Recommendation to upgrade lav of a sony UWP kit

krick

krick

Well-known member
Hi,

After receiving my sony UWP-V1 kit that the lav mic which come with it is pretty bad... "sss" very pronounce, sound is dry...

So I am looking to upgrade. Somebody told me about the ECM-77BMP, anybody else endorsing this one? or anything else?

Thanks !
 
There are a few good lav shootout threads that you can find in the Audio 101 sticky at the top of the Audio forum. One that is not included, but is worth considering, is the Countryman B6 (or even the B3). On a tighter budget, the Countryman EMW. But there are other great options in several price ranges, and the shootouts will give you a great starting place.
 
I don't know anything about sony wireless trans/receivers but when it comes to good lavs in terms of bang for the buck I suggest checking out the Countryman emw or the Tram TR50. You can even look to buy them used. There are far superior lavs, but both of these are good and a great value.
 
While the B6 is a great mic, (and I have two) unless your going to hide them, they're kind of a pain to work with for quick set-up interviews and such, as the mic head and cable are extremely small. They are quite sensitive to air movement as well. As a 'all-around' replacement mic, I would choose the B3, Tram or one of the others.
Aside from the usual 'pro quality' lav contenders, the 'Tram type' OST-801/802 is a good option as well, and with the affordable Phantom Pwr. transformer/adapter, it can used in a hardwired configuration. FWIW, my two cents
 
Did you look at the Audio 101 sticky? Did you read any of the threads (many with videos) that are linked in there?

Try THIS, for starters. Your question has been asked, and answered, several times around here.
 
Alex I did and I also looked. Not much around the ECM 77BMP though.

Thanks for your reply
 
But you were asking about the TR50, which is covered extensively.

There are much better options than the Sony ECM series. There's a reason they don't get mentioned too often. Not bad mics, but not great mic. They've had their day and that day has passed.
 
Oscar Soundtech produces a TR-50 clone called the 801. My kit has 3 of these and I don't think I'll be buying another Tram.
 
krick said:
Hi,

After receiving my sony UWP-V1 kit that the lav mic which come with it is pretty bad... "sss" very pronounce, sound is dry...

So I am looking to upgrade. Somebody told me about the ECM-77BMP, anybody else endorsing this one? or anything else?

Thanks !
Click to expand...

The supplied Sony mic is awful not even a model number on it, another case of Sony manipulating the market. After testing, we replaced them with the ECM-77BMPs, no comparison, so you have to factor that cost in the total. After you do that check the Senn G3, might be cheaper in your area.

But the 77 is tough, some clown walked on one .. flattened the little metal pop cage but the mic survived.

Cheers.
 
Yes I am going to try the Oscar Soundtech.

I just received the Rode Lavalier and I had the same problem, "sss" too prononced, a little better than the UWP kit lav but still very disappointing, immediate return.

I never struggled so much around sound and lavalier, I own the UWP before and it was ok but now it's not acceptable. So far the only lav I can use with the H4n is my AT899.

Do you think that could come from the H4n ?

Ced
 
krick said:
Do you think that could come from the H4n ?
Click to expand...

The only way to know is to test.

First, have you tried connecting the Sony system (with the presumably-offending lav) to another system? Also, if you perhaps have the XLR adapter for the RØDE Lav, perhaps you should try connecting straight to the H4n to see if the problem is still there. The only way to know for sure where any problem is in an audio signal chain is to systematically eliminate each one as a suspect. Once you eliminate all the things that aren't the problem, you know which piece is the problem.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the UWP-V1 system. I wouldn't be at all surprised if that's the problem.
 
Thanks Alex.

I did the test. It's always a little bit harsh with the sibilance. wired or not. Is there an EQ on the H4n?
I tried a Rode lavalier hard wired and then wireless, almost the same. Then a OST802 with the UWP... Harsh sibilance too. Damn I never had that before and I owned a UWP.

I am selling my UWP for a sennheiser G3, do you think that could really make a difference? Does the radio plays a big role in the color of the sound?

Thanks!

Thanks !
 
krick...

I know the UWP doesn't have many fans here, but I took a gamble and bought one recently. I had a chance to directly compare it with a Senn. G2 system, both with the kit lavs. Yes, the G2 has a marginally better lav, but I was surprised at how small the difference was. The Sony is decent, but I plan to take the $150 cost savings over a new G3 system and put it toward a better lav for the Sony.

And, I didn't really notice much difference in sibilance between the two. If your Sony is consistently bad on that, my experience is that either your Sony is faulty, or the problem lies elsewhere. I really dislike bright audio as well, and I hope you can sort this out. Based on Chad Johnson's great testing, I find both the cos11d and the Rode Lav too bright for my taste, and am interested in the OST - the 802 that doesn't have the boosted high freq. Hey, if your OST 802 has a UWP output cable, is it for sale??



 
While the radio does have an influence, that influence is usually in regarding to power and distance. Most likely what you're hearing is the compander circuit. The signal is compressed at the transmitter to allow a higher s/n ratio. Then expanded at the reciever end, thereby restoring the dynamic range. The result is always a less than perfect result. The G3 uses companding as well, but it is implemented well and I have continued to expand my inventory of G3s (I now own 3), and if I was hearing harshness or siblance, I would not have purchased more. I use the OST 801s.
 
The reason I use the 801s is that 95% of the time, I am placing them under clothing so need the high freq. boost to make up what is lost going thru fabric. I did recently use the 801s on top of clothing for an discussion panel, and just rolls the highs out a bit in post. If I was using them primarily for over the clothing applications, I would go with the 802s.

ddixon said:
krick...

I know the UWP doesn't have many fans here, but I took a gamble and bought one recently. I had a chance to directly compare it with a Senn. G2 system, both with the kit lavs. Yes, the G2 has a marginally better lav, but I was surprised at how small the difference was. The Sony is decent, but I plan to take the $150 cost savings over a new G3 system and put it toward a better lav for the Sony.

And, I didn't really notice much difference in sibilance between the two. If your Sony is consistently bad on that, my experience is that either your Sony is faulty, or the problem lies elsewhere. I really dislike bright audio as well, and I hope you can sort this out. Based on Chad Johnson's great testing, I find both the cos11d and the Rode Lav too bright for my taste, and am interested in the OST - the 802 that doesn't have the boosted high freq. Hey, if your OST 802 has a UWP output cable, is it for sale??



Click to expand...
 
gpforet said:
The reason I use the 801s is that 95% of the time, I am placing them under clothing so need the high freq. boost to make up what is lost going thru fabric. I did recently use the 801s on top of clothing for an discussion panel, and just rolls the highs out a bit in post. If I was using them primarily for over the clothing applications, I would go with the 802s.
Click to expand...

Exactly - I never use my lavs where they are under clothing. I've read so many good reports on the OST products, may be time to take the plunge.
 
Hi ddixon,

I never had a problem with a UWP system before. I am starting to think that maybe that's the couple H4N/UWP which doesn't do well... I don't know yet, still looking to improve.

For the OST 802 I sent it back but I never really had a chance to test the qaulity of the mic. What I can tell you is, the customer service was excellent, they responded to all my questions and very quickly. They were very nice. I am planning to give it another try when I find a wireless system that works well for me.

It's so funny that you said that about bright audio because I feel the same way. So many people are big fans of the cos11d and It's by far my least favorite in Chad's shoot out.

Cedric
 
gpforet,

do you use a H4n to record your sound?

I am thinking that it could be the problem for me.
 
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