hello everyone. I read quite a bit about this. Just wondering what is an excellent wired mic for interviews. I will be suspending my 416 from a mic stand above the subject and sending that to one channel while the other channel will be a lav.

1.I need to purchase a good solid LAV, i was leaning towards the Sony ECM series

2. I also read about many production companies using the 416 as a V.O. mic, would a LAV make it a better V.O. mic for narration

3. I was also thinking about the Sennheiser G2 wireless series for business meetings and events, what do you think?

as usual thank you

I have not done any extensive comparisons, but I have two ECM77Bs and I like them very much.

I've only compared them against the supplied lavs that come with the Sennheiser G2 kit and that wasn't really a fair comparison I suppose.

I ended up rigging the ECM77Bs up to the Sennheiser G2 kit with some adapters whenever I needed wireless.

what kind of adapters are we talking about?

Dan Brockett is coming out with an extensive lav guide pretty soon, I think. Until then, my two cents. . I've owned the following:

Tram TR50: good all-around mic, a bit too crisp in the upper range for me but works well esp. for male voices. Good mounting options.
PSC Millimic: kind of like a smaller, duller Tram. Not bad all-around but a bit dull.
Sennheiser MKE-2: Clear full sound, one of my favorites. Circular design makes it better for some mounting choices. Wide natural pickup also - I like to use this as a plant mic.
Countryman B6: Clear also, perhaps a bit blocky in the bass. Best I have for female voices. Very small and easy to hide, but the cable is somewhat noisy.

I have some COS-11Bp mics on the way, will update with my impressions.

A 416 can be a fine mic for VO in the right conditions. Lavs are generally more forgiving of a space due to their smaller pickup range.

I think the G2s are a great solution for those venues. As long as you can find clear frequencies, they have decent range and a good sound for the price. They are looked down upon for drama work and not without reason, but they are the most affordable "decent" wireless I know of.

thanks for the reply, im wondering if i extend my budget for a wireless system to $2000, what are good options. Preferrably for drama work/corporate.

All I can tell you is that around here in Los Angeles, when I've asked sound guys about lavs, the Sanken COS-11 is the mic ususally first mentioned. It seems to have almost a cult following. From what I understand, it takes a beating, is easy to hide and sounds great.

(I actually own one but have to return it for a beige model, so I can't comment on how it sounds, but I would imagine it sounds excellent.)

Surprisingly, the Countryman B6 is not really in favor that much. Apparently there are complaints about static electricity and a brittle sounding top end. I've heard this from a few sound shops, but still it may well be more hearsay than fact.

...
2. I also read about many production companies using the 416 as a V.O. mic, would a LAV make it a better V.O. mic for narration

...

My 2 cents - the 416 would be a viable choice as an ADR mic but less so for VO. Narration needs that full, close-up and intimate sound you get in studio with a large diaphram vocal mic. A gun is more distant. There should be a distinct qualitative difference between sounds and voices that are within the scene and part of the story (even if the source is out of frame or like when we hear Sam Spade talking to himself trying to solve the case he's on "It was a foggy night in LA ...") and narration that comes from outside of the story, commentary about the story directed to us like Morgan Freeman's VO narration in "March of the Penguins." Dig up a classic episode of "Dragnet" and listen to the difference in presence on Joe Friday's voice when he's speaking as a player in the scene versus when he's setting it up "It was a Monday ... we were working the day watch out of Central Homicide...."

Dan Brockett is coming out with an extensive lav guide pretty soon, I think. Until then, my two cents. . I've owned the following:

Tram TR50: good all-around mic, a bit too crisp in the upper range for me but works well esp. for male voices. Good mounting options.
PSC Millimic: kind of like a smaller, duller Tram. Not bad all-around but a bit dull.
Sennheiser MKE-2: Clear full sound, one of my favorites. Circular design makes it better for some mounting choices. Wide natural pickup also - I like to use this as a plant mic.
Countryman B6: Clear also, perhaps a bit blocky in the bass. Best I have for female voices. Very small and easy to hide, but the cable is somewhat noisy.

I have some COS-11Bp mics on the way, will update with my impressions.

A 416 can be a fine mic for VO in the right conditions. Lavs are generally more forgiving of a space due to their smaller pickup range.

I think the G2s are a great solution for those venues. As long as you can find clear frequencies, they have decent range and a good sound for the price. They are looked down upon for drama work and not without reason, but they are the most affordable "decent" wireless I know of.

Hi Abe:

Yes, I am finishing up the article this week hopefully so you should see it on Ken's site in the next 2-3 weeks. This one is looking to be around 35-38 pages so it as been a lot of writing, listening and comparing to get it done.

I pretty much agree with your takes, based upon what my testing revealed.

1. I own two Tram TR50s, have used them for many years. They are good sounding but the Sonotrim sounds better for just a few bucks more

2. PSC Millimic sounded decent, although it does seem to empahsize the mids quite a bit. Would be a great mic for a low talker.

3. Sennehsier MKE-2 was very good, good all around performer. Nice and crisp with decent mids and bass.

4. Countryman B6 - I own one too. Not a bad sounding mic. So easy to hide, I like to call it "the lazy persons dream". I find the highs a bit harsh sometimes but it does sound good overall in most situations.

5. Sanken COS-11X sounded quite good although a bit of cable handling noise was apparent. VERY popular in LA.

I would also seriously consider the DPA 4061/71 and the Voice Technologies VT-400 and 500. All four of these mics are sleepers and sounded great. Not sure why more people haven't heard of them or use them?

A lot more info and sound samples soon. For this round, we have tests for you with male voice above wardrobe, female voice above wardrobe, female voice below wardrobe, cable handling noise test and how it cuts with a shotgun/lavalier test. A ton of clips on this one.

Stay tuned!

Dan

thanks for the replies. I was looking for a good LAV for interviews that can also be hooked up to a wireless system, that same wireless system would also support a wireless boom operation. please any suggestions.

anyways, i kept doing circles until i landed on this

http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProVideoMicrophones/231538/sony-sony-uwpc162-wireless-package-uwpc162-utxp162-f112-ecm44bmp.aspx

i thought the LAV can be used for the sit down interviews, while the hand held for on street interviews and for speeches at events. Has anyone used this sony system before, any comments about it?

anyways, i kept doing circles until i landed on this

http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProVideoMicrophones/231538/sony-sony-uwpc162-wireless-package-uwpc162-utxp162-f112-ecm44bmp.aspx

i thought the LAV can be used for the sit down interviews, while the hand held for on street interviews and for speeches at events. Has anyone used this sony system before, any comments about it?

It is OK.

Noisey companding circuit but OK within it's limited range. Requires good level setting to avoid the 'breathing' sounds of the compander.

I have one with an ECM77.
Lack of top end clarity which the mic has but the wireless does not.

I consider it to be the very bottom end of professional.

If you use this system then don't get to hung up about the quality of your lav mic.

No rf issues within range though due to diversity which is a plus.

It is OK.

Noisey companding circuit but OK within it's limited range. Requires good level setting to avoid the 'breathing' sounds of the compander.

I have one with an ECM77.
Lack of top end clarity which the mic has but the wireless does not.

I consider it to be the very bottom end of professional.

If you use this system then don't get to hung up about the quality of your lav mic.

No rf issues within range though due to diversity which is a plus.

ok thanks, what other bundle would you suggest with these in mind:

-LAV'S for interviews
-Hand held wireless for business speaker situation

All I can tell you is that around here in Los Angeles, when I've asked sound guys about lavs, the Sanken COS-11 is the mic ususally first mentioned. It seems to have almost a cult following. From what I understand, it takes a beating, is easy to hide and sounds great.

(I actually own one but have to return it for a beige model, so I can't comment on how it sounds, but I would imagine it sounds excellent.)

Surprisingly, the Countryman B6 is not really in favor that much. Apparently there are complaints about static electricity and a brittle sounding top end. I've heard this from a few sound shops, but still it may well be more hearsay than fact.

If you go to www.tyford.com>iWEB>online archive>GuitarsofPikesville and download "Josh Guitar 2 final", you can hear a Countryman e6. Same capsule. I never had any static with either my b6 or e6. The B6 is way easier to hide than a COS-11.

Regards,

Ty Ford

ok thanks, what other bundle would you suggest with these in mind:

-LAV'S for interviews
-Hand held wireless for business speaker situation

Actually I would probably suggest the Sony as there is little any better in the price range. If I was you I would go second hand and see what you can find. Here in the UK there is a major price jump to get anything better but in Canada where you are you might find something. The Lectro systems make us here a bit jealous as they seem to go for very reasonable prices in U.S.A. for example but in U.K. they are frequency wise illegal.

I did not mean to put you off the system that your link points too but rather to answer the question "has anybody used this system before..."

I love the size of the Countryman B6. Although from what I've heard, they do not hold up to brutal talent (the cabling is incredible thin for hiding). We've been careful with our B6's and I always try to immediately establish a good relationship with talent so I can jokingly tell them how much the mic cost that they are wearing. They tend to respect it a bit more after that. Anyhow, here is a clip I recently recorded with the B6 http://www.dvcreators.net/countryman-b6-lavalier/

Persactly!

Ty Ford

what are the differences between these two, other than price

http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProVideoMicrophones/159445/sony-ecm44b-lavalier-microphone-omni-directional.aspx

http://www.vistek.ca/store/ProVideoMicrophones/228541/sony-ecm88b-lavalier-microphone-omni-directional-wdc78.aspx

has anyone used any of these? will the ecm44b cut it for a broadcast piece?

thanks

Here are the mics at B&H for a lesser price:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/49318-REG/Sony_ECM44B_ECM_44B_Omni_Directional_Lavalier.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/359287-REG/Sony_ECM88B_ECM88B_Miniature_Lavalier.html

Differences include:
Price
Size
Length of time on market
Sound Quality
Moisture resistance

The ECM-88 is Sony's top-of-the-line lavalier, and Sony would say it one of the best (maybe the best) in the world for top-end professional use.

The ECM-44 has been around a long time, is an entry level pro lav, has served many well as a documentary-type workhorse.

For specific strengths and weaknesses in the field, others have to apply.

To listen to them in a controlled situation, wait for Dan's review.

Here are the mics at B&H for a lesser price:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/49318-REG/Sony_ECM44B_ECM_44B_Omni_Directional_Lavalier.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/359287-REG/Sony_ECM88B_ECM88B_Miniature_Lavalier.html

Differences include:
Price
Size
Length of time on market
Sound Quality
Moisture resistance

The ECM-88 is Sony's top-of-the-line lavalier, and Sony would say it one of the best (maybe the best) in the world for top-end professional use.

The ECM-44 has been around a long time, is an entry level pro lav, has served many well as a documentary-type workhorse.

For specific strengths and weaknesses in the field, others have to apply.

To listen to them in a controlled situation, wait for Dan's review.

thank you jack. as far as price, vistek is in canadian dollars and a 10 minute drive, while bh has nice service but considering shipping, customs, by the time it gets here i would have paid the same, but thanks very much for the link.

i dont want no cheap quality, thats for sure, so if the ecm-44 will do the job nicely, then i'll go with that while saving some cash for other investments.
If it was "consumerish quality" i would rather pay for the 88. thanks again and will go with the 44

...
I would also seriously consider the DPA 4061/71 and the Voice Technologies VT-400 and 500. All four of these mics are sleepers and sounded great. Not sure why more people haven't heard of them or use them?
...Dan,

I have heard very good things here in LA about the DPA's. The main argument for the COS-11 is that they are less fragile and easier to hide. But the DPA's are considered a small notch above the COS-11's in terms of sound quality and offer the ability to tailor their sound by changing the screen. Also the DPA has a pretty cool way of connecting to either phantom power or a transmitter by using their adapters. This way you know your DPA will work with both 48V or your transmitter as long as you own the correct adapter. It takes a lot of the guess work out in terms of having a custom job done by a sound shop.

For example, to use a COS-11 with both ways, I need the TA5 version with an Ambient power supply to run 48V and a TA5 to locking mini adapapter to run it with my G2. Because all brands have slightly different specs, I never know if the TA5 to mini adapter is optimal. With the DPA, they have a special G2 adapter, so it removes the guess work.

BTW, another lav that is VERY much in favor here is the Sennheiser MKE-Platinum.