Wirless system under $750

D

davbeisner

Well-known member
Just starting up an HD video production program for a college. We'll be doing primarily documentary/promotional videos for the college. I've decided on a Sennheiser ME66/K6 shotgun and now I need a good wireless system. Budget constraints have put me at around $750 (I might be able to push it as high as $1k.

Right now I'm looking very favorably at the Audio Technica 1813D kit from BH. It's an omni lav with bodyback transmitter, camera mounted receiver, and an XLR transmitter for adapting a standard microphone to wireless. That'd be nice for interviews, etc. It's coming in at $697 which is perfect for my budget.

But, I've never had any experience with Audio Technica outside of their pro studio mics (which I really like). Anyone got any experience with Audio Technica wireless systems? Any experience with that particular mic?

Finally, if you had $750 to spend on a wireless system (must include at least a lav, bodypack transmitter, and camera-receiver and it'd be nice to also have the XLR adapter), what would you buy? I'll probably be shooting with the HVX200A.
 
I'm not that experienced, but I'd suggest getting the Sennheiser ew G2 100 system and buying a new lav from Countryman or something.

I think most people here would say that the G2's are the bare minimum and anything less isn't worth it.
 
A pragmatic answer for the use of Wireless Mics.

A pragmatic answer for the use of Wireless Mics.

The system you have spec'd out is high end so I would ask you to consider who will be using it and for what purpose? If it is for an educational program it is over kill and for that price, remember, you only get one mic. I produced several shows that were in a studio that also had a public access program and the lav mics were considered an 'expendable'. You can get 3 inexpensive mics for the $750 that you are budgeted for and sleep at night when one of them breaks down or is stepped on.
I'd take a second look for lower priced stuff in light of the users non-professional status, or get a damage deposit for those who check out your equipment.
The cheaper mics don't have that great of a quality but your not shooting a commercially viable project where the subtle nuances are critical to sound production. Save the high end equipment for the high end projects.
 
SISUMAN said:
The system you have spec'd out is high end so I would ask you to consider who will be using it and for what purpose? If it is for an educational program it is over kill and for that price, remember, you only get one mic. I produced several shows that were in a studio that also had a public access program and the lav mics were considered an 'expendable'. You can get 3 inexpensive mics for the $750 that you are budgeted for and sleep at night when one of them breaks down or is stepped on.
I'd take a second look for lower priced stuff in light of the users non-professional status, or get a damage deposit for those who check out your equipment.
The cheaper mics don't have that great of a quality but your not shooting a commercially viable project where the subtle nuances are critical to sound production. Save the high end equipment for the high end projects.
Click to expand...


Actually, I may not have described well what my job is and the program I'm doing. I'm not doing an educational program for the school, I'm producing promotional materials for the college. I'll be likely the only one to use the equipment--it certainly will not be checked out by students!! Everything I'll be shooting will be shown to potential donors, prospective students and their parents, and alums. Most will be broadcast over the web, some distributed on DVD and Blu-Ray, and possibly some shown in the local movie theaters in their pre-movie commercials. So it definitely needs to be decent quality (I know I can't get good quality in that price range).
 
just another comment...

just another comment...

Well, yes it was a little vague and my experience with p.a. is all too vivid. That said, the quality of a wireless microphone should be dictated by your 'production value' standards. However, this can only justified if you have everything else besides the mic up to that standard, shielded cables, ambient noise control, sound recording equipment quality and most of all control of the set. If you go into the HVX200 with your audio signal this mic is over kill. If you are making documentary with interviews it is excessive for an economical production. It's like taking a Cadillac to the 7-11 to get a quart of milk. It's not a Ferrari but a VW will do just fine. Good luck to you, but I recommend that you spend less than $500 for each of your wireless mics.
 
Conrad Radzik said:
I'm not that experienced, but I'd suggest getting the Sennheiser ew G2 100 system ..... I think most people here would say that the G2's are the bare minimum and anything less isn't worth it.
Click to expand...

Consider the ew 100 ENG G2 - this has a pocket transmitter and camera receiver - and - also a plug-on transmitter if you decide to kake yout K6 wireless.

You save about £100 by buying this kit rather than the ew 112p G2 pocket kit and adding the SKP 100 G2 plug-on later.
 
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