A wireless microphone receiver is a small device that connects to a wireless microphone and receives the audio it transmits, letting you send and receive sound without running cables. Receivers come in a range of models, with different features, prices, and capabilities depending on your needs.
This guide covers what a wireless microphone receiver is, how to set one up, and how to connect it to a mixer or other audio equipment.
What Is a Wireless Microphone Receiver?
A wireless microphone receiver works alongside a wireless microphone, picking up the audio signal it transmits without requiring a physical cable connection between the two. This is useful if you don’t have a built-in microphone available, or if you simply want more flexibility in which microphone you use for a given recording.
Wireless receivers are common in broadcasting and music production, since they let you capture audio directly from a microphone without needing an additional recording device wired into the signal path.
How to Set Up a Wireless Microphone Receiver
Setting up a basic wireless mic system follows a fairly consistent process:
- Plug the power supply into the receiver, then plug it into the wall
- Connect one end of an XLR cable to the receiver and the other end to your microphone for the room or PA system. If you’re using a lavalier mic, you’ll connect it to the transmitter instead
- Press and hold the mute button on the microphone until the light turns green, and confirm the corresponding light on the receiver turns green as well
- Adjust the input volume for the room or PA system as needed
For a more complete walkthrough of building out a full wireless system, see our guide on how to set up a wireless microphone system.
How to Connect a Wireless Microphone Receiver to a Mixer and Other Devices
To connect a wireless receiver to a mixer, you’ll need the mixer itself, the wireless receiver, an XLR cable, and an AC adapter.
- Plug the XLR cable into the “Out” jack on the back of the wireless microphone receiver
- Plug the other end of the XLR cable into the “In” jack on the back of the mixer
- Plug the AC adapter into an outlet, then connect the power cord to the back of the mixer
FAQ
Do you need a receiver for a wireless mic?
Yes. A complete wireless microphone system consists of three separate components: a microphone, a transmitter, and a receiver.
What is a microphone receiver, specifically?
In a wireless microphone system, the transmitter is the handheld mic or bodypack worn by the speaker, connected to a lapel or headworn mic, and it always includes some form of battery power. The receiver is the separate unit that connects to your sound system and picks up the signal sent from the transmitter.
How does a wireless receiver work?
When an audio source sends a signal to the transmitter, that signal gets converted into radio waves. The receiver picks up those radio waves and converts them back into electrical signal, which then gets sent on to your sound system or recording device.
Conclusion
Wireless microphones are widely used today, from schools to churches to theaters and beyond. Understanding what a wireless microphone receiver does, and how to set one up and connect it to a mixer, makes it much easier to put together a reliable wireless audio setup of your own.
For more on related microphone setup and troubleshooting, see our guides on how to hear yourself on your own microphone, how to set up Neewer microphone suspension boom scissor arm stand, what is gain on a microphone, and best wireless headset microphones for church.
