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TEN MINUTE
MASTER No67
Wireless systems
Radio microphones and wireless systems can bring new-found freedom
to a live performance. Grant Bridgeman rides the radio waves.
L
ike all things in the Source
music technology audio
industry, wireless signal
systems have become
much more affordable Frequency Amp
and prevalent, and are modulator
now available from a wide range
of manufacturers, each system Carrier wave Modulated carrier Antenna
offering slightly different
capabilities. Although not the audio source signal is used became more popular), the With FM transmissions, the frequency
generally used within the studio to modulate the frequency of the frequencies of each channel have of the carrier wave is modulated by the
environment, radio mics are carrier wave and the result is to be carefully selected to amplitude of the source audio.
regularly used for live music transmitted as an prevent intermodulation.
performances, in the theatre, electromagnetic wave. The For radio microphones, the radio interference, give excellent
and for television and film, receiver is tuned to the frequency of the carrier wave line-of-sight reception and
providing freedom of movement frequency of the carrier wave falls either within the VHF (very generally radiate only within the
and (potentially) invisible mic’ing and demodulates it, re-creating high frequency) or UHF (ultra constraints of the venue.
techniques that are not possible the original audio input. high frequency) ranges. Both
with conventional microphones The frequency on which the VHF and UHF are within the Diversity
and cables. transmitter and receiver both MHz range (1MHz=1,000,000Hz); As UHF waves are radio
have to operate is analogous to a VHF covering 49–300MHz and (electromagnetic) waves, they
FM transmission channel. When using more than UHF covering 300–1,000MHz. display similar characteristics to
The basic transmission principles one wireless system in close The VHF range is very highly sound waves and will reflect off
of wireless systems are the same physical proximity, each system populated with traffic, as the cost surfaces within a room. This
as conventional FM (frequency has to have its own dedicated of the equipment is significantly means that when using only a
modulation) radio. A carrier wave channel and it is necessary to cheaper than for UHF. This single-antenna receiver, it is
defines the frequency at which leave enough frequency ‘space’ popularity means that VHF possible that a reflected signal
the transmitter and receiver between each of the systems. wireless systems can be prone to will arrive at the receiver at the
communicate. The amplitude of When using just two different interference from other radio same time as the direct signal
wireless channels, a difference of signals – such as radio-controlled and cause some phase
A wireless system comprises a receiver 400kHz is usually sufficient, but toys, walkie-talkies and cancellation, resulting in a partial
and transmitter, but each needs to be when using multiple wireless conventional radio signals. This (or total) signal drop-out.
carefully selected to connect correctly systems (as is often the case situation is exacerbated by the Diversity reception solves
to the source and destination. now since in-ear monitoring properties of VHF, as the carrier this by using a pair of antennae
wave has a relatively longer to independently receive the
wavelength and it can pass same transmitted signal. The
through a reasonable amount of antennae are physically spaced
non-metallic material. The result apart from each other, the
Audio Transmitter Receiver Destination is that competing VHF signals distance between the two being
source PA
Microphone Guitar amp are likely to be in the same space less than the wavelength of the
Guitar output Recording device as your radio mic. The UHF carrier signal (for 900MHz the
Line-level signal In-ear system carrier frequencies generally wavelength is approximately
provide better performance, as 33cm). This spatial difference
these are less prone to external means that phase cancellation is
Wireless systems provide a vital function .32(%o2. .%gna0. '"a' 4e*ome 3a('
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