What equipment do I need for therapy headphones!

  • Thread starter Thread starter nickrw
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nickrw said:
Hi Dave. I have tried connected the Shure to a PC via an xlr to 3.5mm adapter and while the volume is incredibly low it doesn't cut out at all. I can hear a relay click inside the mixer when using this mic, this cuts out the mic only (on both mic inputs), other sources still play fine, then a while later the mic returns. It's the audio out through the headphones I'm referring to. It's as if the mic level is so low it's turning off the input thinking it's not there.

I think I will return the Shures and look for something else. Is there a sensitivity level that would be considered more acceptable for my entry level mixer that I should look for in the specs?

Once I've replaced the headphones I'll know for sure if the mixer is ok, I think it is though.

There is the t.bone HC 95 mic that was mentioned earlier in this thread, is that one higher sensitivity?
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I have never heard of a relay in the audio circuits of a mixer? It might have a noise gate but I would be very surprised if that could not be turned off.

I will see what I can find out about the mixer and the T bone.

Can only find a picture of that mixer, no user manual but there is something by the XLR called "anti-feedback" I wonder if that is some sort of gate? There are other things over the other side the use of which I do not know.

But, better luck with the t.bone! Yes, it is 19dB more sensitive than the Shure, that is almost a times ten boost!

Dave.
 
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Ok, so the mixer I was using is crap. I took the mixer and the Shure headset mic into a proper audio shop to test with their kit. The mic level was so low, so I tried one of their condenser handheld mics and it was better, but still needed to be set to maximum volume to be useable. Also it was still cutting the mic out after about 20 seconds of use and would only return if you spoke loudly back into the mic.

I then tested the mic with one of their budget mixers and it was miles better, even with the quieter dynamic Shure. The unit I got still records to USB or SD card. It's a Studiomaster Club XS6+. It was £119 rather than the ~£30 for the cheapy jobbie, but at least it works properly. So the cheap one I had was either faulty or just plain crap, either way it's going back!

So thanks again for your help.
 
Hi Nick,

Reviving this post from 2020! We are in almost the exact situation that you were in back then and came across your post. Did you by any chance figure out a wireless solution that worked for you guys? Ive spent many hours researching and having been able to find something that works. Our struggle at the moment is finding a wireless mic that doesn't pick up a lot of background noise. Would love to know what you guys came up with.
 
I deleted your other post as it was a duplicate of this one, and people would waste time probably saying the same thing. Reading the responses, it makes sense.
Can I ask what you are doing because wireless, either RF or bluetooth seems a very problematic solution for all kinds of reasons. Explain what you wish to actually do. Cables, proper headsets and kits will be simpler and much more reliable.

Background noise? As in the capture noise in the room? Aircon, traffic? Or background noise as in hisses or hums generated by the system. Systems exist to cope with using them in loud environments. Look at commentators doing TV sport. WWF, football, that kind of thing. With money, you can have noise cancellation inside the earpiece housings and with special mics, although sometimes, a mic really close to the lips, with good windshielding is perfectly good enough. On the other hand, mics close in, generally sound very odd, and if the user is speaking quietly, breath sounds are crazily loud compared to the actual words.

In live events, technical crews use headsets and these cope with very loud room sound. OK for comms, but the audio quality is hardly quality.

So what do you want to do?
 
Hi Rob,

Essentially, what I wanted to do was detailed in the deleted post, but ill post it here.

We have a hypnotherapy business and have been having issues with noise in our office from our neighbors. We wanted a headset/microphone solution that we can use. I wear a microphone that feeds my voice into a clients headset along with the ability to stream music as well from Spotify. I found a solution that another hypnotherapist created years ago (see link below) that seems to do exactly what we want to do, but it's wired and expensive. I wanted to see if there is potentially a wireless solution, or if I can build the same setup cheaper from a local sound shop or guitar center. thoughts?

www.hypno-quip.co.uk

HYPNO-COM 8 EXPERT - Kadance for HypnoQuip

All new Hypno-coms 8’s purchased are currently supplied with a full set of copyright-free music tracks via We-Transfer, worth £45 Designed for the non-technical Hypnotherapist, the Hypno-Com’s deliberate Retro design cleverly conceals it’s up to date electronics and makes it very easy to use for...
www.hypno-quip.co.uk

JR
 
Jrodrz316 said:
Hi Rob,

Essentially, what I wanted to do was detailed in the deleted post, but ill post it here.

We have a hypnotherapy business and have been having issues with noise in our office from our neighbors. We wanted a headset/microphone solution that we can use. I wear a microphone that feeds my voice into a clients headset along with the ability to stream music as well from Spotify. I found a solution that another hypnotherapist created years ago (see link below) that seems to do exactly what we want to do, but it's wired and expensive. I wanted to see if there is potentially a wireless solution, or if I can build the same setup cheaper from a local sound shop or guitar center. thoughts?

www.hypno-quip.co.uk

HYPNO-COM 8 EXPERT - Kadance for HypnoQuip

All new Hypno-coms 8’s purchased are currently supplied with a full set of copyright-free music tracks via We-Transfer, worth £45 Designed for the non-technical Hypnotherapist, the Hypno-Com’s deliberate Retro design cleverly conceals it’s up to date electronics and makes it very easy to use for...
www.hypno-quip.co.uk

JR
Click to expand...
Does this need to be two way communication? You say you "wear a microphone" is that a headset and will the client do the same?

For a cheap wired* solution I would suggest a couple of Behringer mixers, the Xenyx 802 comes to mind. One will allow your mic send plus music and the second feeds your headphones. I am sure there is a more 'elegant' solution but it is liable to be more expensive and have extra facilities you do not need.
I would guess the mixers would come in under $100? Headsets can be had from $20 but the sky is the limit. There will be extras such as cables and maybe an adapter or two.

*I am with Rob here. I suppose there IS a wireless system that will do this with high quality and low noise but I would bet, all up it would be more than that 450 bucks?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-...55-8f12-3837651737e2&pd_rd_i=B091FY5Z3T&psc=1

Actually, the above would serve? One XLR mic input and line ins for the music. I have never used a 502 but I can tell you that the 802 has pretty decent low noise mic pres.
Dave.
 
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Just one-way communication.

It's as follows: 1) Client puts on a pair of quality headphones. 2) I wear a headset microphone. 3) I speak into the microphone with light Music going into the clients headphones.

So I need the ability to be able to connect my iPad or MacBook to the mixer in order to stream the music through. At a quick glance at what you shared, if I go the wired route, I can just get a 3.5mm cable that connects directly to the Bose QC35 noise cancelling headsets that the client wears and I already own. for the microphone, is there a wireless solution that is somewhat lag free that can work with this setup? and how would I stream the music into my clients headsets using this mixer? would I just use an RCA to Lightning connection to my phone/iPad?
 
Jrodrz316 said:
Just one-way communication.

It's as follows: 1) Client puts on a pair of quality headphones. 2) I wear a headset microphone. 3) I speak into the microphone with light Music going into the clients headphones.

So I need the ability to be able to connect my iPad or MacBook to the mixer in order to stream the music through. At a quick glance at what you shared, if I go the wired route, I can just get a 3.5mm cable that connects directly to the Bose QC35 noise cancelling headsets that the client wears and I already own. for the microphone, is there a wireless solution that is somewhat lag free that can work with this setup? and how would I stream the music into my clients headsets using this mixer? would I just use an RCA to Lightning connection to my phone/iPad?
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Ok, headphones from mixer to client no problem and the cable can be almost any length you want. Yes, phone should feed the RCA skts famously.

What is the microphone you are "wearing"? You need to find an adapter to get that to work into the XLR socket on the mixer. There are various wireless solutions for mics. Some consist of an XLR 'plug' for the mixer and a similar device as transmitter for the mic. I think they are quite pricey mind. I saw a review of them a year ago, will see if I can find same.

But, I would urge you to get the mic/mixer/cans/music system working with wires first then see if the mic cable is a serious impediment? A bit of operational info? However you do this you will be feeding the client 'stereo' music, or at least both ears. Do not therefore forget to 'pan' the mic signal to the centre otherwise they will only have it in one lug.

Dave.
 
Thanks Dave.

Here is the microphone I am currently using. It came as part of a Silent Disco setup that I use for group sessions.

Product Not Available

Product Not Available
www.alibaba.com www.alibaba.com

Would you be able to assist me with identifying which adapters I would need?

Looking at the mixer that you provided me, it would be setup like this (please correct me if I'm am wrong).

1) 3.5mm cable connects to "Phones" connection which will feed the audio to the Bose headset.

2) Microphone 2.4gh wireless TRS dongle to the microphone spot

3) RCA to Lightning adapter goes into the Stream/USB spot in the "Out" spot.

Am I understanding this correctly? as a"bonus" if I wanted to record this session, any idea how I would do that? I found this adapter on another website that seems to allow it via an iPhone. https://www.hypno-quip.co.uk/product/mobile_tablet_recording_kit/
 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/adapter-Co...ds=jack+to+xlr+adaptor&qid=1756055690&sr=8-30

That ^ 'should' get the mic receiver into the mixer's XLR but it depends how the adapter is wired internally. You might have to resort to making your own adapter (I can help)

Recording? I was a bit miffed that the mixers I found all had USB recording which I didn't think you needed but now it seems you do!

The mixer plugs into any computer and I suggest you use Audacity as your recording software.

Bit of a warning. If you do get a mixer make dead, bang sure "phantom power" is not activated, that wireless gizmo might not like it!

Dave.
 
If you order a connector for the microphone, make sure you get the correct one. I see your wireless mic comes in two versions, 3.5mm and 6.5mm.
 
So.. this afternoon, I started testing a wireless setup via 2.4gh wireless receivers. Microphone and headset, all wireless. I was able to get things to work with virtually no noticeable lag.

I am running the "session" using garage band. It works, but my Blue podcast mic picks up every bit of background noise. I can hear just about everything in the room through the headphones. Even things in the other room. I setup the noise gate but am noticing it's starting to cut out my words. Do you guys recommend better software, or a microphone setup that can potentially use with this wireless setup that would not pick up so much background noise, or is it a software garage band issue, like EQ settings or something like that?

Note, I have not purchased the sound mixer yet. this wireless setup is me experimenting with a wireless solution. Like I said, it works with no lag, but now I am having an issue with the microphone being extremely sensitive. Any ideas?
 
Most wireless systems today have only a 10 millisecond delay or less. A 10ms delay is roughly equal to standing 10 ft away.

Which Blue podcast mic specifically are you using? What is the pickup pattern? To minimize the room noise, you need to be looking at a cardioid or supercardioid pickup pattern. These reject sound from the back and side. Omnidirectional mics pick up equally from all side. Figure 8 pick up from the front and back. There are different versions of the Blue Yeti mics.

You need to minimize the ambient noise as best you can. A microphone is designed to capture sound. It doesn't discriminate between your voice, a dog barking, a door slam or a ticking clock. The reason that headset microphones work well for that type of application is that they generally are within a couple of inches of your mouth. Sound intensity drops with distance, so if your podcast mic is 3 ft from your mouth, the sound level of your voice will be immensely lower than if it is 2 inches away. The wireless mic you referred to from Alibaba should minimize outside noise unless you are whispering.

The higher your gain setting (if you are speaking softly) the more intrusive ambient sounds will be. As you found out, gating software can help, but there is a reaction time for the software to react to your voice. Adjusting settings can help but the less radical settings will let in more ambient sounds.
 
That’s immensely helpful, thanks for the information.

Do you by any chance recommend a specific headset mic that is of higher quality? I will be testing the Alibaba one tomorrow to see how it sounds.
 
Jrodrz316 said:
That’s immensely helpful, thanks for the information.

Do you by any chance recommend a specific headset mic that is of higher quality? I will be testing the Alibaba one tomorrow to see how it sounds.
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Follow-up to my last message. If I got Shure XLR headset mic, would an XLR to usb C adapter work fine with my MacBook ?
 
Jrodrz316 said:
That’s immensely helpful, thanks for the information.

Do you by any chance recommend a specific headset mic that is of higher quality? I will be testing the Alibaba one tomorrow to see how it sounds.
Click to expand...
What's your budget? Do you need the headphones integrated?

Something like the Shure SM35 or WH20 with an XLR could work with a mixer like Dave recommended. I don't know if there is a dongle to adapt an XLR mic to a USB input. You really need something like a mixer or USB interface. The mixer would probably be more useful, as you could do all the monitoring of the music and voice at the same time. The output can be run to the Macbook's USB just as a recording device. Send the output of the mixer to the client, either wired or wireless as appropriate.

You might check with someone who works with a local church to see what they use for services. Most have some type of wireless mic setup for preachers so they can move around uninhibited.

If you're doing this as a business, I would recommend that you don't try to do everything "on the cheap" via the AliExpress/Alibaba route. You should get quality equipment. You might have to spend several hundred $$ or£ to get the right setup. Heck, recording is strictly a hobby for me, and I've got well over $1500 invested in my microphone collection alone. I have 4 pairs of headphones because different ones have different sound qualities. If I was running a commercial studio, I can guarantee there would be 3 or 4 times that much invested.
 
Jrodrz, you are in much the same position as the tyro who is just starting recording Voice Overs with a computer. They, like you are trying to capture soft speech and the microphone will stubbornly pick up every sound around. The fixes are the same in each case (with one exception) and, unfortunately, subject to the same laws of acoustic physics!

You must keep the gain* in the system as low as possible and, since you can't shout, get VERY close to the microphone (this has other consequences) Naturally you need to reduce as much as is practicable noise ingress. The VO person can record in the wee quiet hours. You I assume would not get clients to come at 2am?

You can however resort to a headset with a noise cancelling microphone. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser...rds=sennheiser+headset&qid=1756114145&sr=8-19

There will of course be better models at a higher price but I used a set for "Skyping" for a couple of years and found them very effective. NR mics do not preserve the 'best' vocal quality but just about everything we do with sound is a compromise! The "consequence" I mentioned earlier of very close talking to a directional mic is a bass boost, at least that headset avoids that problem.

* in Windows you can adjust the gain of a connected microphone in the "Sound and Devices Settings" panel. I assume macs have similar?
 
The headset I linked to terminates in 3.5mm TRS jack plugs. That connected to a laptop via a USB dongle called "SABRENT". About $10 on Amazon. My requirement was not as "noise/quality critical" as yours but the performance was really very acceptable.

Unfortunately friend I think you are going to have to buy some gear 'on specc' a bit and have a play and learn. You can always recoup some cash back on Ebay. I don't. I just have a house full of electronic junk...just in case!

Dave.
 
Just throwing it out there - This could all be achieved with a laptop and phone (or tablet) and a discord call with noise reduction enabled.
No doubt other voice services have noise reduction too. 🤷

Technically you wouldn't even need microphones as the built in mics would probably be fine,
although I'd probably want a decent dynamic mic if I was doing it.

There'd be a slight delay for audio processing but it should be manageable and probably a small price to pay for simplicity and good quality real time noise reduction.
Just a thought. :)
 
Steenamaroo said:
Just throwing it out there - This could all be achieved with a laptop and phone (or tablet) and a discord call with noise reduction enabled.
No doubt other voice services have noise reduction too. 🤷

Technically you wouldn't even need microphones as the built in mics would probably be fine,
although I'd probably want a decent dynamic mic if I was doing it.

There'd be a slight delay for audio processing but it should be manageable and probably a small price to pay for simplicity and good quality real time noise reduction.
Just a thought. :)
Click to expand...
Not to steal your thunder S but yes, this had crossed my mind! The setup would be much as my Skype deal. Senny headset, dongle, laptop but in the OP's case he would send the signal to the remote headphones. A decent quality USB mic would serve.

One complication is the music. Could be put on the PC but then how to route both to client? I am sure I could figure that out for Windows but I am not mac clever.

One solution would be the MOTU M2. Mic goes into its excellent pre amp and music plays out via its "loop thru" function. All the while recording the proceedings. Sound quality is near state of art and limited only by the bolted on components.

BTW, I don't see a processing delay as a problem? The client won't care if there is a >100mS delay? Phones insert at least as much. The music is not synced to the speech so no bother there.

Dave.
 
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