Good wireless mic setup?

[Guest]

I'm looking to buy two wireless mics for some short film work. I was wondering what recommendations people have for a good mic setup to get?

Thanks.

[Barry_S]

Ok, short answer because it's late and this has been answered before.

Audio-Technica U101--$500, I own this one and it's 100 channels, true diversity, metal construction, balanced XLR output, very quiet. It does suck down 9 volt batteries and it's not the smallest unit, but it's never let me down.

Sennheiser G2 Evolution system -- this is due out very soon and looks great. Has a nifty auto channel scan feature that looks for a clear frequency. No diversity or XLR out, but the current Evo 100 model has a great rep. About $550.

AKG PR81 -- Supposed to be good, the included lav is reputedly excellent. Only 5 channels though.

Lectrosonics -- have rented their sets, completely solid and quiet, but a big step up in price.

Almost everything at $500 or above is solid. The sub $500 gear is more suited for sound reinforcment rather than film work.

[rbilsbor]

Anyone used the Sony UWP-C1 system? True diversity but only a few channels. I bought one for a client and tested it very briefly, seemed to have decent range, but not exactly built that rugged... anyone else used one?

[GuyS]

I bought the Sony UWP C1 and C2 lav and mic systems. The range is excellent and the sound quality is also excellent. I have taken the transmitter outside of a house and down the street and did not get drop out until I was at least 250 ft away (and that's outside of the house where the receiver was). I haven't tried the systems in an enviroment of many RF signals (including other wireless systems) but suggest that with the true diversity UHF setup there shouldn't be any issues.

[rbilsbor]

Barry_S, thanks for the advice, I just got my AT U101 in. I'm gonna be shooting for 10 days in Ecuador and I'm trying to figure out how many 9 volts I'm gonna need... in your experience how long do you typically get with the receiver and transmitter? Basically, how long does a set of 3 niners last? Thanks, the setup sounds great!

Ryan

[Barry_Green]

I'm the other Barry, but I'll chime in here -- the manual says you should get about 8 hours out of a set of batteries.

[rbilsbor]

Yeah, well, obviously I don't read those things ;) Thanks Other Barry... that's better than I was expecting given 'S's comments above about it "sucking down" the thangs

[Barry_Green]

I haven't gone 8 hours with mine yet, it's usually been 4-hour shifts. But yes, three batteries at a time, they certainly do go through them.

I found some rechargeables that last about 3 hours, which helps a little, but for long-duration shoots nothing beats those alkalines... at $6 a set it sure adds up quick though.

[Barry_S]

I put in a fresh set everytime I use my setup. Maybe it's wasteful, but I put fresh batteries in *everything* before a shoot. There's enough craziness without worrying about batteries dying in the middle of a good take. For some reason 9 volt batteries are much more expensive than AA's and I never seem to have enough.

[oleg]

[quote author=Barry_Green I found some rechargeables that last about 3 hours, which helps a little, but for long-duration shoots nothing beats those alkalines... at $6 a set it sure adds up quick though.[/quote]

ultralife- litiom 9v batteries ,will last at least 3 time more (they cost 4 time more (6$ ), and they are light ,

[Zoomforce]

Sennheiser G2 Evolution system -- *this is due out very soon and looks great. *Has a nifty auto channel scan feature that looks for a clear frequency. *No diversity or XLR out, but the current Evo 100 model has a great rep. *About $550.


I just got the G2 evolution set today.. and it is very solid, small and sounds fantastic, even with the M2 mic. It comes with a shoe attatchment as well so you can mount the reciever on your camera shoe.

[phd]

I got the Sennheiser EW112-p G2 Evolution system last weekend and they have a great sound, and I can use my K6/ME64 to it.

[Barry_S]

The G2 sounds great--I always appreciate small gear that's well-made. Jarred and phd--be sure and give us an update after you've used the G2 for a couple of months.

[Zoomforce]

will do.. we are rolling into a feature in the next 2 weeks and it will be used everyday for a side 13 episode project about the movie (think project greenlight).. so I will definately be able to see if it holds its own. It feels though if I dropped it from 6 feet it would just laugh and brush itself off.. incredibly solid.

[Paul_Maxe]

Can this setup handle 2 mics? Do I need a whole seperate system? I am doing wedding videography and need a lav mic for the bride and for the groom. Do I need a whole seperate unit?

[Barry_Green]

I don't know of any wireless system that handles two mic's. You'd need a separate system for every mic.

(the alternative people frequently bring up is to not even bother with so many wireless units, and instead put a minidisc recorder in the groom's pocket, with a wired lavaliere running to it... if you get an omnidirectional lavaliere, that may be able to cover the bride, groom, and minister).

But no, if you want to go wireless, you need two systems for two mic's.

[Paul_Maxe]

Thanks a lot for the info. What about a good shotgun mic? Any suggestions?