Frequently asked questions

Below are questions that we are frequently asked. We hope that you find this page useful, but please feel free to contact us if you cannot find the answer to your question. To view the answer to any of the questions below, please click on the question.

Q) Why should I choose a SoundRanger system?
Q) Do I need a licence to use the systems?
Q) Is there any restriction on where I can use the systems?
Q) Are there any electrical risks in using the systems?
Q) What is the range of the radio-microphone?
Q) Which system should I choose for a given size of hall or audience?
Q) What if I need more power?
Q) I am a lecturer or demonstrator of equipment and I need both hands free when I am free when I am using a sound system. How can I do this?
Q) Can I use the systems with a “lapel” microphone?
Q) What is “feedback” and how can I avoid it?
Q) Where should I position the amplifier / loudspeakers?
Q) What stands should I use?
Q) Can I use more than one microphone?
Q) Can I play music through the systems?
Q) Q) How do I charge the batteries up?
Q) Can I overcharge the batteries?
Q) How long will the cordless systems run on the batteries?
Q) When will the system batteries need replacing?
Q) What about the microphone batteries?
Q) I have never used a microphone or a public address system before. Will I have any difficulty using the SoundRanger systems?

Q) Why should I choose a SoundRanger system?
A) Ease of use; no wires or cables; nothing to plug in; no installation costs; no set-up time; small size and weight; good quality sound especially for speech reproduction.
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Q) Do I need a licence to use the systems?
A) No. SoundRanger systems are DTI approved in the UK to MPT 1345. This means that the radio frequency is one of the VHF deregulated bands which do not require a user licence.
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Q) Is there any restriction on where I can use the systems?
A) No. The cordless systems are battery powered and radio-microphone driven, so you can set up and use the systems anywhere inside or outside a building. You do not need to be near a power point because you do not need to plug into the mains. The systems can be used legally anywhere in the UK. They will work in other countries, but you will need to check your local laws for operating radio frequency equipment.
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Q) Are there any electrical risks in using the systems?
A) No. The cordless systems work on 12-volt batteries, so there is no risk of dangerous electric shocks, even if used near water. The mains powered systems are built to high standards and all systems are CE marked.
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Q) What is the range of the radio-microphone?
A) At least 30 metres. This means that you can use the microphone anywhere within a 30-metre radius of the amplifier and still be clearly heard.
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Q) Which system should I choose for a given size of hall or audience?
A)This will depend on a number of factors including the acoustics of the building and the ambient (background) noise. As a rough guide, we suggest the following:
Up to 50 people : System 20 S
Up to 150 people : System 40 S
Up to 300 people : System 70 S
Up to 500 people : System 120 S
Up to 1,000 people : System 240 S
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Q) What if I need more power?
A) You can use as many amplifier units as you like with one microphone. For maximum portability with more power you can use two or more MICRO’s. For even greater power and sound distribution, use two or more COMPACT 2’s. You can even mix and match MICRO’s, COMPACT 2’s and COMPACT 4’s, all driven by one radio-microphone.
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Q) I am a lecturer or demonstrator of equipment and I need both hands free when I am using a sound system. How can I do this?
A) No problem. All the systems can be used with a belt pack transmitter and a headset microphone, allowing complete freedom of movement and both hands free. The RMU-33 headset microphone is light and easy to use and is relatively inconspicuous in use. (See radio-microphones)
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Q) Can I use the systems with a “lapel” microphone?
A) Yes. SoundRanger can supply the RMU-50 lapel microphone (also know as a tie-clip or Lavalier microphone) for use with the belt pack transmitter, instead of the headset microphone. You will not be able to achieve as much volume before feedback, but the system works well if you only need a low level of voice reinforcement. (See Microphones)
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Q) What is “feedback” and how can I avoid it?
A) Feedback is the technical term for the high pitched whistling you sometimes hear when sound systems are turned up too loud. It occurs when the sound from the loudspeakers goes back into the microphone and builds up an ever-increasing “loop”. All sound systems will eventually feed back if they are turned up too loud. Well-designed systems will provide a good level of sound before this problem occurs by using good quality microphones, amplifiers and loudspeakers. However, you can help the systems by not standing directly in front of the loudspeakers and not turning the volume up louder than you need to.
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Q) Where should I position the amplifier / loudspeakers?
A) The loudspeakers should be at or above the head height of the audience and pointed towards them. In a rectangular room you would normally place one loudspeaker in the corner, facing diagonally inwards to give the best audience coverage. With two loudspeakers, position them in the corners of the room each side of you facing the audience and angled slightly inwards.
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Q) What stands should I use?
A)The MICRO can be fitted on top of a microphone stand, for example the SoundRanger SS-M04, which will lift it to normal head height (about 1.7Metres).The COMPACT 2 or 4 should be used with the SS-SX1 heavy-duty tripod stand for maximum stability.
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Q) Can I use more than one microphone?
A)All systems except the MICRO can be supplied with either one or two radio-microphones. You will need to specify the correct product code for the amplifier (see Component Products). You can also use a normal cable microphone in addition to the radio-microphone(s) by plugging it into the auxiliary channel.
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Q)Can I play music through the systems?
A) Yes. The MICRO has a mini-jack auxiliary input (3.5mm jack), which will accept the input from a Walkman or cassette player. The COMPACT 2 and 4 have a separate channel which can be used for a cable microphone or any other auxiliary sound source (mixer, CD or cassette player etc). It has its own channel volume control and can accept phono plugs, standard jack plugs (6.3mm) or XLR plugs.
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Q) How do I charge the batteries up?
A) Both the MICRO and the COMPACT 2C are provided with intelligent on-board charging circuitry. All you have to do is to plug them into a mains socket. The MICRO will take about 4 hours and the COMPACT 2C about 6 to 7 hours to charge fully.
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Q) Can I overcharge the batteries?
A) No. The intelligent circuitry cuts off the charging once the battery is fully charged.
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Q) How long will the cordless systems run on the batteries?
A) The MICRO will run for 6 to 8 hours of normal use before recharging is necessary. The COMPACT 2C will run for up to 12 hours.
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When will the system batteries need replacing?
A) This will depend on how you treat them. If the amplifier is charged up after use and not left in a discharged state, the power batteries should have a life of up to 5 years and can be charged and recharged like a car battery. Under normal use you should not need to replace them for at least 3 years.
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Q) What about the microphone batteries?
A) The microphone and the belt pack transmitter will run off a 9 volt alkaline battery (PP3 type) for about 30 hours. You will then need to replace the battery. Keep a spare for use in emergencies.
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Q) I have never used a microphone or a public address system before. Will I have any difficulty using the SoundRanger systems?
A) Absolutely not. The systems are designed for ease of operation by a non-technical person and they come with an easy-to-follow User Guide.
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