Canon Xl1 with Mic Sony WCS 999 is noisy. at DVinfo.net

Julio Laffont · May 10th, 2009, 02:49 PM

Hi. I bought a new Sony lavalier WCS 999 wireless mic to work with XL1 but I'm not sure if I did the right buy. Mic is always noisy not matter what channel or frequence I choose. I wonder if there is a way to boost the quality or it's simply a waist of time?. I don't know. if someone knows the proper settings (if any exist) to use the WCS 999, I will be grateful to read about your experience. If it's a waist of time, I'll glad to read that too.
Best Regards.
Julian.

Don Palomaki · May 12th, 2009, 08:12 PM

Considering the under $100 price point you can expect this wireless system to have a relatively high noise level. (Sony does not give a signal to noise rating in the spec, which is usually not a good sign). However, it is possible you have a system wiht an unusually high noise level.

Based on the published specs, I would think you may get the best results if you use the XL1 at mic or mic ATT input level and use manual gain control to prevent noise pumping during quieter parts of the program.

Can you post a short sample of the sound you are getting when the mic is worn my a speaker.

Julio Laffont · May 13th, 2009, 12:20 PM

Thanks Don. Already tested your suggestions. Nothing works. In short range distance, the audio comes and go like you are trying to manually sinthonize a very distant radio signal. Seems to be the communication between the transmitter and the receptor is very weak. Speacially if the speaker moves or walk. I was doing a party. The speaker was at 3 meters (10 feets) away, and the audio was full of glitches with very short by high pics of noise. I saved all the speech in FCP and looks just acceptable know, but the WCS 999 gives me more problems than solution. The idea was ask if I can boost the signal or just forget about it and buy something better. i though that Sony usually deliver affordable but reliable products. Maybe I did something wrong but doesn't look to me that the WCS 999 is the case.
Now I'm reading the back of the device. I found this: . The specification Number 2) Say: This device must accept any interference received. Including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Well. I think it's clear..

Don Palomaki · May 13th, 2009, 04:52 PM

There are several type of noise, commonly there is self-noise that is a background hiss, louder with lower cost mics. Then there is external noise, often caused by some type of interference ranging from fluorescent lights to motors to power lines to cell phones to other radio and TV transmitters. The better wireless mics have lower self noise and higher immunity to external noise.

From your brief description, you have an interference problem. A better, diversity, system operating in a different frequency band may work much better for you. Expect to pay more like $500 for a reasonable UHF wireless system.

Chris Soucy · May 13th, 2009, 05:04 PM

You're not alone with the Sony WCS 999.

This from the Sony web site, no less.....

WCS-999 | WCS-999 Wireless Microphone System | Sony | SonyStyle USA

Click on "Review".

Basically it appears to be rubbish.

Whatever you do, don't go upgrading to a second hand unit.

With the recent ongoing change of available frequencies, a lot of stuff out there is simply either not going to work or will be plagued by interference or will be illegal (possibly all three).

The new Sennheiser G3 system would be a pretty impressive move from where you are.

CS

Julio Laffont · May 14th, 2009, 06:33 AM

Thanks Cris, Thanks Don for your suggestions and ideas. I always understood the consecuences between cheap price: cheap results, but in this case I found that cheap price mean bad results, that is very uncommon in Sony Devices. It's sound to me like you go to the pet shop to buy a nice affordable dog and they answer: I have one for $25, but is dead...I will buy something better..not a dead dog..
Best Regards.

May 10th, 2009, 02:49 PM	#1
Julio Laffont Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 51	Canon Xl1 with Mic Sony WCS 999 is noisy. Hi. I bought a new Sony lavalier WCS 999 wireless mic to work with XL1 but I'm not sure if I did the right buy. Mic is always noisy not matter what channel or frequence I choose. I wonder if there is a way to boost the quality or it's simply a waist of time?. I don't know. if someone knows the proper settings (if any exist) to use the WCS 999, I will be grateful to read about your experience. If it's a waist of time, I'll glad to read that too. Best Regards. Julian.

May 12th, 2009, 08:12 PM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Considering the under $100 price point you can expect this wireless system to have a relatively high noise level. (Sony does not give a signal to noise rating in the spec, which is usually not a good sign). However, it is possible you have a system wiht an unusually high noise level. Based on the published specs, I would think you may get the best results if you use the XL1 at mic or mic ATT input level and use manual gain control to prevent noise pumping during quieter parts of the program. Can you post a short sample of the sound you are getting when the mic is worn my a speaker. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

May 13th, 2009, 12:20 PM	#3
Julio Laffont Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 51	Canon Xl1 with Mic Sony WCS 999 is noisy. Thanks Don. Already tested your suggestions. Nothing works. In short range distance, the audio comes and go like you are trying to manually sinthonize a very distant radio signal. Seems to be the communication between the transmitter and the receptor is very weak. Speacially if the speaker moves or walk. I was doing a party. The speaker was at 3 meters (10 feets) away, and the audio was full of glitches with very short by high pics of noise. I saved all the speech in FCP and looks just acceptable know, but the WCS 999 gives me more problems than solution. The idea was ask if I can boost the signal or just forget about it and buy something better. i though that Sony usually deliver affordable but reliable products. Maybe I did something wrong but doesn't look to me that the WCS 999 is the case. Now I'm reading the back of the device. I found this: . The specification Number 2) Say: This device must accept any interference received. Including interference that may cause undesired operation. Well. I think it's clear..

May 13th, 2009, 04:52 PM	#4
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	There are several type of noise, commonly there is self-noise that is a background hiss, louder with lower cost mics. Then there is external noise, often caused by some type of interference ranging from fluorescent lights to motors to power lines to cell phones to other radio and TV transmitters. The better wireless mics have lower self noise and higher immunity to external noise. From your brief description, you have an interference problem. A better, diversity, system operating in a different frequency band may work much better for you. Expect to pay more like $500 for a reasonable UHF wireless system. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

May 13th, 2009, 05:04 PM	#5
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Hi guys........ You're not alone with the Sony WCS 999. This from the Sony web site, no less..... WCS-999 \| WCS-999 Wireless Microphone System \| Sony \| SonyStyle USA Click on "Review". Basically it appears to be rubbish. Whatever you do, don't go upgrading to a second hand unit. With the recent ongoing change of available frequencies, a lot of stuff out there is simply either not going to work or will be plagued by interference or will be illegal (possibly all three). The new Sennheiser G3 system would be a pretty impressive move from where you are. CS

May 14th, 2009, 06:33 AM	#6
Julio Laffont Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 51	Canon Xl1 with Mic Sony WCS 999 is noisy. Thanks Cris, Thanks Don for your suggestions and ideas. I always understood the consecuences between cheap price: cheap results, but in this case I found that cheap price mean bad results, that is very uncommon in Sony Devices. It's sound to me like you go to the pet shop to buy a nice affordable dog and they answer: I have one for $25, but is dead...I will buy something better..not a dead dog.. Best Regards.