Wireless Lav Mic + Canon XL1

[Dave Robinson]

Hi all,

Just wondering if a wireless lav mic setup will be directly compatible with an XL1? Are the outputs on lav mics normally mini stereo jack or XLR?

[Mike Teutsch]

Originally Posted by Dave Robinson

Hi all,

Just wondering if a wireless lav mic setup will be directly compatible with an XL1? Are the outputs on lav mics normally mini stereo jack or XLR?

The output port on almost all wireless setups are 1/8" mini stereo. Just plug into the mike input socket. If you get a MA-200, you can use XLR adapters, mini plug out of the receiver and then the XLR plugs into the MA-200.

Mike

[Dave Robinson]

Brilliant.

Thanks very much.

Dave

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by Dave Robinson

Hi all,

... Are the outputs on lav mics normally mini stereo jack or XLR?

Not to correct Mike but it really depends on the specific make and model receiver you are looking at. For instance, the popular Sennheiser G2 has unbalanced miniplug and unbalanced mini-to-XLR output cables, the new Audio Technica AT1800s are balanced XLR while their older VHF models are mini, Lectro has some receivers that are mini and others that are XLR. You're just going to have to check each one as you narrow down your choices.

Are you speaking of just wireless lavs or are you also asking about hard-wired lavs?

[Dave Robinson]

Well I need to do some shooting for a commercial and tried using a shotgun and boom setup which worked ok, however I was thinking seeing as I dont need any environmental interaction I thought a lav would be the better option. I may be wrong?

It would need to be wireless though.

[Mike Teutsch]

While Steve is basically correct, that it depends on the model you buy, the common senders used with a Lav has a mini-plug input.

The model 1800s he mentions come in two basic kits at B&H, ATW-1821 and the ATW-1822 kit. One has two XLR plug senders, but these are generally used with shotgun type mikes, i.e. wireless boom mikes. The other set comes with body-pack transmitters, the ones that are generally used on persons miked with Lavs. These use mini-plug inputs/outputs.

I have wireless 5 systems right now, Sennhieser and Sony, and I used to have an Azden. All have/had mini-plug input/outputs. BUT, I have a separate or additional shotgun sender for the Sennheiser G2 outfit, which has the XLR out jack. These are very handy!

I got my G2 outfit with both shotgun sender and bodypack sender from Guy Cochran at the DVeStore, one of the great sponsors of this forum. He has the Sennhieser G2 kit with both the shotgun and bodypack sender for only $599.00 and that is a great outfit.

Check it out at http://dvcreators.net/sennheiser-mics. It's the second kit listed on the page.

Anyway, I hope this makes it clearer for you.

Mike

[Steve House]

LOL I think Mike and I are demonstrating one of the basic problems of internet communication. It appears he's thinking mainly of the mic to transmitter connections while I'm thinking mainly of the receiver to camera / mixer / recorder connections.

[Mike Teutsch]

Originally Posted by Steve House

LOL I think Mike and I are demonstrating one of the basic problems of internet communication. It appears he's thinking mainly of the mic to transmitter connections while I'm thinking mainly of the receiver to camera / mixer / recorder connections.

I think I got that from your question about wired or wireless lavs! Hey, we are having fun and Dave is getting pretty good info. :)

Cheers---Mike

[Steve House]

You betcha!

[Ty Ford]

Um, check me on this Steve, but aren't the receiver outputs on the 1800 three pin mini xlr?

Ty

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by Ty Ford

Um, check me on this Steve, but aren't the receiver outputs on the 1800 three pin mini xlr?

Ty

Yep, you're absolutely right. And according to the A/T site each receiver comes with one or two TA3 to XLR-M cables (depending on receiver model) as standard equipment in the kit. So with the standard package it's compatible with conventional balanced XLR inputs. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

[Douglas Spotted Eagle]

The receiver outputs are 3pin mini XLR, and the package comes with mini to standard XLR adapters.

[Mike Teutsch]

Originally Posted by Douglas Spotted Eagle

The receiver outputs are 3pin mini XLR, and the package comes with mini to standard XLR adapters.

Is there any functional difference between the two?

M

[Mike Teutsch]

On a budget with an XL1, what would you choose?

M