reasons to pay more for a wireless mic

[Philip Fass]

Other than long distances from transmitter to receiver, what shooting challenges make a Lectrosonics-quality wireless worth the investment vs a Senn or AT?

[Luis Caffesse]

"Other than long distances from transmitter to receiver, what shooting challenges make a Lectrosonics-quality wireless worth the investment vs a Senn or AT?"

I think it all depends on what you're shooting.

I've found the sound from the Lectro mics to be superior to just about anything else I've ever heard. Although, I suppose you could get a Tram mic (the kind used on Lectro wireless) and attach it to another transmitter.

The biggest reason I like using Lectro mics is because I do quite a bit of event work, and I can't afford to have a drop out. I've never once had a problem with a Lectro mic, whereas just about every other brand has dropped out on me at one point or another.

So, for me it's basically a level of confidence and comfort.
I know when I'm using a Lectro, I don't need to worry about my wireless, and I can concentrate on other things.

Then again, it's a heafty investment. I use them quite a bit, but I have yet to buy one myself. I can rent them for about $40 a day here, which makes it difficult to fork over the full price to buy one.

Audio gear is pretty cheap to rent. Perhaps you should try renting a couple of different brands for a weekend, and do a test shoot... put yourself in the same sorts of situations you would normally shoot in, and see what works.

[Philip Fass]

Luis, that's very helpful. Thanks.

Let me ask you, what situations have caused dropouts with other brands? Can you walk into a location, look around, and predict what will cause those problems?

[Luis Caffesse]

what situations have caused dropouts with other brands?

To be honest, I couldn't tell you. I'm not tech savy enough when it comes to wireless gear to tell you what caused the problem.

9 times out of 10 for me it's probably just an issue of either distance, or a physical obstacle in the way of the signal.

That tenth time it's usually interference of some kind (which is why if you aren't in control of your produciton environment I would highly recommend a mic where you can select the frequency, as well as a diversity signal to help alleviate the drop out problems).

When it comes to Lectros... I can tell you about a quick test I did the other day with a guy I work with quite a bit.
We took all his wireless mics, an old Sennheiser, and Audio Technica, and his new Lectro.

We swapped them out, plugging them into his PD170. He put on headphones, and I put on the mic.

All three were fine as long as we stayed in the same room (we were in a roughly 15 X 20Ft room).
But, as soon as I tried to step outside the door, the Senn and AT both broke up completely (the Senn first). I couldn't get more than 5ft out the door before all he heard was static (because the signal was having to go through a wall at that point.

With the Lectro, I walked outside, down the sidewalk about 40 feet, around the corner and kept going for another 20 or so feet. I had assumed I'd broken up by that point so I came back...he told me he could hear me clearly the entire time.

If you can afford it, and if you can justify the expense, you can't go wrong with a Lectro. It will be one less thing to worry about on set.

It's a steep price to pay... but it's steep for a reason.
Like I said, I use them pretty often, but I still can't justify buying one. I would recommend renting until you find something that works for you. It's the best way to be able to try different models, sizes, etc.


"Can you walk into a location, look around, and predict what will cause those problems?"

I wish I had that power.
:)
I'd be a superhero.

[Philip Fass]

I guess it's like buying insurance. How much risk you can tolerate.