Headworn Mics.

Over the past several years, there has been somewhat of a revolution in the way microphones are being used in the house of worship, particularly by pastors and performers. Podium and handheld mics have given way, to a certain extent, to lapel mics, and now lapel mics seem to be losing ground to earworn/headset mics. There are single-ear and double-ear microphones, and both will get the job done; the preference of your talent or pastor will play a key role in the type of mic you choose. In a nutshell, earworn/ headset mics, by the very nature of their design, put the microphone closer to the mouth of the pastor, singer, or performer, while at the same time cancelling out other sounds, including spill from the stage monitors, from other instruments and performers on stage, etc.

Since the microphone is placed closer to the mouth and held in position by the earloop or earloops (depending on whether it’s a single or double headset), it leaves the talent’s hands free to do other things while they sing or talk, like play the guitar or gesticulate while making a point.

In the case of dramatic presentations, it gives the talent an opportunity to act without having to carry around a handheld mic that may negate the impact of the presentation.

As well, because of their relatively discreet size, headworn mics are barely noticeable from the stage. Choosing between a single or dual-ear mic simply comes down to how comfortable your pastor or talent feels. Some are very comfortable with a single ear loop holding the mic to their head; others prefer the extra security a dual ear loop offers.

For pastors and performers that move around a lot on stage, the dual earloop system is probably the better choice for the security factor alone. Of course, choosing the best earworn mic for your needs can present a challenge. There are a few different factors to consider, including the fit of the set itself. Not all headworn mics fit the same; some have a longer mic piece that puts the mic more in front of the mouth, some have adjustable ear loops that wrap around the ear for a snugger fit, etc. It’s just a matter of preference.

Where possible, see if you can test a few different mics before committing to a specific brand. If your pastor and performers aren’t happy with the way the mic fits, what’s the point of even getting it?

How durable is the mic itself? Headworn mics are little, which means smaller, more delicate cables. Handle with care, and always coil the cable properly after use to avoid damaging the system! While headworn mics tend to be wireless, they don’t need to be – and wired headsets are a bit less expensive. Determine in advance whether any of the headsets you plan on purchasing can be wired and save yourself a bit of money if the answer is yes.

Making the move to headworn mics can be a bit daunting, but for houses of worship looking for clean sound from a discreet package, they really can’t be beat.