Wireless suggestions

G

georgepeter

New member
This is my first post so keep the humiliating comments to a minimum – or save them until my second post.

I am looking to purchase a wireless for my 100b. I have been using an Audio-technica 88W/R for a few years but find it to be more of a toy. To jump to a more professional level, and keeping cost in mind, what are the recommendations for systems and mics?

All help graciously appreciated.
 
On a tight budget? The Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series of wireless transmitters and receivers are popular among independent filmmakers, I've used them on a number of shoots and given their price point, they are good performers.

If you have the cash and you're looking for something professional, robust, and reliable, in a wide range of RF (Radio Frequency) conditions, then step up (way up) to the Lectrosonics UCR411A receiver and any of their 400 Series transmitters. Unlike lower-cost units, the 411A iprovides a wide range of selectable UHF frequencies and uses diversity reception to reduce drop outs. Furthermore, it has a built-in RF spectrum analyzer that looks at RF activity in the area and helps you find the best operating frequency. I don't use wireless often, but when I need them, I rent the best Lectrosonics that my production budget allows.
 
has anybody use the microns?

nobody ever mentions the poor wee forgotton microns, and I think they're great!

they are like poor-mans 2020's.
 
here in SA i've never even SEEN a Micron set, but I can vouch for the G2 being a very succesful $500 sytem.
 
What price range does Micron live in Scooby?

Are they fully pro, or do they have some semi-pro sort of stuff too (Like G2 sort of things)?
 
georgepeter said:
I am hoping to get in for about $500. I think cinemakineye has given me a good lead.

thanks
Click to expand...

Then the Sennheiser is the way to go. I spent another $100 and got the plug in transmitter which normally sells for $220 separately.

If you go this route, check out the tutorial online at DVCreators.

http://dvestore.com/theatre/index.html

scroll down to

theatre_banner_sennheiserg2.jpg


And click the link there. The factory default settings are way too hot for a DVX 100B.
 
well I think the 700 series is more expensive, in the same price range as Audio Tach's 2020's. Micron700 : one TX+RX +lav costing £2500 or so.

too much for me


i've got 2 sets of the diversity Micron Explorer range,;
sdr116front.gif
sdr256front.gif


tx716afront.gif
tx7256front.gif

sdr116top.gif
tx716atop.gif


...which to my knowledge, just have less channels on them as the 700's. (i'm sure there are other differences) They weight almost the same as a feather, very robust casing and have no drawbacks as compared with 700's or 2020's, and one set'll only cost £1200. Excellent value for money compared with the 2020's and not sacrificing circuit quality. But not really in the same prive bracket as the G2's, which are also excellent value for money, for what they do. If I had the G2's would just resent forking out for RX batteries, cos they can't be powered off the NP1.

I AM though, considering getting G2 wireless headphone monitors, bodypack style TX and RX's, but can't seem to get them at a price I want to pay... (cheap!)
 
Last edited:
yeah, that is certainly a use for the lower cost systems.. especially because the receivers on both the G2 and Sony UWP series can power headphones!

Im replacing my sony system with lectro units, and will probably use the Sony's as an IFB type system or as backup options for wireless.
 
My question may get answered later in my search but I wanted to post here before I forgot how to reach the thread:
No one seems to mention the Azden receivers/transmitters. I'm currently shopping for a handheld combination (rec+xm) and am comparing Sennheiser and Azden. I really really like the more modern look of the Sennheiser, and its durability. However, there is no dual receiver available. And most of their receivers have a mini output, which would require an adapter cable.

Azden on the other hand has the 200UPR and 500udr. For some reason these two are similarly priced. the 200 is a dual receiver, which is nice if you want to capture two lavs or handhelds for whatever reason. It is not XLR but comes included w/mini-to-dual XLR cable). The 500 is not dual but is XLR.

So Question #1 is, is there any true benefit to having a dual receiver? Mine will be used primarily for weddings and school events. The only use I can foresee for the dual receiver is if I interview parent AND student at same time for the school events. However, I already have a PZM mic and iRiver. I'd have to sync in post but the PZM would pick up both voices. No need to force the budget.

Question #2: Is there any problem with mixing brands of receiver and transmitter? If I get a Sennie receiver but Azden mic, as long as they're on same freq it should work, right?
 
The Sennheiser G2 kits come with a mini-to-XLR adapter cable for the receiver. No dual receiver that I know of though. I recently saw an on-camera bracket on B&H website that was specifically for mounting two Sennheiser receivers. 'Course a little extra gaff tape works too. :)

You can't assume that you can mix different makes of transmitter/receivers.

-Dan
 
A dual reciever is nice if you are going directly into camera or a w/l send from the mixer. Azden is infamous for crappy w/l. Altough I have not heard it myself or read much feedback on the new dual reciever I would feel pretty comfortable telling you it is probably par with their other w/l.

You can mix some analog w/l if you turn off the pilot tone but why would you want to?

For cheap wireless I would just stick with the G2.

Cheers
 
What he said.

I know that dual receivers are a temptation (ive also been tempted before), but you should look at it this way:

if two sennheisers are twice the size, and twice the power consumption of one azden, then surely something is happening in there that needs twice the resources to get audio out - in this case, at probably twice the quality.

i'll also recommend that you go straight for sen g2, and dont stop to consider the azdens...
 
Thanks for the WOW (Words of Wisdom). Did I just coin a new acronym or am I just forgetting that I saw that somewhere? Anyway, I think while I was writing the above post, I basically talked myself out of the whole dual deal. And you guys' advice just put the nail in the coffin on Azden. Like I said, Sennheisers look cool, and the look of the name itself is pretty cool too. But of course I couldn't just go by that. So it's on with the Sennies!
 
TeleDan said:
'Course a little extra gaff tape works too. :)

You can't assume that you can mix different makes of transmitter/receivers.

-Dan
Click to expand...
I've found that instead of gaffer's tape, those little bungee-type cords with the balls on each end work perfectly. As for mixing, does that mean that if I'm doing a wedding and the officiant already has a wireless lav setup, I could not just tune my receiver to his frequency and get a feed on him?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top