Thread: *sigh* equipment blues...

ok...so my event is looming around the corner and I'd really love to have wireless headset microphones for the instructors. So I obviously need some sort of small PA system, the microphones, and a way to hook an ipod and cd player into the system.

I found the following:

ALESIS TRANSACTIVE MOBILE PA

And it really does seem to fit the bill although none of this stuff is thrilling for my pocketbook. And I really don't want to spend a hunk of money on something that isn't going to be good quality.

Does anyone here have any experince with equipment such as this? Any experience is more that what I have...hahahaha.

Can anyone here recommend a decent and yet affordable wireless mircrophone headset. I really do not want a hand-held mic. I want my teachers to have the freedom move around and do what they do best. But the range in prices out there is ridiculous. I need something that is quality but not $400 a microphone.

Any suggestions?

Have you looked into rental companies? I know there are places that rent equipment for shows and stuff (big sound equipment). They are bound to have microphones to rent. I am sure of it.

If not, check with a local university. They will sometimes rent AV equipment to people. Though - you may need to be a student to do this.

Good Luck!

check with local dj's or fitness centers for what they use...

however, I've looked into having one of these to save my throat when teaching, it's prohibitively expensive and the one you linked to is quite a deal.

Looks like you still need to buy wireless mics and a transmitter. All they are selling is the box.

in my experience, the wireless mics are really expensive to buy on their own. If the venue already has a PA system you might consider buying the mics and connecting them to their system, or hiring the equipment instead of buying it.

I've looked into ipod PA systems and this sounds like a good deal, but'if you want to be sure go to a audio store and get advice, or ask the local dj's.

I second the rental idea. Surely worth a try.

Well, the rental prices are much more cost prohibitive. Even using "non-profit status"...to rent 4 microphones and small PAs was going to cost $2000. Yeah, if I have to drop that kind of money then I might as well just invest in something I can use again next year.

Yes, I would need the wireless transmitter...but those usually come with the wireless headsets. As long as it is a "set", it will work with most any PA system.

The venue does not have break-out sound systems. Meaning that they have one overall sound system, but not ones in each of the individual rooms. They do rent, but they charge even more than the other companies.

I'm thinking I might buy 2 this year and then 2 next year. The instructors in the smaller rooms will have to suffer by speaking loudly. I found another one that seems to have pretty decent reviews: ION iPA03

*sigh*... I have to figure out some affordable lighting too. LOL. Oh the woes of equipment. Although, truly, at this point it's probably time I start investing in more equipment.

OH, and one other thing...some of the rental companies won't rent headset microphones due to the sanitization issues & the health department. Only hand-held wireless microphones....which kind of defeats the purpose of getting them in the first place.