Technology. Sometimes so great. Other times, epic failures!
Just last week, I witnessed two unfortunate disasters using wireless microphones for the sound system. The first was at a luncheon for a ladies club. They needed a PA system separate from anything available at the hall for the MC to use and also for the entertainment. We had a set of instructions and followed them the best we untrained ladies could. We got the speakers, mixer and mics set up, plugged in, and tried a sound check. The wireless mics apparently had not charged up long enough yet, so they did not work.
After waiting for them to charge up for a while, they worked. Then, since we would not need the sound system for more than an hour, we shut it down. I learned that was the wrong move. When we turned the PA on again, the mics did not work. All indications on the meters said that they were working, but no sound came out. AARGH! Apparently they lost their charge or something.
After waiting for them to charge up for a while, they worked. Then, since we would not need the sound system for more than an hour, we shut it down. I learned that was the wrong move. When we turned the PA on again, the mics did not work. All indications on the meters said that they were working, but no sound came out. AARGH! Apparently they lost their charge or something.
The entertainers fared better. The ballroom dancers were successful in using the mixer and the speakers to run their music. We just had no microphone for the announcer. Too bad!
Then, yesterday at Stake Conference, a man was trying to set up microphones for the choir. It was very important to have adequate sound amplification because the hall was so big and because the meeting was going to be broadcast over Zoom. We worked hard to get the microphones placed in such a way to pick-up each section in a balanced way.
Then he made the same mistake we had done in the women's club meeting. He turned off the wireless mics in the choir loft. When he turned them on again a few minutes before the meeting started, they did not work. He fussed with them for awhile and told us that we would have to be very quiet during the meeting because the mics would be "hot" the entire time.
Then he made the same mistake we had done in the women's club meeting. He turned off the wireless mics in the choir loft. When he turned them on again a few minutes before the meeting started, they did not work. He fussed with them for awhile and told us that we would have to be very quiet during the meeting because the mics would be "hot" the entire time.
Unfortunately, the reports I heard from people who had watched the meeting over Zoom said that they could not hear the choir. Apparently, the wireless microphones still did not work properly! So sad!
I have to say, that I much prefer hard-wired microphones in situations like this. Unless you have professional sound engineers at the ready with all of their knowhow and tools, wireless mics seemed to have more potential problems than they are worth!
I have to say, that I much prefer hard-wired microphones in situations like this. Unless you have professional sound engineers at the ready with all of their knowhow and tools, wireless mics seemed to have more potential problems than they are worth!
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