Lavelier for Sennheiser G3 wireless

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Greg_E

Veteran
I'm looking for a relatively cheap and decent sounding lav mic to go with our G3 system at work (needs locking TRS 1/8"), need a bunch of them as the cables keep getting wrecked. We've been using the stock lav that ships with the transmitters, but I'd like something with a better cable that won't fail as easily. Yes our students treat things roughly.

Please do not suggest a Rode product, their flimsy cables and unannounced product change (no more screw on cables) has left me hanging with a lot of product that is going to be junk sooner than we had planned.
 
When I bought my Sennheiser G3 units I threw away the stock lav mics and replaced them with Oscar SoundTech OST-802 lav mics that cost roughly about $100 each with a locking connector. I own a variety of lav mics ( TRAM TR50, Sanken COS-11D, Countryman EMW ) but the lav mic I use the most is the OST-802, because it sounds great and can be used in noisy environments by facing the mic capsule towards the vampire-clip. The Sanken lav sounds the best, but it picks up everything in the room so I rarely get to use it because of ambient noise.

Oscar SoundTech Lav Mics
 
I have a couple OST 801's and they sound pretty good. Not terribly sensitive, but have no problems using them with G3s. Lots of available accessories and easy to mount. Love my Sanken Cos11d & Countryman B6's. I would agree to stay away from Rodes; I love their sound and versatility, but I've multiple issues with their screw on connectors.

Honestly, if your students are trashing the lavs, you can find lavs with a locking connector for like $20 on ebay. Give one a try to see if it sounds good enough for your needs. I've tried a few really cheap lavs before and honestly, some of them don't really sound that bad (especially for student work). They probably won't hold up as well as other lavs, but you could buy 10 of them for the price of a $200 lav.

I remember people recommended Giant Squid Lavs a while back and they were cheap, but can't remember if they have a locking connector or even if they are sold anymore. The lavalier that came with my Tascam DR10 actually sounds pretty decent and looks to be pretty cheap, but not sure if you can purchase it separately. I imagine it probably is made in the same factory as a lot of the $20 ebay lavs.
 
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The consensus among most film sound pros is, the OST mics give the best sound for the buck. A definite improvement over the bungled omni ME2, which by itself retails for $130. (a lot for a POS). There are basically three OST lavs to choose from.. frequency response and style.
 
Greg_E said:
I'm looking for a relatively cheap and decent sounding lav mic to go with our G3 system at work (needs locking TRS 1/8"), need a bunch of them as the cables keep getting wrecked.
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Yet another vote for the OST lavs. I've got 802s (for over clothing, the 801s are for hiding under clothing IIRC). The OST lavs are real bargains.
 
That was the name I couldn't remember, I'll take a look at the OST right now. The other one I was thinking of is a Senal for around $100, not a name I've heard of but cheap enough without going to far of the cheap end.

I'll get berated if I buy $20 mics on ebay, whether they perform or not is not the issue, but because I chose some no name mic they will forever sound like garbage. Happened with some speakers I mounted to the classroom walls... Those are perfectly fine at any volume that doesn't bother the class next door. But a new chairperson agrees with me that they are good enough and will not be replaced with something that costs 4x the price just to sooth someone's ego. There is of course more too this than said, and same for the mics.

[edit] Looks like the 802 since these will be worn on the outside of clothing and don't need the presence boost that the 801 has, is this correct? Sent an email to OST asking this and pricing for 8 of them to get started.
 
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OST's customer service is very good as well. Dave normally responds within an hour or less. AFAIK, the Senal lav is made in China, OST mics are made in central Jersey, just off US Route 1, road rage capital of the US.
 
I have a feeling they are on the way to NAB, didn't get a reply before going home and I rarely check my work email at home.
 
OK, I was wrong, the email did get sent pretty quickly. But ever since our IT department went to Office 2016 in preparation for Office 360, our emails have been screwed and things float in hours or a day later. Pretty good price for us, now I just need to push this through the papermill before I has more break.
 
Gotta ask this - I just clicked the link in post #2 above - having not heard of these mics before. That picture and even the accessories look nearly identical to my Tram Tr50.... just curious which came first and if someone knows the difference in sound quality between the two...
 
markfpv said:
Gotta ask this - I just clicked the link in post #2 above - having not heard of these mics before. That picture and even the accessories look nearly identical to my Tram Tr50.... just curious which came first and if someone knows the difference in sound quality between the two...
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I own a TRAM TR50 lav, and the OST-802 mic is essentially a clone of the TR50 design. I prefer the audio quality of the OST-802 capsule over the TR50 because I find it more detailed in the upper range, where the TR50 can sound "muddy" in comparison.
 
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