I used the DPA mic on a bunch of interviews recently where I used the 8040 as my boom mic. We ended up using the 8040 because we liked the warmth of it over the DPA. Because I use the Deva with the mics, I have the luxury of using either source. I still tend to stick with the Sanken COS-11 for almost all of the film shoots, but that's because I use a combination of the Zaxcom and Lectro units and only have one DPA mic, which is wired for the Zaxcom wireless.

Honestly though, I would have no issue replacing the Sanken mics with DPA mics, I think both are superior lavs over a lot of other options. The other issue and Dan will hit on this in his article later, just because a lav sounds great in a wired environment, that doesn't mean it will work well with the wireless gear you own. Both the TRX900 and 411 systems come about as close to being wired as you can get (the Lectro 200 isn't shabby either). The issue of course is money (isn't it always?)... I have had to build my wireless collection over time (the 411s are about 3K with TT&L, the TRX900 4K), so you have work with what you have, which is why I still use the Sanken mics over replacing everything for DPA mics. Although I have been toying with the idea of ordering another DPA mic so I can mix & match easier.

Wayne

Dan,

[QUOTE=Dan Keaton;857756]
The kit that you referred to, called an "ENG" model which includes two transmitters, one camera mountable and one plug-in model for another microphone. As long as you have only one receiver, you can only use one transmitter at a time. If you get a second recevier, then you can use both transmitters
[/QUOTE}.

What's a plug on transmitter?

I thought the receiver plugged onto the camera's hot shoe :)

I looked at B&H first. Could find the G2 there so I went looking elsewhere. :)

Please purchase from one of this site's sponsors. If you check, you will see that B&H's price is lower than Amazon. Just click on the "Email me a Better Price" button."

Ok, got it now.

A "Plug-on" or "Butt-Plug" transmitter is a wireless transmitter that usually plugs directly into a micrphone. It converts a regular microphone into a wireless microphone.

Also, you can use the "Butt-Plug" transmiter as another wireless transmittter with most any lavaliere microhone, if you have an XLR output on the microphone.

This is the Sennheiser unit with the plug-on or "Butt Plug" transmitter:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...00_Series.html



This set costs less since it does not have the "Butt Plug" transmitter.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...00_Series.html


Here is the cable you need if you want to use an XLR mic as input to the Sennheiser 100/500 series transmitters

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...aded_Male.html

The Sennheiser receiver can plug into your existing 1/8" microphone input, or to your XLR input. Two separate cables are provided, one for each option.

Dan,

Thanks for the links and explanation.

Ok, I get the "Butt-plug" concept (however, I must admit I always thought it was something completely different :)).

No actually that's the one thing I got from the start. That's a transmitter. The other two also look like transmitters, so what I don't get is where it the receiver and does the receiver mount on the camera's hot shoe?

The first link you mention in your last post if the item I've been looking at. The description totally confuses me:

<quote>
Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 Series - Camera Mountable UHF Wireless Lavalier and Plug-On Bundle with EK100G2 Receiver, SKP100G2 Plug-On Transmitter, SK100G2 BodyPack Transmitter and ME2 Microphone (A 518-554 MHz)
</quote>


A camera mountable wireless lav is not what I want. :) I want a camera mountable (battery operated) wireless receiver. Now when I look at the features I know what I'm getting but then the picture confuses me.

So if I want:
1. A Wireless microphone set
2. Comes with transmitter and lav mic
3. Comes with camera mounted (AA battery operated) receiver
4. Comes with a plug-on (which is a transmitter) thus allowing me to use any XLR mic as a wireless mic. if needed
5. Comes with a cable that allows me to hook the receiver to my camera's XLR inputs.

Then this is it (albeit an entry level model)?

By "Camera Mounted Wireless Lav", means a camera mounted wireless microphone receiver, in other words, a camera mounted receiver.

As you already know, the lavaliere microphone connects to the wireless transmitter and is not attached to the camera.

The Sennheiser 100/500 units include a optional bracket that can be attached to the camera shot. This is just a bracket to hold the wireless receiver in place. It is provided in case you want that option.

Yes, Your choice makes sense.

Hi Dan,

Ok, I'm finally there. Just one more thing. When you said, "includes and optional bracket" is that what they call the "Camera adapter"?

Probably is. Just got confused again with "includes the optional xxx" :).

You've been a great help Dan. I would have been struggling with this for at least another week (which I don't have).

Thank you for helping and clarifying all this for me.

Shiv.

Yes, the bracket and "Camera Adapter" are the same thing.

This is an adapter which holds the wireless receiver which then mounts on the camera's cold/hot shoe.

Dear Shiv,

The Sennheiser units that I linked to are Frequency A units. There are also Frequency B and Frequency C units.

Personally, I would avoid Frequency C as this portion of the frequency spectrum may not be available in the future.

The Sennheiser web site has a frequency chart which can be helpful in determining if you need Frequency A or B.

Your dealer should be able to help you with frequency selection.

Dan,

Wow, so that does make a big difference then. I just thought one takes a pick :).

Thanks for the heads up!

Ok, so I found the chart but (what's new) I have a bunch of questions :)

I live in VA but I intend to use the mic (at least) all over the US. Well not all over but you know what I mean. I don't want to be tethered to a state for pete's sake :).

Besides, I can't even begin to understand the chart, there is no legend for the colors in use.

I guess I need to call B&H huh?

Dear Shiv,

I have used the "A Fequency" very successfully in the Southeastern United States without a problem.

I understand that Richmond, Virginia is a problem area for the "A Frequency".

In any case, be prepared to test your frequencies and choose a different one if you have interference.

Ok, will do. Thanks again Dan!

Here is the Sennheiser Frequency Finder.


http://www.sennheiserusa.com/findfrequency/default.asp

Buying advice
 

Shiv:

This would be a case, as much as I like them and regularly buy from them, NOT to buy from a box house like B&H.

An audio specialist like Trew Audio could answer all of the questions you are asking Dan and more (not that Dan can't answer them, of course, but he isn't getting paid)

Spend a few more bucks and buy from a professional audio source, you need major education and that's exactly why audio specialist stores like Coffey, Trew and Location Sound exist and why they are worth a few bucks more. That's where the pros buy from, unless it's just something small and they know exactly what they want.

I can tell from the length and breadth of this thread that calls to B&H on all of these details would not yield the information you need.

Best,

Dan

Dan, you know I started down this route. Price is not a factor for me, as in 20-50 bucks is not going to make my day.

I called Zzsounds (I've bought from tem before and they really helped out and the guy I spoke to knew what he was talking about that first time) and spoke to two different people. Essentially, they said the receiver can't be battery operated (I didn't know much myself at that time), so I was quite disappointed, since I wanted to be mobile too (as in the camera should be mobile too).

Then I search B&H and found that called them "portable" or some such thing. That revived the whole issue again. Then I posted here and we went for a long spin :).

I do appreciate people's help. (I do the same for things I know about :)) and try not to abuse that.

I would never have known it would go down to "what part of the world/country" :).

One of the guys I spoke to from Zzounds ask me if I intended to use the mic in the Pittsburg area and I said I don't follow the question (Pittsburg??!!??, what the heck has Pittsburg got to do with me buying a mic? I think to myself.). I thought maybe Pittsburg has some law that no other place had.

Then it kind of all came together when Dan talked of the frequency chart. Bing! So that's what Pittsburg had to do with it!

So it's been a learning experience but I didn't want to do it at others people's expense.

So Dan, and Dan and everyone else. Thank you and sorry.

Shiv.

Dear Shiv,

It is perfectly ok to ask questions. In fact, it is encouraged.

We are all here to either help, or to learn.

I agree with Dan B. concerning purchasing from an audio dealer.

I try to be very loyal to my audio dealer, the advice that I have received from him is priceless.

No need to be sorry. As Dan said, that's what the forums are for.

I just wanted to let you know that the great and very detailed information that Dan has provided is also available from pro sound places. We have to support these places or they won't be around. Think of B&H as the WalMart of pro electronics. I love B&H and have bought hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gear from them over the years but the fact is, they, like what WalMart does to mom and pops all over the world, drive small audio specialists out of business because everyone thinks that the absolute lowest price is always the "best deal". And we REALLY need audio specialists.

Dan knows what he is talking about but just beware that there are lots of sources about sound on the Internet that are not as knowledgeable or have sponsor agendas. I have bought from Location Sound, Trew Audio, Coffey Sound and The Sound Room and they are all GREAT knowledge resources and deal with the guys and gals who are actually out doing the real audio work out there that we all hear every day. It's refreshing to buy from someone who takes an interest in your questions and issues and will stand by what they sell you. B&H, as much as I love them, are a box house. All they sell are "boxes".

Best,

Dan

Dan,

Yes, I understand about B&H. I buy most of my stuff from them too but some odd things I buy from else where.

Shiv.

And in fact, a lot of times those stores are cheaper than the big box stores. Also, if you are production/post-production company registered in California, you pay only 3% sales tax.

One of the best things I've ever done is buy local or from specialty shops. I had consecutive bad experiences with a big box store who shall remain nameless, and told them that if they didn't rectify the last instance, I would no longer be a customer. They didn't, so I'm honoring my end of the bargain.

don't count on the box movers to do what you need in an emergency either. I bought a lav from Trew and for some reason, when the shop put a TA5 on it, they forget to put the RF blocking caps in it for lectrosonics. I got it weds, tested it thurs and found it picked up hum / RF. I called Trew thurs, fedexed it back to them friday delivery, and they sent it back to me fedex saturday so I was good to go on my monday shoot. its that level of service and understanding that YOUR income depends on the gear working which separates the pro dealers from the box movers. I only buy from B&H for commodity items like tape or some weird item no one else has in stock. now not all local dealers are that great either, I know a few that are basically box movers too, but by and large the real pro level vendors are known, and didn't get their reps without supporting their customers as needed.

I wish I could have been there to hear the recordings with my own ears.

The DPA 4061 sounds great. It's got that close, intimate presence quality to it, it seems to block out virtually all the room tone. But having listened to the samples on and off since the article went live, I'm wondering whether a bit of room tone is actually appropriate. I suppose I could use a boundary mic or something to capture and then lay on as much as I wanted- easier to add than subtract when audio is concerned, yes?

The DPA 4071 I was less keen on. To my ears, ears that I'm sure will be derided, it was very close to the much much cheaper AT 899. Since I'm thinking about getting the AT 1821 set (dual channel receiver, twin body pack transmitters, and two AT899cw mics), there wouldn't be much point getting something that has a similar sound.

Though the 4071 seems to have more accessories that I'd have use for- particularly the fluffy windshield. So, to Dan, or anyone who's used them- could I use the 4071 accessories on a 4061? I can see the length is different, but is the diameter, which I suppose must be the deciding factor.

Also, would I not be better off with the DPA 4060, with the higher sensitivity? I figure I can always lower gain on the transmitter, but my recorder of choice is the Tascam HD-P2, and that gets a bit noisy when I push the gain up. Then, if I'm right, the only thing I lose is that the 4061 has higher maximum SPL, but even if used for singing, or scenes with shouting, am I likely to hit 134dB?

Hi Phil:

Interesting you say that, I still hear a decent amount of room tone in the samples of the 4061. Definitely easier to add than subtract.

All of th DPA accessories are add-on extras, including the fluffy windscreen. Since you are in the U.K., you need to contact the distributer in the U.K. to determine how the mic is packaged there. In the U.S., they have accessories kits or you can buy them individually. It's kind of confusing honestly, I would contact your local distributer and clarify what it what and which accessories are available.

I had no problems with the sensitivity of the 4061.

Dan

Field mixer reviews
 

This one one I am anxiously awaiting. I know this is a little off topic.... but it would be great if you could cover the field from about $500 and up, instead of starting higher which easily gets you into accepted "pro" gear.

I'm anxious to know how the noise floor is in some of the newer "prosumer" stuff, as well as build, utility etc.

I know you'll do your usual excellent job. You perform a great service to us all. Thanks.

Chris

Wow, this thread rocks. I have little experience with sound recording and have been trying to decide on a hardwired lav to use with my Canon XH-A1. Pretty sure I'm gonna go with a COS-11x. Your tests and samples are a goldmine. Thanks Dan!

Chris:

Do you mean for the wireless units? I think that will be my next hardware test, I already have the Audio Technica 1800 series waiting to be tested. If you are talking about wireless, then yes, $500.00 is the cutoff. I will be testing units that are $500.00 and up (way up, once you get into Lectro 400 and Zaxcom territory ;-)

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Paul:

Glad the article was of help to you in making up your mind which lav will do the trick for you. The COS-11x is an excellent mic, you will love it.

Dan