Hey guys. I just bought a Merlin, and I've been getting the hang of it pretty quicky. My problem is that I realize that I won't be able to run mic cables to the camera. I'll be using an AKG CK93 on a boom. I've heard there are wireless receivers. Can someone identify all the pieces I'd need to buy in order to make my boom mic wireless? I'm currently working on an indie short, so if the cost is too high, I guess I'll have to record sound to a separate device and dub in post. I was hoping to avoid that. Thanks.
How to get audio to camera on a Merlin?
- Thread starter carbon3c
- Start date
Steve House
Veteran
You'll need a plugon transmitter for the mic that is able to provide the phantom power it needs. Sennheiser SKP500 G2 comes to mind, along with a matching receiver such as the EK100 or EK500 G2 models. Either way you're looking at the neighborhood of a kilobuck or so. Any separate recorder worth its salt is going to run you about the same as the wireless.
RandomHero
Well-known member
In addition to the Sennheiser SKP500, there's also the SKP100 which does really well up to 200'. You can get the plug on transmitter with receiver and a wireless lav transmitter+lav microphone all for $699.
Sony also just released a wireless system with plug-on transmitter to compete with the Sennheiser G2 series. The UWP-V1 goes against the EW112, and the UWP-V6 competes with the EW100. The sony and sennheiser with plug-on are the same price at $699, both have features you might like or dislike. You can check out the Sennheiser here
http://www.dvcreators.net/sennheiser-wireless-g2-evolution/
and the Sony here
www.dvcreators.net/the-sony-uwp-v6-wireless-system-with-lavalier-and-plug-on-transmitter/
Cheers,
Jesse
Last edited:
Steve House
Veteran
Whether that would work depends on what other equipment he's using. The AKG mic by itself requires a source of phantom power which the SKP100 tramsmitter does not provide. If he's using a mixer or preamp such as the SD MM1, or MixPre it can provide power for the mic aqnd you could use the SKP100 transmitter as a link from the preamp out to the camera.
RandomHero
Well-known member
No argument here. Although personally, if I were using the Merlin I'd probably camera mount the AKG and try and get a wireless on the talent as a second source of audio. I realize that's not always possible, but if so you'd get much better results than trying to wirelessly boom alone. Just my opinion.
sfdirector
New member
I wouldn't recommend keeping the mic on-camera. Not just for "typical" reasons, but for the fact that less is more with the Merlin. A mic will act like a sail on a sailboat, catching more wind and messing with balance. A mic flying through the air can cause wind noise as well. I'd go with a wireless system or separately recorded audio, or both.
SouthBySoWhat
Well-known member
Is there an absolute need to get the audio from the AKG to camera, other than to save the extra step in post?
Toolmodel's suggestion seems the most logical to me, just make sure to have a head or tail pop for sync. Keeps the camera lighter on the Merlin as well.
Toolmodel's suggestion seems the most logical to me, just make sure to have a head or tail pop for sync. Keeps the camera lighter on the Merlin as well.