Wiress Lav Recommendation for Interviews

A

andvx

Active member
Hi,
I've started a thread about Filming Corporate/Office Interviews with GH4s. To compliment this thread I am hoping to get some assistance on which wireless lavs should be purchased, and if wireless lavs are the way to go?


The Sennheiser wireless lavs are seriously expensive, so I would like to know if there is anything comparable for a corporate/office interview setting where there is little noise and interference, and the environment is quite controlled.


I have a Zoom H6 recorder which accepts up to 4 x XLR inputs, and I will also use the interchangeable mic on top of the H6 to record audio as a backup.


Also, the interviews are onsite so they may be in other states as well as international. Does this pose a problem for wireless in terms of frequency, channel, and range?



Thank you for your help
 
From all accounts, the Rode wireless system seems a good buy. Jump onto YouTube and search for Curtis Judd; he's done some great reviews on this topic. As far as frequencies go, these are a federal issue, so you should be fine within the country of purchase. However, each country assigns their own frequency range for these devices, so I think you may have issues overseas. In that situation, perhaps renting is the better option.
 
My first response to these questions is: Why do you need it to be wireless? Wired mics are cheaper and sound better generally than wireless mics, especially if price is a consideration.
 
doubledark said:
From all accounts, the Rode wireless system seems a good buy. Jump onto YouTube and search for Curtis Judd; he's done some great reviews on this topic. As far as frequencies go, these are a federal issue, so you should be fine within the country of purchase. However, each country assigns their own frequency range for these devices, so I think you may have issues overseas. In that situation, perhaps renting is the better option.
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Hi doubledark,
Thanks for the information. I'll check out Curtis Judd's channel.
 
edinc90 said:
My first response to these questions is: Why do you need it to be wireless? Wired mics are cheaper and sound better generally than wireless mics, especially if price is a consideration.
Click to expand...

Hi edinc90,
The challenge is concealing the wires and cables from wired lavaliers. If I could overcome this then I would gladly go with wired.
 
andvx said:
The challenge is concealing the wires and cables from wired lavaliers. If I could overcome this then I would gladly go with wired.
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It's an interview. Why do you need to conceal the wires? And if you really do, why aren't you booming?

Bottom line is, wireless is a last resort. Not a first. Last. That's because no wireless system (no matter the cost) can possibly sound as good as a wire, nor can it be as reliable as a $20 XLR cable, nor as cheap. Just the way it is.

For my money, the Sennheiser G3s are the minimum I'd buy (I own two sets). If, once we've got more time (and therefore experience) with the wi-fi systems, they turn out to equal the performance of the G3s, then maybe. But today is not that day, at least for me.
 
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for your input.
Bruce Watson said:
It's an interview. Why do you need to conceal the wires? And if you really do, why aren't you booming?
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A visible microphone on a jacket, tie, or blouse isn't the issue, it''s having XLR cables running across the floor into the H6 recorder. One of the camera angles will show full body shots of the host and subject together. Cables on the floor, etc., doesn't look professional. The challenge of booming is that the crew is small and there isn't a dedicated person able to boom, etc.

From my video thread, it's likely the cameras will also be unmanned once the record button is pressed and the interviews begin.


Bruce Watson said:
For my money, the Sennheiser G3s are the minimum I'd buy (I own two sets). If, once we've got more time (and therefore experience) with the wi-fi systems, they turn out to equal the performance of the G3s, then maybe. But today is not that day, at least for me.
Click to expand...
Do you mean you have two G3s already or that you would buy them if you had more time?


Thanks
 
I agree with Bruce. Use wireless for mobile work where the talent needs to walk around detached from the camera. For sit down interviews, use a wired lav or even better a boom mic. Here's a list from B&H of good boom (small diaphragm condenser) mics for indoor use. The Octava MK12 is another decent lower priced option as well which is not on that list. For outdoor boom use (shotguns) in your price range, a Rode NTG-2, used NTG-3, Audio Technica AT875r, or Sennheiser ME66 are some options.

Unless you're doing some really wide shot which includes the whole chair they're sitting in, I'm not sure how a wired lav will show up more in the video than a wireless lav, as in both cases the mic has to be placed somewhere, and there is a cable from the mic either going to the wireless transmitter or going to the floor in the case of a wired mic. So assuming the floor is out of the shot, there shouldn't be a difference in terms of viability on camera.

You can check out my interview demo reel here. No wireless was used, and no mics are in the shot. The majority was boom mics and some of it was wired lavs.

A wireless system such as the Sennheisser G3, Sony wireless (made of metal), or Rodelink is on my list of things to buy really soon, but not for sit down interviews. I've been using lavs with pocket recorders, which works well for most of my work, but not all of it. If I were buying today I'd probably get the G3, in large part because of the name recognition which helps with the freelance work I do.


andvx said:
A visible microphone on a jacket, tie, or blouse isn't the issue, it''s having XLR cables running across the floor into the H6 recorder. One of the camera angles will show full body shots of the host and subject together. Cables on the floor, etc., doesn't look professional. The challenge of booming is that the crew is small and there isn't a dedicated person able to boom, etc.
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If they're standing still you could boom them. I rarely use a boom operator for static interviews; put a boom on a light stand and you're good to go. If they're moving at all and their feet are in the shot like you said, then wireless would be the way to go.

 
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Another option is using something like the Tascam DR-22WL. This allows you to get a wired recording, and still have some ability to control and monitor (although obviously not like in a real time wireless scenario); basically, you get wired lav-to-recorder for best quality, and uses wi-fi to control the recorder for start/stop and listening to the recording playback on an iOS or Android device (f.ex. iPhone/iPodTouch/iPad or Android phone/tablet). It might be the best of both worlds. This is what I would favor, in this scenario, if I couldn't boom, use plant mics or have any wires visible - but I would still explore the possibility of a boom above (boom can be raised the moment the shot shows both the subjects together) - unless you need to show the sky/ceiling directly above them! Also, see if you can't cleverly hide some plant mics.
 
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your input.

Eric Coughlin said:
I agree with Bruce. Use wireless for mobile work where the talent needs to walk around detached from the camera. For sit down interviews, use a wired lav or even better a boom mic. Here's a list from B&H of good boom (small diaphragm condenser) mics for indoor use. The Octava MK12 is another decent lower priced option as well which is not on that list. For outdoor boom use (shotguns) in your price range, a Rode NTG-2, used NTG-3, Audio Technica AT875r, or Sennheiser ME66 are some options.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the list. I'll take a look.


Eric Coughlin said:
Unless you're doing some really wide shot which includes the whole chair they're sitting in, I'm not sure how a wired lav will show up more in the video than a wireless lav, as in both cases the mic has to be placed somewhere, and there is a cable from the mic either going to the wireless transmitter or going to the floor in the case of a wired mic. So assuming the floor is out of the shot, there shouldn't be a difference in terms of viability on camera.
Click to expand...

As mentioned in an earlier post there is a wide shot including the host and subject from head to toe. These are sitdown interviews so the only movement is back and forth and typical body movements when talking and getting comfortable in a chair. This is why I am concerned the cables will be obvious running across the floor and down the side of the chairs/stools, etc.

If you have 30 view this short 30 second segment of a 3-camera interview this is conceptually the setup and the different angles I am looking to achieve https://youtu.be/izr4s50t1LM?t=60 (1minute to 1 minute 30 seconds). This clip uses three cameras with the middle camera a wide shot showing the host and subject from head to toe.


Eric Coughlin said:
You can check out my interview demo reel here. No wireless was used, and no mics are in the shot. The majority was boom mics and some of it was wired lavs.
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Wow! The demo reel is amazing! I tried to look for the Schoeps CMC641 but it looks to be an older model. What is comparable to this at the moment? Also, do you need a boom on top of each person or will the mic pick-up audio for both people if placed in the middle? How high from the subject is the microphone? How far back are you from the subjects so that the microphone and light stand aren't in the shots?


Lastly, is the Zoom H6 with XLR inputs good enough for the job? That's the recorder I currently have.


P.S. I might have some more questions about the demo reel as it is


Thanks Eric
 
OldCorpse said:
Another option is using something like the Tascam DR-22WL. This allows you to get a wired recording, and still have some ability to control and monitor (although obviously not like in a real time wireless scenario); basically, you get wired lav-to-recorder for best quality, and uses wi-fi to control the recorder for start/stop and listening to the recording playback on an iOS or Android device (f.ex. iPhone/iPodTouch/iPad or Android phone/tablet). It might be the best of both worlds. This is what I would favor, in this scenario, if I couldn't boom, use plant mics or have any wires visible - but I would still explore the possibility of a boom above (boom can be raised the moment the shot shows both the subjects together) - unless you need to show the sky/ceiling directly above them! Also, see if you can't cleverly hide some plant mics.
Click to expand...


Hi OldCorpse,
Thanks for your input.

I currently have a Zoom H6 which has similar functionality to the DR-22WL. I'm not ruling out any options at the moment so thanks again for your suggestions.
 
andvx said:
I currently have a Zoom H6 which has similar functionality to the DR-22WL. I'm not ruling out any options at the moment so thanks again for your suggestions.
Click to expand...

?

The Tascam DR-22WL outstanding feature is remote control through wi-fi... which as far as I know the Zoom H6 entirely lacks. That's a giant difference, otherwise, one could mention just about any recorder out there. The ability to start and stop the DR-22WL remotely using an iOS or Android device through wi-fi, and the ability to listen to the playback remotely through wi-fi also on the iOS and Android device is a huge difference. The DR-22WL is like having a wireless, except better sonic quality than wireless (advantage: 22WL) but not real-time monitoring (disadvantage: 22WL)... still that's better than the H6. There is also a difference in size, because if you were to use the Zoom H6, why not use the Zoom H1 which is much, much smaller - so really the Zoom H6 in this scenario would be the last choice... it's much bigger than the Zoom H1 and doesn't have the remote capabilities of the DR-22WL.
 
I have a set of the Sennheiser G3s. They were expensive and still work great. I've even used my one adaptor to wirelessly boom. But mostly because of stuff I've learned here I always used wired now when I can. I'm guessing mid-range lavs or boom into a Juiced link will give you the best bang for your buck. There have already been some good suggestions here for mics. For lavs I'd look at

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/266176-REG/Audio_Technica_AT899_AT899_Condenser_Lavalier.html
My colleague has these and we use them all the time with a juiced link right into the camera. Good for our simple sit down stuff. Pretty small.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68272-REG/Audio_Technica_AT803_AT803B_Mini_Clip_On.html
A cheaper option, bigger but decent quality for the price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...73_BP4073_Lightweight_Shotgun_Microphone.html
Expensive but sometimes you can get really lucky on eBay if you are patient and look for the older AT4073A.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...4053b_Hypercardioid_Condenser_Microphone.html
Good for indoor stuff. You can also get good deals on this if you are patient on eBay and here.

I used to have a Sound Devices MixPre D and I'm kicking myself for getting rid of it. All of my work is usually internal only corporate stuff and I've learned good sound trumps everything else. You don't need to spend a fortune but getting stuff like what is listed in this thread will be more foregiving in getting you good results when used correctly.
 
chrisbernard mentioned Juiced Link. Actually, JL has been developing - seemingly forever - a solution to your issue, called "Little DARling" - see more details here:

Little DARling

Unfortunately, it's still not on the market, but hopefully it's close - if it comes out in time for your project, it could be the perfect solution.
 
OldCorpse said:
?

The Tascam DR-22WL outstanding feature is remote control through wi-fi... which as far as I know the Zoom H6 entirely lacks. That's a giant difference, otherwise, one could mention just about any recorder out there. The ability to start and stop the DR-22WL remotely using an iOS or Android device through wi-fi, and the ability to listen to the playback remotely through wi-fi also on the iOS and Android device is a huge difference. The DR-22WL is like having a wireless, except better sonic quality than wireless (advantage: 22WL) but not real-time monitoring (disadvantage: 22WL)... still that's better than the H6. There is also a difference in size, because if you were to use the Zoom H6, why not use the Zoom H1 which is much, much smaller - so really the Zoom H6 in this scenario would be the last choice... it's much bigger than the Zoom H1 and doesn't have the remote capabilities of the DR-22WL.
Click to expand...


Hi,
Thanks for highlighting the key features. I didn't initially appreciate the wi-fi functionality itself until you explained like this.

The usage of the H6 is dual purpose. The first is when recording general discussions at a table using the H6 MS capsule without either lavaliers or booms; this isn't for interviewing. The second is strictly for interviewing where the XLR inputs allow the input from wireless or wired microphones. The DR-22WL doesn't have any XLR inputs.
 
chrisbernard said:
I have a set of the Sennheiser G3s. They were expensive and still work great. I've even used my one adaptor to wirelessly boom. But mostly because of stuff I've learned here I always used wired now when I can. I'm guessing mid-range lavs or boom into a Juiced link will give you the best bang for your buck.
Click to expand...

Hi Chris,
Thanks for your input as well as the product links. I'll check them out.

chrisbernard said:
I used to have a Sound Devices MixPre D and I'm kicking myself for getting rid of it. All of my work is usually internal only corporate stuff and I've learned good sound trumps everything else. You don't need to spend a fortune but getting stuff like what is listed in this thread will be more foregiving in getting you good results when used correctly.
Click to expand...

I agree that sounds trumps everything. Even if the video fails, if you have the sound you can still work with it. Poor sounds or video without sound is a dead recording.

As I have the H6 with XLR inputs, assuming the microphones are very good quality (G3s, Countryman, etc.) if you have experience, how well does it capture the audio and would there be any noticeable differences between the H6 via XLR and a Sound Devices MixPre D in terms of capturing sound? Obviously post production the sound can be cleaned up, etc.


Thanks
 
OldCorpse said:
chrisbernard mentioned Juiced Link. Actually, JL has been developing - seemingly forever - a solution to your issue, called "Little DARling" - see more details here:

Little DARling

Unfortunately, it's still not on the market, but hopefully it's close - if it comes out in time for your project, it could be the perfect solution.
Click to expand...


Thank you for the link.
 
Also, to make it easier to understand the intended camera angles, I've uploaded three images below of the different angles.

Angles 2 and 3 aren't a problem with boom mics, etc., because it's easy to conceal and crop it out, but Angle 1 which is the wide shot from head to toe is the challenge. What are your thoughts with this setup using mics above the subject on lighting booms?


Camera Angle 1
camera-angle-1.jpg


Camera Angle 2
camera-angle-2.jpg


Camera Angle 3
camera-angle-3.jpg
 
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