For those of you out there who utilize wireless mics for your wind player soloists...i.e. saxophone...what mics have you found to be the best and what transmitter/receiver do you use with those mics? Any and all help appreciated.
Re: Wireless Mic
Posted by DesertJazz on 5/16/2026, 5:23 pm, in reply to "Wireless Mic"
First, I really recommend giving Micophonics a call about getting set up if you're going this route for the first time. Andrew Werst there and his team are very knowledgeable and helpful!
We've been using Shure QLXD gear for receivers and transmitters. We have a 'flag' antenna system for them that also handles power to a set number of systems in the cart. (I think it's 4 right now...) I believe depending on location they're recommending a different version now due to some changing frequencies.
It's not cheap to go this route, and if you do cheap out you won't get reliable results. Make sure if you're going this route that you plan accordingly! My first time of trying this, we ended up with channels dropping in and out at contest sites with different interfering transmissions there. With Shure gear you can get scanning via Wireless Workbench when you get things set right and it's a game changer for avoiding problems!
For flute we've tried a few things including a Countryman flute mic. Last season we switched to a headset mic instead (It's shure, can't remember model) and it seemed better.
Clarinet - get one of the dual mic systems. There's one mic that points to the bell, and one to the upper stack. It's the best at getting a characteristic sound out of it to me. (I think that's a countryman brand, but I know Andrew was showing me a new company at TMEA with that)
Saxophone the Beta98 mentioned is good. That mic works well with all the brass instruments too in my experiences. Only problem I've run into with those is when the kid used too much force to bend it and that broke the connection to where it flopped around instead of staying where we needed it...
Just be warned there's another cost of wireless - and that's time to do it right. Most drum corps have at least one full-time person dealing with those systems. It can be very challenging to deal with updating receivers and transmitters on-site if you have a small staff. Make sure you plan for scans and time to get stuff set before having to go to warm-up/field.
Re: Wireless Mic
Posted by Mike on 5/15/2026, 7:32 pm, in reply to "Wireless Mic"
Best mic is very subjective. I'm sure you'll get a ton of different opinions. You can spend a fortune on mics if you really want.
For flute, we use a Countryman E6. It's designed for a speaker/singer. Goes over the ear and close to the corner of the mouth. Use some medical tape to secure it to the player's face.
Clarinet we've been using the basic Shure lavalier mic that came with the kit. We experimented with clipping it on the brim of the shako, but ended up just clipping it to the front of the uniform. You want to mic near the middle of the instrument, between the hands.
Saxophone we use a Beta98. Don't shove it into the bell. It sounds better if you aim it more toward the center of the instrument.
We use all of these with Shure QLXD wireless transmitters and receivers. It's a good mid-range setup. A few years ago we committed to the wireless game and bought paddle antennas, signal distro, the works. It was an expensive startup cost but the system has been rock-solid. Cheap wireless is asking for trouble, spend the coin and get something reliable.
