Looking For Wireless Lav System
 

Hello.

I have been asked to document vising artists' lectures at the college I graduated from. I am looking for a decent, yet not too expensive lav system that is compatible with my A1. I found this, but need to make sure it will play nice with my camera. Let me know if this will do, or suggest other systems that will work nicely. I am on a tightish budget, and was hoping for under $1,000 (but under $500 would be great!)

Thanks in advance!

I'm currently using a Samson AirLine AM1 unit and it is great. I got it from one of the vendors listed on the site here, Zotz Digital.

Anyways, it was inexpensive (memory tells me it was about $250). It includes a lav mic, the transmitter, a small receiver that mounts on the camera, and various little accessories like adaptor plugs. It will either plug into the "mic" opening on the top handle, or into the XLRs on the side.

It works pretty great for us. I do mostly product installations and interview stuff for truck/auto shows.

Video Examples:
Lund Tri-Fold Ramp Installation By Will Mahoney On ExposureRoom

Shoq Tire and Wheel Cleaner By Will Mahoney On ExposureRoom

Good luck!

Thanks! Price looks good, and has XLR. Two things I was looking for.

IU've been told XLR is more dependable than a mini jack when it comes to microphones. Is this true?

David, that unit you refer to is AC powered. Sure you want that?
The best deal in sub-$1K wireless systems, I think, is the Sennheser G2. It's about $500.

Yeah, I'd probably want something that doesn't need a wall outlet.

I see the Sennheiser G2's but the one that is camera mountable around $500 doesn't have XLR.

Actually it comes with both a mini and XLR connector.
Buy it here from Zotz Zotz Digital - combos multi channel - Sennheiser Evolution 112P G2 system
Usually around $550, I've bought three of them, and will buy more if needed.

Check this thread before you buy!
 

The FCC is considering banning certain wireless mic systems in the 700 MHz range, so be sure you're buying a system that's going to remain legal. Check out this thread for more info.

The Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 comes in several varieties, 518-554 MHz, 626-662 MHz and 740-776 MHz. The G2 seems to get great reviews, and I'm considering buying a set myself. Is there a reason why one would buy the 500MHz version over the 600MHz version, or vice versa, other than maybe trying to chose a less crowded band?

Hmmm...I'm used to B&H's site with how they spec the products.

This seems to be the same product (very nice, may buy it) on B&H's site. I've only purchased from them (so far) for my gear. Is Zotz cheaper or better in some way? They make you request quotes as opposed to telling you the price up front.

Thanks guys...I'm pretty newish at this. I just don't want to waste my money.

I've had a fantastic experience with my G2's... Very good investment... A very good thought out product...

Just to add another brand to the fire. Samson Micro 32 I've been very happy with.

$400ish at B&H.

I also bought a mini-xlr to XLR adapter and have even hooked my sennheiser shotgun to it (which saves laying a ton of cable at a wedding or something).

Sony UWP
 

Not mentioned so far are the dual diversity systems. In essence the receiver has two antennas. That means the receiver will always seek the strongest of two signals it receives. The result is far less chance of drops outs, changes in audio level etc.

I've been using this system for 4 or 5 years now and am very satisfied with not only the quality sound but also the range, dependability. I've been in large buildings in other rooms than the transmitter (ie lav on the talent) with no problems.

Check out B&H there are a number of reviews. Remember sound is "50% of the picture", you don't want to go cheap here. That said, I believe the UWP series is going for about $500 bucks a unit.

The Samson Micro 32 is a diversity model.

No offense Jeremiah..just trying to bring to light the value of diversity systems. Usually I'm not a big fan of Sony. So much of their stuff has proprietary fitments,cables etc.

No prob...and you're definitely right about that. My fried has a less expensive wireless system and it's usually good for about 10-15feet at most. The diversity rig was good for saving me laying about 75 feet of XLR up the aisle of a church during a wedding.

I just put a short mic tripod down on the floor and pointed it up with the shotgun on it. My camera was straight down the aisle--voila...got the pastor and the bride and groom and the speakers hanging from the ceiling. Saved me having to mic everyone. :)

In other situations, I've mic'd just the pastor, though.

I use the Sony UWP system.

Works well. Comes with a short XLR adaptor lead.

Seems to have an effective working range of about 100 metres.

Transmitter and receiver run for about 4 hours on rechargable AA batteries.

Yeah, Zotz doesn't give you the "instant gratification" that other sites do. It's nice to get in contact with a rep and have a guy you can call on and ask questions to which is what you get at Zotz. B&H seems to be a hassle to get in touch with people at times. I've bought from both. And either way I've never had a problem.

Zotz will give you a fair price, but if you're a newbie, which it sounds like you are, it might behoove you to call them up and see what they can do for.

What you picked out from B&H has the "plug in transmitter" which allows you to plug in a microphone which makes it wireless, or you can plug in the output of a mixer to it, and send the signal wirelessly to your camera, which is really helpful for concerts, speaking events, anything where you want to get "house" sound. It adds about $150 to the price, but well worth it.

You can also call Tapeworks Texas and talk to Scott. Both those place, TT and Zotz, have real people who spend the time to talk with you about things. Great customer service from both.

Yeah, I'm a newbie, but I shouldn't be. I'm proficient with the editing side of things, but haven't really used "good" equipment until now. I really appreciate the advice you people are giving me.

Now, my question is frequency...I notice on B&H's site they mention the Sennheiser G2s have 4 different frequency ranges they can each use, but then at the same time they say something to the effect "this works on channel A" or "this one is set channel B". I'm a tad baffled. Which frequency range should I pick? I live in Richmond, VA, which has a population of about 200,000 people. What if I move to Los Angeles or New York? Is there going to be a problem with which frequency set I pick?

David,
Totally call Zotz Digital. Actually, I filled out the "Contact Us" form on their website and I got a call from Tom just a few hours later. Or you can call them. He was very helpful in suggesting a few different models and he was able to talk to the strong and weak points of each system, not that any really have any "weak" points. But you get my drift.

Also, someone said something earlier about AC power for my Samson Airline system, then someone mentioned having to plug it into the wall...??? What? It's just a little wireless transmitter, and a little wireless receiver. They each take a AAA battery. There's no wall plug... :)

Good luck picking a unit. I'm never further than 15-20' from my subject, so range hasn't been an issue.

I think that person was referring to the product I linked to in the opening post.

Anyways, I picked up the Sennheiser Evolution G2 100. It works great. I selected it due to the recommendations here.

Thanks to everyone here for helping me.

100 metres? Wow, must be nice! I wouldn't trust mine that far, even outdoors.

I own the first generation UWP system and don't REGRET buying it but wish I would have had the budget for a little better sounding system (Like a Sony WRR 800 series at a couple of grand). Wireless audio in the budget category REALLY SHOULD be a last resort and not for mission critical work, as in "if this messes up, I'm screwed!"

The more one spends (in general terms), the better the wireless. The UWP is a reasonable transmitter/receiver combo but the supplied lavaliere head is AWFUL, although not as awful as the first generation Sennheiser Evolution's supplied lav. You MAY want to look into buying a "real" lavaliere mic for whatever transmitter/receiver package you ultimately purchase.

I've used the G2 and liked it's sound quality significantly better than the G1 Evolution. However, based on personal and anecdotal experience, the AA powered G2 is less robust in terms of distance and noise rejection than the 9v powered G1 Evolution.

Enjoy your purchase, at least until the FCC shuts us ALL down...

Re. your question about frequencies of a wireless system
 

David,

Although the below listed Audio-Technica 1800 Series system costs more than the other systems mentioned in this thread, ATW is an excellent choice nevertheless. It's frequency range is UHF Band D: 655.500 to 680.375 MHz. If you put a WTB query in the Private Classifieds, you might find an older system like the ATW 101U system available at a competitive price.

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wl...e38/index.html

Now turning to the question of frequencies, someone said you should choose a system that offers bands below 700 Mhz. This is correct as frequencies within the 700 band will be reallocated for other uses by the FCC.

Collis Davis

I agree with the advice above. The Audio technica ATW101 series (now replaced by the AT800 series) is often available for about half of the newer models and is a darned good workhorse. I have it both with the lav and with a plug on. The plug on is a little disappointing but otherwise the system works great. I am making an antenna for long distance wildlife applications.

If you must go new, the G2 is a great little wireless mic with some nifty features. There is a tutorial on here in a video you may find helpful.

I've got an original Sony UWP or UTX system. It is OK and mine came with an ECM77 on a 4pin hirose which was good luck.

100 meters....? I'd get your tape measure out and double check that... either that or I've just got a world record for sprinting!