Help building out wireless gear...

pranic

pranic

Well-known member
I'm sure there are other places I could be asking this question, but I like the folks here at DVXuser a bit better :)

I am building out my audio gear, and have a bit of a focus on wireless. Just bought a Battery Bud and NP-1 batteries to power my SD 302 and two Audio Technica ATW-U100 wireless receivers. However, I am looking to get two more wireless mics (so I can both go wireless to camera, and also so I can have three wireless lavs running at the same time for a couple situations).

I'm working on a sports documentary that requires at least two people to be miked with lavs, and it would be much better to have three of them miked within a range of about 150 yards.

For a while, I was thinking about getting another ATW-U100 system, but then was thinking it might make more sense to go with the dual-channel ATW-1821 system. The drawback of that, is that the newer unit uses the hirose mic connector, and I would like to keep consistent with the TA5F connector so I can mix and match my existing mic collection. Additionally, I am not convinced from the online reviews, that this system is that great.

So, I was thinking it would be good to pick up a couple lectrosonics packages. At this point, I guess I only really need one receiver and transmitter, and can add another at a later date.... but I'd like some opinions on which systems would be best.

I can't afford the Lectrosonics UCR400 series, but was wondering if anyone had thoughts on whether the UCR201 or UCR195D (with transmitters) would be worth say $700 used? My take on the equipment, is that I definitely want a diversity receiver, but would be interested to hear others opinions of the available gear, and what they think the best bang for the $$$ would be.

I would obviously like to get the best gear I can for the price, but would like to be under $1500 as a max, and ideally under $1000. I also don't want 700Mhz gear, though people are dumping it right now.

Cheers,

-- Andrew
 
I won't comment on the Lectrosonics as I don't know them well enough.

But - if you are planning to have two or three radiomics back to your electric handbag and then re-transmit the mix to the camera, you have to be *very* careful with frequency choice.

The transmitter you use to transmit to the camera will be right next to the receivers you are using to receive from the radiomic. transmitters 150 yds. away.

The distance between these receivers and the transmitter should be at least 8MHz, preferably more, to minimise the risk of the transmitter bleeding into the radiomic receivers (this is the same rule for In-Er Monitor systems).

I hope this helps.
 
John,

Thanks for the tip! I had planned on getting new transmitters that were on different frequency blocks, but your comment solidifies that thinking. Definitely something to think about!

Also, for the rest of the people reading this thread -- are there any good web sites out there for finding used gear for sale, other than ebay and RAMPS?
 
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Might want to double-check, but I don't think that AT's wiring for TA5F and Lectro's wiring for TA5F are the same. I may be wrong, but I seem to remember that mics are not interchangeable between the two.
 
C2V said:
Might want to double-check, but I don't think that AT's wiring for TA5F and Lectro's wiring for TA5F are the same. I may be wrong, but I seem to remember that mics are not interchangeable between the two.
Click to expand...
They are the same, except the new Lectro SM series does have slightly different wiring scheme, but it will still use the older mics as well. There is a whole section about it on Lectros site.

Also for anyone out of the US, or anyone inside who wants them, I have 4 AT U100 and 5 AT 7000 series (same stuff but rackmount) that I will make good deals on.
 
Test thoroughly before the shoot. In the presence of nearby transmitters receivers can desensitize even if their frequencies are well separated.
 
I just picked up a used UCR201/UM200C combo on Ebay for $500 - and they've been working great for the shoot I'm on. I also just got a 401 Rx (also via ebay) and it too is working great, and has the added benefit of working with 2 AA batteries rather than yet another 9V (although I've been running it via my BDS so far, so I don't know how long the AA's will last ultimately).

While the price point may make it difficult, I strongly recommend that you go Lectro - you won't need to replace or upgrade them any time soon. (I also have to R400A's that I'm willing to sell for a good price - I've upgraded to the Venue system so I no longer need them. I have used 400A's in my bag, though they're not really designed for it and they work pretty well. They're in block 25.

Phil
 
The Lectro UCR195D is diversity, but is not frequency agile. It is a one frequency system. With all the uncertainty regarding white space, it wouldn't be a good choice.
Whenever I go wireless to camera, I always back-up record. In my case, on an Edirol R-09. No TC, but much, much better than having nothing at all.
For used gear;
http://www.trewaudio.ca/consignment/,
http://www.taiaudio.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=126&osCsid=33fe17e28f5c508ce5f86dc42a85523b
http://www.locationsound.com/proaudio/ls/used.html
http://www.coffeysound.com/home.php?cat=122
Etc.
 
I own two AT-100 series. They have been great mics and were one of the best values for the money I have ever owned. I still use them but one of my biggest clients has two Lectro 401 series that I use a lot for EPK. Lectros are so solid. They have worked in situations where the 100s wouldn't and they are bulletproof as well.

WIth the upcoming white spaces debacle, I would hold off as long as possible, the wireless companies are in a severe scramble right now developing new bandwidth areas and other workarounds because by this time next year, thanks to the FCC, any wireless you use may be not working right and getting interference from the new Google and Microsoft white spaces wireless devices.

It's a bad time to have to be buying wireless of any kind right now because the whole thing is going to go through a massive shakeup.

Best,

Dan
 
This fiasco must have the guys at Lectro up at nights..... I can't believe this is actually going through without some sort of really strong safe guards.

I can see the lawsuits start flying when major Hollywood productions have interference problems and they end up suing Google & Microsoft for damages casued by children playing with their new wireless Talking Barney toy next door.
 
Hi Andrew,

I see you're in the Seattle area. We're not too far away up north and just happen to have an open box AT-1821 dual channel wireless system up for grabs. You're welcome to test it out to see if it will fit your needs. Frequency range is 655-681 MHz
 
Ah, 10s, you're in our neck of the woods too. We have a warehouse, office and studio about 40 minutes north. Stop by and check out Reflecmedia, some mics, recorders, lights, tripods, dollies, Steadicam, hard drives, monitors, Apple computers. Lots of goodies. 607 Columbia Ave, Marysville. Give a jingle first and talk to Jesse or Lori to make sure I'm not out or in a shoot :)
 
Marysville!!!!!...... they actually have someone up there that knows what a camera is?

Just Kidding...I'm south of you (15 miles) in Bothell. I will definately check this out soon.

PS: Do you have the RODE Blimps in? .... because if I go up there, I'm coming home with a new one!
 
10s said:
This fiasco must have the guys at Lectro up at nights..... I can't believe this is actually going through without some sort of really strong safe guards.

I can see the lawsuits start flying when major Hollywood productions have interference problems and they end up suing Google & Microsoft for damages casued by children playing with their new wireless Talking Barney toy next door.
Click to expand...

Yep, I think very few video people are even aware of what has happened and the impact is going to be MAJOR. We may evolve back to the age of the wired microphone or the bodypack mounted individual recorders.

Dan
 
It's funny...it's looking like Zaxcom didn't do a stupid thing by building recording capabilities into their Tx's. We may start seeing that in more and more systems.

Phil
 
ptalsky said:
It's funny...it's looking like Zaxcom didn't do a stupid thing by building recording capabilities into their Tx's. We may start seeing that in more and more systems.

Phil
Click to expand...

Yes, I think that this product is poised to become one of the best solutions to this upcoming problem. I have been checking this one out for a few months, have you tried it? I love Zaxcom stuff, they are the only wireless I like as much as Lectro.

Dan
 
Dan,

I haven't tried it yet - I just started using Zaxcom (a used Goldline I picked up for a good price) on my current project, and I'm mostly using it for wireless boom (a couple of times I've added it in when I needed an extra wireless lav ). So far I love it. The sound is perfect, it's small and runs on AA's in stead of 9V.

Phil
 
You're welcome Dan.

One other thing I forgot to mention - I'm routing the antennas through my Lectro Venue and that is also working great. So, sharkfins in to the Venue, I use the antenna outs on the Venue into the Zaxcom Rx.

Phil
 
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