Wireless lavalier mics at DVinfo.net

Nicolas Gulino · July 23rd, 2007, 08:50 PM

Hi everyone,
On the topic of the Sennheiser G2 100 wireless mics, does anyone have a recommendation from among the ME2 or ME4 A, B, or C models available from BH Photo? The price is the same ($499) but the mics are slightly different, thus my confusion.
Any recommendations/suggestions greatly appreciated (I'm leaning towards the Senn, but I'm open to non-Sennheiser suggestions for a UHF wireless lav system under $1000).
Thanks,
N

Seth Bloombaum · July 23rd, 2007, 11:47 PM

The ME2 is an omni-directional lav, which is almost certainly what you want. The ME4 is a cardoid pattern, and generally is a poor choice for video recording - you don't want directionality in the mic, you depend on it being close to the source.

The A, B, and C are different freq. ranges. Generally, you want a range that avoids the greatest number of digital TV stations and/or any other sources of interference in your area. Sorry, don't know much about the appropriate frequency range for Montreal.

Nicolas Gulino · July 24th, 2007, 09:04 AM

Thank you for your reply, Seth, this really helps. I'll look into the frequency question for Montreal. BTW, I see you're in Portland; I lived in Eugene for a number of years (Beautiful state...I miss the ocean and the mountains!).

Peter Moretti · August 8th, 2007, 12:51 AM

Seth,

Do you have an opinion of the ME2 versus the MKE2. The "K" version is about $500 more; I'm wondering if it's justified.

I'm recording voices, not music, for a documentary that has the possibility (allbeit a small one) of theatrical release. I'll be recording through an SD 302 mixer doubled to both a Sony HDR-FX1 and an SD 702 recorder.

THANKS!

Seth Bloombaum · August 8th, 2007, 10:36 AM

Your other sound investments and potential theater release certainly justify upgrading the stock ME2 that comes with the Senn. units. You'll hear the difference when listening on good studio reference monitors.

I hear that the MKE2 is an excellent mic (I've not used it). But there is no need to stick with a Senn. element. Sanken COS-11 and Countryman B6 seem to be favorite's of people on this forum. I've used them occasionally and they are excellent. I also like the Tram TR50 and the Sony ECM77 very much. It would be hard to go wrong with any of these mics.

Some retailers (B&H, for example) will sell you systems that are pre-bundled with the mics of your choice.

Sara Cantor · August 8th, 2007, 02:10 PM

I'm looking to buy a wireless lav for my Canon GL2, for documentary-like ethnographic research. I'm stuck between two mics from different brands. Both are $499, which is my max budget. Their online descriptions don't really help me understand the differences between them.

One is the Sony:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/SZ2250/

The other is the Senny:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/SH3112/

How are these two different? The Sennheiser appears to have more functionality, but that could just be the way the descriptions are written.

Thanks so much,

Sara

Cary Lee · August 14th, 2007, 03:30 PM

If you can find some used Lectrosonics...it will be better than the Senns because it sounds more natural. I got used Lecto 195 setup from coffeesound for about a grand. Switched out the mic to a tram 50 and the sound is superb.

Greg Boston · August 14th, 2007, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sara Cantor

I'm looking to buy a wireless lav for my Canon GL2, for documentary-like ethnographic research. I'm stuck between two mics from different brands. Both are $499, which is my max budget. Their online descriptions don't really help me understand the differences between them.

One is the Sony:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/SZ2250/

The other is the Senny:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/SH3112/

How are these two different? The Sennheiser appears to have more functionality, but that could just be the way the descriptions are written.

Thanks so much,

Sara

They are similar. I have the Sony lav you linked to. It is more or less equivalent to the Sennheiser system, hence the similar pricing. With either system, you can upgrade to a nicer mic as your funds permit. Since you have a GL2, I should point out that the Sony system for sure has an adapter that mounts the receiver in the camera shoe. This is important since you don't have many other mounting choices with that camera.

-gb-

Peter Moretti · August 15th, 2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sara Cantor

I'm looking to buy a wireless lav for my Canon GL2, for documentary-like ethnographic research. I'm stuck between two mics from different brands. Both are $499, which is my max budget. Their online descriptions don't really help me understand the differences between them.

One is the Sony:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/SZ2250/

The other is the Senny:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/SH3112/

How are these two different? The Sennheiser appears to have more functionality, but that could just be the way the descriptions are written.

Thanks so much,

Sara

I wound up choosing the Senn b/c it has a metal transmitter and seems to be favored by people I've spoken with out here. That said, I've heard and read very good things about the Sony as well, save the plastic.

July 23rd, 2007, 08:50 PM	#1
Nicolas Gulino New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 12	Wireless lavalier mics Hi everyone, On the topic of the Sennheiser G2 100 wireless mics, does anyone have a recommendation from among the ME2 or ME4 A, B, or C models available from BH Photo? The price is the same ($499) but the mics are slightly different, thus my confusion. Any recommendations/suggestions greatly appreciated (I'm leaning towards the Senn, but I'm open to non-Sennheiser suggestions for a UHF wireless lav system under $1000). Thanks, N

August 8th, 2007, 02:10 PM	#6
Sara Cantor New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 12	Similar question I'm looking to buy a wireless lav for my Canon GL2, for documentary-like ethnographic research. I'm stuck between two mics from different brands. Both are $499, which is my max budget. Their online descriptions don't really help me understand the differences between them. One is the Sony: http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/SZ2250/ The other is the Senny: http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/SH3112/ How are these two different? The Sennheiser appears to have more functionality, but that could just be the way the descriptions are written. Thanks so much, Sara __________________ Not to transmit an experience is to betray it // Elie Wiesel

August 14th, 2007, 03:30 PM	#7
Cary Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood USA Posts: 128	If you can find some used Lectrosonics...it will be better than the Senns because it sounds more natural. I got used Lecto 195 setup from coffeesound for about a grand. Switched out the mic to a tram 50 and the sound is superb. __________________ Canon XHA1, SGpro,Flip,FF, RR Mattebox, Nebtek V-R70p-HDA with Canon, Nikkor Primes 24mm f2.8, 28mm f2.8, 35mm f2.0, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4, 105mm f1.8, 135mm f2.0, and 300mm f4.0.

July 23rd, 2007, 11:47 PM	#2
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	The ME2 is an omni-directional lav, which is almost certainly what you want. The ME4 is a cardoid pattern, and generally is a poor choice for video recording - you don't want directionality in the mic, you depend on it being close to the source. The A, B, and C are different freq. ranges. Generally, you want a range that avoids the greatest number of digital TV stations and/or any other sources of interference in your area. Sorry, don't know much about the appropriate frequency range for Montreal.

July 24th, 2007, 09:04 AM	#3
Nicolas Gulino New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 12	Thank you for your reply, Seth, this really helps. I'll look into the frequency question for Montreal. BTW, I see you're in Portland; I lived in Eugene for a number of years (Beautiful state...I miss the ocean and the mountains!).

August 8th, 2007, 12:51 AM	#4
Peter Moretti Trustee Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 1,259	Seth, Do you have an opinion of the ME2 versus the MKE2. The "K" version is about $500 more; I'm wondering if it's justified. I'm recording voices, not music, for a documentary that has the possibility (allbeit a small one) of theatrical release. I'll be recording through an SD 302 mixer doubled to both a Sony HDR-FX1 and an SD 702 recorder. THANKS!

August 8th, 2007, 10:36 AM	#5
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Your other sound investments and potential theater release certainly justify upgrading the stock ME2 that comes with the Senn. units. You'll hear the difference when listening on good studio reference monitors. I hear that the MKE2 is an excellent mic (I've not used it). But there is no need to stick with a Senn. element. Sanken COS-11 and Countryman B6 seem to be favorite's of people on this forum. I've used them occasionally and they are excellent. I also like the Tram TR50 and the Sony ECM77 very much. It would be hard to go wrong with any of these mics. Some retailers (B&H, for example) will sell you systems that are pre-bundled with the mics of your choice.