Mic Talk! Sound for Online Dance Teachers

Sound can be tricky--it really varies based on what device(s) you are using, your environment, and not the least of the factors: BUDGET!

I have tried 3-4 different sound set ups, but the best for me so far has been a small USB mixer with my music and voice going into that, then via USB going into my computer. I have tried different microphones, and learned the old adage "you get what you pay for" is largely true. There are a few exceptions, but the cheaper you go on wireless mics, you'll find battery life and consistency of connection can be an issue.

In-room sound didn't work for me (meaning set up a mic to capture in-room voice and music), not only because it makes all sound a bit muddier, but it means any ambient noise potentially goes into my feed as well. Street sounds, the massive industrial heater over my head, other people using shared spaces at my studio, etc. would all be in the mix. With a closed system (wireless mic and iPod into mixer), I get very clear sound and little to no distracting noise. Bonus, when I go to hybrid classes and we're still masked in-person, I won't have to try to yell to be heard through my mask and over music. I can choose to amplify my voice via my in-room speakers as well as transmit to the stream. But that's a topic for another time...

My gear list is pretty simple, not cheap, not high end, and works:

​Yamaha AG06 USB mixer - $150 (currently out of stock)
I highly recommend getting the best price you can afford (nothing under $99 or so), and I could write a whole post about this alone, including virtual mixers like Loopback But I digress...

Samson Go Mobile lavalier mic - $170 https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mobile-Professional-Lavalier-Wireless/dp/B0749WP3M3/
A cheaper USB version is here for $99 https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Wireless-Microphone-System-SWXPD2BDE5/dp/B07HPRZBKC/

Small note about this: I chose this system specifically because it accommodates two channels aka two mic packs can work on one receiver. Looking ahead to hybrid classes in the future, I often have an assistant working with me, and I wanted them to be mic'd as well. It was ALSO important to me that the transmitters have replaceable batteries and not rechargeable, built-in batteries. I learned early on in the pandemic (while using a Kimafun headset I tried) that if your rechargeable one doesn't get recharged, or if the battery starts to lose life and not hold a charge as well over time--which they do--you may run out of juice in the middle of a class and be caught out. Replaceable batteries mean a bigger pack on your body, but it's worth it to me to know if I ever run out of power, I can quickly swap the batteries to fresh ones any time. I bought a kit of rechargeable AA's for mine, so I am still getting the best of both worlds--rechargeable, but SWAPPABLE batteries. YMMV.

Anker Soundforce Speaker (I already owned this, it's loud and good sound for me in a small room!) - $25
​https://www.amazon.com/Anker-SoundCore-Playtime-Bluetooth-Portable/dp/B016XTADG2

For students' voices OUT, I am hooked up to a television, so that is how my sound settings are configured in Zoom. But you could have them just come out of your computer built-in speakers if you wish.

​3.55 aka mini-jack splitter - iPod is my source (my assistant uses her phone); one split into the in-room speaker, other into the mixer: $30
Splitter similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/KabelDirekt-Pro-Stereo-Splitter-Headphones/dp/B00GN76HAG 
Cables similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088CZLHGL/

Any adapters you need to work with the mixer you get. Many have ZERO 3.5mm inputs at all, and you'll need adapters.

For XLR inputs (my mic goes into one), I use the Rode XLR to mini jack adapter - $10 https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VXLR-Adapter-VideoMic-Mini-Jack/dp/B000Y021NA
​
If your mixer has 1/4" stereo inputs, you use something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-YMP-434-Stereo-Breakout-Cable/dp/B0010D0HO0

All told, this is a sub-$400 set up for ALL of it, and some of it you may already have (cables, speaker, etc). That may seem like a lot if you're just starting, or don't intend to keep the system long term. For me, I knew early on I was going to try to continue online classes after lockdown was done (and lockdown has already lasted about 6 months longer than I initially anticipated! Oh sweet, naive Shay of early 2020...)

---