Wireless Transceiver Lavalier Test Showdown

M

moonlitnite

Well-known member
I'd like to step up and offer everyone an opportunity to send me illustrative examples of their wireless transceiver lavalier data. Hopefully, this will better serve others with a quantitative acid test. I'll be happy to post everyone's WAV or MP3 files on my website so others can make their own determination. Then in future dvxuser audio group correspondence, we can point others to our test results.

Wireless Lavalier Proposed Test - Include the following:

1. Name transceiver manufacturer and model
2. Name microphone manufacturer and model
3. Describe the environment (distance, etc)
4. Describe recording setting (as 44.1Khz, 128Kbps)
5. Avoid sound processing if possible (EQ, compression, noise gating, etc)

Please keep the file short, 30 seconds of audio is about right. If your sample illustrates a deficiency or shortcoming of the sample file, please include an unbiased fair statement of the problem.

I will post everyone's submission at:

http://www.bridgehands.com/audio


Warm Regards,

Michael
 
Hello friends,

Okay all, I've uploaded a handful of indoor/outdoor "as-is" tests using various Sennheiser models, assorted distances, frequencies, etc. So have some fun "flaming-on" - especially those who actually take up the challenge with their *own* submissions. I'll be happy to include anything reasonable...

BTW, the above link is hidden from my commercial website. If for some reason you wish to type in the URL, it's: http://www.bridgehands.com/audio

Enjoy, Michael
 
Wow, I've just listened to some tests and I must say the difference between the ME2 and the ME4/Countryman are massive. So I guess that a good solution for me would be to buy a Sennheiser G2 kit, with a ME4 or Countryman microphone.

But I'll wait for a couple more tests before I make any decisions.
 
The only wireless lav in this shootout is a Tram TR50, but the audio file might have some value to somebody, somewhere.. who knows. thought i'd tell you about it anyway.

thread
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=67468&highlight=shootout

sample
http://www.sound-travels.com/7micShootout.mp3

IMG_0616.jpg
 
Hey Michael,

I have the basic G2 setup you already tested and 3 more lav mics from giant squid audio labs. These mics are very cheap and for the cost they are worth it for capturing mediocre audio. I bought them after the lav shipped with the G2 was ripped in two. I didn't want to invest in a countrymen mic with the possibility of this happening again, and since I use the cheap mics for weddings, the discernible quality to the perspective client is fine with me. I have since fixed the G2 lav by cannibalizing a 1/8" plug from my computer mic and re-soldering the G2 mic to the new cable. Ok to my question: Would your blog benefit from some tests of these low end lavs?

Here is the link:

http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/

-Kevin
 
Well, the G2 with the ME4 - to me sounds just like the Countryman. But I don't have such a good headset here at work, so maybe I'm wrong. But the G2 with ME4 sounds like a good solutions to me.
 
Ferdi Willemse said:
Well, the G2 with the ME4 - to me sounds just like the Countryman. But I don't have such a good headset here at work, so maybe I'm wrong. But the G2 with ME4 sounds like a good solutions to me.
Click to expand...

Hi Ferdi,

Glad to hear the testing was helpful. Looking at the sound files via software, I noted the Countryman had a base noise level 10dB lower than the Sennheisers. I agree that the ME4 sounded okay for my simple test, but I wondered if its large size would be more likely to pickup bumping noise, etc. Be sure to check out all the specs (sound patterns, etc) and be aware the lower-end stuff isn't very rugged - okay if it's for personal use but beware when you put it on a client.

Regards,

Michael
 
I like the me4, sounds deeper, but doesn't it really have to do with what you sound like in person? If one has a higher sounding voice and the mic makes them sound lower (better) is that a good thing? Kinda like the DVX makes colors looke better than they are (like reds).
 
Hi New,

Yes, the talent's voice is always a factor yet since they are all with my voice, you'll get a sense of variances between the units. BTW, the original purpose of the tests were more to compare various transceiver combos (particularly distance limitations based on critical feedback by others). At least in my testing, I found the Sennheiser G2s could handle very long distances quite well at lower frequencies or with a diversity receiver. At 150 yards, any combo transceiver was fine and the only problem I encountered was pushing to 300 yards in the high-frequency band with the wireless receiver (lacks diversity receiver).

At any rate, your query about better low frequency audio got me thinking I should do two other tests with my current studio favorite - a Heil PR40 dynamic microphone. So I've added a reference test :

Test 0: Heil PR40 dynamic studio mic, direct connect (no transceivers)
Test 0.5: Heil PR40 dynamic studio mic going through Senn G2

Some here have stated transceivers damage the fidelity of high-end mics, so here's the tests to monitor or download. I consider the Heil a fine microphone and will be happy to do another direct connect test with my Octava MK012A "Bello Nero" (w/Hypercardioid) in the future.

Enjoy, Michael
 
is the ME 4 mic bigger than the ME 2? Does anyone have advice on which would be better, if they are around the same price, for the purpose of documentary shooting (the subject will be on the move quite a bit and definitely outdoors in the wind). while the me4 sounds slightly better to me (or at least slightly louder, less distant...) i'm pretty new to audio and am by no means an expert, so i'd love some thoughts on this to help me make the choice.

thanks.
 
me 2 is omni , the me 4 is directional cardioid , if you working in noisy places the 4 would be better , if you work whith person who speaks to every direction and turning his head the omni would sound better - different mics for different aplication , for doco the me 2 would give less problems .
for better sound buy different lav.
no matter what if you work in windy situation you will need some wind protection
 
thanks oleg. just to clarify what you mean by "for better sound by different lav": are you saying that these are not good? do you have a suggestion for a better lav in the same relative price range as the me2/me4?

thanks again for the help.
 
Does anyone know what moonlitnite recorded his PR40 test with? Did he use a mixer?

I've tried connecting my PR40 directly to my DVX100b and it is very noisy...much more than my octava.

Any ideas why this would be?
 
Okay, so here's a slightly different take on this:

Bag setup (mixer is Alan Chang using my kit, I'm the talent on this one).
Sound Devices 302 recording to a Tascam HD-P2 with TC operating

R-2 G2's summed with Countryman B6's.
L-Schoeps 641

Distance between the bag and the talent averaged 10-12 feet.

BTW, thank you Alan, it sounds great!

Phil

http://www.bwgproductions.com/Take10-108.wav
 
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