Which is the better Lav setup

egproductions

egproductions

Veteran
I'm researching for a friend. I've come up with two options and want to know which will ultimately sound better all things being equal.

1. The Sennheiser ME2 (AVX system)

2. THe ME2 mic plugged directly into a Sound Devices MM1

I'm essentially asking if putting money into a Pre-amp for a lav is worthwhile or if it will hardly make a difference and might as well spend that money on a wireless system. Both would be used with a DSLR setup.

Thanks!
 
2.. The ME2 mic plugged directly into a Sound Devices MM1...would be best, if.. the wearer does not have to be mobile.
A hardwired set up is always a better option than any wireless and the SD preamps are top shelf as are the limiters. Of coarse you will need a 'XLR adapter/ power supply' if the mic is wired for a wireless transmitter. That converts Phantom Power to bias current (aka, plug-in power) which the transmitter normally supplies.
The ME2 is not highly regarded, the MKE2 is much, much better.
 
The sound from an ME2 gets on my nerves real quick, but some people don't mind them. I would guess it is probably the most used wireless lav just due to the fact that it is the stock mic for one of the most popular wireless systems.

I don't know much about the AVX system but some people really like it. I can comment on your MM1 idea. I am guessing you are thinking to just one wired lav directly to your camera for interviews. In that case, get a MixPre D used. The are selling for not much more than an MM1 right now on ebay and the aren't much heavier than the MM1. The MM1 is really designed as boom op preamp and you generally can't just clip it to the speaker. The MixPre D can be attached to your DSLR and gives you a way to connect to your DSLR with great meters and limiters.

If all you want to do is put a lavalier on a speaker sitting five feet from a camera, a wired lav is often easier than a wireless system. You will need an XLR adapter for the lav. Or terminate the lav in an XLR connection. I don't think I've ever seen a XLR to 3.5mm locking adapter for the standard ME2 so you might need to research your best option there.
 
Thank you for the recommendations. I actually own a couple of MKE2s and I agree they are great and probably worth the extra price. I also have a Mix Pre-D which makes me very happy but I think it's too much for this situation. Sounds like I'm going to recommend my friend purchase the MKE2 and the MP-1 (instead of the MM1)

That being the case (MKE2 and MP-1), Would an XLR adapter such as this do the trick? (if not what is needed?)
https://www.amazon.com/Movo-Mini-Jack-Microphone-Connector-Camcorders/dp/B071WN5RDV/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1534530369&sr=1-3&keywords=xlr+male+to+3.5mm+female


Thanks!

Sorry one last thing. I'm seeing now the Mix-Pre 3 and it's really close in price. Are the Pre's and the limiters just as good as the older series SD equipment?
 
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No. The 'Movo 3.5mm (TRS) Mini-Jack Female Microphone Adapter to 3-pin XLR Male Connector' is just an adapter and would not work with mics that need power (most lavs). Most of the phantom power adapters go for around $100usd. OST's power supply/adapter went for around $80 the last time I looked. For the Sennheiser G series wired mics, they has a locking 3.5mm jack on one end, and an XLR-M on the other.
All the SD preamps are considered very good.
 
Yes, the voltage should be adequate. Don't know if it is wired for the Sennheiser though.. For instance, Sennheiser uses the 'Tip' terminal as hot (+), Sony uses the 'Ring'. I think the Rode is the same as the Sennheiser, but I recommend confirming that prior to purchase. The price is certainly good.
Otherwise the MKE2 XLR version would work, but would not be readily compatible with a Sennheiser SK transmitter.
 
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egproductions said:
Exactly, that's why I prefer to adapt now in case wireless is needed in the future.
Click to expand...

Smart move. Out of my, probably, 15 lav's, only two are dedicated XLR/hardwired. The rest are built/wired for Lectro belt packs. I have 10 adapters to convert them to hardwire(XLR) use.
 
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egproductions said:
I'm researching for a friend. I've come up with two options and want to know which will ultimately sound better all things being equal.

1. The Sennheiser ME2 (AVX system)

2. THe ME2 mic plugged directly into a Sound Devices MM1

I'm essentially asking if putting money into a Pre-amp for a lav is worthwhile or if it will hardly make a difference and might as well spend that money on a wireless system. Both would be used with a DSLR setup.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

As much as I am a fan of the Sound Devices MM1, and I often use it:


But it is a tough item to ever recommend except in more specialized situations like I'm using it for (that is, a wireless boom op working with a Sound Mixer HoD).

As for a similar price you could just buy yourself a Zoom F4! Which is what I recommend you do instead.

As for wired vs wireless: wired will always be sounding better. But practically speaking we need to always use wireless instead.

And in the cheap sub $1K market then the best buy for wireless would be a Sony UWP-D11.
 
Bought the Rode VXLR Plus for myself and it seems to work just fine with the MKE2. feels solid and It came with plastic clip good for clipping to the subject. For $25 I'll probably buy another since I have two MKE2s that I could potentially plug right into my Mix Pre-D.
 
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