Wireless Mic Package recommendations? at DVinfo.net

Nick Schale · April 9th, 2009, 11:12 AM

Hello.

I think it is time for me to add wireless mic's to my arsenal. One would be ok, two would be better of course but I would like good quality, so if that is starting with one, then so be it.

Could you guys suggest a wireless mic system in the range of $700-800?
Also maybe a set that's 800-1,100?

I shoot on a PMW-EX1 in case that info is needed. And I am looking for a 'package' deal where everything is included (mic/transmitter/xlrs...etc.)

Thanks!!
nick

Gareth Watkins · April 9th, 2009, 11:16 AM

Hi Nick
I think many will agree the Sennheiser G2 (or perhaps even better the new G3) system are probably the best and most reliable system for the money on the market... I've got 2 of the G2's and they have been faultless for 4 years...

Cheers
Gareth

Mark Boyer · April 9th, 2009, 11:34 AM

Buy the Lectrosonics 100 Series - Wireless UHF Lavalier Microphone System, this is a major step up to a top of the line unit.

I would also consider buying a lectrosonic wireless system from Ebay before another brand.

Jordan Block · April 9th, 2009, 12:44 PM

In the 7-800 range, you should be able to get a G2 and a Countryman B6 to replace the stock mic.

John Willett · April 9th, 2009, 02:18 PM

The new Sennheiser G3 camera receiver is now diversity - should be available in about a couple of months.

Dana Love · April 9th, 2009, 02:51 PM

Lectrosonics is an excellent brand, and the choice of professionals the world over. It's just out of your price range. A Lectrosonics 100 Series with the needed XLR cable would run you around $1,300 at B&H.

The Sennheiser G2 is the first step down from Lectrosonics. I use two of the G2's and one of the Lectro's, and find they work with about the same quality. You can get a Sennheiser for about $550, and spend a couple hundred on a very nice microphone.

Tram, Countryman or Sanken will set you back between $300 and $500. There's an incredible Dan Brockett article on lav mics which sounds like good reading for you.

I'd suggest the G2 and a great mic, with an eye toward a 400 series Lectro as your needs increase. (I skip over the 100 because it's only nominally better in my experience, but the 400 gives you some crazy wonderful features...including a receiver which can accept BDS distributed power.)

Dana Love · April 9th, 2009, 03:08 PM

Just for the sake of completeness, a bunch of pros swear by Zaxcom. If you think Lectro has a spendy price, you may want to take cardiac medication before looking at Zaxcom.

Steve Berg · April 14th, 2009, 03:29 PM

Hi All,

Anyone have suggestions for the lower range. Like $200 - $500 for a wedding videographer. Mostly to capture vows. Would like something that is flexible to record reception music. Also suggestions on shotgun mics are welcome.

HMC150

Craig Irving · April 14th, 2009, 03:35 PM

Sony's UWP series equipment was upgraded approximately 6-9 months ago (I have a bad memory).

I have the UWP-V6 kit, and I like it quite a bit. So if you need something right away and you don't want to wait for the G3 kit to ship, then I think you should get comparable results with Sony's new UWP-V series kits.

Mark Boyer · April 14th, 2009, 03:43 PM

Get as much money as you can together and buy off of Ebay. Stay with companies with good feedback and know what you are buying. For $600 I can get a Sennhieser GS wireless system, lavalier mic and a shotgun mic.

Dana Love · April 20th, 2009, 08:12 PM

That's good advice, and a great shopping list.

John Willett · April 22nd, 2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Boyer

Get as much money as you can together and buy off of Ebay. Stay with companies with good feedback and know what you are buying. For $600 I can get a Sennhieser GS wireless system, lavalier mic and a shotgun mic.

Be *VERY* careful - there are loads of crappy fakes floating around, even from people with good feedback.

Mark Boyer · April 22nd, 2009, 10:16 AM

I have heard of fakes from foreign sellers but have yet to come across Sennheiser fakes here in the States.

I would like to hear from buyers here if they have purchased a fake unit.

I do not ever purchase electronics from a seller from out of the country.

John Willett · April 25th, 2009, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Boyer

I have heard of fakes from foreign sellers but have yet to come across Sennheiser fakes here in the States.

I would like to hear from buyers here if they have purchased a fake unit.

I do not ever purchase electronics from a seller from out of the country.

You are lucky.

In the UK there were people who bought cheap fakes in bulk and then sold them on from a UK address, making them look genuine.

Paul R Johnson · April 25th, 2009, 12:46 PM

On eBay there were what I call crooks - flogging dodgy Sennheisers at cheap prices. People who buy these are often ignorant and just get off on the good deal aspect. The kit lights up and works, but the quality is hardly better than the cheap karaoke ones sold for just a very small amount of money. eBay also had genuine sellers selling for maybe £20-30 less than the price in the local shop. What seems to be happening now is that the counterfeit kit is being advertised at the nearly full price, making people think it is genuine, or they are splitting the packs up and selling the transmitter, then the receiver - as 'spare' parts. Some people are getting conned, others are just willing counterfeit purchasers, who I suspect sell the kit on themselves as genuine if they want to make a profit!

April 9th, 2009, 11:12 AM	#1
Nick Schale Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Leavenworth, KS Posts: 72	Wireless Mic Package recommendations? Hello. I think it is time for me to add wireless mic's to my arsenal. One would be ok, two would be better of course but I would like good quality, so if that is starting with one, then so be it. Could you guys suggest a wireless mic system in the range of $700-800? Also maybe a set that's 800-1,100? I shoot on a PMW-EX1 in case that info is needed. And I am looking for a 'package' deal where everything is included (mic/transmitter/xlrs...etc.) Thanks!! nick

April 9th, 2009, 11:16 AM	#2
Gareth Watkins Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: France Posts: 578	Hi Nick I think many will agree the Sennheiser G2 (or perhaps even better the new G3) system are probably the best and most reliable system for the money on the market... I've got 2 of the G2's and they have been faultless for 4 years... Cheers Gareth __________________ www.gwenllyn.com

April 9th, 2009, 02:18 PM	#5
John Willett Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 976	The new Sennheiser G3 camera receiver is now diversity - should be available in about a couple of months. __________________ John Willett - Sound-Link ProAudio and Circle Sound Services President: Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

April 14th, 2009, 03:29 PM	#8
Steve Berg Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NYC, NY Posts: 28	Suggestions in the lower range Hi All, Anyone have suggestions for the lower range. Like $200 - $500 for a wedding videographer. Mostly to capture vows. Would like something that is flexible to record reception music. Also suggestions on shotgun mics are welcome. HMC150

April 9th, 2009, 11:34 AM	#3
Mark Boyer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bothell Washington Posts: 174	Buy the Lectrosonics 100 Series - Wireless UHF Lavalier Microphone System, this is a major step up to a top of the line unit. I would also consider buying a lectrosonic wireless system from Ebay before another brand.

April 9th, 2009, 12:44 PM	#4
Jordan Block Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 67	In the 7-800 range, you should be able to get a G2 and a Countryman B6 to replace the stock mic.

April 9th, 2009, 02:51 PM	#6
Dana Love Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 63	Lectrosonics is an excellent brand, and the choice of professionals the world over. It's just out of your price range. A Lectrosonics 100 Series with the needed XLR cable would run you around $1,300 at B&H. The Sennheiser G2 is the first step down from Lectrosonics. I use two of the G2's and one of the Lectro's, and find they work with about the same quality. You can get a Sennheiser for about $550, and spend a couple hundred on a very nice microphone. Tram, Countryman or Sanken will set you back between $300 and $500. There's an incredible Dan Brockett article on lav mics which sounds like good reading for you. I'd suggest the G2 and a great mic, with an eye toward a 400 series Lectro as your needs increase. (I skip over the 100 because it's only nominally better in my experience, but the 400 gives you some crazy wonderful features...including a receiver which can accept BDS distributed power.)

April 9th, 2009, 03:08 PM	#7
Dana Love Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 63	Just for the sake of completeness, a bunch of pros swear by Zaxcom. If you think Lectro has a spendy price, you may want to take cardiac medication before looking at Zaxcom.

April 14th, 2009, 03:35 PM	#9
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	Sony's UWP series equipment was upgraded approximately 6-9 months ago (I have a bad memory). I have the UWP-V6 kit, and I like it quite a bit. So if you need something right away and you don't want to wait for the G3 kit to ship, then I think you should get comparable results with Sony's new UWP-V series kits.

April 14th, 2009, 03:43 PM	#10
Mark Boyer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bothell Washington Posts: 174	Get as much money as you can together and buy off of Ebay. Stay with companies with good feedback and know what you are buying. For $600 I can get a Sennhieser GS wireless system, lavalier mic and a shotgun mic.

April 20th, 2009, 08:12 PM	#11
Dana Love Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 63	That's good advice, and a great shopping list.

April 22nd, 2009, 10:16 AM	#13
Mark Boyer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bothell Washington Posts: 174	I have heard of fakes from foreign sellers but have yet to come across Sennheiser fakes here in the States. I would like to hear from buyers here if they have purchased a fake unit. I do not ever purchase electronics from a seller from out of the country.

April 25th, 2009, 12:46 PM	#15
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,045	On eBay there were what I call crooks - flogging dodgy Sennheisers at cheap prices. People who buy these are often ignorant and just get off on the good deal aspect. The kit lights up and works, but the quality is hardly better than the cheap karaoke ones sold for just a very small amount of money. eBay also had genuine sellers selling for maybe £20-30 less than the price in the local shop. What seems to be happening now is that the counterfeit kit is being advertised at the nearly full price, making people think it is genuine, or they are splitting the packs up and selling the transmitter, then the receiver - as 'spare' parts. Some people are getting conned, others are just willing counterfeit purchasers, who I suspect sell the kit on themselves as genuine if they want to make a profit!