Wireless audio gear

L

Lor

Well-known member
I'm not sure what I'm looking for is call and if it's available. I'm looking for an audio hardware that will allow me to plug into the master mixer's out channel and on the receiving end, it plugs into my Sony EX1 camera wireless.
 
That's sometimes referred to by sound people as a "camera hop." A camera hop is usually two separate wireless systems (one for each channel) or a dual channel wireless system. On the low end, some people set their Sennheiser G2 and G3 systems up as camera hops. A better way to go is with Lectrosonics or Zaxcom systems that utilize NP1 batteries on the camera's end.
 
There are lots of wireless systems for microphones, but I don't know of any wireless systems that allow for line level input coming from a mixer. Anything that would do that - and be reliable - would be fairly pricey. It would probably be more cost effective - and safer since there isn't the potential for RF interference and drop-outs - to get a dedicated audio recorder and sync the audio in post.
 
unclebob6958 said:
There are lots of wireless systems for microphones, but I don't know of any wireless systems that allow for line level input coming from a mixer. Anything that would do that - and be reliable - would be fairly pricey. It would probably be more cost effective - and safer since there isn't the potential for RF interference and drop-outs - to get a dedicated audio recorder and sync the audio in post.
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Thanks for the reply. I see what you're saying. The issue with syncing in post is quite labor intensive since I don't just let the camera role for the whole event.
 
unclebob6958 said:
There are lots of wireless systems for microphones, but I don't know of any wireless systems that allow for line level input coming from a mixer. Anything that would do that - and be reliable - would be fairly pricey. It would probably be more cost effective - and safer since there isn't the potential for RF interference and drop-outs - to get a dedicated audio recorder and sync the audio in post.
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Go read specs on everything from Audio Technica's 1800 series to Sennheiser's G3 to Lectrosonics 400 series (and more). The transmitters can be switched for line-level input.

One thing to consider, though, is that you're adding another link to the signal chain in which compander artifacts can muss up the signal's quality. High-end systems like Lectro and Zaxcom tend to have less noticeable (if noticeable at all) companding.

As for the risk of going wireless, yes... use a hard line if at all possible ("whenever you're able, use a cable"). But a wireless camera hop is not unheard of and, depending on the needs of the show, is quite common. There's usually a recorder with a dedicated cable feed from the mixer running in tandem, since so much can go wrong on a wireless hop.
 
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Thanks for the links and response! What about FCC rules about wireless? Do I have to worry about this?
 
Lor said:
Thanks for the reply. I see what you're saying. The issue with syncing in post is quite labor intensive since I don't just let the camera role for the whole event.
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Ideally, you'll start and stop both camera and audio recorder at the same time, and diligently slate each take (with written notes as well).
 
C2V said:
Ideally, you'll start and stop both camera and audio recorder at the same time, and diligently slate each take (with written notes as well).
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It is mostly live event so it's quite hard to utilize slate and start/stop with the audio recorder plus the camera.
 
Many thanks for all of your help. Now, I have a better idea of what it is and brands that I will consider if when I decide to invest in it.
 
C2V said:
Go read specs on everything from Audio Technica's 1800 series to Sennheiser's G3 to Lectrosonics 400 series (and more). The transmitters can be switched for line-level input.

One thing to consider, though, is that you're adding another link to the signal chain in which compander artifacts can muss up the signal's quality. High-end systems like Lectro and Zaxcom tend to have less noticeable (if noticeable at all) companding.

As for the risk of going wireless, yes... use a hard line if at all possible ("whenever you're able, use a cable"). But a wireless camera hop is not unheard of and, depending on the needs of the show, is quite common. There's usually a recorder with a dedicated cable feed from the mixer running in tandem, since so much can go wrong on a wireless hop.
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Just came from a live event shoot. I was lucky this time to have a wired cable from the mixer's master out to my EX1. However, as I was looking at the Lectro 400 series, I found this statement somewhere.

"This is a block 28 (GY) Lectrosonic that is in the 700 range. This product is illegal to operate in the US."

Is this true? If so, then it's useless to buy this model?
 
Yes, it's true. The FCC did some chicanery, and that frequency range is no longer "legal". I put that in quotes because there are people out there that have had block 28 systems for years, and are probably still using them. You'll find that different countries have different frequency ranges that are considered "legal", which can cause problems for sound people who do a lot of international travel. The reality is, you can technically still use those frequency ranges, as there isn't anything blocking you from doing so, other than other things broadcasting on those frequencies, then you would have interference, but I've never heard of a sound mixer getting busted for using a wireless system on "illegal" frequencies. It's just simply unenforceable.
 
davefisk said:
Yes, it's true. The FCC did some chicanery, and that frequency range is no longer "legal". I put that in quotes because there are people out there that have had block 28 systems for years, and are probably still using them. You'll find that different countries have different frequency ranges that are considered "legal", which can cause problems for sound people who do a lot of international travel. The reality is, you can technically still use those frequency ranges, as there isn't anything blocking you from doing so, other than other things broadcasting on those frequencies, then you would have interference, but I've never heard of a sound mixer getting busted for using a wireless system on "illegal" frequencies. It's just simply unenforceable.
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I see. Many thanks for the response. So, since that's considered "illegal" what's legal that are still as good or better that's out there?
 
Lor said:
Just came from a live event shoot. I was lucky this time to have a wired cable from the mixer's master out to my EX1. However, as I was looking at the Lectro 400 series, I found this statement somewhere.

"This is a block 28 (GY) Lectrosonic that is in the 700 range. This product is illegal to operate in the US."

Is this true? If so, then it's useless to buy this model?
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It's not the model that is illegal, but the frequency band.

The same model in a different frequency band should be OK.

Be very careful when purchasing any wireless equipment that to get the legal frequency band for your country / area of use.
 
Lor said:
Just came from a live event shoot. I was lucky this time to have a wired cable from the mixer's master out to my EX1. However, as I was looking at the Lectro 400 series, I found this statement somewhere.

"This is a block 28 (GY) Lectrosonic that is in the 700 range. This product is illegal to operate in the US."

Is this true? If so, then it's useless to buy this model?
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It's useless to buy that particular version, however Lectros absolutely are available in many different frequency blocks that are legal in the USA. Check their website.
 
Okay, so, how do I find out what's legal and what's not? Is there a website somewhere that shows all the illegal frequencies?
 
Lor said:
Okay, so, how do I find out what's legal and what's not? Is there a website somewhere that shows all the illegal frequencies?
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Try the FCC website. The short of it is, the band from 696mHz to 806mHz is now closed to wireless users. Take a look also at the Lectrosonic website, if their's are the units you're considering. The link previously referenced just happened to open to the BH page for a Lectro 400 set that would have been intended for export - they stock a lot of others for US legal frequency blocks.
 
Lor said:
Okay, so if I follow this chart, I should have no problems, correct?
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Except that chart doesn't show the 700MHz band (blocks 27-31) as unavailable/illegal in North America... only showing blocks 30 and 31 as Europe-only. So it's a little outdated.

It's very simple: if you are in North America, do not get a wireless system that runs between 696MHz and 806MHz. You don't need a manufacturer website to tell you that. If you're buying new, you won't be able to purchase a unit in that band anyway: they stopped making them a few years ago in anticipation of this changeover. If you're buying used, double-check the frequency set.
 
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