Wireless headphones to monitor sound being recorded into the camcorder?

Good point, Jordan. I have a new problem now. I just found out that the Rolls MP13 isn't battery powered. I need a mic pre-amp that is:

1. Portable (small)
2. Battery powered
3. Has a phantom power XLR input to power my Rode NTG-3 mic
4. Has an unbalanced output to plug the Sennheiser EW 100 G3 transmitter into
5. Headphones jack so the boom operator can monitor the sound
6. $150 or less


Anyone know of anything that fits all six criteria? The Rolls MP13, MX54s, and PM55 are all out. Thanks.
 
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JordanBlock said:
Exactly what 'noise canceling headphones' are you planning to use? You don't want anything that's actively messing with what you're hearing. Sony's MDR-7506 and Senheisser's HD280 are industry standards and not at all expensive.
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Sony has new phones out called the MDR-7509HD and the MDR-900HD. They are the same headphone but the latter is more sturdy.
 
iirc there used to be a rolls box that was pretty close to those criteria, the model # escapes me though, perhaps someone else knows what I'm thinking of.

On Edit:

I think Matt was talking about it in a thread recently.
 
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Thanks, Jordan. The reason I'm asking is because I think I can buy the Sennheiser EW 100 G3 wireless system WITHOUT the XLR Plug-in transmitter (since it doesn't provide phantom power to the mic, anyway) and just plug the balanced XLR cable running from my shotgun mic into a portable pre-amp (that supplies +48v phantom power) and then plug the EW 100 G3 transmitter into the pre-amp as well, and that way the boom op can monitor the sound via the pre-amp and I can monitor the sound via the EW 100 G3 receiver hooked up to my HPX-170 without being tethered to the boom op by an XLR cable! Then, I won't need WIRELESS headphones, either. Now, my question is, how does the EW 100 G3 transmitter connect to a mic pre-amp? XLR, 1/4", or 1/8" connection? And I'm guessing it has to be an unbalanced output on the pre-amp since its going to the unbalanced jack on the transmitter, right? Does anyone know?
 
As long as someone is monitoring the sound actually going to tape, you can probably get away with it. The whole point is to be certain that you really are recording good sound.
 
So, would I just run an unbalanced 1/8" cable from the preamp output to the input on the transmitter or an unbalanced XLR to 1/8" adapter cable from the preamp XLR unbalanced output to the 1/8" input on the transmitter?
 
Filmkid2003 said:
Okay, so after doing a little research and also because I can't afford to spend $2,000 on a wireless system, I've taken everyone's feedback and I've come up with a possible solution. Get the Sennheiser EW 100 G3 wireless system and:

1. Plug my Rode NTG-3 mic into a balanced XLR splitter cable and plug the XLR transmitter into one of the split cables
2. Plug the reciever into my HPX170 and plug my noise canceling headphones into the receiver
3. Save the other receiver that comes with the system for when we need to use a lavalier mic

Now, as for the boom operator being able to monitor the sound coming from the NTG-3 mic, I'm planning on buying the Rolls MP13 mini mic preamp

http://www.amazon.com/Rolls-MP13-Mini-Mic-Preamp/dp/B0002BG2QI

and running a balanced XLR cable from the bottom of the boom pole into the MP13. Then, the boom operator can plug their noise canceling headphones into the MP13 and monitor the dialog going into the mic. The other end of the boom cable will be plugged into the remaining XLR split cable. Here is the balanced XLR splitter cable I plan on buying: http://www.amazon.com/Dual-Cable-Splitter-GLS-Audio/dp/B0010VQO8A

What do you guys think? And yes, I, the director (and camera operator), will be keeping an eye on the levels because I'm not going to have the advantage of an experienced sound guy booming the mic. I'm going to have a film student operating the boom and so, I want to be able to keep an eye (ear?) on the sound level.
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This all sounds very odd to me.

Firstly, the ew 100 ENG G3 kit only has 1 receiver - not 2.

It has an SKP 100 plug-on transmitter - this will *not* work with the NTG3 that requires phantom power - you need the SKP 2000 for that.

Your splitter cable idea will not work.

It also has an SK 100 G3 pocket transmitter with ME 2 tie mic. and one EK 100 G3 camera receiver with a line out (not a headphones out).

To use this option with a boom you do it as follows:-
  • NTG3 on the boom
  • at the bottom of the boom have a battery powered mic. pre with headphone output as well as line out
  • plug headphones into the h/p socket for the boom op.
  • take the line out to the line in of the SK 100 G3 (nb:*not* the plug-on)
  • have the EK 100 G3 on the camera


I hope this helps.
 
Filmkid2003 said:
Thanks, Jordan. The reason I'm asking is because I think I can buy the Sennheiser EW 100 G3 wireless system WITHOUT the XLR Plug-in transmitter (since it doesn't provide phantom power to the mic, anyway) and just plug the balanced XLR cable running from my shotgun mic into a portable pre-amp (that supplies +48v phantom power) and then plug the EW 100 G3 transmitter into the pre-amp as well, and that way the boom op can monitor the sound via the pre-amp and I can monitor the sound via the EW 100 G3 receiver hooked up to my HPX-170 without being tethered to the boom op by an XLR cable! Then, I won't need WIRELESS headphones, either. Now, my question is, how does the EW 100 G3 transmitter connect to a mic pre-amp? XLR, 1/4", or 1/8" connection? And I'm guessing it has to be an unbalanced output on the pre-amp since its going to the unbalanced jack on the transmitter, right? Does anyone know?
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The ew 100 ENG G3 without the plug-on transmitter is the ew 112-p G3.

The line-in on the SK 100 G3 is a 3-pole mini-jack. This is wired for line i/p as: +ve to ring, screen to sleeve, tip and sleeve are shorted to turn off the mic. i/p of the transmitter.
 
Thanks for clearing that up, John. That was a big help. In that case, I plan on buying the Sennheiser EW 112-p G3, since I won't be using the XLR plug-in jack. My only other question now is, do you know of a good battery powered mic pre-amp with balanced XLR input, line out, and provides +48v phantom power AND comes in somewhere between $50-$200 in price? Would this preamp work?:

http://www.music123.com/Nady-DMP-2-Dual-Mic-Pre-Amp-180156-i1170876.Music123


If not, do you know of one? Thanks.
 
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I'd assume it will more or less do what it says it does. Past experience with Nady gear leads me to believe it won't be great quality, but I haven't used any of their stuff in quite some time.

The problem you're going to have here is most posters are pretty careful with our words when we're talking about the quality of gear. 'Good' around here tends to mean at the very least 'acceptable on a professional set'.

Sound Devices has a couple good pres in the 3-350 range, nothing comes to mind under $200.

Don't forget that you can always rent and get access to much better gear for your dollar.
 
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