rob norton
Veteran
If you're able use a cable.
Need to hear about your experience actually shooting with the Røde Video Wireless Lav
- Thread starter puredrifting
- Start date
You'll be glad you got those Rodelinks, if only to give you a quick alternative to the G3s. We now use the Rodelinks about 90% of the time because they're so dang simple, but bring G3s for backup. But the kit lav is not great. We use Sennheiser MKE2 EW lavs and gaff them in the Rode Invisilav silicones when they have to be hidden. Bring a Sennheiser MZA-900p to quickly turn an already hidden wireless lav into a wired interview.
BTW Dan your old mic shootout articles have been like a bible to me recently as I'm prepping for a long article on geardads.com
Cheers,
Slavik
BTW Dan your old mic shootout articles have been like a bible to me recently as I'm prepping for a long article on geardads.com
Cheers,
Slavik
Andrew Stone
Veteran
I completely share your resistance about investing in wireless that relies on UHF. I have been hovering around getting a pair of Lectro channels for a few years but I know the FCC is reallocated bands seemingly on a whim every six months or so. I have been using Sennheiser G2s and G3s for a long time. Have them outfitted with Sanken COS-11Ds and have a high end Sennheiser B-plug, SKP2000 I believe that I use with good microphones. I run them through a Sound Devices 633 and then into the camera(s) as line level inputs.
In your situation, being around LA, I would consider renting Lectrosonics units from Trew Audio, Location Sound or the like. I know Trew up here in Canada is over $100 a day for a channel. However, you did say that the G3 saved your bacon on the Golf Course that had all the RF spray. You can pick up G2s or G3s pretty cheap now.
If I go to NAB this year, I will be talking to audio vendors and hopefully some location sound people about the issue of the FCC and investing in higher end wireless.
Regarding losing wireless spectrum:
The FCC just auctioned off 614MHz up to close to 690MHz. As of some time in 2018 expect those to be "illegal". If you are looking to purchase wireless you can get those frequencies now, but they would be illegal then. It's not as bad as we had originally thought it was going to be, which is kind of good, but still a bummer. There are loads of people that have wireless systems in that frequency range. I don't know what the future holds for other wireless spectrum, though, but it'll be years before anything else is off limits.
The FCC just auctioned off 614MHz up to close to 690MHz. As of some time in 2018 expect those to be "illegal". If you are looking to purchase wireless you can get those frequencies now, but they would be illegal then. It's not as bad as we had originally thought it was going to be, which is kind of good, but still a bummer. There are loads of people that have wireless systems in that frequency range. I don't know what the future holds for other wireless spectrum, though, but it'll be years before anything else is off limits.
Andrew Stone
Veteran
Just read this very useful and informative article on the topic of UHF bands being sold off and how to future proof, to a degree, your wireless investment...
http://blog.rfvenue.com/how-to-future-proof-your-next-wireless-microphone-purchase/
Key points:
Above 554 MHz is going to be sold off eventually. The safe band is between 470 and 548 MHz but the FCC is talking about auctioning these off in 2020. At that point, you have about 3 years to wean yourself off those frequencies. Good to know.
Here is a list of Wireless Audio manufacturers and bands considered safe (for a few years) by the author of the article:
AKG Band 7
Audio Technica I
Lectrosonics Block 470
Lectrosonics Block 19
Lectrosonics Block 20
Sennheiser A1
Sennheiser A2
Sennheiser A3
Shure Band H8
Shure Band G4
Shure Band G5
Shure Band H5
Shure Band G1
Shure Band G50
Thanks for chiming in Dave.
http://blog.rfvenue.com/how-to-future-proof-your-next-wireless-microphone-purchase/
Key points:
Above 554 MHz is going to be sold off eventually. The safe band is between 470 and 548 MHz but the FCC is talking about auctioning these off in 2020. At that point, you have about 3 years to wean yourself off those frequencies. Good to know.
Here is a list of Wireless Audio manufacturers and bands considered safe (for a few years) by the author of the article:
AKG Band 7
Audio Technica I
Lectrosonics Block 470
Lectrosonics Block 19
Lectrosonics Block 20
Sennheiser A1
Sennheiser A2
Sennheiser A3
Shure Band H8
Shure Band G4
Shure Band G5
Shure Band H5
Shure Band G1
Shure Band G50
Thanks for chiming in Dave.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Great information Andrew and Dave, thanks for digging out the particulars, I have this in my notes, somewhere (I am far too lazy to dig it all out ;-) Bottom line is the FCC doesn't care about our needs, they care about receiving giant checks from telecoms who desparately want/need our PUBLIC bandwidth. Problem is, we users of said bandwidth are not unified, and do not have the megabucks lobbyists that will schmooze and bribe FCC officials to allocate this bandwidth to us like the Verizons, AT&Ts and Googles of the world. Money and influence make public policy go 'round and we have neither so UHF will continue to disappear for us. I think the future may belong to on board small recorders, like the Tascam DR10L and the Juicedlink little DARling, only smaller, better and still obviously with some way to remotely monitor the mic so we can make sure that the mic is not rubbing. UHF, in some form, will still be somewhat usable in some situations for a few more years but is is alarming at how much PUBLIC bandwidth the FCC has essentially sold out beneath our feet to private interests. Your tax dollars at work.
Jaime Valles
Veteran
Thanks for the info. I'm going to purchase the Rodelink and give it a try. One thing, though... My audio recorder is a Zoom F8 which uses XLR connectors for Mic level input and 1/4" TRS for Line level input. Which one would I use to connect the Rodelink to the F8? I need to know which cable/adapter to purchase because neither comes with the Rodelink.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Just unpacked my new Rødes, I bought two of them. They come in a cardboard sleeve, anyone have a recommendation in a soft pouch/case to transport these in and keep all of the pieces organized? I like the small storm cases for a hard case but hard cases take up too much room when I fly. I generally would wrap the soft cases up in some clothing in my main bag. I kind of like the Lectro bags, anyone have a line on something similar that the Rødes could fit into?
**Edit
Nevermind, found exactly what I was looking for, made by Ktek. Looks pretty cool and like the clear windows so when you have it piled with other stuff, you or a PA who you asked to bring it, can see, "Oh, wow, look, there are wireless mics in that bag".
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._kgbm1_gizmo_bag_medium.html/pageID/accessory
**Edit
Nevermind, found exactly what I was looking for, made by Ktek. Looks pretty cool and like the clear windows so when you have it piled with other stuff, you or a PA who you asked to bring it, can see, "Oh, wow, look, there are wireless mics in that bag".
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._kgbm1_gizmo_bag_medium.html/pageID/accessory
Last edited:
Rick R
Veteran
"Which one would I use to connect the Rodelink to the F8?"
- Based on the RØDELink Filmmaker Kit specs [maximum output level 1v Rms (2.8v P-p)] would indicate mic level. It further states the receiver's output is dual-mono (unbalanced) so a custom wired unbalanced XLR cable is needed to go into an F8.
- Based on the RØDELink Filmmaker Kit specs [maximum output level 1v Rms (2.8v P-p)] would indicate mic level. It further states the receiver's output is dual-mono (unbalanced) so a custom wired unbalanced XLR cable is needed to go into an F8.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Correct. Røde sells two different XLR adapters, one is a 3.5mm plug in adapter https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VXLR-Ad...rd_wg=9AifK&psc=1&refRID=H4AA5BJWBAYGZBCV7D5Y that you plug the cable that comes with the Filmmaker kit into, and one is a Micon adapter where you actually uncrew the 3.5mm connector off of the cable and screw on the Micon XLR adapter. https://www.amazon.com/Rode-MiCon-5...qid=1486752344&sr=1-1&keywords=rode+xlr+micon
I bought the $12.00 ones I listed first. I will report back how they work with the XLR inputs on the C100.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
I saw those for sale on Amazon. If I don't like the cheap Røde cable and adapter, I may spring for a couple of those Sennheiser cables, they're not expensive at all. Wish they had right angle adapters on the 3.5mm side though.
I saw something about them being unbalanced and requiring the special Røde adapters, is that not correct?
Is this what you found on Amazon, and if so which one are you getting?
https://www.amazon.com/BesYee-Degre...814&sr=8-6&keywords=1/8"+to+XLR+adapter+cable
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-C...words=sennheiser+g3+1/8"+to+XLR+adapter+cable
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-K...words=sennheiser+g3+1/8"+to+XLR+adapter+cable
Otto
Last edited:
puredrifting
Major Contributor
None of those. I just got a pair of these https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VXLR-Ad...rd_wg=7IqKg&psc=1&refRID=PB9BWWMPSW3X8T6W05H7 They work fine with the stock, cheap Røde cables, just tested them out on my C100.
Those Sennheiser G3 cables will work but they are $32.00 ea. because they come in a Sennheiser package. I also ordered two of these cheap Hosa cables for $7.00 ea. instead https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008N90A46/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I hate paying for names.
Now I want to order at least one replacement lavalier mic for the two Rødes, talent has been known to be rough on lavs and tear the heads off. I can't locate a replacement Røde for a reasonable cost, anyone know if the Aspen Mics replacement for the Sennhesier G3 wireless will work on the Rødes? Any other reasonble cost lavs that terminate in a 3.5mm locking plug? Perhaps the Oscar Soundtechs would be good?
I also have a decent Audio-Technica lav left over from my old 1800 series, perhaps I have will have that rewired for 3.5mm TRS? I think it's the AT-899, it's decent sounding.
Last edited:
Thanks to both you and Rick.
I think I'll follow your lead and get the cheap VXLR adapter. I'll stick with the original cable and lav to begin with.
I'm a few steps behind you, I'll be ordering both the Røde filmmaker kit and the Cinebag CB25 next week.
Otto
puredrifting
Major Contributor
The VXLR adapters work great with the cheap stock cables. I also ordered a pair of those Hosa cables I linked to for when I mount the receivers down at the rear of my rig for handheld work and have a longer distance from the receivers to the camera's XLR inputs. The stock Røde cables only stretch about 6" and yes, I also ordered a pair of Chinese ones of those as backups, they are cheap cables and will not last long under abuse. I also ordered the 24" Hosa cables. I will mount the receivers to the C100 handle when working on tripod and to the rear of the 15mm rods for better weight distribution when shooting handheld. I did some tests today. The Røde's are pretty plasticky and kind of have a cheap feel but my gosh, the sound is outstanding. I just roamed around my house, the sound is very clear and detailed. I am blown away by how good a $400.00 wireless lavalier can reproduce a voice with no static, hiss or RF hits. I also love that you unpack it, put the batteries in, turn it on and it's ready to go. No scanning, not worrying about which HDTV broadcasters are hogging up the UHF in your area. These are perfect for the video shooter who is not a pro sound mixer and doesn't want to mess with it, they just need it to work. I am using them on a shoot in San Francisco wednesday at Moscone Center, should be a nasty RF environment at a huge trade show, I will report back how these do up there, but so far, they get a big thumbs up from me, I am impressed. I found some cool ways to mount them to my rig, both on the C100 handle and on the rear of my shoulder rig on my 15mm rails. They are not small but the are not super heavy.
You'll like the Cinebags CB25, mine feels like an old friend I have gone to work with all around the world.
Last edited:
Jaime Valles
Veteran
I, too, am using the VXLR adapters with the Rodelink cables and they work great. So far, in my very limited testing, the Rodelink is delivering sound just as good as my Sennheiser G3. Looking forward to putting it through its paces this week.
Can you post some pictures? I need to figure out how to mount 2 Rodelink receivers onto my C100.
Can you post some pictures? I need to figure out how to mount 2 Rodelink receivers onto my C100.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
How I mount the Røde Wireless to my C100
How I mount the Røde Wireless to my C100
Sure, here you go. I am mounting the Røde receivers to my 15mm rods at the rear of the camera. Here they stay out of the way when I am swinging the camera up onto my shouder. The two 15mm rod to female hotshoe adapters work perfectly. In this configuration, you will need the 24" Hosa 3.5mm TRS to male XLRs cables to make the distance up to the Canon XLRs. I linked to these cables in my earlier post.
In the other confguration, which is for tripod shooting without the long rails, shoulder mount and counterweight, I mount the Røde receivers to the C100 handle. One goes on the front cold shoe and then I used a 1/4" 20 to 3/8" stud. The Røde receivers have a 3/8" female socket. The only thing I don't like about this is you have no control over which direction the second receiver is facing when the stud fitting tightens down on the handle and to the Røde socket, meaning the config I am showing here, the Røde is not actually tightened down. I have since ordered a 1/4" to female cold shoe adapter that will take care of this issue. In this configuration, I can position the Røde receiver exactly at the angle I want, then tighten everything down. In this configuration, you can use the stock Røde short curled cables.
I also heard back from Aspen Mics and they do not recommend using their Sennheiser G3 mic on the Røde, they said they receive some noise, so something is slightly different in spec. I will probably get my AT-899 lav re-wired by Location Sound to 3.5mm locking TRS so I am good but for others, I would take a listen to the Oscar Soundtech lavs, they are great for the money.
How I mount the Røde Wireless to my C100
Sure, here you go. I am mounting the Røde receivers to my 15mm rods at the rear of the camera. Here they stay out of the way when I am swinging the camera up onto my shouder. The two 15mm rod to female hotshoe adapters work perfectly. In this configuration, you will need the 24" Hosa 3.5mm TRS to male XLRs cables to make the distance up to the Canon XLRs. I linked to these cables in my earlier post.
In the other confguration, which is for tripod shooting without the long rails, shoulder mount and counterweight, I mount the Røde receivers to the C100 handle. One goes on the front cold shoe and then I used a 1/4" 20 to 3/8" stud. The Røde receivers have a 3/8" female socket. The only thing I don't like about this is you have no control over which direction the second receiver is facing when the stud fitting tightens down on the handle and to the Røde socket, meaning the config I am showing here, the Røde is not actually tightened down. I have since ordered a 1/4" to female cold shoe adapter that will take care of this issue. In this configuration, I can position the Røde receiver exactly at the angle I want, then tighten everything down. In this configuration, you can use the stock Røde short curled cables.
I also heard back from Aspen Mics and they do not recommend using their Sennheiser G3 mic on the Røde, they said they receive some noise, so something is slightly different in spec. I will probably get my AT-899 lav re-wired by Location Sound to 3.5mm locking TRS so I am good but for others, I would take a listen to the Oscar Soundtech lavs, they are great for the money.
