dynamic mic with wireless xmitter?

Kevin Spahr · June 30th, 2010, 05:32 AM

I too was looking for a cable to go from an ew transmitter to mic...

It looks like the Sennheiser CM1 does not have the locking mini plug

but the Sennheiser CL2 does have the locking mini plug - it is a 6' cable and it is about half the cost.

Am I missing something?

Steve House · June 30th, 2010, 06:49 AM

The CL2 is wired to send a LINE level signal into the transmitter, not the MIC level signal you need. The line signal hot goes to the ring of the TRS plug while the mic signal hot goes to the tip.

Kevin Spahr · June 30th, 2010, 07:02 AM

Somebody at B&H should change their description :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/217589-REG/Sennheiser_CL2_CL_2_Transmitter_Line_Cable.html

Does the CM1 have a locking mini plug? The picture at B&H doesn't look like it does.

Both item descriptions at B&H mentions line level or microphone level.

John Willett · June 30th, 2010, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Spahr

I too was looking for a cable to go from an ew transmitter to mic...

It looks like the Sennheiser CM1 does not have the locking mini plug

but the Sennheiser CL2 does have the locking mini plug - it is a 6' cable and it is about half the cost.

Am I missing something?

If the CM-1 is a genuine Sennheiser part it *would* have a locking mini-jack.

If it was made by Sennheiser USA it *would* have a locking mini-jack.

A locking jack is essential to prevent noise and crackles.

If it was made by anyone else - that's another matter.

John Willett · June 30th, 2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Spahr

It looks like the Sennheiser CM1 does not have the locking mini plug

The CM-1 cable from Pro Acoustics definitely *does* have the locking plug, you can see it in the picture.

Kevin Spahr · June 30th, 2010, 07:18 AM

Very different photo at B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/310613-REG/Sennheiser_CM1.html

John Willett · July 6th, 2010, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Spahr

Very different photo at B&H:

Sennheiser - XLR Female Microphone Cable - CM1 - B&H Photo Video

I guess it's not a Sennheiser CM1, but one made up by B&H or Sennheiser USA.

Sennheiser did not make his cable at the start and it was made up by the local Sennheiser agent as required. I suspect that the demand and the request from Sennheiser agents for Sennheiser to make one eventually prompted them to make such a cable - and the B&H photo is the old one - just a guess.

Rick Reineke · July 6th, 2010, 12:37 PM

B&H does not make any cables AFAIK, That's not to say an outside third-party vender didn't.
I'll mention the error to the pro-audio dept. manager next time I'm around there.

Nick Popa · July 7th, 2010, 01:08 PM

I have the Sennheiser EW100 G3 Wireless ENG Kit
(http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/641012-REG/Sennheiser_EW100_G3_Wireless_ENG.html) and I had a few really simple/basic questions that I am curious about...

1. If I could stick my shotgun mic (rode ntg2, powered by a AA battery) on top of a boom pole, why not do it and not have to worry about the wires getting tripped over?? I feel like something is bad about this considering that you never see anyone doing it... is it a loss of quality? higher fail rate? a murphy's law preventative measure?

2. When hooking the receiver into my camera, what should I set the input setting too? "Line" "Mic" or "Mic +48v" When I use the "line" setting, I can't hear anything. But between the mic and mic 48v settings there is some difference, Which is the correct one?

3. Is there anyway to simultaneously use the "SKP100 G3 Plug-in Transmitter" and the "SK100 G3 Bodypack Transmitter" with the "EK100 G3 Receiver"?

Thanks everyone!

Edward Carlson · July 7th, 2010, 10:30 PM

1. You could do it, I have done it, but wireless always has the possibility of interference and dropouts.
2. See this video:

3. No. You would need two receivers on different channels.

Nick Popa · July 8th, 2010, 12:54 AM

Thanks Edward, that is some awesome information and a great video... but it doesn't actually answer my second question being.....
"When hooking the receiver into my camera, what should I set the input setting too? "Line" "Mic" or "Mic +48v" When I use the "line" setting, I can't hear anything. But between the mic and mic 48v settings there is some difference, Which is the correct one?"

And remember that is the Sennheiser EW100 G3 Wireless ENG Kit (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/641012-REG/Sennheiser_EW100_G3_Wireless_ENG.html)

Rick Reineke · July 8th, 2010, 09:27 AM

1. Yeah, that would work ... but.. how are you going to monitor what your doing? No problem for a stationary mic on a stand, but then what the point?

2. Select 'Mic' (w/ no attenuation). Set the AF level on the receiver to -18. This yields a strong mic-level signal with adequate head-room. Assuming the transmitter's sensitivity is setting is correct.

3. NO, but you can use one transmitter and two receivers.(or more) For instance sending the same audio to two or more cameras.

Edward Carlson · July 8th, 2010, 11:02 AM

Well you absolutely don't need 40 volt phantom power. That's for condenser mics without batteries, like a shotgun. My G2 system is set up with -12 dB AF Out, running into my camera at mic level.

Nick Popa · July 8th, 2010, 02:17 PM

Thanks guys!
But one more beginner question, When DO you use the "line" setting on the camera? I always used mic or mic48v for everything and never line. Even when getting mixer signals (which is when I would have assumed you would use it). Thanks again

Kevin Spahr · July 8th, 2010, 02:49 PM

Well, got my bit and pieces and here's my first hand experience...

When the tip of the 3.5mm jack is connected to pin 2 of the xlr and the sleeve is connected to pin 1 & 3 and the ring is not connected, a dynamic microphone such as my Shure VP64A, the level is too low to use. (This would be the CM1 wiring)

When the ring of the 3.5mm jack is connected to pin 2 of the xlr and the sleeve is connected to pin 1 & 3 and the tip is not connected, the level from my dynamic microphone is very good. (This is how the CL2 is wired.)

The CL1 cable that comes with the Sennheiser camera set (3.5mm locking to 3.5mm angle) is something I will not be using, has all three conductors coming from locking jack. So you could make your own cable if you don't think you'll use this cable.

fyi, I've been an electrical contractor for 22 years and an electrician for 10 years before that. I've designed many electrical systems - so I know a bit about wiring...

June 30th, 2010, 06:49 AM	#17
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	The CL2 is wired to send a LINE level signal into the transmitter, not the MIC level signal you need. The line signal hot goes to the ring of the TRS plug while the mic signal hot goes to the tip. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

July 7th, 2010, 10:30 PM	#25
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	1. You could do it, I have done it, but wireless always has the possibility of interference and dropouts. 2. See this video: Sennheiser Wireless Tutorial on Vimeo 3. No. You would need two receivers on different channels.

July 8th, 2010, 02:49 PM	#30
Kevin Spahr Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carlisle, PA Posts: 451	Actual Test Connecting a Dynamic Mic to G3 Transmitter Well, got my bit and pieces and here's my first hand experience... When the tip of the 3.5mm jack is connected to pin 2 of the xlr and the sleeve is connected to pin 1 & 3 and the ring is not connected, a dynamic microphone such as my Shure VP64A, the level is too low to use. (This would be the CM1 wiring) When the ring of the 3.5mm jack is connected to pin 2 of the xlr and the sleeve is connected to pin 1 & 3 and the tip is not connected, the level from my dynamic microphone is very good. (This is how the CL2 is wired.) The CL1 cable that comes with the Sennheiser camera set (3.5mm locking to 3.5mm angle) is something I will not be using, has all three conductors coming from locking jack. So you could make your own cable if you don't think you'll use this cable. fyi, I've been an electrical contractor for 22 years and an electrician for 10 years before that. I've designed many electrical systems - so I know a bit about wiring...

June 30th, 2010, 05:32 AM	#16
Kevin Spahr Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carlisle, PA Posts: 451	I too was looking for a cable to go from an ew transmitter to mic... It looks like the Sennheiser CM1 does not have the locking mini plug but the Sennheiser CL2 does have the locking mini plug - it is a 6' cable and it is about half the cost. Am I missing something?

June 30th, 2010, 07:02 AM	#18
Kevin Spahr Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carlisle, PA Posts: 451	Somebody at B&H should change their description : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/217589-REG/Sennheiser_CL2_CL_2_Transmitter_Line_Cable.html Does the CM1 have a locking mini plug? The picture at B&H doesn't look like it does. Both item descriptions at B&H mentions line level or microphone level.

June 30th, 2010, 07:18 AM	#21
Kevin Spahr Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carlisle, PA Posts: 451	Very different photo at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/310613-REG/Sennheiser_CM1.html

July 6th, 2010, 12:37 PM	#23
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	B&H does not make any cables AFAIK, That's not to say an outside third-party vender didn't. I'll mention the error to the pro-audio dept. manager next time I'm around there.

July 7th, 2010, 01:08 PM	#24
Nick Popa Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Flemington, NJ Posts: 120	I have the Sennheiser EW100 G3 Wireless ENG Kit (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/641012-REG/Sennheiser_EW100_G3_Wireless_ENG.html) and I had a few really simple/basic questions that I am curious about... 1. If I could stick my shotgun mic (rode ntg2, powered by a AA battery) on top of a boom pole, why not do it and not have to worry about the wires getting tripped over?? I feel like something is bad about this considering that you never see anyone doing it... is it a loss of quality? higher fail rate? a murphy's law preventative measure? 2. When hooking the receiver into my camera, what should I set the input setting too? "Line" "Mic" or "Mic +48v" When I use the "line" setting, I can't hear anything. But between the mic and mic 48v settings there is some difference, Which is the correct one? 3. Is there anyway to simultaneously use the "SKP100 G3 Plug-in Transmitter" and the "SK100 G3 Bodypack Transmitter" with the "EK100 G3 Receiver"? Thanks everyone!

July 8th, 2010, 12:54 AM	#26
Nick Popa Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Flemington, NJ Posts: 120	Thanks Edward, that is some awesome information and a great video... but it doesn't actually answer my second question being..... "When hooking the receiver into my camera, what should I set the input setting too? "Line" "Mic" or "Mic +48v" When I use the "line" setting, I can't hear anything. But between the mic and mic 48v settings there is some difference, Which is the correct one?" And remember that is the Sennheiser EW100 G3 Wireless ENG Kit (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/641012-REG/Sennheiser_EW100_G3_Wireless_ENG.html)

July 8th, 2010, 09:27 AM	#27
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	1. Yeah, that would work ... but.. how are you going to monitor what your doing? No problem for a stationary mic on a stand, but then what the point? 2. Select 'Mic' (w/ no attenuation). Set the AF level on the receiver to -18. This yields a strong mic-level signal with adequate head-room. Assuming the transmitter's sensitivity is setting is correct. 3. NO, but you can use one transmitter and two receivers.(or more) For instance sending the same audio to two or more cameras.

July 8th, 2010, 11:02 AM	#28
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	Well you absolutely don't need 40 volt phantom power. That's for condenser mics without batteries, like a shotgun. My G2 system is set up with -12 dB AF Out, running into my camera at mic level.

July 8th, 2010, 02:17 PM	#29
Nick Popa Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Flemington, NJ Posts: 120	Thanks guys! But one more beginner question, When DO you use the "line" setting on the camera? I always used mic or mic48v for everything and never line. Even when getting mixer signals (which is when I would have assumed you would use it). Thanks again