HVX200 Lavalier choice. Please help!

[gordie]

alright so, as you can guess, im going to be doing some interviews soon, and it would be quite beneficial to have the use of a wireless lavalier

its more for my own purposes than anything else, that is, its not a major project i suppose

anyways, im having trouble finding a good system that will work... if anyone has any suggestions for a good system, please let me know!

and as for price, as LOW as possible, i do NOT have alot of money to spend on this, so the cheaper the better.


thanks for the help!

Gordie

[Barry_Green]

If it doesn't NEED to be wireless, you can get a great wired lav mic for a lot less than you can get an average wireless system. So does it absolutely have to be wireless?

[gordie]

first of all let me say you have some sick stuff out there, ive been reading stuff by you ever since i bought my hvx and its super helpful. it was your comparison between the xh a1 and the hvx200 that made me choose the panasonic too, so thanks for that too!

well, itd be much preferable for it to be wireless, because i have some other uses planned for it as well.

ive found some pretty alright looking wireless lav systems, problem is, they all output to 3.5mm and some of them to mini xlr (but most of those are too expensive anyways) which is a problem with the xlr ports. im not sure if there's a adapter out there to solve my budget problems, but i can't seem to find it.

this is my first time buying a mic, and im pretty inexperienced with sound, so sorry for that

Gordie

[wgzn]

in the audio world almost any cable type can be adapted to another. just go down to your local radioshack or guitar center - adapters a plenty! i have a half dozen 1/8" stereo mini to xlr adapters - works just fine!

there are a TON of different wired and wireless lav systems out there. but like anything else lets start with the key question:

how much do you want to spend?

[Barry_Green]

Well, knowing your budget would help as well. I don't think there's likely a wireless lav system out there worth buying that's under $500. And even then, you'd have to be careful to make sure that you're buying something that's legal now, because with the shift to digital television a lot of the wireless frequency spectrum has been wiped out.

[AwakenedFilms]

Gordie,
I have to agree with Barry. Cheap wired lavs sound better than expensive wireless lavs. I have a $130 wired shure that sounds remarkably better than my $1500 wireless lectrosonics with countryman lav. I grab the wired every time, unless the situation absolutely calls for wireless.

The lowest price point for a decent wireless is probably the Sennheiser G2 series at about $500.

Go for a wired (audio is very important) and save your money for a great wireless when the time arises.


Best,
Jason

[gordie]

Well, knowing your budget would help as well. I don't think there's likely a wireless lav system out there worth buying that's under $500. And even then, you'd have to be careful to make sure that you're buying something that's legal now, because with the shift to digital television a lot of the wireless frequency spectrum has been wiped out.

pretty much as low as i can go to be honest.

whatever isnt being used is going towards a new p2 card, so id like to save as much as i can.

its maybe a long shot to even find what im looking for, but like wgzn said up top, maybe ill just search around for the right adapter and make it happen on the cheap

ive found some pretty low cost ones on b &h, so im sure i can pull something together with that.

[wgzn]

as any guitar player will tell you "anyone who REALLY cares about their tone wouldnt use wireless" and i am of that school. BUT there are times where ya just gotta go untethered...

i have this one client who DEMANDS wireless even though we dont need to. ive shown him how much better my sony ecm77 sounds than my G2+countryman setup. but sometimes he who signs the check has the final say ; )

but yeah, i have a pair of sennheiser evolution G2's with countryman B3 mics. i like them fine, they get the job done for just under a grand (from fullcompass.com) for the set.

[gordie]

Gordie,
I have a $130 wired shure

Best,
Jason


how long is the wire on it? and what model is it exactly??

ya, from what ive seen so far, if I can get a long enough wired mic, it seems much more cost effective for the cost.

it would be pretty limiting for some of the interviewing i had planned for this some other projects throughout the year..

[wgzn]

how long is the wire on it?doesnt matter. you can run a single long one or string a series of mic cables together for a long way. with good cable, you can easily do hundreds of feet without much noticeable effect on sound quality.

there are some very knowledgeable audio folks here, but i say youd be well advised to just call a reputable audio dealer. tell them what you want to do and how much money youve got to play with and they will help you get what you need. i have had GREAT results from cal mazzara over at full compass (www.fullcompass.com (http://www.fullcompass.com))

one thing you might consider is buying a good wired lav mic then just rent the wireless as you need it. i think most pro gear shops will rent you a decent quality wireless lav for $50-$70 or so per day.

[puredrifting]

Gordie:

Based upon what you are saying, you need a wired lav. Even expensive wireless mic systems have compromised sound and you can't even afford a lousy wireless system at $500.00. Buy a wired lavalier and a 25 and or 50' XLR cable and you will be golden.

Read this too... http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/lavs_brockett.html
You will need to spend at least $200.00 to $250.00 to buy a GOOD wired lav. Don't buy junk, you will regret it, then sell it at a loss, then will still have to shell out more money to buy something good.

[mdslammer]

I have a $130 wired shure that sounds remarkably better than my $1500 wireless lectrosonics with countryman lav.

Seriously?

I have a pair of Lectrosonics UCR211/UM200UHF used with either my Tram or
AT Lavaliers. They sound and work beautifully run through my Shure FP33
mixer.

I also have an assortment of "wired" shotgun and hypercaridiod mics as well.

I agree that using a "wired" mic is my first preference but I get very good results
with my "wireless" package as well.

It's whatever works for the gig at hand.

[ChipG]

Not sure of your budget but if it's really tight I see used Tram TR-50's on eBay for around $100, I think new they are $250-$350 depending on power source and clip on accessories. Tram TR-50's are everywhere, good bang for the buck and they are almost indestructible.

[Spec-Comm]

I agree, Never scrimp when mic shopping. I've done shoots with and without wires and have found an affordable option for both types.

For wired I like the Sony 44B.

For wireless, I like the Sennheiser G3.
http://www.spec-comm.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1503

We can supply both.

Thanks,

Andrew

[gordie]

Gordie:

Based upon what you are saying, you need a wired lav. Even expensive wireless mic systems have compromised sound and you can't even afford a lousy wireless system at $500.00. Buy a wired lavalier and a 25 and or 50' XLR cable and you will be golden.

Read this too... http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/lavs_brockett.html
You will need to spend at least $200.00 to $250.00 to buy a GOOD wired lav. Don't buy junk, you will regret it, then sell it at a loss, then will still have to shell out more money to buy something good.


thanks for all the help to you and to everyone
i think in the end im going to wait a bit, then probably go with a wired lav based on what everyones saying

thanks for the advice!

Gordie

[mainstreetprod]

When trying to go inexpensive on a lav, Shure is it. I have used an ancient ECM50 for years and other than being huge, it works great. The newer models should do an excellent job. You will find running that cable is not usually a problem. And on rare occasions when your talent is moving a lot, just rent a wireless.