Lectrosonics UCR411 +SMa Gain structure.... HELP!

[Hiro Nakamura]

Hi guys,

I am a bit annoyed by noticeable noisy floor when I am using my wireless set.
So... I did fxxked around the wireless gain settings a bit, I was trying to make the noise ratio go lower and lower,
but in the end, the more I try, the more confused I got.
Currently, my UCR411 audio level set -21db, and my sMa which has 0 to 44 db as the range, I set it as I speak a bit lound with a countryman b3,
I got solid green light on -20 mark on the transmitter... So I set 10db on the sMa.

This is a normal setting that everyone is more or less using or you guys have different way on how to set the wireless.

I used to set the sMa as 0db, and UCR411 as 0db , it sounds the same with UCR411 -21db and sMa 10db regarding the noise floor.


Sorry for being so ignorance!

Thanks for your valuable inputs

Hiro

 

[Rippie]

Hiro,
plug a mic into the transmitter and speak. Look at your display on the 411 and you'll see a level indicator that is in real time.
Increase the SM level until your level display is getting NEAR solid without it going to the solid square (the solid square means you are
hitting the transmitter limiters. On occasion thats ok but it will be better if 99% of the time you don't hit them)
If the level indicator is showing most of the triangle you're good. See image below. The triangle on the right is showing a good transmitter level.

On the receiver side, it's going to be pretty clean no matter where you put the output.
If you're going line in to a decent mixer put the level out all the way to the top. (+5)
If you're going mic level into your mixer put it anywhere between -40 and -20 (if your mixer has variable input trims like on a 552, 442 etc).

Remember on the 411, there is also a SmtNR noise reduction menu. 3 basic settings.
Off Normal Full. I tend to use normal. Full gets rid of more hiss but has a more pronounced pumping and breathing.

Lastly, every lav out there is going to have some self noise. It will never be as quiet as a top shelf wired full sized mic.

 

[Rippie]

Another important thing to mention is make sure your lav mic is properly wired for the SMa.

The wiring is different from the wiring scheme you use for the UM400. Just because they both use TA5 connections
doesn't mean they are properly wired for the right transmitter.

There are wiring schemes that work with both um400 and SM, but you will give up a bit of quality/noise in the process.
If you know you will only being using a particular mic with a particular type transmitter get it wired the correct way.
There are wiring diagrams on the lectrosonics page.

When you mention you have the SMa at 10 on the level indicator I can tell you that is most likely very low.
On my SMDa's I'm usually running 17-28 depending on the person. Unless you're speaking directly into the mic from
an inch away it's leading me to think that your wiring is incorrect. (of course find out on your end to be sure)

 

[Hiro Nakamura]

I have both sMa and um400a, and countryman is the new casing one which I bought few months ago.
I always have a B6 which wired in a different way, which doesn't really work at all on both sMa and um400a.
A friend of mine who bought the same lav, which he can't make it work on his um400.
At the moment, I assume that I am using the right wired mic ( figure crosses) I did lots of shoots already with these setting !!!

I did test which I set SMA on 20db, it shows overload a bit on my 302 mixer, (The gain indicator sometimes go orange).
if I speaks a bit loud, then I need to adjust my 411 audio level quieter, to make it no flashing... So... I figured that it might be the same if I make the sma louder, then I have to make the 411 quieter...

I will give a try to set sma around 17-28db again. maybe last time the audio level on the 411 is set 0 db, which might be the reason make the gain overload on my mixer.

Thanks so much for the guidance!

Really appreciate!

Hiro

 

[Hiro Nakamura]

By the way, My UM400a is set quiet low as well, it's around 11 o'clock. which I was trying to level the audio by looking at the -20 green light indicator.

 

[Hiro Nakamura]

Hey Rippie,

I just did a test with both my transmitters, Sma and Um400a, it ended up with I set my sma around 20 db and my um400a around 12 o'clock, I try to speak loud and even shout a bit it 's all good without overloading. and the indicator now is much more active then previous time without overloading. I am really happy with the result.

Thanks a lot for all your help Rippie!

Best
Hiro