Sennheiser ew 122-p G3 works fine in NYC?

[Simon Zimmer]

Hello,

I normally live in Maryland and using the Sennheiser ew 122-p G3 works great here regarding getting a good signal.

Has anyone tested this system out in NYC? I have two interviews to film there next Tuesday?

I want to make sure there is not issue in getting a free frequency.

Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Simon

[Vasco Dones]

Simon,

I've personally never used wireless stuff up there,
but I can easily imagine that it must be hell...
You can check here:
Find Available Frequencies
and play a bit with the parameters on the left.
From what I can see (and I assume that you really NEED to go wireless!),
your best bet should be between 518 and 524;
that is, if you have A range (B and C look even more problematic...).
What the chart is telling you:
expect interferences if you have to use the Senny outside
(well, it's New York, after all, not Easton, MD!).
Bottom line (just to state the obvious):
avoid wireless in NYC like the plague;
go wired wherever and whenever possible.
But I hope a real newyorker with on-the-field
experience will chime in...

Best

Vasco

[Rick Reineke]

I would use a cable to be 'safe' for sure, however I use block 21 Lectros' and block 'A' G2s without too much difficulty, working indoors at midtown hotels and such. Scanning for clear freq,s is a must even with the Lectros.

[Simon Zimmer]

hmmm! That is what I thought. :(

I don't have a wired microphone. Can you guys recommend a good one for corporate interviews? $200 bucks or so.

I have the HMC-150 video camcorder with shotgun microphone but prefer to have a better quality which is why I use the sennheiser wireless mic.

thanks,

Simon

[Vasco Dones]

Simon,

I started with an AT 803
(at 803 /
works with either phantom or AA battery through its own power supply)
but I don't especially like it.
I later picked up on Ebay a Countryman EMW
(Countryman | EMW Omnidirectional Lavalier | MEMWP4F05B | B&H /
needs phantom, but it's a good mic)
and a PSC Millimic
(PSC | MilliMic Lavalier Microphone | FPSCMMHW | B&H Photo Video /
has its own power supply w/ incorporated lithium battery;
if I'm not mistaken, after 4 or 5 years you've got to send it back
to PSC to replace the battery, but I love this little fellow!)

Pls keep in mind: I'm no expert!
Others will probably have better suggestions

Hope this helps

Best

Vasco

[Simon Zimmer]

Thanks Vasco!

I will check them out.

I still owe you a call. ;)

Simon

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Simon Zimmer

I normally live in Maryland and using the Sennheiser ew 122-p G3 works great here regarding getting a good signal.

Has anyone tested this system out in NYC? I have two interviews to film there next Tuesday?

I want to make sure there is not issue in getting a free frequency.

Any recommendations?

It would help if you said what version you have (A, B, G?????).

G3 will work fine, but people can't tell you if your version is likely to be OK or not if you don't say what the frequency range is.

[Simon Zimmer]

Hi John,

sorry about that. You are right, I forgot.

I have model B.

In the meantime, I bought the wired Shure MX185 just in case there are issues.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Simon

[Daniel Epstein]

Simon,
Smart move to get the wired mic. In truth if you have frequency agile radio mics you can get one or two or more to work most places in NY but sometimes in some locations it is almost impossible so back up is wise. I was skunked a couple of times using Lectros on block 21 (which is still my favorite block) near the meat market and near the Holland Tunnel entrance when I was working on a show for Comedy Central called "Straight Plan for the Gay Man" using 5 wireless and wireless hop to the camera so I needed at least 5 clean frequencies on block 21 for the talent alone. They didn't have the budget for separate blocks as back up. It also is different at different times of day so you can't get too comfortable.

[Simon Zimmer]

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for the support. Yeah, it is better to be safe than sorry later.

I ended up buying the MX 185 from Shure but was very disappointed. Way to much handling and wind noise. I should have listened to Vasco. ;) I now ordered a Countryman B3 omni-directional. I hope this works out better.

Later,

Simon

[Rick Reineke]

Just worked yesterday w/ 3 Senn G2 diversity systems. Two body packs and a H/H. I scanned @ 8:30am and found some open frequencies within TV Ch. 22 (518–524 MHz) & Ch. 23 (524–530 MHz) I don't recall the exact freq.s used but did not hear any hits from the 9am-4:30pm lecture series. I was on the 18th floor @33rd St. & 7th Ave, set up by a window with direct line-of-site to the top 30 or 40 floors of the Empire State Building. (34th & 5th, home to more transmitters than I got brains)
However, it's still a crap shoot (pun intended) and I would still use hardwired mics had I the option.

[Simon Zimmer]

Just got back from NYC.

The wireless mics worked without any issues. However, I felt relaxed since I also used the wired Countryman b3 in the project.

Thanks for all the help and advice.

Simon