Audio Setup Help! at DVinfo.net

Eric Lawler · April 28th, 2010, 06:38 AM

I am an outdoor hunting and fishing videographer and I currently I have a Sony HDR-FX1000 with a Sony ECM-CG1 Gun Microphone and I am looking to expand my audio capabilities with wireless microphones. Since I am limited to just the stereo mini input jack I was wondering what my options are for expanding my inputs for wireless microphones. I was looking into BeachTeks DXA-2T but I have no idea what else is out there or if the BeachTek is of any quality. Also, I could use some suggestions on quality wireless microphones with the ability to have at least two microphones. Thanks!

-Eric

Richard Crowley · April 28th, 2010, 07:10 AM

BeachTek is a well-regarded vendor and makes quality products.
In addition, there are these vendors of similar XLR adapters and preamps...
JuicedLink: Landing_Adapters (There is a display ad currently running on this page!)
Sign Video: XLR-PRO XLR adapter
Studio1: XLR Adapter - XLR Adapter to mini plug for video cameras XLR Audio Adapter

The general consensus for wireless mics is that the Sennheiser G3 series is the lowest-cost quality product. Anything less is a cheap, fiddly, unreliable plastic toy and a waste of money. Note that there are varieties that use a small, battery operated receiver, and others that use a larger, mains-powered box. The former are the kind intended for portable use on a camcorder.

There are also products that have TWO receivers built into the same small package and are ideal for use on a camcorder with two wireless mics.

Eric Lawler · April 28th, 2010, 07:13 AM

Richard, thanks for the suggestions. I was looking at the Sennheiser G3 last night but do I need two recievers to run two mics?

Steve House · April 28th, 2010, 08:11 AM

Yes, you need a receiver channel for each mic so with the G3, two transmitter/receiver sets.

Rick Reineke · April 28th, 2010, 09:17 AM

As Steve stated, you absolutely do need two receiver channels for two transmitters. (You can use a single transmitter and two receivers on the same frequency channel, (Ex: a two camera shoot) but not the other way around.
Your other option is a two-channel system such as the 'affordable' Audio Technica 1800. In addition, that system has the option of 'mixing' the two channels within the dual-receiver pack. However if you have two camera audio channels, what's the point of mixing them together on location.. Another issue you may want to consider is a transmitter with a built-in limiter, such as some of the Lectros. A gun-shot will most likely clip the firearm shooter's transmitter which has been gain-staged for dialog.

Dean Sensui · April 28th, 2010, 12:35 PM

The Audio-Technica 1800 system would be a very good choice. It features a dual receiver that not only picks up two independent channels but also operates as a diversity receiver that instantly switches over to the antenna getting a better signal. The result is dropout-free operation.

I've been using them for a few years now and they are the next best thing to a hardwired mic.

Dan Brockett · April 28th, 2010, 03:21 PM

Hi Dean:

I have the 1800 system as well as two of the older AT-100 systems. I have tried different combinations of lavaliere elements (stock one, Tram and AT-899), fresh batteries, changing frequencies, etc. and I still come to the conclusion that in comparison to the old AT-100s or the Lectros I sometimes rent, the 1800 system is quite noisy. Really noisy. I used them on a film I shot last year with five kids, had my 100s on two of them and my 1800s on two of them and a Lectro on one of them. The 1800s had a high level of operating hiss that I ended up having to noise reduce. Not something that the average viewer would hear but with headphones on, big difference.

I take it you have not experienced that? Have you used them on a quiet soundstage, I know you mostly shoot outdoors, right?

Dan

Dean Sensui · April 28th, 2010, 03:43 PM

Dan...

What kind of noise are you experiencing? Mine are pretty quiet. I haven't used it on a soundstage but I do some indoor recording with it, and the noise problem I had was air conditioning rumble.

At NAB Fred Ginsberg told me that the older models had some problems that were addressed in later revisions, so you might want to check with the Audio Technica people. Maybe send yours in for service with a note describing the problem and, if possible, a sample recording of the noise.

One of the two units I have exhibited a very low "clinking" sound immediately following vocal expressions. I sent it in, along with a sample recording, and the unit was replaced. That was the first one I'd bought.

Don Bloom · April 28th, 2010, 06:27 PM

I have noticed a very slight and I mean very slight noise with my 1800 set but I have a simple preset on my NLE that eliminates it completely and with out harming anything else in the audio. Honestly I'm not going to worry about it and if I didn't fix it in post I doubt any of my wedding clients would notice it. Maybe one of my corporate guys but even that is iffy.
I can honestly say that the AT1800 dual is one of the best investments I ever made.

Bill Warshaw · May 3rd, 2010, 05:48 PM

If there is even a chance that the subject will be getting wet, you may want to look at the Lectrosonics MM400c transmitter.

April 28th, 2010, 06:38 AM	#1
Eric Lawler Tourist Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Deer Park, NY Posts: 2	Audio Setup Help! I am an outdoor hunting and fishing videographer and I currently I have a Sony HDR-FX1000 with a Sony ECM-CG1 Gun Microphone and I am looking to expand my audio capabilities with wireless microphones. Since I am limited to just the stereo mini input jack I was wondering what my options are for expanding my inputs for wireless microphones. I was looking into BeachTeks DXA-2T but I have no idea what else is out there or if the BeachTek is of any quality. Also, I could use some suggestions on quality wireless microphones with the ability to have at least two microphones. Thanks! -Eric

April 28th, 2010, 08:11 AM	#4
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Yes, you need a receiver channel for each mic so with the G3, two transmitter/receiver sets. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

April 28th, 2010, 09:17 AM	#5
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	As Steve stated, you absolutely do need two receiver channels for two transmitters. (You can use a single transmitter and two receivers on the same frequency channel, (Ex: a two camera shoot) but not the other way around. Your other option is a two-channel system such as the 'affordable' Audio Technica 1800. In addition, that system has the option of 'mixing' the two channels within the dual-receiver pack. However if you have two camera audio channels, what's the point of mixing them together on location.. Another issue you may want to consider is a transmitter with a built-in limiter, such as some of the Lectros. A gun-shot will most likely clip the firearm shooter's transmitter which has been gain-staged for dialog. Last edited by Rick Reineke; April 28th, 2010 at 02:19 PM.

April 28th, 2010, 12:35 PM	#6
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	The Audio-Technica 1800 system would be a very good choice. It features a dual receiver that not only picks up two independent channels but also operates as a diversity receiver that instantly switches over to the antenna getting a better signal. The result is dropout-free operation. I've been using them for a few years now and they are the next best thing to a hardwired mic. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

April 28th, 2010, 03:43 PM	#8
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Dan... What kind of noise are you experiencing? Mine are pretty quiet. I haven't used it on a soundstage but I do some indoor recording with it, and the noise problem I had was air conditioning rumble. At NAB Fred Ginsberg told me that the older models had some problems that were addressed in later revisions, so you might want to check with the Audio Technica people. Maybe send yours in for service with a note describing the problem and, if possible, a sample recording of the noise. One of the two units I have exhibited a very low "clinking" sound immediately following vocal expressions. I sent it in, along with a sample recording, and the unit was replaced. That was the first one I'd bought. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

April 28th, 2010, 07:10 AM	#2
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	BeachTek is a well-regarded vendor and makes quality products. In addition, there are these vendors of similar XLR adapters and preamps... JuicedLink: Landing_Adapters (There is a display ad currently running on this page!) Sign Video: XLR-PRO XLR adapter Studio1: XLR Adapter - XLR Adapter to mini plug for video cameras XLR Audio Adapter The general consensus for wireless mics is that the Sennheiser G3 series is the lowest-cost quality product. Anything less is a cheap, fiddly, unreliable plastic toy and a waste of money. Note that there are varieties that use a small, battery operated receiver, and others that use a larger, mains-powered box. The former are the kind intended for portable use on a camcorder. There are also products that have TWO receivers built into the same small package and are ideal for use on a camcorder with two wireless mics.

April 28th, 2010, 07:13 AM	#3
Eric Lawler Tourist Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Deer Park, NY Posts: 2	Richard, thanks for the suggestions. I was looking at the Sennheiser G3 last night but do I need two recievers to run two mics?

April 28th, 2010, 03:21 PM	#7
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Hi Dean: I have the 1800 system as well as two of the older AT-100 systems. I have tried different combinations of lavaliere elements (stock one, Tram and AT-899), fresh batteries, changing frequencies, etc. and I still come to the conclusion that in comparison to the old AT-100s or the Lectros I sometimes rent, the 1800 system is quite noisy. Really noisy. I used them on a film I shot last year with five kids, had my 100s on two of them and my 1800s on two of them and a Lectro on one of them. The 1800s had a high level of operating hiss that I ended up having to noise reduce. Not something that the average viewer would hear but with headphones on, big difference. I take it you have not experienced that? Have you used them on a quiet soundstage, I know you mostly shoot outdoors, right? Dan

April 28th, 2010, 06:27 PM	#9
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I have noticed a very slight and I mean very slight noise with my 1800 set but I have a simple preset on my NLE that eliminates it completely and with out harming anything else in the audio. Honestly I'm not going to worry about it and if I didn't fix it in post I doubt any of my wedding clients would notice it. Maybe one of my corporate guys but even that is iffy. I can honestly say that the AT1800 dual is one of the best investments I ever made. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

May 3rd, 2010, 05:48 PM	#10
Bill Warshaw Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brea, CA Posts: 37	If there is even a chance that the subject will be getting wet, you may want to look at the Lectrosonics MM400c transmitter.