Sennheiser Evolution G2 100

Sherman

Sherman

Well-known member
Have Sennheiser Evolution G2 100.
Haven't played with it too much.
Sort of always worked for us.
But last week ran into a problem or over modulation.
Seemed to be more of a problem at a distance,---
Sounded worse on the head phones on location than it does on the timeline in post.
Phones are OK,----used less complext Sennheiser as replacement,---and it worked alright.
Still, I was overwhelmed at the complexity of this wireless mic.
Don't have enough corners on my head to understand the manual (not Teutonic enough/).
Anyway would appreciate any tutorial that explains this mic and its many settings.
Anybody?
 
Radio mic always puts another layer (or two) of levels settings in the audio chain.

1) In the transmitter you have to set the levels or gain (SENSIT in the menu) so, that the loudest sounds do no overload the transmitter. The setting is quite coarse in steps of 10 dB, from 0 to -30 dB. With the standard lavelier it is usually -20dB, or -10dB if there is only quiet conversation expected. Lower -20dB setting is safer, if the sound level is high enough to overload the transmitter the case is lost in the beginning and can not be helped later. There is the levels meter on the transmitter, the last segment means overload and there is also the yellow AF PEAK light which never should light up.

2) On the reciever end you have to set the level with which the reciever puts the signal out to camera or recorder: mic or line level. There are no two settings for this, but the AF OUT menu choice lets you set the level from -30dB to +12dB in steps of 6dB. If you want to use line level signal (+6dB or +12dB) you should set the camera inputs to LINE (front of the DVX100) and use high AF OUT -levels like +6 or +12dB. This bypasses the mic preamps on the camera and is the better choice. If you insist in using mic level signal, you should try -30 or -24dB levels and set the camera inputs to MIC. Whith either setting the audio level dials should work at the normal 11-12 a'clock position and give normal working levels with some red lighting up at the loudest passages.

With just the camera (or recorder) you only have to worry about one level setting, with radio mics you have to worry about two level settings, plus have to make sure the signal levels are right fot the chosen input mode in the camera (mic/line).
 
remember that the position of the lavalier changing the pressure level you have on the mic , double the distance will reduce about 6 db of gain , so when you check the levels of transmitter setting dont do it close to the mouth , set the mic on the person and let him speak , check the levels go up and on loud voice turning the limiter led from time to time ,to much safety setting will decrease your signal to noise ratio which is already poor in that transmitter .

the regular mic inputs on the camera are calibrated for -50 db nominal level .
to be on the safe side dont go over the -30bv which is the maximum the receiver will give you ( if you piking on the transmitter) , put your dials will corespondent -2,-4 dbfs when the your transmitter corespondent pick level ( full scale)
that would give you -12,10 dbfson your normal recording

different cameras have different input structures so if you use the dvx , keep the mic input on -50 ( internal setting) , the 60 might overload your input stage .

if you work line in go directly to the maximum and increse the camera level your maximum pik( ullscale on the tx ) will go to -2, 4 dbfs
you can open the alc (its not automatic level control on dvx )the hard limitters which comes around -6dbfs and keep the signal lower then -4 dbfs
each line on dvx is 2 db , the first red is -12
keep your normal signal picks would fly until the 4th or fifth red line (-10,,-8 dbfs)
 
Regarding the G2 evolution unit - so is this a decent radio mic, especially in relation to -" the signal to noise ratio which is already poor in that transmitter"

I am trying to choose a unit and am not sure about this one, and I am also looking at the lectronics 100 unit which is twice the price.

Any feedback on these 2 systems.
I will use it For broadcast use, doco's, wedddings, interviews on location and in studio and using shotgun mics like the ME66. Television and dvd would be the usual delivery.

thanks in advance
 
The G2 has a so-so compander and decent range. It aint great but will pass for a lot of applications. I have seen a bit of stuff make it to broadcast that was recorded thru the G2. If it is used properly in optimum conditions and you do a bit of post sweetening the G2 will suffice for some TV stuff. Just a month ago I cleaned up some work that a cameraman recorded with his G2 for a local commercial.

The Lectro 100s are better then the G2 but not really worth twice the price. This is why the Lectro 100s never really took off. If someone was going for cheap ENG W/L, they just went with the G2 and got two for the price on one Lectro. If you are looking for quality, move up to the 200's (have to get used since they are discontinued) or 400's.

Don't forget that the wireless is just half the system, you still need a mic to go with the either system.

Cheers
 
I too am looking for a UHF system--handheld. My top two contenders are the Sennheiser G2 system (EK100G2 receiver + SKM100G2 handheld xmitter w/mic head) and the Azden. With the Azdens, it would be some combo of the 100-500 UPR/UDR + 41/51HT. I'm not sure how these Azden configurations all work out but everywhere I look they are sold in different configs. On B&H it's the 100UPR+51HT. Any suggestions on these or other wireless HH systems? I do wedding videography, so these would be used almost exclusively for conducting on-spot interviews during reception.
 
Thanks Joe. The video tutorial was created to answer this exact question. I actually had Sennheiser come out to our studio and walk through the entire set-up, then just rolled as I went through it again. Enough people had asked on the boards and said the manual "left more to be desired" so there ya have it, a case of a video being created to fulfill a need.

One more thing to note - when you swap out the batteries, as you should before every shoot, the unit will reset and lose your settings, so remember to go back through everything so you don't get crappy results.

Hope this helps,


-Guy Cochran
 
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