If I get interference, what should my first steps be in trying to solve things?

[oxband]

I have wireless lavs, Sennheiser ew100 G2's to be precise.


Sometimes I get interference and for the love of God cannot figure out why. I rescan and the new frequencies dont solve it. I'm also sometimes in the middle of nowhere so there shouldn't be anything around causing problems. But I'm just getting a tad of background noise, some fuzzy sounding stuff, and I hate it.


If that happens.....what should the first things I look at be? What are the most likely culprits?

 

[maranfilms]

CIA cracking down on you man, be careful.

 

[davefisk]

Is this happening on all your wireless or just one system?

 

[mainstreetprod]

First thing I would do is verify that it is not a problem with one mic. I have two G2's, one never has interference, one nearly drove me crazy on a feature shoot. Other things: Be sure squelch threshold is not set too high (5-15db about right). Use fresh alkaline or better batteries (never use rechargeables, they have less voltage). When battery meter drops from 3 segments to two, take them out and give them to the kids for toys. Make sure the antenna on the transmitter never touches the skin of the wearer - guaranteed dropouts.

If the frequency is between 698 and 806, your units are older and the government has allowed cell companies to take over the frequency. You'll have to Ebay them to some other country and get new ones.

Also, I'm unable to find it right now, but there is a comprehensive list of the best frequencies to use in a particular area for wireless mics. I think one of the manufacturers publishes it.

 

[davefisk]

Here is one that Sennheiser put out. I remember about 6 or 7 years ago referring to a frequency chart all the time that I had bookmarked on my work computer. I've been searching for it now, but I can't find it.

 

[Richard Crowley]

Here is one that Sennheiser put out. I remember about 6 or 7 years ago referring to a frequency chart all the time that I had bookmarked on my work computer. I've been searching for it now, but I can't find it.

http://en-us.sennheiser.com/service-support/frequency-finder

 

[Richard Crowley]

I have wireless lavs, Sennheiser ew100 G2's to be precise.

It would have been remarkably helpful if you had mentioned what frequencies your mics are rigged for.

Sometimes I get interference and for the love of God cannot figure out why. I rescan and the new frequencies dont solve it.
I'm also sometimes in the middle of nowhere so there shouldn't be anything around causing problems.

So maybe what you are complaining about is NOT "interference" but some other kind of problem.

But I'm just getting a tad of background noise, some fuzzy sounding stuff, and I hate it.

That doesn't sound like "interference" to me. We could spend all week shooting in the dark here, or you could post some samples of what you're talking about.

If that happens.....what should the first things I look at be? What are the most likely culprits?

Depends on a lot of other factors not in evidence here. A big one is WHAT KIND of problem is it. If you post some samples, we can help you learn to distinguish between various kinds of problems and some possible remedies.