That is good question , and I honestly , I want to say I was holding it, I can redo the test and with the body pack behind me.
GTD mic initial impression
- Thread starter IceBurghDJ
- Start date
After 2.5 years my NADY DXW Duo VHF Microphone system appears to have bit the dust. I used it outside in the very hot heat a few weeks ago when it was like 96 degrees outside. The Sun was beating down on the receiver box as someone was talking on the mic during a raffle. The signal stopped coming through. Checked both mics, and batteries were fresh. Fast forward to the wedding I did Saturday night, and I tested them before I started, and I could not get a signal. The electronics in the box fried out in the heat. I paid $50 for that system, and got 2.5 years of use out of it. Got my money's worth. Debating buying that system again, or the cheap GTD mic system.
The GTD system is the UHF-35 system for $79,99.
GTD Audio 2Ch UHF Handheld Wireless Microphone Mic System NEW 35H
It has 5 star rating from ebay reviews. Anyone here use this system?
It's either buy that system, OR buy another NADY mic system. The NADY are VHF and like 210 mhz. ...I believe that signal range won't be effected or taken over in the new FCC ruling. ...Also, I understand the VHF band is less crowded today than it was back in the 90s/early 2000s which would explain why I had pretty good signal strength with that cheap system lately. It actually out performed my new Shure BLX system recently at a wedding. The Shure receiver lost the signal during a performance due to some sort of interference. I came over with my NADY mic, and it had a perfect signal. NADY system cost $50...Shure system cost $599 map. ...Some BS that the Shure let me down at that wedding!
The GTD system is the UHF-35 system for $79,99.
GTD Audio 2Ch UHF Handheld Wireless Microphone Mic System NEW 35H
It has 5 star rating from ebay reviews. Anyone here use this system?
It's either buy that system, OR buy another NADY mic system. The NADY are VHF and like 210 mhz. ...I believe that signal range won't be effected or taken over in the new FCC ruling. ...Also, I understand the VHF band is less crowded today than it was back in the 90s/early 2000s which would explain why I had pretty good signal strength with that cheap system lately. It actually out performed my new Shure BLX system recently at a wedding. The Shure receiver lost the signal during a performance due to some sort of interference. I came over with my NADY mic, and it had a perfect signal. NADY system cost $50...Shure system cost $599 map. ...Some BS that the Shure let me down at that wedding!
Every microphone can experience interference - it's part of the FCC rules. Had the NADY experienced the problem but not the Shure, would you still be putting the Shure down?
As a question / observation though, you fuss about people not wanting to pay prime prices for events and people not wanting to pay decent hourly wages but you're looking for a cheap microphone?
'I paid $50 for that system, and got 2.5 years of use out of it. Got my money's worth.'
A business pays someone minimum wage for 2.5 years, don't you think they may say the same thing? Also, these cheaper devices may be paying cheap labor to build these things, so how does that help raise wages?
As a question / observation though, you fuss about people not wanting to pay prime prices for events and people not wanting to pay decent hourly wages but you're looking for a cheap microphone?
'I paid $50 for that system, and got 2.5 years of use out of it. Got my money's worth.'
A business pays someone minimum wage for 2.5 years, don't you think they may say the same thing? Also, these cheaper devices may be paying cheap labor to build these things, so how does that help raise wages?
Last edited:
I use only 700-series units. I believe the 600s have 200(ish) channels and the 700s have 800(ish) channels. It seems logical that the 700-s would have been interference-handling. I also do not recommend the 4-channel units. I have one of those and it's been flakey. The 2-channel units have been solid performers.
I was considering getting the 4ch unit( 2hand/2lavs) just to save rack space, but decided against it, sounds like I made a good choice.
Yeah, nothing is perfect. It's just that when I spend a lot of money on a cordless microphone system, I expect it to have minimum issues.
I set up my Shure BLX at the last wedding I did, and I was getting a lot of feedback in the gain. I couldn't even use it. I didn't have time to trouble shoot it, so I tore it down, put it away, and I set up my older Shure PGX system, and it worked fine. I don't know what is up with this BLX system. I thought I was making a great choice buying it, but it's been less than fair thus far. I am thinking Shure is trying to make products cheaper these days, and cutting corners. I only had some issues with my PGX system a handful of times in the past, and they only started to occur after someone dropped the microphone denting the grill on the top. Usually the issues are an occasional signal drop, but when someone is making a speech, and a signal drop happens more than once then it's all the DJ's fault. I need my equipment to work well.
The NADY brand is an American company. I don't think the DKW duo are made in USA, but I know many of their older microphone systems were, and everybody I ever met who owned a NADY mic in the past said they had great experiences with them. The NADY receiver boxes are light, and sort of cheaply made, and that's probably why it died in the heat.
I always have carried a cheap cordless set, and a more expensive Shure cordless set with me.
Overall, with all of my experiences over the years, I can't truly say that spending more money on a Microphone system means the microphone system is "BETTER". The $329 Vocopro UHF 3205s have last me the longest, and also had the very best sound. They did have some signal drops here and there over the years that seemed to come out of no where. Normally a 1 second drop and I could never figure it out. Only flaw the system really had. The Shure PGX has been pretty good, and is a "HOT" microphone...can really pick up sound from further away with the gain turned up in some situations. However, it's sound quality is OK at best...pretty flat sounding. It has last me about 5 years at this point. The BLX has been less than good so far in the 8 months I have owned it. The $50 NADYs were a great value, and did their job well. Had to hold the microphones within 6 inches of mouth to pick up voice clearly, BUT outside of that they had a strong signal, long battery life and dependable.
I might give the GTDs a try this time around. The reviews make them worth giving GTD a try.
I can only base this on my experience - I have gone through quite a few microphones over the years (especially when dabbling in the low price arena) and slowly climbed up the price scale. The last brand I bought and have continued with is Sennheiser, specifically the EW135's. A little pricey but they have never failed me, even in the sun. I also have a Shure and an Audio Technica. As a backup (to the 7th power), I still have a corded Realistic mic (also doubles as a headphone when needed).
I had one Sennheiser EW135 bodypack .. it was fine .. sold it as it was the only one I owned. I standardized on the Audio Technica 3000 system and love them. I have 6 or 7 receivers, 5 bodypacks and 4 handhelds (some came with both). I bought a couple new and the others used. They have all been stellar (except for one early handheld whose switch broke out of warranty). I also have 1 Shure SLX and it's fine too.
I had thought of buying a GTD dual or quad unit for use with karaoke, but since the 600Mhz band is going away at some point (and all my AT units are in it), and I don't do live sound anymore, I'm using the AT handhelds for that purpose, since they aren't of consequential value anymore.
I had thought of buying a GTD dual or quad unit for use with karaoke, but since the 600Mhz band is going away at some point (and all my AT units are in it), and I don't do live sound anymore, I'm using the AT handhelds for that purpose, since they aren't of consequential value anymore.
I have a good friend that uses the VocoPro's (4 wireless handheld set) for Karaoke and he loves them. He did have to have it serviced (by VocoPro) at some point, I forgot why, but he's still using them.
What will actually happen when the frequency band is sold off, and used for things other than wireless microphones?
Once this all finally takes effect, will it render the microphones useless? Or will the mics still be able to be used, but just have a higher chance of signal interference when used?
This whole situation is a bit strange because there are THOUSANDS of microphone systems out there in this range. It seems most UHF mic systems are in that range that were manufactured over the years.
Once the sale happens, it will take time for things to get organized, but assume the band will mostly be usable for the next 3 or so years.
Wireless mics don't own this part of the spectrum, TV stations do/did. We were using the areas between stations and didn't require a license due to the transmitting power. Since most of the stations have moved to cable or to digital over-the-air, the 600Mhz band was in demand by other services. Once the number of buyers is finalized, we'll know whether any of that band will still be usable or not. That will still probably take another 3-6 months to know.
Well...This is a strange situation.
It seems for consumers looking for an inexpensive microphone set their options at the moment are either purchase a VHF band microphone system (Not a whole lot of options to choose from in this band these days). Or purchase a UHF band system that currently is operating in the 600 to 700 MHZ range which will in one way or another be effected by this bandwidth sale.
The outlook doesn't look good for inexpensive microphone systems moving forward. Maybe I should just stick with VHF for cheap mic system...not sure.
It seems for consumers looking for an inexpensive microphone set their options at the moment are either purchase a VHF band microphone system (Not a whole lot of options to choose from in this band these days). Or purchase a UHF band system that currently is operating in the 600 to 700 MHZ range which will in one way or another be effected by this bandwidth sale.
The outlook doesn't look good for inexpensive microphone systems moving forward. Maybe I should just stick with VHF for cheap mic system...not sure.
I have the 700MHZ version of the GTD diversity mic system and I have yet to have a problem with interference.
That band is already gone in the US .. and for Ricky, .. safest areas right now are Digital (2.4G, 5.8G or 900Mhz) or the area between about 470Mhz and 580Mhz .. most of the major brands offer mics in that space.
AKG Band 7
Audio Technica I
Sennheiser A1
Sennheiser A2
Sennheiser A3
Shure Band H8
Shure Band G4
Shure Band G5
Shure Band H5
Shure Band G1
Shure Band G50
Also, be aware, the FTC is contemplating selling off the band between 470-512Mhz sometime after 2020 .. so any purchase is still a 5-7 year write-off.
All of the mics I have from the previously banned spectrum still work perfectly, it's not like they will just stop functioning
The whole notion of this discussion is ridiculous, at least to me. Guys are getting all twisted up, running out and buying near gear, all in apprehension of what MIGHT transpire with the spectrum. Personally, I'm going to keep using what works until I know for certain what actually happens.
Correct .. they will still function and if you live away from congested wireless space, you may be able to use things for a long while .. BUT .. if you use things in urban areas, chances are the services that move into those spaces will move quicker and you'll be getting interference much quicker.