Wired Lavalier at DVinfo.net

Mitch Hunt · September 4th, 2010, 02:49 PM

I'm in the market for a good wired lavalier microphone. I don't want to spend more than a couple hundred for it. It should have a XLR output. The http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/266176-REG/Audio_Technica_AT899_AT899_Condenser_Lavalier.html has some good reviews. It would be used for a wide variety of shots, and would probably be mixed with my NTG-3 in post.

I am also thinking about buying the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/460224-REG/Audio_Technica_ATW_1821D_ATW_1821_Dual_Wireless.html. I see that the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298846-REG/Audio_Technica_AT899CW_AT899CW_Sub_Miniature_Omnidirectional.html has the has the correct output for this system. Is there any way to hook up the XLR version to this system?

Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks!

Don Bloom · September 4th, 2010, 04:56 PM

I have the 1821 receiver and to answer your question, No. However Yes could also be the answer.

First lets make sure that we're on same page. The 899 mic as you see it is set up to connect to the AT 18XX body pak transmitter which is not a fulllsize XLR connection. It is a 4 pin Hirose and THAT will not connect to a standard XLR. I have a Countryman EMW which has a standard XLR connection and can be used with the 1802 plugin transmitter BUT needs a phantom power box to power it since the plugin transmitter does not provide the proper voltage. Hardwire it to a mixer or direct to the camera it's great.
To further answer your question IF you are using a hardwired lav then you don't need to have the receiver. For me it nice to have the option of hardwire or wireless.
There is an adaptor out there that will convert a connection to standard XLR but I can't think of who makes it, carry's it or if it would work with a Hirose connection. Sorry.
HTHs

Mitch Hunt · September 4th, 2010, 05:45 PM

Okay, thanks.

I was just wondering if the power module was detachable and if a Hirose adapter could be used instead. It's not a big deal that it can't. I'll probably order two AT899CWs and one AT899.

How is the AT899 sound wise? If there's a better sounding mic for around the same price I would be willing to switch.

How do you like your 1821? I'm still trying to decide between that and one of the Sennheiser G3s. I would think that the 1821 would have the edge on audio quality due to balanced XLR.

Don Bloom · September 4th, 2010, 06:55 PM

Well, having an early model of the 1821 I can say that I haven't had the problem others say is there and that is excessive floor noise. I've used different mics with the body paks and the plugin transmitter, have been in different situations with the unit and honestly can say the floor noise is in my estimation a minor nusiance at best.
I use Countryman EMWs on the bodypaks and found that the sound quality is very good, they are very small and dissapear on the clothing and for a bit under $200 each I felt I couldn't go wrong.
I use the plugin with either anSM58 or Sm63 handheld or a Sennheiser E604 drum mic placed in front of a DJs speaker. I like being able to adjust the DB range on the transmitters and control the levels on the receiver as well as being able to mix the mics on the receiver if I need to.
I use 2 mics on quite a bit of my work so for me the extra size of the unit is well worth it, I can carry 1 unit on my camera instead of 2. You have to aak yourself how often you'll be needing 2 transmitters going at once and if it's really necessary.
My vote is for the AT unit but then I'm a little one sided in my opinion.

September 4th, 2010, 02:49 PM	#1
Mitch Hunt Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Broken Bow, NE Posts: 145	Wired Lavalier I'm in the market for a good wired lavalier microphone. I don't want to spend more than a couple hundred for it. It should have a XLR output. The http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/266176-REG/Audio_Technica_AT899_AT899_Condenser_Lavalier.html has some good reviews. It would be used for a wide variety of shots, and would probably be mixed with my NTG-3 in post. I am also thinking about buying the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/460224-REG/Audio_Technica_ATW_1821D_ATW_1821_Dual_Wireless.html. I see that the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298846-REG/Audio_Technica_AT899CW_AT899CW_Sub_Miniature_Omnidirectional.html has the has the correct output for this system. Is there any way to hook up the XLR version to this system? Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks!

September 4th, 2010, 04:56 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I have the 1821 receiver and to answer your question, No. However Yes could also be the answer. First lets make sure that we're on same page. The 899 mic as you see it is set up to connect to the AT 18XX body pak transmitter which is not a fulllsize XLR connection. It is a 4 pin Hirose and THAT will not connect to a standard XLR. I have a Countryman EMW which has a standard XLR connection and can be used with the 1802 plugin transmitter BUT needs a phantom power box to power it since the plugin transmitter does not provide the proper voltage. Hardwire it to a mixer or direct to the camera it's great. To further answer your question IF you are using a hardwired lav then you don't need to have the receiver. For me it nice to have the option of hardwire or wireless. There is an adaptor out there that will convert a connection to standard XLR but I can't think of who makes it, carry's it or if it would work with a Hirose connection. Sorry. HTHs __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

September 4th, 2010, 06:55 PM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Well, having an early model of the 1821 I can say that I haven't had the problem others say is there and that is excessive floor noise. I've used different mics with the body paks and the plugin transmitter, have been in different situations with the unit and honestly can say the floor noise is in my estimation a minor nusiance at best. I use Countryman EMWs on the bodypaks and found that the sound quality is very good, they are very small and dissapear on the clothing and for a bit under $200 each I felt I couldn't go wrong. I use the plugin with either anSM58 or Sm63 handheld or a Sennheiser E604 drum mic placed in front of a DJs speaker. I like being able to adjust the DB range on the transmitters and control the levels on the receiver as well as being able to mix the mics on the receiver if I need to. I use 2 mics on quite a bit of my work so for me the extra size of the unit is well worth it, I can carry 1 unit on my camera instead of 2. You have to aak yourself how often you'll be needing 2 transmitters going at once and if it's really necessary. My vote is for the AT unit but then I'm a little one sided in my opinion. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

September 4th, 2010, 05:45 PM	#3
Mitch Hunt Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Broken Bow, NE Posts: 145	Okay, thanks. I was just wondering if the power module was detachable and if a Hirose adapter could be used instead. It's not a big deal that it can't. I'll probably order two AT899CWs and one AT899. How is the AT899 sound wise? If there's a better sounding mic for around the same price I would be willing to switch. How do you like your 1821? I'm still trying to decide between that and one of the Sennheiser G3s. I would think that the 1821 would have the edge on audio quality due to balanced XLR.