Which microphone should I rent?

1. Renting a wired microphone

The main disadvantages of wired microphones are that they restrict the speaker’s movement and they have to be held in the hand or placed on a stand. The main advantages are that a wired microphone transmits sound more clearly, without interference, and does not require periodic battery replacement. At the same time, in most cases, renting a wired microphone will cost you less than others.

2. Renting a radio microphone (wireless microphone)

Radio microphones practically do not restrict the speaker’s movement, but they still have to be held in the hand. It is worth remembering that a radio microphone runs on batteries and it may happen that it stops working due to dead batteries at an inopportune moment. Radio microphones can also generate interference if they are located near mobile phones and other emitting devices. Radio microphones differ in their transmission bandwidth (the wider it is, the better the sound transmission quality, but the shorter the battery life), the number of channels, the battery life, the types of capsules, the directionality and other less significant features. Renting/hire a radio microphone is usually more expensive than wired microphones, but cheaper than lapel microphones.

3. Renting a headset (microphone with a headband) or a lapel microphone.

A lapel microphone and headset do not take up your hands when using them, as they are attached to clothing or to your head.

A lapel radio microphone is attached to clothing, and a headset is directly attached to your head using a headband.

If a person plans to speak standing and move during a speech, a headset will suit him better, since the microphone is located directly near the speaker’s mouth during any movements.

If a person plans to speak sitting down, without taking up his hands with a microphone, a lapel microphone will suit him better.

Lavalier microphone

Advantages:

• Doesn’t take up your hands
• Not very noticeable on clothes

Disadvantages:

• Transmits sound worse if a person moves during a speech
• Can transmit rustling noise from clothes to the speakers

Headset (microphone with headband)

Advantages:

• Doesn’t take up your hands
• Transmits sound well when the speaker moves (even during sports activities)

Disadvantages:

• Very noticeable, since it is attached to the speaker’s head

Renting a lavalier and headset microphone is usually more expensive than other types of microphones.