Gooseneck Microphone
A gooseneck microphone is suitable for a lectern, conference table or another clearly defined speaking position.
Musikhaus Korn Event Equipment Guide
Conference & Presentation: Transmit Speech Clearly, Flexibly & Professionally
Presentations, seminars, panel discussions and conferences all have one goal: everyone in the room should be able to understand speech effortlessly.
Microphones, wireless technology, mixers and loudspeakers therefore need to suit both the room size and the format of the event. This guide covers individual presenters, multiple discussion participants, lecterns, mobile presentations and larger conference rooms.
Presentation & Training
Conference & Panel Discussion
Mobile & Permanent Conference Rooms
1
microphone should remain as close as possible to the speaker
4
routes: handheld, headset, lavalier or conference unit
2–4
spare mixer channels create useful reserve
29
concrete product examples
Make the most important decision first
Which Equipment Does Your Presentation Need?
Do not choose the microphone by price first. Choose it according to the presenter’s freedom of movement and the number of people who need to speak.
A presenter at a fixed lectern needs a different solution from a trainer walking through the room or a panel discussion with six participants.
Headset
A headset keeps the distance between the mouth and microphone nearly constant and leaves both hands free for presentation and gestures.
Lavalier Microphone
Lavalier microphones attach to clothing and remain visually unobtrusive. They are useful for presentations, interviews and video productions.
Several Wireless Channels or Conference Units
With several fixed participants, tabletop conference units or several wireless channels provide a clearer workflow than constantly passing one microphone around.
Practical rule: a microphone that stays consistently close to the voice requires less amplification and usually provides more feedback headroom than a microphone positioned far away.
From a single presentation to a major conference
Choose Conference Equipment by Application
| Application | Microphone | Mixer | PA | Expansion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Presentation | Headset or lavalier | Small compact mixer | 1–2 active speakers | Laptop playback |
| Lectern | Gooseneck microphone | Small mixer | Speech PA | Handheld backup |
| Seminar | Headset + handheld | 4–8 channels | Compact PA | Audience microphone |
| Panel Discussion | Several wireless channels or conference units | 8–16+ channels | Even speech coverage | Recording / streaming |
| Large Conference | Several wireless and tabletop systems | Digital mixer | Scalable system | Separate zones |
| Hybrid Event | Close speech microphones | USB / digital mixer | Room sound reinforcement | Computer / streaming |
Speech begins at the microphone
Headset, Lavalier, Handheld or Gooseneck?
Headset
Particularly suitable for trainers, speakers and presenters who move around. The consistent distance from the voice supports more even transmission.
Lavalier
Small and visually unobtrusive. Comfortable for interviews and presentations, but the greater distance from the mouth makes the result more dependent on room acoustics and clothing.
Handheld Transmitter
Easy to pass quickly between people and therefore ideal as an audience, interview or backup microphone.
Gooseneck
Designed for lecterns and tabletop positions. The flexible construction allows the microphone to be aligned reproducibly with the person speaking.
Give multiple participants defined speaking positions
When Is a Dedicated Conference System Worthwhile?
In meetings with many participants, passing one handheld microphone around quickly becomes impractical. Tabletop conference units provide clearly defined speaking positions and keep the discussion organised.
Wireless conference technology is especially interesting when the room layout changes regularly. Tables remain easier to reposition and long microphone cable runs across the room are reduced.
For a one-off event, several wireless handheld systems can instead be the more flexible solution. The correct choice depends on the number of participants, the moderation concept and whether people need to speak simultaneously or one after another.
Every seat should understand the speaker
Which PA System Is Suitable for Presentations & Conferences?
For speech events, even distribution is more important than deep bass. Compact active speakers can be positioned flexibly on stands, while column systems provide quick setup and a small footprint.
One Compact Active Speaker May Be Enough
A compact active speaker or small mobile system can already be sufficient. The volume only needs to be high enough for people at the back to understand speech comfortably.
Two Speakers Improve Distribution
Two loudspeakers can provide more even coverage. They should be positioned in front of open microphones and aimed toward the audience.
Additional Zones May Be Required
Long or wide rooms can require additional loudspeaker zones. Permanent installations should therefore be designed specifically for the room.
Keep every speaker and media source under control
Which Mixer Is Suitable for a Conference?
For two microphones and one laptop, a small compact mixer can be sufficient. With several wireless channels, panel discussions and streaming, a digital mixer becomes increasingly useful.
Do not look only at the advertised total channel count. Check how many microphone inputs are available at the same time, whether phantom power is required for condenser microphones and which outputs are available for loudspeakers, recording or streaming.
Allow reserve: two additional microphone inputs can be occupied very quickly at a conference – for example by an audience microphone or an additional discussion participant.
Connect the room with online participants
What Is Important for Hybrid Presentations?
In addition to room sound reinforcement, a hybrid event requires a clean audio feed to the conference computer. A mixer with USB audio can simplify this connection.
At the same time, audio coming from the video conference must not simply feed back into open room microphones and create disruptive echoes.
Keep the Microphone Close to the Speaker
Clean speech at the source improves both the sound in the room and the signal received by online participants.
Use USB Audio Where Appropriate
A mixer with computer connectivity can combine microphones and playback sources and send them together to the conference computer.
Control Room Sound & Online Feed Separately
Room loudspeakers and the online signal serve different purposes. Larger systems benefit from separate output paths and more deliberate routing.
Go directly to the appropriate range
Product Categories for Conferences & Presentations
Wireless Conference Systems
Tabletop units for structured meetings and discussions.
Gooseneck Microphones
For lecterns and fixed tabletop speaking positions.
Wireless Headsets
Keep both hands free during presentations and training.
Lavalier Microphones
Unobtrusive speech pickup from clothing.
Wireless Handhelds
For moderators, audiences and changing speakers.
Compact Mixers
Clear signal control for smaller presentations.
Digital Mixers
More channels, routing and recallable configurations.
Active Speakers
Flexible speech reinforcement without a separate amplifier.
29 selected examples
Products for Presentations, Conferences & Meeting Rooms
The selection covers fixed speaking positions, mobile presenters, panel discussions, room sound reinforcement, mixers and important infrastructure.
Fixed positions & structured discussions
Conference Systems
Conference, Lectern & Speech Microphones
Conference Unit
Mipro
BC-100T 823–832 MHz
View Product
Professional
Sennheiser
EW-DX TS 5-Pin Y1-3
View Product
Lectern
Mipro
MM-206L
View Product
Shure
MX418/C
View Product
Dual Wireless
Shure
BLX288/PG58 S8
View Product
NUX
B-3RC Mic Bundle
View Product
Moving presenters & moderation
Headsets & Wireless Systems for Presenters
Headset
Sennheiser
XSW 2-ME3 E-Band Headmic Set
View Product
Shure
BLX14/P31 S8
View Product
Shure
BLX24/PG58 T11
View Product
Sennheiser
XSW 2-835 E-Band Vocal Set
View Product
Digital Wireless
Sennheiser
EW-D 835-S Vocal Set
View Product
Wired Backup
Shure
SM58 LC
View Product
Seminar & conference-room sound
Active PA Systems & Speakers
Active Speaker
RCF
ART 910-A
View Product
HK Audio
POLAR 10 MKII
View Product
HK Audio
POLAR 12 MK2 BK
View Product
LD Systems
MAUI 11 G3 White
View Product
RCF
EVOX J8
View Product
Yamaha
STAGEPAS 400BT
View Product
Speech & hybrid events
Mixers
Digital
Allen & Heath
CQ12T
View Product
Mackie
ProFX10v3+
View Product
USB
Mackie
Pro FX 12 v3
View Product
Allen & Heath
ZED-10FX
View Product
16 Channel
Soundcraft
Ui16
View Product
Stands, cables, monitoring & transport
Infrastructure & Accessories
Signal path
Connect Conference Equipment Reliably
Set the Microphone Gain Correctly First
Microphones connect to the appropriate mixer inputs. Preamplifier gain, tone and level are adjusted there. Condenser microphones may require suitable phantom power depending on the model.
Treat the Two Destinations Separately
The main output feeds the room loudspeakers. At hybrid events, an additional output or USB audio connection can supply the conference computer. This makes the signal path easier to control.
Guide status: 24 August 2026. Frequency ranges, connectors and software functions differ between products. Several simultaneous wireless systems and permanent installations should therefore be planned for the specific venue.
Operational reliability
What Should Be Kept as Backup?
A conference should not depend on a single cable, wireless transmitter or presentation audio source. A small prepared reserve keeps common faults manageable.
- One wired handheld microphone
- Spare XLR cables in several lengths
- Spare batteries or charged wireless rechargeable batteries
- A second method for playing presentation audio
- Clearly labelled power supplies and wireless receivers
- A short channel and connection overview
- A stored standard scene when using a digital mixer
Manufacturers represented in the selected products
Brands for Conference, Wireless & PA Equipment
Frequently asked questions
Answers About Conferences & Presentations
Which microphone is best for a presentation?
Presenters who move freely usually benefit from a headset. A gooseneck microphone is suitable for a fixed lectern, while a lavalier provides an especially discreet alternative.
Why is a headset so practical for presenters?
The microphone capsule remains relatively close to the mouth even when the presenter moves their head. This reduces level changes and leaves both hands free for presentation and gestures.
When is a lavalier better than a headset?
A lavalier is useful when a particularly unobtrusive appearance is important. Because it sits further from the mouth, room acoustics need to be considered more carefully.
How should a panel discussion be miked?
Several handheld transmitters work for a small number of participants. For regular use with many fixed seats, tabletop conference units or wireless conference systems usually provide a more structured solution.
How many wireless microphones does a conference need?
This depends on the programme. A single presenter requires one wireless channel, while a discussion with a moderator and several guests needs more. When many systems operate simultaneously, wireless planning should be considered as one complete system.
Does every presentation require a PA system?
Not necessarily in a small, quiet room. Once the room becomes larger, more people attend or the presenter should not have to strain their voice, suitable speech reinforcement significantly improves comfort.
Which mixer is sufficient for two microphones and a laptop?
A small compact mixer with suitable microphone inputs and a stereo or line input can be sufficient. Additional free channels provide useful reserve for later expansion.
When is a digital mixer useful?
Digital mixing becomes useful for larger panels, several wireless channels, separate output paths or hybrid events. Stored scenes are also helpful for recurring events.
How can feedback be reduced during presentations?
Keep the microphone as close as possible to the voice and avoid aiming loudspeakers directly into open microphones. Correct gain staging and suitable loudspeaker positioning are also important.
What is required for a hybrid conference?
In addition to microphones and room sound reinforcement, a connection to the conference computer is required. A mixer with suitable computer connectivity can combine several microphones and playback sources for transmission.
Which equipment is suitable for changing conference rooms?
Mobile active loudspeakers, wireless microphones and a compact mixer can be moved quickly. Wireless tabletop conference units additionally reduce fixed cable routes.
Can additional conference equipment be rented?
Rental equipment can be useful for individual larger events. Additional wireless systems, mixers or PA components can then be added without permanently expanding the basic system.
Clear speech begins with clean microphone pickup
Conference & Presentation: Audio, Wireless & PA
Event equipment for conferences and presentations begins with clean speech pickup. Headset, lavalier, handheld or gooseneck microphones are selected according to the presenter’s freedom of movement and the format of the event. For panel discussions and larger meetings, several wireless channels or wireless tabletop conference units provide a more organised speaking workflow.
A compact or digital mixer combines microphones, laptops and additional media sources, while active loudspeakers distribute speech evenly throughout the room. For hybrid events, the mixer can additionally provide the connection to the conference computer.
Clearly assigned channels, spare cables and a wired backup microphone improve operational reliability and make the complete conference system easier to reproduce.
For a single larger date
Rent Additional Conference Equipment
If additional wireless channels, mixers or loudspeakers are only required temporarily for an annual conference or a larger panel discussion, the existing basic system can be expanded using suitable rental equipment.
Further buying advice
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