SOUND: Wireless mic issues - and advice?

[JJC98]

Hi guys. Let me start this question with 2 things:  #1 - i know this isn't an "SM" specific thing, but I'm SMing and running audio, and you are all so helpful and knowledgeable. #2 - i understand if this thread needs to be moved. Wasn't sure where to put it.

here's my situation:

I'm SMing (and running sound) for Nunsense at my local Community Theatre. Background: I have 5 women on stage with each having their own wireless head mic that loops around their ear, hooked on inside of their skirt.

My problem - one of the mics keeps cutting out. I have tried multiple things.
#1 - fresh regular batteries (not rechargable)
#2 - changed just mic with another person's mic that hadn't cut out
#3 - changed connection on sound board
#4 - changed battery packs with same person as above in #2

So, do any of you have any suggestions?? I gave the ladies saran wrap to wrap the packs to not get sweat in. I don't think the problem pack was wrapped.

I have a theory... exp after i changed packs and still had the same problem.
I think that actress just has a lot of electrical energy and "chi" (life force). Afterall, some people can't wear watches because of their personal electrical system! Since the pack has been on the small of her back... I told her to move it to her hip tonight.

Other than that - any ideas?? Fortunately, the space is small, and she projects well, but to have her mic cutting in/out while the others are miced... it's just weird (and frustrating as hell for me)

Thanks for reading!

Jennifer

[avkid]

You have a short in the mic, not powerful energy.

[KMC]

My problem - one of the mics keeps cutting out. I have tried multiple things.

Question - is it the same beltpack that keeps cutting out?  Or is it the same performer even when beltpacks and mics are swapped?

The second would be a lot more puzzling!

[JJC98]

but i like the powerful energy theory!


but see, the mic she used in the second act last night was the mic/pack the other person had been using for 1 -2 weeks. and it still cuts out. so yes - it's the puzzling aspect of it all.

it's just an enigma for me. i'm not an expert in sound, by any stretch of the imagination. the unfortunate thing is, other people involved know less than i do... or are deaf! lol (can't make this stuff up people)

i'll try to saran wrap tonight. maybe sweat is invading more that i think it is.

like i said - at least it's a small space (about 120-30 seats) she'll just have to project well, in case it cuts in/out some more.

[KMC]

Pick up some condoms (unlubricated), this will probably be more effective than saran wrap if condensation is the problem.

[ScooterSM]

Is there anywhere else on her body that she could wear her mic pack?  Many women sweat heavily on the small of their back, and if she could wear it on the back or front of her bra or outside of her thigh that might help.

I would also second the condom idea.  It does work better than saran wrap.

Best of luck!

[javnine]

That sounds a lot like an RF issue.  Does the antenna of the mic have a clear pathway to the receiver in the mic rack?  Is it farther than 50'?  I had a lot of mic problems on a show with Telex Wireless mics, and I had to keep the mic rack backstage within about 30' of the cast.  Otherwise the signal wouldn't get through.

[KMC]

Frequency issues were my original inclination, however if you read carefully the problem is consistent to one performer, regardless of which beltpack that performer has.  This tells me it's not a frequency issue (unless they're changing the frequencies on the beltpacks as they swap them out to keep the same frequency for each performer).

[JJC98]

thanks for all your reading and advise. i talked to a couple audio companies in the area, and they also said RF issues. So, I tried to work with that a bit tonight. it seemed to have worked for a bit... then it cut in/out again (randomly). Honestly, i think i either troubleshooted too much, or not enough. I think I might have hit some other things too. gosh... when you are not really sure what you are doing, it's hard to dial in what is right and wrong. and it's REALLY hard to have 5 women just hang around the stage for a couple hours to troubleshoot the heck out of it. no one has that time, or energy. I know i don't.

i adjusted some of the atennas, but the original problem beltpack (#7), along with 2 or 3 more started to cut in/out. we fiddled a tiny bit with the RF stuff. i'm starting to realize that if i can't get it right... we will just have to deal. it's a small space, so as long as they are doing what they are supposed to do (like project and not rely solely on the mics) the audience should still hear them well.

unfortunately, the receivers are probably a bit too far from stage- maybe by a few feet. plus, the receivers are all compounded in a rack, so the atenna really can't be out and open to actually receive. Lots of EMF in that tiny rack. And since we open in 72 hours, it's too late to move the receivers and run wire to the board. the theatre and sound people will hopefully know what to do for next time!

the really REALLY sucky thing about tonight's rehearsal??? I lost an entire mic tonight. #8. NO sound whatsoever. we were picking up RF signal, but not AF. i changed the mic out with another person. that made #6 not audible (but then #8 was fine)  as far as i know, that mic was not touched between 11 last night and 7pm this evening. So, it's something in the actual tiny mic or the wire that leads to the beltpack. Head guy will work with it tomorrow. Hopefully, he can send it back and replace it (if needed) before next weekend's shows. We *might* be able to borrow one mic from someone for this weekend (again, if needed).

after i got all frustrated and annoyed with that situation, i just tried to let it go and just do my job. Act II was better (for me). i had to just realize, i can't fix it during the show. i have to work it after the show. we will see what happens on Thurs (final Dress).

i've gained a WHOLE NEW RESPECT for the sound guys! i don't see myself SMing and Sound oping at the same time, any time soon.

thanks for reading my rant and helping me. i still liked my "high energy" theory. BTW - i wasn't the only one that thought of it.

[killerdana]

I've occasionally had problems with heavy costumes blocking mic reception.  It's usually a MUCH larger costume (ie. Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast), but it could be a factor.  You may have to find someplace to place her mic pack where the antenna is free of the costume (we did back of the neck). 

[javnine]

"unfortunately, the receivers are probably a bit too far from stage- maybe by a few feet. plus, the receivers are all compounded in a rack, so the atenna really can't be out and open to actually receive. Lots of EMF in that tiny rack. And since we open in 72 hours, it's too late to move the receivers and run wire to the board. the theatre and sound people will hopefully know what to do for next time!"

If you're working for a theater with money, ask if they can purchase RF paddles.  They're basically larger antennas with a separate, longer cable that sit on microphone stands.  You can place them anywhere in the wings (assuming the cable will run that far) and it helps A LOT in getting better RF signal.  That's how we fixed my RF problem.

"i've gained a WHOLE NEW RESPECT for the sound guys! i don't see myself SMing and Sound oping at the same time, any time soon.
"
Me too.  I'm in tour #2 of 3 running wireless mics during the show, and I don't like it.  I'm not good at EQing, trouble-shooting...  I'm just learning as I go, trying to pick things up from house audio technicians and do the best I can.

[JJC98]

If you're working for a theater with money,

THAT'S funny!!! Or really sad... It's community theatre. It very well could have been a strain on the theatre budget just to buy them. but they are also an investment, right?

when i go to the theatre tomorrow, i'll have a better idea of what's going on - i hope. honestly, the cutting in/out isn't what's bothering me. it's the broken mic. but ya know... i'm off tonight. i can't let it get to me. not tonight.

i'll keep ya'll informed on what happens tomorrow.

[LizH]

If the transmitters are underneath their skirts, you may want to check if that actress is wearing thicker slips or padding or skirts or whathaveyou. Also be sure she's not coiling the transmitter's antenna up (be nice, but just double check). Could you try moving the receptors backstage then running well-shielded XLR at line level to booth?

Also, do you have an area mic hung? In highschool we set up a shotgun that we'd be able to pull up if someone's mic went out. Works best if you lower everyone else's wireless levels when you do it... it's not the best, but it can work.

[centaura]

i still liked my "high energy" theory.

While I have heard of sound techs referencing a person's personal electric field, another thing that people have is different skin types.  Some skins are more acidic than others and can react badly with metals.  Is the mic touching her skin near her face?  Is there another local that you can put her mic where its not touching skin?  Maybe the center of her forhead?  She would probably  know if she reacted badly with metal - such people usually can't wear much jewelry.

-Centaura

[JJC98]

sorry i didn't update yesteday. i was just exahusted.

So, last night (final dress) all mics worked. The broken mic was fixed - yea! The major cut in/out mic (#7) still cut in and out. - boo.

Tonight - opening night. during the day, head guy moved the receivers to the side of the stage, in the wings. (I sent an email last night asking for help on the situationg, including the possibilty of moving the receivers before next weekend) I REALLY thought that would have been a really huge problem to do before the open of the show. I guess it wasn't! I think I had one person cut in/out once. That was HUGE for me!! I was just so excited!

Funny thing. I get up to the tech booth and see the rack of receivers were gone. I had a small heart attack. But then i saw where they were. Heart attack over.

AND... as i typed this post, i realized the receivers are still on. Dammit. I'm not used to them being there, so I forgot to turn them off. It should be ok. oops. learning curve, right?

The moral of the story - for opening night, all technical stuff worked the way it was supposed to happen. My stress level was pretty low. Naturally, i was worried of having a good show, but i didn't have to worry about the crap i've been worrying about for over a week or 2.

Rumor has it, tonight was the theatre's largest opening night attendance! 71! (for about a 100 seat house)

thanks to everyone for your support and advice. you all really are the ones that got me through this and figured out what the problem was. you all ROCK!

Jennifer