Sennheiser wireless g3 using press box at DVinfo.net

Michael Jasen · April 16th, 2017, 09:49 AM

Hi!

I'm having troubles figuring out my issue, so here's the details.

I'm using a Sennheiser G3 wireless lav kit directly into a camera.

At a specific location using their mult (press box) I'm having an impossible time using this setup.

When I plug an XLR from the press box into the camera, everything is fine.

When I plug the wireless system with a lav mic into the camera everything is fine.

When I plug a H5ZOOM into the press box. Everything is fine.

But when I have the wireless transmitter plugged into the press box and then receiver into the camera, I can hear what's going on but there is MASSIVE static/noise/etc.

It's not a interference problem since it works as a lav in the very same spot with no issues.

The press box is outputting mic level.

My only thought is HOW i'm plugging into the press box and maybe I don't understand cables. I bought a second Sennheiser CL-100 cable and used an XLR turnaround into the press box. This is the same cable that goes from the receiver into the camera.

Is that cable the problem? What kind of cable do I need?

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Michael

Rick Reineke · April 16th, 2017, 10:41 AM

The CL-100 cable is for the receiver, aside from the XLR gender, the 1/8: plug is wired differently.
You need a custom cable wired as such.: XLR pin 2 to the1/8" TRS plug's Tip; XLR pin 1 and 3 are connected to the 1/8" plug's ring and sleeve terminals. If there is still some noise, you may have to a add a blocking capacitor to mitigate the bias voltage.
Otherwise you could purchase a new or used SKP-100 plug on transmitter (same frequency block as your current system. (no, you cannot use both transmitters at the same time).

Jay Massengill · April 16th, 2017, 08:08 PM

Sennheiser makes the CM1 cable that is wired like Rick said and also contains a capacitor. $37 street price in the US.

Michael Jasen · April 17th, 2017, 07:36 AM

Thank you both so very much!

Rick Reineke · April 17th, 2017, 08:53 AM

Thanks Jay,
I wasn't aware of that off-the-shelf cable option. Out of curiosity, would you happen to know if it has those POS molded on connectors?

Jay Massengill · April 17th, 2017, 10:05 AM

I don't know the quality of the parts for the Sennheiser cable.

I have similar mic input cables from AT and Shure, and in the past from Lectrosonics but none of those used mini-plug connectors and all appeared to be factory soldered components.

I recently rigged up an unbalanced line-level input cable as a test for Sony beltpack transmitters using off-the-shelf cables with molded mini-plug connectors. That worked satisfactorily and I imagine it would be an easy way to get started in making a custom mic-level cable by soldering the appropriate connections with a female XLR. I know molded mini-plug cables are usually prone to problems, but it would be quick and easy to use one as a test to see if the noise is eliminated.

Rick Reineke · April 17th, 2017, 02:56 PM

Yeah Jay, the CL100 cable that is bungled with the G2/3 has molded-on connectors, I tossed those aside long ago and built new ones with Canare Neutrik and a TecNec locking plug which cost about $10 for parts and about 15 minutes labor.. I prefer the TecNec 3.5mm locking plug because it's reasonably priced. all metal, and the locking ring retracts enough to use with conventional (non-locking jacks). Many others including the molded-on ones cannot be fully inserted into a non-locking jack. I am looking for right-angle locking plugs, otherwise I'll have to mod them,

April 16th, 2017, 09:49 AM	#1
Michael Jasen Tourist Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2	Sennheiser wireless g3 using press box Hi! I'm having troubles figuring out my issue, so here's the details. I'm using a Sennheiser G3 wireless lav kit directly into a camera. At a specific location using their mult (press box) I'm having an impossible time using this setup. When I plug an XLR from the press box into the camera, everything is fine. When I plug the wireless system with a lav mic into the camera everything is fine. When I plug a H5ZOOM into the press box. Everything is fine. But when I have the wireless transmitter plugged into the press box and then receiver into the camera, I can hear what's going on but there is MASSIVE static/noise/etc. It's not a interference problem since it works as a lav in the very same spot with no issues. The press box is outputting mic level. My only thought is HOW i'm plugging into the press box and maybe I don't understand cables. I bought a second Sennheiser CL-100 cable and used an XLR turnaround into the press box. This is the same cable that goes from the receiver into the camera. Is that cable the problem? What kind of cable do I need? Any help would be very much appreciated! Michael

April 16th, 2017, 10:41 AM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Sennheiser wireless g3 using press box The CL-100 cable is for the receiver, aside from the XLR gender, the 1/8: plug is wired differently. You need a custom cable wired as such.: XLR pin 2 to the1/8" TRS plug's Tip; XLR pin 1 and 3 are connected to the 1/8" plug's ring and sleeve terminals. If there is still some noise, you may have to a add a blocking capacitor to mitigate the bias voltage. Otherwise you could purchase a new or used SKP-100 plug on transmitter (same frequency block as your current system. (no, you cannot use both transmitters at the same time).

April 16th, 2017, 08:08 PM	#3
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: Sennheiser wireless g3 using press box Sennheiser makes the CM1 cable that is wired like Rick said and also contains a capacitor. $37 street price in the US.

April 17th, 2017, 07:36 AM	#4
Michael Jasen Tourist Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2	Re: Sennheiser wireless g3 using press box Thank you both so very much!

April 17th, 2017, 08:53 AM	#5
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Sennheiser wireless g3 using press box Thanks Jay, I wasn't aware of that off-the-shelf cable option. Out of curiosity, would you happen to know if it has those POS molded on connectors?

April 17th, 2017, 10:05 AM	#6
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: Sennheiser wireless g3 using press box I don't know the quality of the parts for the Sennheiser cable. I have similar mic input cables from AT and Shure, and in the past from Lectrosonics but none of those used mini-plug connectors and all appeared to be factory soldered components. I recently rigged up an unbalanced line-level input cable as a test for Sony beltpack transmitters using off-the-shelf cables with molded mini-plug connectors. That worked satisfactorily and I imagine it would be an easy way to get started in making a custom mic-level cable by soldering the appropriate connections with a female XLR. I know molded mini-plug cables are usually prone to problems, but it would be quick and easy to use one as a test to see if the noise is eliminated.

April 17th, 2017, 02:56 PM	#7
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Sennheiser wireless g3 using press box Yeah Jay, the CL100 cable that is bungled with the G2/3 has molded-on connectors, I tossed those aside long ago and built new ones with Canare Neutrik and a TecNec locking plug which cost about $10 for parts and about 15 minutes labor.. I prefer the TecNec 3.5mm locking plug because it's reasonably priced. all metal, and the locking ring retracts enough to use with conventional (non-locking jacks). Many others including the molded-on ones cannot be fully inserted into a non-locking jack. I am looking for right-angle locking plugs, otherwise I'll have to mod them,