Alternative to Sennheiser Lav?

G

Giganova

Well-known member
Hi guys --

I've been using a Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 series wireless lav for a while now. Even though I am pleased with the results, I'd like to "step up" to a better quality lav mic.

What lav mic would you recommend?

Thanks!
 
If you want a mic that will work in 99% of all situations
i'd personally recommend a Sanken Cos-11

All quality mic's have their shining points and negatives..
I think the Sanken has the least amount of neg's.


Trams
Countryman EMW's and B6's
are also mainstream choices.
 
Thanks, Rippie.

How would that Sanken work with a Sennheiser transmitter if it needs phantom power the transmitter doesn't provide?

Also, is the most versatile version the Sanken with the 9dB attenuation for ENG-style interviews?
 
You should have no issues powering the cos-11 from the transmitter.
Someone correct me if im wrong since I dont personally use G2's.

As far as using the red band version (attenuated)
Dont.
Use the regular.
I own 1 redband and it never EVER comes out.
Because of the attenuation you have to gain up the transmitter way hotter..
and the added self noise is very noticeable.
The regular version can handle very hot signals well.
 
Giganova said:
Thanks, Rippie.

How would that Sanken work with a Sennheiser transmitter if it needs phantom power the transmitter doesn't provide?

Also, is the most versatile version the Sanken with the 9dB attenuation for ENG-style interviews?
Click to expand...

You purchase the mic with the connector that mates to your wireless. The Sanken capsule itself doesn't require 48v phantom, it only needs few volts. The XLR hardwire version drops the full phantom supplied to it down to the 3 to 5 volts for the capsule with circuitry inside the XLR connector. The versions for wireless get their power from the transmitter. To get the most flexibility, get the XLR version and add a breakway connector in the cable that will fit also to the G2.
 
The COS-11 is a good option, as are the Countryman B6, B3 and EMW depending on your budget. There is a lav review in the stickies, check it out.

Phil
 
Chadfish said:
That Sanken COS-11PT looks pretty col for Sennheiser wireless. Is that an industry standard lav mic?
Click to expand...

You'll find the COS-11 on most major sets and in most any high-end professional kit. Personally, the COS-11 and the Countryman B6 are my absolute favorites. Between the two, most situations can be covered.
 
Yes I checked out the sticky on lavs, ad I liked the COS-11 sample very much. It's now on my (rather long) list of things to get. Though I would love a Lectrosonics unit, I think I'll start with the new Sennheiser G3 wireless for myself. I have used the G2 (owned by my boss) for years with few issues. The included mic is not bad. The Sennheiser MKE Gold didn't do much for me. It just sounds bright.
 
Chad,

The COS-11 is one of the few lavs that will cut well with a shotgun mic. There is an article worth reading here where Peter Kurland talks about using the COS-11 with Will Smith on "Men in Black".

If you'd like to try out the Sanken COS-11d with the Sennheiser G3, we have 'em both and you can use your DVXuser discount.

My favorite lav used to be the MKE-2, then the Countryman B6, which is great for it's small size and great sound, but now the COS-11d is my personal favorite. It sounds like others prefer it too.
 
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Right on Guy! First on my list is the G3 wireless. I'm going back & forth on getting the butt plug. It looks like I'll save 100.00 if I get it with the package vs. buying it alone later.
 
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Thanks for all your helpful suggestions!

I ordered a Sanken COS-11X.

Based on the audio samples in the sticky, I would have preferred the DPA 4061 or 4062, but they are hard to get with a Sennheiser 3.5mm terminator and cost a lot of money.

I'll report back when I get the Sanken.
 
I'll add one thing here..

If you're clipping a lav to a lapel thats one thing,
but if you're hiding a mic I'll choose the mic that will give me a CLEAN recording (IE: no clothing noise) over the sonic qualities of a particular lav any day.

If I see trouble brewing regarding wardrobe my only concern is mounting, (side address vampire clip, sanken vampire, moleskin to the chest, moleskin to the clothes..etc) and
choose my mic with that in mind.
Granted any of the mic's I choose are going to be quality mics but I think this is a bit of
common sense worth mentioning.
 
Rippie said:
I'll add one thing here..

If you're clipping a lav to a lapel thats one thing,
but if you're hiding a mic I'll choose the mic that will give me a CLEAN recording (IE: no clothing noise) over the sonic qualities of a particular lav any day.

If I see trouble brewing regarding wardrobe my only concern is mounting, (side address vampire clip, sanken vampire, moleskin to the chest, moleskin to the clothes..etc) and
choose my mic with that in mind.
Granted any of the mic's I choose are going to be quality mics but I think this is a bit of
common sense worth mentioning.
Click to expand...

Is there a particular mic that is better at dealing with clothing noise?
 
Chadfish said:
Is there a particular mic that is better at dealing with clothing noise?
Click to expand...
There is no be all end all mic choice regarding clothing noise.
They all have their positives and neg's.
In my own experience the Sanken wins out overall,
but I personally wouldn't want it as my ONLY choice.

But if I were choosing my first lav it would be a cos11.
 
Rippie said:
There is no be all end all mic choice regarding clothing noise.
They all have their positives and neg's.
In my own experience the Sanken wins out overall,
but I personally wouldn't want it as my ONLY choice.

But if I were choosing my first lav it would be a cos11.
Click to expand...

Sanken makes a little "rubber duck" that can help, depending on the wardrobe, in burying the COS-11. It won't work for everything, but can help in most situations.

There are times where the B6 will be much easier to conceal... or if burying the mic just won't work, it can easily hide in plain sight (necktie, button hole, hair, etc.).
 
C2V said:
Sanken makes a little "rubber duck" that can help, depending on the wardrobe, in burying the COS-11. It won't work for everything, but can help in most situations.

There are times where the B6 will be much easier to conceal... or if burying the mic just won't work, it can easily hide in plain sight (necktie, button hole, hair, etc.).
Click to expand...
not a huge fan of the rubber mount for the sanken..i use it occasionally
but I love the new vampire clip a 3rd party came out with.
use it all the time since ive gotten it.
 
Thanks again for all your suggestions!

I received a Sanken COS-11X today (kudos to Coffey Sound for their great service and speedy delivery!). Preliminary tests show that it delivers a very natural and "open" sound with plenty of details, just like I expected from the lav mic reviews (see the sticky thread). I would have preferred the DPA 4061 or 4062 lav mic but couldn't justify the high price (almost $600 with the right adapter, plus it's hard to get here in the US).

I did a direct comparison with the Sennheiser G2/G3 Evolution stock mic and after hearing the audio I thought "Dam, I wish I had used the Sanken from the beginning". The Sennheiser sounds really "boxy" compared to the Sanken. But be aware: Because the Sanken has a relatively open sound and emphases higher frequencies, it picks up a lot or ambient noise. I wonder if it was a good choice for interviews which sometimes are in a noisy environment. Also, the output signal is very hot; I need to set the transmitter to at least -10dB to avoid clipping when recording an interview.
 
I'm looking to buy a replacement me-2 mic so if you or anyone is selling their stock g2/3 mics, give me a price offer.
 
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