Building a sound kit

[jmm]

I see your point about 2 UCR401s giving you some flexibility. No argument there. Probably the main advantage of the SRa is size and weight. And lower cost.

But in the quality of the recevers, the signal reception, the fiability of the system, the drop out ( 2 antena for the URC401 and 1 for the SRa by '' channel '' ) does it make any difference.

The weight and size is not really a big factor in my descision because i dont plan to get like 4 or more wireless kit for my average day of normal shooting. I would like to go whit the best reception, less drop out, best quality system. Because when im gonna be in the middle of nowhere i would like to buy the one that will give me the best fiability and result.

I know im asking a lot of questions but spending 2000-4000$ in a wireless kit ... I just want to make shure that i buy the right thing at this price.

 

[Karlw]

But in the quality of the recevers, the signal reception, the fiability of the system, the drop out ( 2 antena for the URC401 and 1 for the SRa by '' channel '' ) does it make any difference.

Actually, the SRa uses both antennas for both channels. It is a diversity, dual-channel receiver.

We predicted that the SRa would be somewhere "between the 411A and 401 in RF performance". However, we've found that it is closer to the 401. The audio quality is the same, as is the range and RF signal integrity.

The weight and size is not really a big factor in my descision because i dont plan to get like 4 or more wireless kit for my average day of normal shooting. I would like to go whit the best reception, less drop out, best quality system. Because when im gonna be in the middle of nowhere i would like to buy the one that will give me the best fiability and result.

I know im asking a lot of questions but spending 2000-4000$ in a wireless kit ... I just want to make shure that i buy the right thing at this price.

Not a problem! Again, the 401 and SRa are equivalent in RF and audio performance. The SRa has more mounting options and other accessories, and is smaller. The 401 has the internal battery power option and a full-size XLR. That's about the only differences.

-Karl

 

[jmm]

Thanks a lot, i will think about it and made my choice after more reading and reflexion. I will update my set-up list in the first page later and try to figure a way to fit everything in my budget.

Thanks for all the response.

 

[Rippie]

Not a problem! Again, the 401 and SRa are equivalent in RF and audio performance.
-Karl

Karl by comparing both RF and audio performance of the SRa and the 401 are you saying the SRa is not equiv to a 411 as far as audio quality?
Or are you just comparing the audio quality of the SRa to the 401 to simplify things?

 

[Karlw]

Karl by comparing both RF and audio performance of the SRa and the 401 are you saying the SRa is not equiv to a 411 as far as audio quality?
Or are you just comparing the audio quality of the SRa to the 401 to simplify things?

Sorry - didn't notice your post for a couple of days.

The audio quality itself between the 401, SRa and 411A is identical - they are all part of the Digital Hybrid platform. The difference in performance between these units is more on the RF side. In areas where you have little background RF noise, all three will come very close to performing exactly the same - you would not be able to tell the difference in the field.

However, in areas with a lot of background RF noise, the 411A will provide the most range when compared to the other two, because of it's greater level of out-of-band filtering.

This is assuming that you are using only the on-board antennas for all three receivers. The 411A and SRa provide antenna connectors. Of these, the 411A is routinely used with external antennas, which of course can greatly enhance it's range.

But again, the actual AUDIO performance of all three, assuming they are within the range of their respective transmitters given the on-site conditions, etc. will be exactly the same.

 

[Rippie]

Thanks Karl.
Just wanted to make sure because while I have always heard audio quality is the same between the 401, SRa 411a, I also heard (and based some of decision to purchase 2 SRa's)
that the RF performance WAS in fact somewhere BETWEEN the 401 and 411, not "closer" to the 401 as you mentioned in your above posts.
Just wanted to make sure other assumptions havent changed.

 

[NewspaperVideo]

Just wanted to give some feedback on the Rode blimp & mic: The NTG-3 mic is pretty nice but the Rode blimp is the size of a trash can and is not something you would want to use in an ENG setting. The blimp works ok, but it's big and heavy. Ok on a controlled set, but not run-n-gun. It looks small in the catalog but it's not.

 

[manglerBMX]

what are you comparing its size to? the rycote system is only barely smaller than the rode, but costs twice as much. i've used it many 'o time in an ENG setting.

if you want something a little smaller check out the rycote S kit, http://www.trewaudio.com/store/product.php?productid=855&cat=39&page=3

its not a caged system and probably will be rated a little bet less in wind protection.

or the ktek kzep system, http://www.trewaudio.com/store/product.php?productid=758&cat=39&page=1

again, probably not as good as the rode but a lot smaller