C300: Wireless sound and accessories? what would u recommend

anatusa

anatusa

Veteran
Hello

It seems like i came to the point when i am ready to make a move and buy my 1st WiFi sounds system.... so i would like to ask for an advice (or few)..... never hold anything like that in my hands and its not for sale locally, so i have to order it online (another cat in bag)....

seems like the most popular system is SENNHEISER, but is it that good really? or u would recommend something different?

so i need transmitter, receiver, and mic...... about receivers do i understand it right? amount of receivers = amount of transmitters? lets say if i need to use 2-3 mics...

also i need good headphones ..... i heard Beyerdynamic is really good, but seems like each model has 3 options for example: Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro, Beyerdynamic DT-770 M, Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro/80 Ohms, Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro LE.... anyone knows what is the difference? and what is best for my C300?
http://www.thomann.de/gb/search_dir.html?sw=DT-770&x=0&y=0&gk=&bn=

also is it possible to make any mike wireless... like shot gun mic for example ntg3 ?

Regards
 
My Lectrosonics transmitter doesn't supply phantom power so I bought an NTG-2 to go with it. But yes, you can make most any mike wireless as long as you get phantom power to the ones that need it.
 
Probably Sennheiser and Sony are your best bets in the $400-$600 range. Still Motion started using and recommending Shure's, but I haven't heard anyone else using Shure's. If you're willing to spend over $1000, Lectrosonics tends to be the standard.

I worked at Home Shopping Network for a bit and they actually used Sennheiser there, not Lectrosonics. If I recall rightly, the Sennheiser transmitter they used cost around $3000, and isn't on B&H.
 
Sennheiser makes a high end model as well. I like Lectrosonics but they aren't small camera friendly if your doing your own audio the receivers are a pain to attach to the C cams. I have both and prefer the Sennheiser because it's so compact and light. Uses AA batteries and has a cold shoe adapter for the receiver. I use a Sanken COS 11 mic and it makes a huge difference from using any stock lav mic that comes with either system.

The audio from these spots were all captured with a old Sennheiser EK100 G2 receiver. I think its illegal to use now. Ha! Come and get me!! HAHA!


If I was going to get a system I would look seriously at the Sennheiser 2000ENG Same compact size as the G2 but way better.
 
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By the way, I always read to scrap the stock lavs that come with wireless units and buy better lavs, such as the Sanken COS-11D, Tram TR-50, and Countryman B6. I have a Countryman B6, but don't own a wireless unit; I plug the B6 into a Sony PCM-M10 audio recorder. It's nice because I don't have to worry about interference or dropouts, but the downside is I can't monitor the sound. Typically I'll double mic a groom (for weddings, obviously), using the non-wireless audio recorder along with a Sony wireless setup (that one of the extra shooters owns), so I get the best of both worlds.

For sit down interviews, I'm planning to get a Sanken COS-11D XLR version, so then I can plug it directly into the C100 (or a mixer down the road). Good XLR cables as far as I know will provide better quality than the best and most expensive wireless units. Wireless is used more for convenience and practicality than pure sound quality.



Erik Naso said:
If I was going to get a system I would look seriously at the Sennheiser 2000ENG Same compact size as the G2 but way better.
Click to expand...
So what exactly makes the higher end models way better? Do they offer better sound quality, or it is just that they offer better range with less likelihood of interference?
 
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+1 for the Sennheiser G3 kit - works great for me, though I want a better lav.
The Sennheiser is okay, but once you heard a Sanken COS 11....
 
anatusa said:
do i understand it right? amount of receivers = amount of transmitters? lets say if i need to use 2-3 mics...
Click to expand...

Yes, each mic has its own transmitter and frequency, and needs a companion receiver on that frequency (sometimes you can have two receivers picking up 1 mic, so a theatrical presentation will take the mic transmission and you can also 'borrow' that transmission and do a better EQ). So, multiple microphones can be hard to manage, which is when you start looking for a Sound Recordist.

anatusa said:
also i need good headphones ..... i heard Beyerdynamic is really good, but seems like each model has 3 options for example
Click to expand...

Also check the Sennheiser HD-25 ii. These headphones do NOT colour the sound. If you listen to your audio and it sounds weak or thin, it's because your audio is weak or thin. I prefer these over the similar Bayerdynamics that BBC radio likes because they're more compact. Remember, you need it to sound 'accurate' not 'good'. FWIW, I now use Etymotics in-ear monitors (which can also be used as earplugs!). Not the cheapest solution, but very good.

anatusa said:
also is it possible to make any mike wireless... like shot gun mic for example ntg3 ?
Click to expand...

Sennheiser do a special 'Dongle' which will phantom power your mic. I have the G2 version and it's been brilliant. Not just mics - great to get a wireless feed from a PA system.
 
thank u a lot guys! a lot of useful info!!!! seems like Sennheiser is good money / quality chose..... its seems to me that if i need anything better - i better get a sound guy..... the only thing based on some of your advise its maybe a good thing to get a better lav mic instead of the one that is included ....
 
I've got several Sennheisers: a pair of 2000's and some G 3's. the 2000's are really good and I use B6 Mics with them. The Sennheisers are easy to rig to the camera, run for about 10 hours on NiMh rechargeable batteries ( get good rechargeable like ansmann) and have been very reliable with excellent sound quality. I don't even bother with the stock lavs as they are garbage. B6's are very easy to hide compared to the COS 11 though the Sanken might sound a wee bit better. It really depends on the person and situation as to which mic sounds better.
For energy efficient ,good sound, the Sennheisers are really the best in my estimation.
 
How does the compander of the sennheiser compare to the digital hybrid tech of the lectrosonics?
 
Re companders, I recommend avoiding the Sony UVW1 kit. It's very nicely built and it's compact - but compander noise is awful and really lets it down.

Radio mics - bit like tripods. Don't scrimp on cost - you'll just be buying another kit further down the line. I have a UK-made Micron system with Tram TR50 and I have to pay for an annual radio license - but I know I'm not going to have the local taxi firm competing for my frequency when I'm under pressure. The receiver is a bit heavy and I haven't yet found an ideal way of mounting this kind of thing on the C100 - so it sits in my pocket with a short XLR connecting it to the camera.

Oh, and get a diversity (dual tuner) receiver - don't try and save money on that.

+1 on Matt's suggestion of the Sennheiser HD-25 ii headphones - I rely on mine completely and the external noise rejection is good. Again, spend the money now, rather than later - there are very few free lunches with audio.

Ben.
 
Sennheiser 2000"s are diversity systems, they work well with rechargeable NIMH batteries and sound great. I agree with the recommendation to buy good kit, that way you only cry once.....
 
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