FX1 + Beachtek DXA-FX + Shure Lav at DVinfo.net

Daniel Pratt · March 29th, 2006, 09:52 PM

My very first shoot coming up (and thus my first post).

Interview style shoot with two subjects seated. I'm planning on using wired lav mics to keep the cost down and heard Shure are excellent and very dependable. I'm also planning on buying a Beachtek DXA-FX adapter to plug the mics into. My question is, do I have to get a mic with a power supply, pre-amplifier, or power module or does the DXA-FX supply all the power the mic needs?

Cardioid, Super Cardioid or Omni? (Seated subjects talking to one another in the same video shot)

Thanks! Great forum!

Glenn Davidson · March 29th, 2006, 10:27 PM

Most Shure lapel mics need phantom power. The DXa-FX does not supply the power. BeachTek makes another product (DX10a) that does supply the power for the mics. I have several Shure omni body pac wireless microphones. I think they sound great. Omnis provides good coverage for most speakers, but you have to watchout for feedback if you are also feeding house sound in a live environment. I just recorded a project and the speaker decided to pull out a drum, held it against her chest and started banging, I faded her distorted mic and used the mic on the speaker seated next to her, the drumming came out great. You never know in live recording! Another advantage to Omni.

Evan C. King · March 30th, 2006, 01:31 AM

I don't think it can supply phantom power. But I've never heard of a wireless lav needing it. Wouldn't any lav kit be powered by batteries?

Glenn Davidson · March 30th, 2006, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Pratt

I'm planning on using wired lav mics... Cardioid, Super Cardioid or Omni?

I should of said "Most Shure wired lapel microphones need phantom power". In response to his question about pattern, I mentioned my wireless Omni microphones. In any event it is disapointing that the DXA-FX does not have phantom power. It seems like Beachtek missed on that one. Or you could also use a dynamic Shure wired omni that does not need power.

Daniel Pratt · March 30th, 2006, 10:44 AM

I figured I'd keep the cost down if I went with wired versus wireless.

Glenn Davidson · March 30th, 2006, 03:40 PM

I would choose the Shure MX183. It has a supply included. It is around 200 dollars. You will love the sound of Shure Omnis. And the are rugged and dependable. Low noise and warm sound. Good Luck in your choice.

Daniel Pratt · March 31st, 2006, 09:38 AM

A friend suggested the WL-184 with the MX-1BP battery pack. I'm going to give it a try.

Thanks for the recommendations!

Daniel Pratt · April 11th, 2006, 04:12 PM

Frustrating! With the Shure WL-184 (supercardioid) on the FX1, I have to have the manual audio dial set to 5 or higher to really pick up the interview subject. When I do that, I get alot of background hissing! I've also tried to adjust the DXA-FX amps with no luck. Brand new batteries!

It seems that the mics have to be nearly directly in front of the mouth of the interview subject for me to achieve a decent level of sound.

The WL-184 is connected via a wired battery pack (MX-1BP).

Thoughts?

March 29th, 2006, 09:52 PM	#1
Daniel Pratt New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Berlin, WI Posts: 6	FX1 + Beachtek DXA-FX + Shure Lav My very first shoot coming up (and thus my first post). Interview style shoot with two subjects seated. I'm planning on using wired lav mics to keep the cost down and heard Shure are excellent and very dependable. I'm also planning on buying a Beachtek DXA-FX adapter to plug the mics into. My question is, do I have to get a mic with a power supply, pre-amplifier, or power module or does the DXA-FX supply all the power the mic needs? Cardioid, Super Cardioid or Omni? (Seated subjects talking to one another in the same video shot) Thanks! Great forum!

March 29th, 2006, 10:27 PM	#2
Glenn Davidson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nevada City, California Posts: 499	Most Shure lapel mics need phantom power. The DXa-FX does not supply the power. BeachTek makes another product (DX10a) that does supply the power for the mics. I have several Shure omni body pac wireless microphones. I think they sound great. Omnis provides good coverage for most speakers, but you have to watchout for feedback if you are also feeding house sound in a live environment. I just recorded a project and the speaker decided to pull out a drum, held it against her chest and started banging, I faded her distorted mic and used the mic on the speaker seated next to her, the drumming came out great. You never know in live recording! Another advantage to Omni. Last edited by Glenn Davidson; March 30th, 2006 at 02:21 AM.

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March 30th, 2006, 01:31 AM	#3
Evan C. King Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 532	I don't think it can supply phantom power. But I've never heard of a wireless lav needing it. Wouldn't any lav kit be powered by batteries?

March 30th, 2006, 10:44 AM	#5
Daniel Pratt New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Berlin, WI Posts: 6	I figured I'd keep the cost down if I went with wired versus wireless.

March 30th, 2006, 03:40 PM	#6
Glenn Davidson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nevada City, California Posts: 499	I would choose the Shure MX183. It has a supply included. It is around 200 dollars. You will love the sound of Shure Omnis. And the are rugged and dependable. Low noise and warm sound. Good Luck in your choice.

March 31st, 2006, 09:38 AM	#7
Daniel Pratt New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Berlin, WI Posts: 6	A friend suggested the WL-184 with the MX-1BP battery pack. I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for the recommendations!

April 11th, 2006, 04:12 PM	#8
Daniel Pratt New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Berlin, WI Posts: 6	Frustrating! With the Shure WL-184 (supercardioid) on the FX1, I have to have the manual audio dial set to 5 or higher to really pick up the interview subject. When I do that, I get alot of background hissing! I've also tried to adjust the DXA-FX amps with no luck. Brand new batteries! It seems that the mics have to be nearly directly in front of the mouth of the interview subject for me to achieve a decent level of sound. The WL-184 is connected via a wired battery pack (MX-1BP). Thoughts?