and will take a lot of abuse. But, they're kind of expensive.  What I'd recommend is something like the Shure PG14/PG30 Performance Gear Wireless Headset Microphone System, available for about $300. It's Shure's entry-level bodypack system (includes a microphone and receiver), and should work just fine for an aerobics application.

Other decent brands to check out are Nady, Audio Technica, and Sennheiser.

Whatever you do, make sure the mic/receiver are matched by brand and by model. Most packages and product web sites will have some sort of a list that tells you which models are compatible with each other, or you can get a bundle that includes both components. Strictly speaking, brands *should* work with each other, since the FCC licenses most wireless systems in the same frequency band, but in actual practice, you'll run into problems if you try to use, say, a Shure microphone with a Nady receiver.

Do you already have some sort of PA system to plug into? If not, you'll need some sort of amplifier and speaker system. Sometimes, you can get a good deal on powered speaker systems, which combine an amplifer, sound mixer, and speakers in one package. Something really portable, like a Fender Passport PD-150, would be nice, but it runs about $500.

If the aerobics venue already has a PA system, the wireless microphone will work with it, but you may need an adaptor to make the connection from the receiver to the system.  Wireless microphones usually have a 1/4-inch phone plug or a 3-pin XLR connector. Depending on what the PA system has, you may need to buy an adaptor of some sort at your local electronics store.

Hope this Helps!

-Steve