What’s up guys!
If you’ve seen many of my more recent videos on youtube, you’ll notice that I usually have a wireless mic to help me project my voice throughout the gym.
A common question I get is what mic do you use?
So… today I wanted to give you an overview of my wireless mic.
My Wireless Microphone
The mic is a “Shure” brand mic and comes with a receiver and a transmitter headset.
You can get different kinds of headsets.
I got the “cardioid headset” which is described as “a rugged, comfortable head-worn microphone.”
You can check out a video walkthrough of the wireless mic I use below:
How I Wear My Mic
Usually, I’m wearing that around my neck. If we’re doing a dance or something where I’m using my hands or doing a lot of movement, I’ll put it on my head. I don’t wanna have it on my head all day. It’s not necessarily uncomfortable. I just find that I don’t like it on my head when I’m talking to kids, because it makes me feel like there’s something between us when we’re talking.
So normally, after I get done with instructions during the day, I’ll drop it around my neck, and if I need to give an adjustment or an instruction for just a few seconds, I’ll lift the mic up to my mouth. I also feel like when I’m working one-on-one with a student, having the mic around my neck feels less weird than talking to a student with it on my face. I feel like I can connect with the student a little bit better. So, the mic is on my head maybe 10-15% of the day. For the rest, it’s around my neck.
Also, the transmitter just clips into my pocket really easily so I can turn it on and off easily and it’s out of the way, you can see an example in the tweet below:
Awesome! I need to add a pic of that – I put it in my pocket and the clip goes on the outside of my pocket so it’s easy to turn on and off quickly pic.twitter.com/jYFwXI0oTQ
— Ben Landers (@thepespecialist) January 9, 2020
How It’s Changed the Game
I taught for about eight years without this, and then once I got it, I was like, “how have I gone so long without using this mic?” When you’re a big gym, it keeps you from having to use a loud voice to talk to those kids across the room.
It also allows you to give instructions to your kids when they’re spread out if needed, which saves a ton of transition time that you would have spent bringing the kids in close and then sending them back out during a lesson.
When I bring my kids in close, I’ll just cut it off. When my kids are far away, I’ll keep it down around my neck for that little extra amplification.
If it’s really loud, and I need to say something important, I’ll just hold the mic next to my mouth. It allows you to have that “loud, gym voice,” but still talk in a calm, reassuring and relaxed tone to your students. So, you’re not yelling at your kids.
Tech Details
It’s battery-powered, and there’s a receiver that plugs into my stereo on the wall. I just have to make sure to keep a set of extra batteries charged up and ready to go. That’s easy with this reachargeable battery setup.
I like this specific one because can charge AA’s or AAA’s, so I can charge my mic batteries and my TV remote. It also has two USB slots that can charge an iPhone, iPod, iPad.
This setup is a little pricey, but once you have it, you won’t teach without it.
Links to my gear:
- Shure Wireless Mic with Cardiod Headset
- Rechargeable Battery Setup
- Check out Our Amazon Store for more recommended resources
Battery Speaker and Mic
I have a battery speaker that came with a hand held mic that works pretty well, it’s the JBL Party Box on the Go
I usually just use it for music at car line or on the rare occasion when we go outside, and for Field Day and other events like that.
It definitely pumps the jams, but doubtful if the battery will last for 8 hours, it definitely would be good for 4-5 depending on how long it goes.
Hope that was helpful and good luck finding a good wireless mic!
cameron Oates says
hi, I love the idea of a headset. Does you work with a ION boom box?
Thanks, Cameron
Marcus says
Hey Cameron!
Not exactly sure but I don’t think so. The ION speaker comes with a microphone it’s just not wireless.
Lynn says
Do you use this outside? I’m concerned that the amplifier needs to be powered. Is there any system you can use that doesn’t require a power cord?
Marcus says
Hey Lynn,
We have not used the wireless mic outside because the one we use needs to be plugged in. There are some you can use outside.
They have good voice amplifiers you can use and they are battery powered.
Hope this helps!
Annita Wylie says
I am in the process of writing a grant for a smart tv, possibly heart monitors. Could you leave me in the right direction?
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Annita,
Are you looking for direction for grant writing or smart tv’s and heart monitors?
Grant writing… I’ve always had success with Donor’s Choose. They do a great job of setting things up for you and guiding you through the process.
Smart Tv’s are every where you just need to decide your size and how much you want to spend. Just make sure you get one that has lots of HDMI inputs.
I’ve also heard a lot of good things about https://heartzones.com/ heart rate monitors. They may be a good route to go with.
Hope this helps!
Edna Smith says
Will this work outside?
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Edna,
Wireless Mic do work outside. You would just need access to an outdoor plug for the receiver.
Hope this helps!
coachreynolds says
Hi Ben,
Does your wireless mic set work outdoors as well, or just in the gym? Do they make wireless mics that are portable and can go in or outside?
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Coach,
Not sure what the best way to do wireless mic would be if you don’t have a way to plug it in, but if there’s a power outlet where you will be teaching you can check out my wireless mic – it’s linked up on our amazon recommended page:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/amazon/
They do make battery powered wireless mics but I have not experimented with them before…
Hope that helps – Have Fun and Teach On!
Lisa Miller says
Does the system work outside?
Ben Landers says
As long as you have a plug for the Mic Receiver it will work anywhere. The bodypack is battery powered, but the receiver must be plugged in to the wall and into your sound system or speaker.