dual wireless audio system?

Randall_Oelerich

Randall_Oelerich

Veteran
Asked before, I know. I even had a thread going here in the past about an Azden dual channel on-camera (all battery, no AC) wireless system. But I need/want to get a DUAL wireless lavalier system that runs all on batteries for use in the field/woods, not an AC powered receiver system. And my research is leading me to believe I should go with something by Sennheiser. I know enough to be dangerous to myself, hence I could use a little help.

What i just learned is that one can also have a transmitter for use on say a boompole and shotgun microphone (I have a RODE NTG-2) that allows the boompole mic to be used wireless with the receiver. This interests me greatly, very versatile. I found this system on BH, the Sennheiser Evolution G3 that comes with 1 lavalier transmitter, receiver, and a transmitter for use with a boompole/shotgun.
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Price ($800) is in the range I could afford / justify.

QUESTION: I am wondering-- is there any reason why a lavalier microphone with an XLR cable could not be used with the transmitter meant for a shotgun mic/boompole to send a second wireless lav signal to the receiver, so that in effect this G3 system could become a dual wireless lav system?

Any other recommendations greatly appreciated. I feel I am close to finding the right system. End goal is a wireless lav system, dual lavs being optimal, for filming several short films in the coming year, and of course for use on an indie feature in the future.
~randall
 
That kit has one single-channel receiver and two transmitters, true, but it does not mean you can use both transmitters at the same time. Each transmitter in simultaneous use requires its own dedicated receiver channel, in in the form of a two-channel recevier or two separate single-channel receivers. With this kit you can operate EITHER the lav with bodypack transmitter OR the plug-on transmitter with an appropriate mic, but NOT both transmitters at once without purchasing a second receiver.
 
Steve House said:
That kit has one single-channel receiver and two transmitters, true, but it does not mean you can use both transmitters at the same time. Each transmitter in simultaneous use requires its own dedicated receiver channel, in in the form of a two-channel recevier or two separate single-channel receivers. With this kit you can operate EITHER the lav with bodypack transmitter OR the plug-on transmitter with an appropriate mic, but NOT both transmitters at once without purchasing a second receiver.
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Sigh, bummer. Okay how about this Sennheiser system, would I be able to use two transmitters (or one of the lav transmitters along with the wireless boompole transmitter) with the receiver? Like I said, I know only enough to be dangerous, so glad you audio guys are here to help me figure this out, the equipment is too expensive to make a bad buying decision!
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Randall_Oelerich said:
Sigh, bummer. Okay how about this Sennheiser system, would I be able to use two transmitters (or one of the lav transmitters along with the wireless boompole transmitter) with the receiver? Like I said, I know only enough to be dangerous, so glad you audio guys are here to help me figure this out, the equipment is too expensive to make a bad buying decision!
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Yes, but take note that this package actually contains two complete systems, meaning two individual receivers. So each would be on a separate channel. You could then use two transmitters at a time, but each would be on its own frequency corresponding with one of the receivers.
 
C2V said:
Yes, but take note that this package actually contains two complete systems, meaning two individual receivers. So each would be on a separate channel. You could then use two transmitters at a time, but each would be on its own frequency corresponding with one of the receivers.
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Okay so it would just be a matter of careful setup when using. I also am not sure how the two receivers send their signal to e.g. my H4n digital recorder or to my T2i camera? Do I need to need to buy short XLR cables? Besides the H4n that has two XLR inputs, I also have a Beachtek miniRC to XLR adapter I used on a little VIXIA HF100 camcorder before. So how would i get the signal from the two Sennheiser receivers to either the camera (T2i has miniRC input jack) or H4n, what would I need? Hard to tell based on the B&H photo.
randall
 
The Sennheiser receivers come with XLR cables. You would simply plug one into each input on your Zoom.
If you don't have any reason to stick with Sennheiser, Audio Technica's 1800 system has a dual receiver, and has the same plug-on transmitters to make any XLR mic into a wireless mic.
 
edinc90 said:
The Sennheiser receivers come with XLR cables. You would simply plug one into each input on your Zoom.
If you don't have any reason to stick with Sennheiser, Audio Technica's 1800 system has a dual receiver, and has the same plug-on transmitters to make any XLR mic into a wireless mic.
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Related-- if I wanted to route the audio from both of the Sennheiser receivers into my T2i DSLR camera, could I simply run two short (10cm or so) 3.5mm cables to a 3.5mm Y-cable to combine both signals as input the the T2i camera 3.5mm microphone input? Seems logical but I might be missing something; if so, it would provide a nice dual-wireless-lav system for bringing audio from two actors into the in-camera audio. I could do H4n digital recorder, but I want to run and gun and be lighter and fewer things to mess up, seems like something I would like to know I could do or not do. Could I do that (audio from both receivers into the T2i in-camera audio)?

I really appreciate the help I am getting in this thread, this is EXPENSIVE equipment for an amateur short filmmaker, so I need to be careful and get what I need to get, know what it will do or not do. So thank you all again.
r
 
Recording to T2i is a bad idea, just because the T2i has a nasty AGC that cannot (as of yet) be defeated. Also, the T2i doesn't have a headphone jack, so no monitoring. That said, you can get an XLR converter box from Beachtek or Juicedlink that will take XLR in and send out 1/8" stereo mic-level to the camera.

Your other option is to carry a small fanny pack with the receivers and recorder, and run your headphones to that.
 
C2V said:
Recording to T2i is a bad idea, just because the T2i has a nasty AGC that cannot (as of yet) be defeated. Also, the T2i doesn't have a headphone jack, so no monitoring. That said, you can get an XLR converter box from Beachtek or Juicedlink that will take XLR in and send out 1/8" stereo mic-level to the camera.

Okay so you are saying I could route 3.5mm line to XLR from Sennheiser receivers to my Beachek, then 3.5mm line from Beachtek to T2i camera so that I could use the Beacktek to control gain. Would I be introducing significantly more line noise doing that than say running the Sennheiser receivers right to my H4n digital recorder (using 3.5mm to XLR short cables)?



C2V said:
Your other option is to carry a small fanny pack with the receivers and recorder, and run your headphones to that.
Click to expand...

Interesting idea / alternative.
Click to expand...
 
Randall_Oelerich said:
Okay so you are saying I could route 3.5mm line to XLR from Sennheiser receivers to my Beachek, then 3.5mm line from Beachtek to T2i camera so that I could use the Beacktek to control gain.
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You'll have limited gain control due to the T2i's AGC... but, in a way, yes. You'll use the XLR output cables that come with the Sennheiser receivers and plug those into the XLR box.

Randall_Oelerich said:
Would I be introducing significantly more line noise doing that than say running the Sennheiser receivers right to my H4n digital recorder (using 3.5mm to XLR short cables)?
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You wouldn't be introducing more line noise... but the AGC on the camera would be chewing the signal up and spitting it back out. You'll get cleaner audio recording, with full control of recording levels, straight to the H4n.
 
Thank you all. I opted to go the distance-- I just ordered the Sennheiser G3 dual wireless system. Complete wireless field system for two actors. Also comes with transmitter for wireless boompole/mic, amazing. Talked to BH sales rep about the kit, it is complete, all cables, batteries. I did order a few foam windscreens, two thigh bands to hold the transmitters, and a pack of 5 extra lav clips. Total cost $1600.
 
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