Audio Solutions Question of the Week: Can I Use My BP892x, BP893x, and BP894x Microphones for Both Wired and Wireless Applications?

Question: Can I use my BP892x, BP893x, and BP894x microphones for both wired and wireless applications?

Answer: Audio-Technica manufactures several headworn microphones, including the long-boom omnidirectional BP892x, the short-boom omnidirectional BP893x, and the long-boom cardioid BP894x.  (These mics are available in black and beige, the latter indicated by the addition of “-TH” to the end of the model number.) Each of these is manufactured and sold in wired versions as well as wireless versions for several different wireless systems. Most often you would purchase and use either a wired or a wireless version based on your need, but there may be times when you need or want to switch to the other version, but don’t want to buy both types. For example, you may travel to a location where there are no useable frequencies available for your wireless system and all you have is a wireless BP89x microphone. Or you may just want a backup method for using the microphone. Remember Murphy’s Law? What do you do? Well, we have a solution or two for you.

Please note that for wireless microphones we are only talking about versions made for Audio-Technica wireless systems. All Audio-Technica wireless systems are equipped with either a cW-type or a cH-type connector. The 3000 Series fourth generation, the 5000 Series third generation and the 6000 Series all have the cH connector. All other professional wireless systems have a cW connector.

In order to make a wireless version wired you need to add the proper power module. The power module takes phantom power from your mixing console and converts that to the proper bias voltage needed by the microphone. It also balances the output. If you currently own a wireless version, determine which connector type you have, for example BP892xcW or BP892xcH. If you have a cW version you should purchase the AT8539 power module. If you have a cH version you should purchase the AT8545 power module.

Audio Solutions Question of the Week: Can I Use My BP892x, BP893x, and BP894x Microphones for Both Wired and Wireless Applications?

If you would like to make the wired version wireless, please note that the BP892x, BP893x and BP894x can already be used on a wireless system that has a cH-type connector. Simply disconnect the microphone from the AT8545 power module and connect it to a body-pack transmitter that has a cH connector (ATW-T3201, ATW-T5201 or ATW-T6001S).

If you would like to make the wired version wireless, but you have a wireless system with a cW-type connector, such as our System 10 PRO, you will need to purchase the BPCB-cW headworn microphone cable.

Audio Solutions Question of the Week: Can I Use My BP892x, BP893x, and BP894x Microphones for Both Wired and Wireless Applications?

As always, feel free to contact the Audio-Technica Audio Solutions Department for more information.