Which Sennheiser G3 system should I get?

[JaredSMark]

There are more than a few out there.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SENEW122G3
http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/ew122-G3_clipped-93a0f7d471efe3fb3deb1078e62d7c3f.jpg - this one seems like a cardioid mic with a bigger receiver. I'm not sure this is the one I'd want to get, but correct me if I'm wrong.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ser_EW_112P_G3_A_EW112_p_G3_Camera_Mount.html
http://static.bhphoto.com/images/images500x500/618739.jpg - I'm guessing this one is the one to get as it's an omni-directional lav. The receiver isn't as big/fancy but I'm not sure of the differences between them really.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EW112G3-G/
http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/1800/EW112G3-G-xlarge.jpg - and there's also this which is a combo of the above two.

Plus some others I'm probably forgetting. There are different Mhz and A, B and G bands. Not sure what all of that is. I'm going to guess that those bigger receivers are basically the same thing as the smaller-type ones and that it doesn't matter except for the way it looks. The ME2 seems to be an omni mic and the ME4 is a cardioid. From what I can tell, I should probably get the ME2 omni, but again correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[edinc90]

The "big" receivers are AC powered and designed for installation or cart work. The smaller receivers are battery powered and deigned for on-camera or bag use.

The drawback with cardioid lavs is that if the talent turns his or her head, the audio drops off significantly. I wouldn't use the stock mics anyway if I had the money. I'd look at the Sanken COS-11 and Countryman B3 or B6.

The A, B, and G bands are just different frequencies. Check out this site to find the best one for you: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/findfrequency/

 

[John Willett]

There are more than a few out there.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SENEW122G3
http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/ew122-G3_clipped-93a0f7d471efe3fb3deb1078e62d7c3f.jpg - this one seems like a cardioid mic with a bigger receiver. I'm not sure this is the one I'd want to get, but correct me if I'm wrong.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ser_EW_112P_G3_A_EW112_p_G3_Camera_Mount.html
http://static.bhphoto.com/images/images500x500/618739.jpg - I'm guessing this one is the one to get as it's an omni-directional lav. The receiver isn't as big/fancy but I'm not sure of the differences between them really.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EW112G3-G/
http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/1800/EW112G3-G-xlarge.jpg - and there's also this which is a combo of the above two.

Plus some others I'm probably forgetting. There are different Mhz and A, B and G bands. Not sure what all of that is. I'm going to guess that those bigger receivers are basically the same thing as the smaller-type ones and that it doesn't matter except for the way it looks. The ME2 seems to be an omni mic and the ME4 is a cardioid. From what I can tell, I should probably get the ME2 omni, but again correct me if I'm wrong.

Fistly - get the omni tie mic. and do *not* get the directional one.

This leaves you with a choice of three systems:-

ew 112 G3
This is the version with the large receiver - the receiver is, basically, mains powered and canot be used on a camera.

ew 112-p G3
This is the version with the small pocket/camera receiver the same size as the transmitter. The transmitter and mic. are the same as the above.

ew 100 ENG G3
This is the same as the ew 112-p above, but includes a plug-on transmitter in the kit as well (not used together but as either/or). If you ever need a plug-on transmitter, this system wiil save you over $100 on the price of buying an ew 112-p and SKP 100 plug-on transmitter separately.

If it's for camera work, I would bet one ov the last two.


Frequency groups A,G and B are the ones for the USA - though version "GB" is also fine for the USA as it has 2MHz from version G and a large amount of version B - it also has the 6MHz band between G and B which is the preferred range for professional use in the UK (with a licence - though this 6MHz band is illegal everywhere else). So if you plan to use the system in the UK as well as the USA I would go for a version "GB"., otherwise A,G or B would be fine.

Version C is wholly illegal in the USA as is also D and E.

I hope this helps.