Things to look for when buying a karaoke microphone
Karaoke microphones should be fun and high quality, while also
demonstrating durability. There are many activities and
locations where you can use a karaoke mic - ranging from bars
and clubs and going all the way to computer karaoke software.
Each of these locations might need a different type of
microphone - a USB microphone won't be of much use in a bar, but
it will be perfect for PlayStation or PC software titles and
games. However, regardless of what you will use the karaoke
microphone for, here are a few qualities that it should have.
First of all, make sure the microphone has ambient noise
filters, which eliminate background noise. The next step is to
determine if the frequency response is right for you: an average
response would be around 100-12,000 Hz. A lightweight microphone
is always better than a heavier and larger one.
Uni-Directional Dynamic Microphones
These are the most popular karaoke microphones on the market.
They offer good frequency responses and usually an average
sensitivity of -76 dB +- dB at 1,000 Hz. In most cases, the
sizes for uni-directional microphones are around 2 1/16" X 10
7/16" and the average weight should be somewhere around 10 Oz.
You can get such karaoke mics in cable and wireless models.
Cable microphones will work with most karaoke machines and PCs,
if they have the right adaptors (although this is not a big
issues, since most microphone manufacturers supply these
accessories as standard). If you are thinking of getting a
wireless karaoke microphone, make sure it has enough range and
no connection loss between the microphone and the receiver.
Budget wireless karaoke microphones
You can get a medium to high quality karaoke microphone system
for under $100. Budget wireless devices usually have a reason
for being cheaper - they offer less quality. When it comes to
karaoke microphones, however, "quality" is a very subjective
term. While a professional singer will immediately spot a few
faults in the sound emitted by budget microphones, an amateur
singer is very likely to see no difference whatsoever. Budget
karaoke microphones do have a series of advanced features that
allow for a good sound quality. Bandwidth filters and a series
of intermediate frequency selection circuits prevent background
noises from becoming a nuisance. Integrated circuits and
automatic loop control circuits ensure a good voice transfer and
a low distortion level. Most wireless karaoke microphones come
with a built in antenna that allows for uninterrupted
transmission between microphone and receiver. Although they
might not offer the same quality levels and even durability of
semi professional and professional microphones, budget karaoke
microphones might just be the perfect investment for a home user
and even for a bar and club.