TA5 vs. mini connector

A

avplumber

Member
i got a bit of a connector conundrum.

a few years ago a bought 3 TRAM TR-50 lavs, with Audio Technica wireless setups, AT backup lavs, and TRAM XLR power supplies. these all run the TA5 connector that Lectrosonics (and AT) use on their wireless transmitters. at the time, i was told that the TRAM mic and Lectrosonics wireless combo was the best. but i couldnt afford the Lectrosonics, so i went with the AT wireless set and have been pleased, but was hoping to upgrade to Lectrosonics in the future.

well, its the future. my AT wireless setups need replacing. but i definitely can't afford Lectrosonics setups. i noticed that AT has stopped making this particular $500 wireless setup. i looked around for other setups around this price range (i like the new gray Sonys the most), but they use mini connectors for the most part. now Lectrosonics is the only company that uses the TA5 connector.

so i have these nice mics and XLR power supplies with TA5 connectors. is there a TA5 to mini adapter out there (couldnt find it via Google)? do i cut off the TA5 connector and solder on mini plugs instead? do i just sell the TA5 mics and power supplies and buy new ones with the mini connector? whats the advice of the DVX Audio forum? btw, i know how good the Lectrosonics are, but i can't get them into the budget no matter what i try, so please dont suggest that.

thanks in advance from a newbie poster.

eric
 
bump

any suggestions from the Audio Pros on what i should do here? i'm thinking i'm going to cut off the connectors from the mics and solder on mini connectors, and just sell the TA5 power supplies. i'll be taking a loss on the power supplies, but i think that might be the only way to make my mics compatible with the mini connector transmitters.

thanks

e
 
not sure about TA5 to mini adapter. If its not out there, im sure you can make it for less than $5 if you can sodder.

many people seem happy with the sennheisser G2 wireless units. they are less than $500
 
some advice - if you're completely changing your wireless rig, itll be easier to replug the lavs, instead of fumbling around with adaptor cables.

BUT adaptor cables can be made by most pro shops/dealers.

DONT get the Sony UWP-C1 series wireless system (is this the one you are talking about?) - its rubbish. Go with the Sennheiser G2 systems rather - they are built better, sound better, and have better features and interface, AND last longer in terms of battery.
 
that is the Sony i want to get. they are rubbish? i like the Senn G2, but i want something thats dual-diversity, like my current (and soon to be replaced) AudioTechnica set. the Sony looks like it would just be a dual-diversity version of the G2 with similar menus and setup. my shooters like how simple the G2 setup is and i thought the Sony would be similar. what have you experiences been with the Sony?

thanks

e
 
owned two of them for quite some time, and ended up selling them to get g2. the diversity on those sonys gives SLIGHTLY better working range, but the companding system in the sonys produces pumping hiss which i personally couldnt stand. drove me crazy - the g2 produce a much cleaner signal, at a very similar maximum operating range.

the menus arent similar AT ALL. look at how big the screen on the G2 is versus teh sony and you get an idea of how irritating the sony system is to work. the other thing the sony DOES NOT DO is line level input - so forget about taking a feed with the sony systems. as i mentioned before, the g2 also has a superior battery life, and build quality.

the ONLY thing the sony does better is provide a dedicated headphone jack on the receivers in addition to the output. which is great if you want to use them as wireless comms, but other than that i cant really see any other use for it.
 
The sort of replacement system for the AT-100 series (I own two of them) is the 1800 series. The mic input on the ATW-T1801 UniPak Transmitter is a Hirose 4 pin. Not exactly a mini plug but not a TA5F either.

I am sure i would be a simple matter to rewire your existing lavs for a Hirose 4 pin connection if you decided to go for the new 1800 series.

A ton of people swear by the G2 system so that would also be a good candidate but I have been pretty happy with the AT-100s over the years. The 1800 looks really cool because it's a dual channel receiver. Imagine two transmitters with only one receiver, less weight, better balance, fewer batteries and changes to deal with. Mmm...sounds like microphone chocolate goodness ;-)

Dan

Oh yeah, I forgot to add, all Sony wireless mic systems suck that I have used, even the realy expensive ones. Bad reception, little clicks and zip hits all of the time.
 
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