Ultra Sensative Sony Lavaliere Mic Cord - Issues

[tokun1]

Hello Group,

I purchased a slightly used (from B&H Photo) a Sony UTX-B2 Bodypack Transmitter, it came with a different mic than the one I already had in my gear box that I purchased from 2008. Strange, I called Sony and B&H Photo both said that was the mic that came with the transmitter, but as I know it clearly is not. This newer mic is clearly of a lesser quality, and the worst is the cord is really super sensitive, just touching the cord produces huge amounts of scratching and noise and if the subject moves, more noise, ...I don't have the issue with the other older original mic that I bought in 2008. I used it with a new client and am dealing with editing out of the noise. (thank goodness I interviewed two people and they both have lavs on). I read somewhere that tying some fabric around the cord near the mic helps?

Question is, do you have any suggestions for dulling down the cord noise on this overly sensative mic?...or should I just break down and purchase a higher end Sony mic for the transmitter.

Thank you for your suggestions.

-Tony

 

[Alex H.]

There's not enough info here to give you the answer to your specific question. Can you post a sample of the noise in a recording?

And without model numbers on the lavs, there's no way to track down which came with the wirless set originally.

Either way, there are two truths:

1) Always make a loop in the cable and tape it to the same surface as the mic (if the mic is taped to skin, tape the relief loop to the skin... if the mic is mounted to a jacket, tape the loop to the jacket). The loop does two things: it provides strain relief if the cable is tugged, and it provides isolation from noise transmitted up the cable due to rub and handling.

2) The kit mic that comes with any wireless system is generally of pretty lousy quality. It's always a good idea to upgrade to a better lav such as Countryman, Sanken, or DPA.

 

[paulears]

That's pretty common, sadly - Sony and AT both had mics that seemed to have plastic that transmitted every little touch back up to the capsule. Sennheiser did the same with early original EQ range packages that used the cheaper lav. The cable was quite stiff at normal room temperatures. Packages that they all do often have different mics supplied over the lifespan of the radio items.

 

[Rick R]

"The kit mic that comes with any wireless system is generally of pretty lousy quality. It's always a good idea to upgrade to a better lav such as Countryman, Sanken, or DPA"
- Fo' sure, the included mics with many wireless systems are sub-grade. A frequent complaint is the Sennheiser ME2, included with G2/3 100 series bodypack transmitter systems. Even the included lav mic with the top-shelf Lectro systems (currently the M152), is usually re-purposed as a secondary back up.
Search this group for opinions on the cost effective mics (OST for instance).