You have two choices when it comes to presenting your messages hands-free as a pastor. A headset microphone is available, or a lavalier microphone. A headset microphone is worn over your head, while a lapel microphone clips to your shirt.
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I recommend the Countryman B6lavalier microphone for church use. It can be used with Sennheiser wireless transmitters. It is also very discreet and nearly invisible to your congregation.
Who is Countryman B6 Lavalier Micro Designed for?
Lavalier microphones are used for public speaking, church services, and mic actors in the theater. These situations require you to use your hands for other purposes, such as holding a Bible or prop in a play.
Before we move on, I want to remind you that the Countryman B6 works best with Sennheiser transmitters. Before you buy a wireless transmitter, make sure it is compatible.
Sennheiser transmitters are a great choice if you want to purchase both a microphone and a transmitter. They are of top quality.
The B6 is a good sound-capture device and can be used for many purposes. However, it might not be the best choice for recording live music. It is primarily used for public speaking, preaching, and theater.
This mic has a very small profile, which is one of its best features. This mic is a great choice for discreetly amplifying someone’s voice without them being noticed. It is invisible to the congregation unless used by a pastor or another guest speaker.
What should you look for in a Lavalier microphone?
Apart from the price, there are a few other considerations when choosing the best lavalier mic.
The mic’s size and design
The pickup pattern
The distance or range
Transmitter compatibility
Performance and sound quality overall
You don’t want your tie to look like it has a bug or stain. Make sure you check the size of your microphone. You want it to blend in with your clothes. The Countryman B6 offers many color options for the mic, which will blend with your shirt or tie.
Two types of polar patterns are found in Lavalier microphones. They can be either unidirectional or omnidirectional. To pick up the speaker’s voice, unidirectional mics (also known as cardioid microphones) must be placed at the mouth of the speaker.
Omnidirectional microphones can pick up sound in any direction. These have their pros and cons. These microphones are ideal if the speaker’s clothing does not permit the microphone to be pointed at the speaker’s mouth. These microphones will pick up any other sounds. Background noise can also be picked up if they are near a musical instrument or another speaker.
It may be crucial to determine the distance at which a microphone can pick up sound. Lavalier microphones can be either proximity mics or transparent mics. While proximity mics are less sensitive and can reject background noise, transparent mics are more sensitive and have a wider range.
The days of lavalier mics being hardwired to the PA system are gone. Most lavalier microphones today use a wireless receiver and transmitter. The most common type is a body-pack transmitter, which clips onto your belt or slips into your pocket. You should ensure that your lavalier microphone works with any wireless transmission system.
You will also want to investigate the quality and performance of the microphone. You can also test them if you have the money and time. If that is not possible, you can always ask colleagues and sound engineers at other churches for their opinions. You can also consider professional reviews like this or customer reviews in major online music stores.
Why did we choose Countryman B6?
The Countryman B6 microphone, which is both sensitive and sound-producing, is our favorite lavalier microphone. The B6 can pick up clear sound from any guest speaker or pastor in your church. The B6 is sensitive and has a +0db gain to accommodate soft-voiced people.
Its rugged design is another reason it is our favorite, especially in a church setting. It is durable and can withstand abuse. It is waterproof with a rubber exterior. This protects it from the weather and absorbs impact.
We also like the omnidirectional pickup pattern. Some churches don’t require a suit and tie. The Countryman B6 allows you to attach the microphone to any clothing piece. It doesn’t need to be pointed at the person’s face. This is great for women in v-necked blouses and pastors who wear Hawaiian shirts.
An omnidirectional microphone is less problematic in that the microphone’s direction is pointed.
What we like and dislike about the Countryman B6
The Countryman B6 has many great features. There is very little to dislike. We love the color options to match the attire of your guest speaker or pastor and the water-resistant rubber. But most importantly, we love how it sounds.
Presenting yourself in today’s technological world, particularly live streaming, is important. A low-profile microphone that blends in with your clothes is important rather than making you look like a huge black beetle. Countryman B6 is the best brand for this.
The 3.5-millimeter connector connects the microphone to the transmitter of the body-pack transmitter. This will greatly benefit guest speakers or pastors who use their hands often. It’s strong and securely connects to the pack. There is less chance of them omitting an important point during their sermon or presentation, reducing the risk of disconnecting from the PA system.
The Countryman B6 lavalier microphone’s sound quality is outstanding. It is not intended to record singing but can pick up speech. It’s ideal for live presentations in churches, auditoriums, and lecture halls.
My church has a tight budget, as do many churches. The Countryman B6’s price is difficult to love. The Countryman B6 is usually priced at more than $300.00. It’s tempting to choose a lower-priced microphone. In most cases, however, there is a direct correlation between price and quality. This article recommends the best lavalier microphones, not the most expensive.
We don’t like the microphone’s connectivity with certain wireless systems. It is not universal. It was designed to work with Sennheiser transmitters, not other brands such as Shure and AKG. Again, I’m repeating myself. Make sure that this mic works with your wireless transmission system before buying it.
Final Thoughts on This Lavalier Microphone
The Countryman B6 lavalier microphone is our favorite. Its sound reproduction, quality, durability, and design make it affordable, even at the current price.
This microphone will last you many hours before you notice any small flaws. The standard warranty covers you in the event of a lemon, but we haven’t heard of it being used often.
Yes, it makes you cringe a little. We feel the same way. You will get the best-sounding lavalier available. This is the way to go if you are looking for the best. You can only get better sound quality if you spend real money on studio microphones.
The Countryman B6 includes a case and additional clips for attaching the mic to clothing. It will protect the mic if it is transported or used in a mobile church app. The extra clips can be used to protect it if you lose one.
We think the Countryman B6 is the best lavalier microphone you can get for your church, event center, or other venues.
All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber. Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988. Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world. He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.
