Most people booking microphones for an event do not spend much time on the decision. They ask for “a microphone” and assume that covers it.
It is a reasonable assumption. But the type of microphone you use matters more than people realise. The wrong one for the situation either sounds bad, creates feedback, or makes the speaker uncomfortable. None of those are good outcomes.
This guide explains the main types of microphone you can hire for events in London, when each one is the right call, and what to avoid.
The main types
TYPE 01
Handheld wireless
The most common microphone at events. Speaker holds it, talks into it.
Best for: Speeches, Q and A, awards ceremonies, comperes and hosts.
TYPE 02
Lapel (clip-on)
Clips to clothing near the collar. Speaker is hands-free and does not need to hold anything.
Best for: Keynote presentations, theatre-style talks, product demonstrations.
TYPE 03
Headset
Sits over the ear with a small mic arm near the mouth. More consistent audio than a lapel.
Best for: Fitness instructors, live performance, hosts who move around a lot.
TYPE 04
Gooseneck / lectern
Fixed mic on a flexible neck, usually mounted to a lectern or table.
Best for: AGMs, formal speeches, panel discussions where speakers are seated.
Handheld wireless microphones
This is the default for most events and it works well. The speaker holds the mic, keeps it roughly six inches from their mouth, and the engineer on the desk manages the level.
The main risk is that people who are not used to microphones either hold them too far away or wave them around while they talk. Both affect the audio quality. A quick brief before the event solves most of this. Tell your speakers how close to hold it and ask them not to lower it when they laugh or react. That is usually enough.
Handheld mics are also the easiest for Q and A sessions. A roving mic passed around an audience is simple, familiar, and needs no setup on each person using it.
Lapel microphones
Lapel mics are the right choice when the speaker needs their hands free. Presenters who use a clicker and move around a stage, or who are demonstrating a product, should not be holding a microphone at the same time.
The lapel clips to clothing near the collarbone. The transmitter pack sits in a pocket or on a belt. The speaker forgets they are wearing it within a few minutes, which is exactly the point.
The downside is placement. A lapel mic picks up everything in front of it. Rustling fabric, jewellery catching the capsule, or a loose clip will all show up in the audio. A technician should fit the lapel correctly before the event starts, not leave the speaker to clip it on themselves.
Lapels also need careful monitoring if the speaker turns their head a lot. The audio level changes when the mic moves away from the mouth. An engineer on the desk can compensate for this. A fixed system cannot.
Headset microphones
Headsets give you more consistent audio than a lapel because the mic position relative to the mouth stays fixed regardless of how the speaker moves. They are common in fitness, theatre, and high-energy hosting situations.
At corporate events they are less common because they look more visible than a lapel and some speakers feel self-conscious wearing one. But the audio quality is genuinely better. If your speaker moves a lot and audio consistency matters, a headset is the right call even if it feels unusual.
Gooseneck and lectern microphones
These are fixed microphones for situations where the speaker stays in one place. AGMs, formal committee presentations, and panel discussions where speakers are seated at a table all suit a gooseneck or desk mic.
The advantage is simplicity. No transmitter pack, no clipping anything to clothing, no battery management. The speaker leans toward the mic and talks.
The disadvantage is that they only work if the speaker stays close to the mic. Someone who leans back in their chair or turns to talk to a colleague drops out of the audio completely. For formal events with experienced speakers this is not usually a problem. For more casual formats it can be.
Wired versus wireless
Wired microphones have one job and they do it reliably. There is no transmitter, no receiver, no battery, and no frequency conflict to worry about. They just work.
But they tether the speaker to a cable. For a fixed lectern setup where the speaker does not move, that is fine. For anything where the speaker walks the stage or moves around the room, wireless is the right choice.
Professional wireless systems at events use UHF frequencies that are much more stable than the cheaper systems you find in consumer retail. At a corporate event with multiple wireless microphones in use, frequency management matters. Your AV company should be assigning frequencies that do not conflict with each other or with the venue’s existing systems. This is one of those things that sounds technical but is actually just experience. A good technician handles it before the event starts.
The most common microphone mistake at events is not choosing the wrong type. It is not briefing the speakers on how to use it. Two minutes before they go on stage is enough.
How many microphones do you need?
One per active speaker is the starting point. But think through your programme before you confirm the number.
If you have a panel of five speakers and they are all talking at different points, five lapels or a shared handheld works depending on how formal the format is. If you have a keynote speaker followed by a Q and A, you need one mic for the speaker and at least one roving mic for the audience.
For awards ceremonies, you need a mic for the host and usually a handheld that presenters and winners can share. The host keeps their mic throughout. The shared mic gets passed to whoever is on stage.
Always have a spare. Not as a formality but as a genuine contingency. Wireless microphones can drop, batteries die, and clips break. A spare unit ready to go means a fifteen-second swap rather than a two-minute problem in front of a room full of people.
See our PA system hire page for more on how microphones fit into a full sound setup, and our AV equipment hire page for a full picture of what we supply. The PLASA professional standards body also publishes useful guidance on audio equipment quality and what professional specification looks like for live events.
Common questions
How many microphones do I need for my event?
One per active speaker is the baseline. For a Q and A you will want at least one roving mic for the audience. For panels, individual lapels or a shared handheld works depending on how much each person speaks.
What is the difference between wired and wireless microphones?
Wired gives you a stable signal and no battery concerns. Wireless gives the speaker freedom to move. For most events, wireless is the better experience. For a fixed lectern where the speaker does not move, wired is simpler and cheaper.
Can I use the same microphone for speeches and a live band?
Usually not. Live music microphones are set up and positioned differently from speech microphones. Mixing the two on one microphone without an engineer managing the transition is a reliable way to get feedback.
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