best wireless lavs+transmitters

[alignment1]

Using H4N to record to and synching w- GH-13

I need the most rugged-best sound producing whilst keeping a low profile- reality tv series style mics.

Does anyone have suggestions? I have some seinheisers right now, but they are pretty beat up, and need a good durable, lav set that will stand up to lots of movement, and create little noise, (in terms of pops/hits/rf noise...etc.)

thanks

Z

 

[dasbin]

Which Sennheisers are you using? Honestly they're about as tough as they come. I sometimes use some old Shure UHF transmitters that are made of metal, but they're heavy and probably not actually any tougher than the plastic G3's which can absorb impacts (because plastic is flexible).
If you want small transmitters, look at the Sennheiser SK5212.

As far as actual lavs go - unfortunately, rugged, best-sounding, and low-profile are all usually mutually exclusive.
My choices:
Best sounding - DPA 4061 (these stand up to a regular amount of abuse well - reinforced wires and moisture-resistant capsules, but many lavs have these features)
Low profile: Sennhesier MKE-1 or Countryman B6. But frankly the DPA is small enough. Hide it!
Rugged: As far as I know, there's nothing really better than these. Miniature lavs will never be 100% reliable. Have backups handy.

On being resistant to noise:
The things you mentioned are very different issues. Pops? Sounds like a placement issue. RF hits? Choose a better frequency and use diversity receivers. Noise? Uh, like what? I've never encountered "RF noise" on an empty channel. I don't even know what this means. Perhaps you're just encountering mic or amp noise? Set your gain staging properly and you won't.

 

[Sam Mallery]

To do better than the Sennheiser G3, you have to jump up to Lectrosonics 400 series which are about $1900 for transmitter and receiver (and no lav mic - that's a spearate purchase).