Good Wireless Mics

[ManBearPig]

I'm looking for wireless mic suggestions- for use with Sony PMR-EX1's and EX3's. I know it's harder and harder to mount receivers on smaller cameras- so that's part of the equation.

We're currently using OLD Lectrosonics- that were good in their day, but in definite need of replacement.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my last post on tripod suggestions. It was very much appreciated!

ManBearPig

[SLOStringer]

From my limited research and reading here it seems the consensus is a quality Sennheiser G2 system, or their new G3.

[cyndygreen]

MBP - I just did a blog posting on inexpensive solutions for mounting wireless receivers on small cameras. One a do-it-yourself version, the other available on B&H for under $40. (Um...transparency: I couldn't figure out how to post the photos here so was forced to do the posting to get the photos up to show you.)

Check it out at http://cyndygreen.wordpress.com/do-it-yourself/

[satpimp]

Lectrosonics has always done well by us. Newer sets, while still pricey, are frequency agile within a broad spectrum and easily coordinated when ever you're in a high RF environment. Find out what frequency blocks are most easily dealt with in your predominant region of commerce... And find your local frequency coordinator and or FAA facility and maybe then can find you a clear frequency and reserve it within you market.

There are many good brands of wireless gear. Just because the Tx/Rx path is good dosent mean it's all good. The physical microphone instrument is still just as critical. The ability to use various types and makes of mic on the wireless end can make a huge difference.


Good luck,

Omar

PS Cyndy I love the like the blog

[zac love]

I love Lectrosonics. Well, I hate their VHF & am marginal about the new 100 series budget line, works fine, but not as great as their top of the line.

If you can do Lectro, do Lectro. I love my UCR201, I don't think the thing has failed me once.

You'll have to DIY like Cyndy, follow one of her links, but I would get something like this: http://juicedesigns.myshopify.com/pr...x1r-base-plate

Otherwise the Sennheiser G3 are very good for the price & easily mountable because of the small size. If you have the extra money, go for the Sennheiser 200 series, same size, but more options & should work better in difficult situations.

You can get used G2 series ones, but I think the money for the G3 is well worth it just for the improved scan mode.

[zac love]

Originally Posted by cyndygreen

Check it out at http://cyndygreen.wordpress.com/do-it-yourself/

Nice work. Where did you get such a large chunk of plastic?

[cyndygreen]

Zac...got it at a local place called TAP Plastics. You can probably find something similar in any larger town/city...plus those warehouse places like Home Depot and Lowes probably have bigger sheets which you'd have to cut to size. Nice thing about plastic is it was readily available and they cut it to size. Plus (for you fashionistas out there) you can get it in a wide variety of colors!

I'm looking at trying it again with a piece of aluminum/thinner and lighter. I imagine if you want a classy wood-grained look you could also use a block of hardwood.

Couple of other items - I sanded the square edges off the plastic block...they were pointy and sharp. Also make certain you align the cold shoe so your receiver will point in the direction you want...my first attempt I didn't bother and the thing mounted sideways...second time I made it I aligned it so the receiver and block mounted length-wise with the camera rather than 90 degrees off.

[The Thing on The Sticks]

Depending on the budget I would go with the g3 there were some pretty big steps made between generations and the g3 is a fairly solid transmitter/receiver set to spite what many say. If you can swing the extra 250 go with a tram tr-50 for the actual lav, if you are just using it for a local news cam though the stock mic will do just fine.

If you can afford it lectrosonics is always good and there is a new company that I have had a couple of other sound mixers mention and has peaked my interest, Zaxcom if anybody has worked with them enough to form an opinion let me know as I may be in the market later this year to upgrade 3 of my 6 g3 units to something higher end.

[cyndygreen]

Yeah...I just run over a block when visiting coauthor Larry/TAP is right near his place. Very handy. We're gonna make a video next week showing "how to."

[SLOStringer]

Originally Posted by cyndygreen

Yeah...I just run over a block when visiting coauthor Larry/TAP is right near his place. Very handy. We're gonna make a video next week showing "how to."

I look forward to it!

[Lensmith]

Originally Posted by ManBearPig

I'm looking for wireless mic suggestions- for use with Sony PMR-EX1's and EX3's. I know it's harder and harder to mount receivers on smaller cameras- so that's part of the equation.

Well...I have a pair of Lectro wireless mics on an Anton Bauer plate which mounts to my EX-3...but I use the bigger Ion AB batteries with my camera and not the smaller ones which come with it.



However...a friend of mine uses the EX-3 and the Sennheiser G series wireless mic attached directly to the back of the Sony stock, on-board battery that comes with the camera out of the box. Velcro works great. Just have a matching piece on the back of each battery so it's not a problem during a battery change to quickly disconnect and remount the mic to the fresh battery.

The industrial Velcro is pretty strong and wide. Cut it to fit and it holds that wireless receiver very well. Much cheaper than buying some piece of metal to stick out or weigh down the camera.

Sometimes all of these overpriced wireless mounts seem to be a case of people over-thinking a solution.

[Focused]

If you have a REAL hardware store (not a Lowes) they might have a scrap section.... items resold from bulk packaging that was damaged or government surplus.

If they do, they may have plexiglass scraps that sell for $1 a pound. Pick your size and shape (maybe even color) and off to your garage to play with tools. I did this with a mount for an external recorder. I cut the material to size and added velcro. The industrial velcro is pretty rugged and can make it hard to remove the recorder at times... Used one screw to secure the mount to Bogen 492 ball mount that is reverse mounted. Done. Works slick and can easily be adapted for wireless.


Pictures:
http://focusedmotion.com/polecam-new...0%94new-mount/

[cyndygreen]

Sweet. Good idea.

[The Thing on The Sticks]

Originally Posted by Lensmith

.a friend of mine uses the EX-3 and the Sennheiser G series wireless mic attached directly to the back of the Sony stock, on-board battery that comes with the camera out of the box. Velcro works great. Just have a matching piece on the back of each battery so it's not a problem during a battery change to quickly disconnect and remount the mic to the fresh battery.

Sometimes all of these overpriced wireless mounts seem to be a case of people over-thinking a solution.

You can also use the hot/cold shoe adapter that comes with the g-series units. You take the wire at the back off and put the plastic mounting plate under it, replace the wire and then just screw it onto the shoe of your choice works nice on most small cameras. I actually ran into a guy the other day with a HVX 900 who was doing the same with a G3.

[canuckcam]

The Sennheiser G3 can't be beat for value. Like others have said, put a good mic on it and you'll be laughing (kinda like a good glass on an average camera) The ME-2 mike included in the package is amateur compared to the similarly named broadcast-grade MKE-2 mic. You'll hear the difference.

Lectro is a proven brand and especially great for RF-heavy areas with their tracking front end. Their experience in building bag systems with heavy nearby RF interference gives them an edge up on reliability, IMO.

Sony's new digital system is pretty good too if you can afford the sticker shock. Encrypted for your world banking conference shoots ... and its totally digital signal path from transmitter to recording works very well - I honestly can't hear the difference between that and a wired mic.

Zaxcom has always been out of reach in terms of $$ ... although I see them on production shoots all the time, especially for camera links. So I guess they're good?


Audio Limited is the Lectro of Europe.

[Necktie Boy]

Hi Tom,

Those older Lectrosonics may just have to be sent back to the mothership, and be given a tune up. Yes, the VHF are old, but they are still better than low cost wireless. I still use a VHF, and it has been a workhorse. A tune up will get them back up to spec's.

If you are looking for something smaller, the G3's are better than the G2's. A better lave will help, alot.

I think the name of the company is called J-Rod. They had a mount than was an add-on to the mic holder, that had a hotshoe. You could mount the G3 receiver with the hotshoe mount on the EX-1/3.

[The Thing on The Sticks]

Originally Posted by canuckcam

Zaxcom has always been out of reach in terms of $$ ... although I see them on production shoots all the time, especially for camera links. So I guess they're good?


Audio Limited is the Lectro of Europe.

Yeah I have only just started to become familiar with them since I have started moving into that kind of work. But There are 2 products they make which I am considering might really be worth the money. The first is the camera link you mentioned as it is a 2 channel (or 4 if you buy that one) transmitter and Receiver. Which would give me a camera hop without having to use multiple pieces of kit. The other which is relatively new is a series of transmitters that also record a timecode locked backup on the transmitter so there is nothing lost if you take an rf hit.

[die123]

It seems to be very little search in that one topic.