OK, need some help ordering.

PerroneFord

PerroneFord

Deals in Lead
Had another production meeting today for a corporate video that will be shot intermittently over the next couple of months. Budget is small, but I already have most of what I need. What I *AM* missing is a good lav. I've poured over Dan's review page on microphones for lavs and it is a great guide.


Ok, so here's what I need:

1. Wireless transmitter and receiver. Looks like the Senn. Evo 100 is going to get the call.

2. Decent Mic. The Sanken Cos-11x is what I'd like, but it's a bit too pricey. So the Tram, the PSC, or the Countryman.

3. Some advice on the power supplies. I just don't know how this works. I assume the microphone plugs into the wireless transmitter. And would derive power from it. If this is not the case, someone let me know. I just don't understand enough about this to make an informed decision.


If possible, I would also like to get a decent large diaphragm condenser mic for voice-over work. This is less important to me, but I'd like to work it in if I could.

My total budget is about $1200. I'd like to keep it closer to $1k if I could. So I figure about $550 for the wireless packs, maybe $250-$350 for a good mic, so that leaves a few bucks for a decent large diaphragm mic.

Regarding mics, will I notice a difference in sound quality between a Countryman B6 and B3? Or is the size the primary difference?

The PSC seems to be a nice, inexpensive choice. Of course the Tram is a standard.

Really looking forward to replies, as I have to put in the order in a week. There is a chance I could be getting 2 lavs as another unit here wants to order a set as well. I've never been so busy with video in my life! I guess that's a good thing. Now that we've gone HD, with a nice lighting package, and no one has the money to travel, more people want video work going to DVD, Web, and live streaming.
 
find a used Lectro 201 or 211 on ebay. use whatever you have left or can find to buy a
used tram, or a new countryman emw.

(i personally use cos11's and countryman b6's. I do have 4 emw's i pull out every once in awhile)
 
PerroneFord said:
1. Wireless transmitter and receiver. Looks like the Senn. Evo 100 is going to get the call.
Click to expand...

Good call. No, it's not a Lectro. No, it isn't diversity. But there are plenty of threads around here (that you've obviously read) that tout the usefulness of the G2 system for those on a budget.

PerroneFord said:
2. Decent Mic. The Sanken Cos-11x is what I'd like, but it's a bit too pricey. So the Tram, the PSC, or the Countryman.
Click to expand...

Personally, I'm not a fan of the PSC. Sanken's a great way to go if you can afford it. Otherwise, Countryman would be my next pick.

PerroneFord said:
3. Some advice on the power supplies. I just don't know how this works. I assume the microphone plugs into the wireless transmitter. And would derive power from it. If this is not the case, someone let me know. I just don't understand enough about this to make an informed decision.
Click to expand...

The mic will be powered by the transmitter. No power supply needed.

PerroneFord said:
If possible, I would also like to get a decent large diaphragm condenser mic for voice-over work. This is less important to me, but I'd like to work it in if I could.

My total budget is about $1200. I'd like to keep it closer to $1k if I could. So I figure about $550 for the wireless packs, maybe $250-$350 for a good mic, so that leaves a few bucks for a decent large diaphragm mic.
Click to expand...

A large diaphragm condenser is great for VO work, but you need to have the proper rest of the system to make it worth while. First, it needs a good pre-amp. And to what kind of system will you be recording your VO? Plugging into camera? CF recorder? Into your computer?

You also need to have a treated room. An LDC will pick up all the acoustics of a nasty room. If you don't have a place that's got some absorbtion, you igh be better off with a dynamic mic for VO work. EV RE20, Shure SM7, etc.

If you do think you have the proper facilities for an LDC, you might actually look at the Studio Projects B1 and it's companion VTB-1 pre-amp. I'll probably draw some fire for that, 'cause it's a budget condenser, but it really packs a punch for very little cash. Yes, you get what you pay for... to a certain extent. But more and more, there are affordable mics out there that are quite tasty.

PerroneFord said:
Regarding mics, will I notice a difference in sound quality between a Countryman B6 and B3? Or is the size the primary difference?
Click to expand...

Size is the biggest difference there. If the mic isn't necessarily supposed to be concealed/buried (since this is for corporate work), you might even find yourself satisfied with the EMW. Costs less, sounds good. Can be hidden if needed, with a little creativity and some tape.
 
Had another production meeting today for a corporate video that will be shot intermittently over the next couple of months. Budget is small, but I already have most of what I need. What I *AM* missing is a good lav. I've poured over Dan's review page on microphones for lavs and it is a great guide.


Ok, so here's what I need:

1. Wireless transmitter and receiver. Looks like the Senn. Evo 100 is going to get the call.

2. Decent Mic. The Sanken Cos-11x is what I'd like, but it's a bit too pricey. So the Tram, the PSC, or the Countryman.

3. Some advice on the power supplies. I just don't know how this works. I assume the microphone plugs into the wireless transmitter. And would derive power from it. If this is not the case, someone let me know. I just don't understand enough about this to make an informed decision.

>>When you order the lav, make sure it comes terminated for the wireless trnsmitter you have ordered. While you're at it, order one with a Phantom power supply and a set of connectors so you can use the mic either hard wired or wireless.


If possible, I would also like to get a decent large diaphragm condenser mic for voice-over work. This is less important to me, but I'd like to work it in if I could.

>>>Search the web for an MCA SP-1 condenser mic. $39.95. It is one of the secrets of the best kept secrets of the mic world right now.

My total budget is about $1200. I'd like to keep it closer to $1k if I could. So I figure about $550 for the wireless packs, maybe $250-$350 for a good mic, so that leaves a few bucks for a decent large diaphragm mic.

Regarding mics, will I notice a difference in sound quality between a Countryman B6 and B3? Or is the size the primary difference?

>>they have different size diaphragms and one is end address while the other is side address. The bigger the diaphragm, the lower the selfnoise, usually. Side address versus end address sound different because of the way the diaphragm points.

Regards,

Ty Ford
 
Rippie said:
find a used Lectro 201 or 211 on ebay. use whatever you have left or can find to buy a
used tram, or a new countryman emw.

(i personally use cos11's and countryman b6's. I do have 4 emw's i pull out every once in awhile)
Click to expand...

Dude, this is a corporate purchase. Issuing a PO for a used lectro isn't going to happen. It needs a corporate warranty and a Tax ID number... :)
 
Thanks C2V and Ty, appreciate the thoughtful responses.

C2V hit the nail on the head. No, I do not have a properly set up room for VO work. Though I could just put talent into a sound booth in town, but that will put me over budget for most things I do. So I'll probably end up with a decent dynamic. I've been using my SM58 and that's working out ok with some EQ. I'd be recording straight into my Edirol at 24 bits. Not that it's anything to write home about, but again, this is corporate video, and most of this stuff is headed for our internal webpage. I've been reading good things about the Heil Sound PR-30. Not terribly expensive, and I should be able to get a good isolation mount and good cable and be ready to roll.

At a large conference, there was a guy recording audio on the stage with a zoom unit plugged into the house sound. He was taking orders for disks and he sells a LOT of them. I wish things were different, but believe me, the sound I pulled off yesterday with my ME66/K6 is the best thing anyone here has ever heard. Period. No Schoeps around here anytime soon!

Ty, not to sound picky, but it seems both the B6 and B3 are end address, while the EMW is side address. Or am I missing something?

Seems to me, I could really get a decent condenser VO mic, stand, iso mount, and a nice Senn. EVO100 with a Countryman B3 and be a happy camper.

Thoughts?
 
brain fart.I was seeing b3 and thinking EMW. b6 and b3 are end address. EMW is side address.

Sorry for the confusion.

Regards,

Ty Ford
 
Thanks Ty,

We all have brain issues sometimes! :)

I've been eying the Sanken Cos-11x, From the Sanken page, it appears I can get a 3-pin XLR locking connection to work on the Sennheiser. But what is that large full size XLR connector in the photos? Is that so I can connect the unit hardwire?

Also, are there any tutorial videos out there about how to hide these things under ties, collars, lapels, and clothing? I've noticed on TV more and more, that there is really no attempt to hide the lavs. I guess the potential hassle of having to reshoot a segment because of a clothing rustle just isn't worth it.

Right now, I am REALLY leaning toward the Sanken or the Countryman, even if I have to scrap the idea of a decent V.O. mic.
 
Don't know what you're looking at, but I was trying to communicate that most of these mics can be got so you can use them with a standard XLR and phantom power supply or plugged into a wireless bodypack transmitter.

Some sony mics like the ECM 88 end in the connector that fits their wireless transmitters. The XLR power supply has a reciprocal plug on the other end so you can run hard wired if you want or need to. That doesn't help if you want to use the ECM 88 on another transmitter. You'd need to have someone put the right connector on it for your wireless.

Countryman mics can be ordered this way or with a "link." The link is a set of connectors, male and female, that let you plug into a wireless transmitter, or into the other end of the link, which ends in an XLR power supply.

Countryman has a chart on their site that shows most of the different connectors and how to order them. It can be overwhelming. If you need help, call Countryman and talk to Rosa. Tell her I said, "hi."

Regards,

Ty Ford
 
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