Decent Wireless Mics at DVinfo.net

Tyson Yoder · March 12th, 2011, 01:13 PM

I was just wondering what my options are on good Wireless mic systems for under 200? I am looking for something that connects with 1/8 jack (since my camera doesn't have xlr) I have found some Sony's for $100 on ebay new. Are they worth anything?

Don Bloom · March 12th, 2011, 02:00 PM

Tyson, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but good and $200 don't really go together.

Now having said that, by doing some good hard shopping on the big auction site that starts with E you might find something good for about double that. The ones that you found for $100 might not work, might be VHF, might be in the 700mhz range which is not legal in the US anymore so be very very careful before you buy.
Sennheiser, Sony, Audio Technica are all good brands but even used will be more than your budget. For that you might think about using stand alone recorders such as Zoom.
I'm sorry about being negative about this but audio is something you can not "cheap out" onespecially for weddings since audio is 70% of what you see. Greatest footage around with bad audio is suspect by the clients. Average footage with really good audio is looked at by clients as awesome. Audio gear should last you thru many many years and cameras. Perhaps you can rent to start with until your budget is enough to invest in a quality, long term system.

Don Bloom · March 12th, 2011, 02:08 PM

OK I just searched thru Ebay for Sony Wireless mics. Here's what I found.
There is a set for about 160 that's in the 900mhz range. Could be a problem because there are a lot of other electronics in that freq range.
I also found a few sets for around the 100 mark but the are old VHF units. Not exactly the best usints out there.
I also found a number of newer UHF units that start in the 400 to 500 and up range.
Mind you I only looked at the first of 4 pages, there might be some other units there but again be careful.

Tom Dickerson · March 12th, 2011, 02:31 PM

Some people have had decent results with these. I've seen demos on YouTube. These are NOT considered professional equipment and are the VHF models.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68058-REG/Audio_Technica_W88_57_829_W88_13_829_Camera_Mountable_VHF.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3656-REG/Azden_WLX_PRO_WLX_Pro_Wireless_Lavalier.html

Jon Fairhurst · March 12th, 2011, 03:10 PM

On a budget, a wire or hidden recorder are better than a cheap wireless system.

If feet aren't shown and the actor isn't moving much, wrangling an XLR cable may be the way to go. If the actor needs more freedom of movement, you can mount a small flash recorder where you would normally mount the transmitter. Of course, you can't monitor for levels and problems while shooting, so make sure to set the levels conservatively just prior to shooting and review the recordings before striking the setup.

Okay, wrangling a cable or recording without a monitor or live mix control aren't what the top pros do, but I'd rather take these steps than guarantee poor sound with a low-end wireless system. Poor wireless systems have noise, poor frequency response, and poor dynamic range. The sound is dull and lifeless at its best and is intermittent or non-functional at its worst.

I've gor a Shure SLX system at work. It's so-so for live usage and not adequate for filmmaking, IMHO. And it's UHF. We use it as more of a high-end, clip-on, always-on walkie-talkie as we have both a transmitter and wireless monitor.

Tyson Yoder · March 12th, 2011, 03:49 PM

thanks for your help! I know that you pay for what you get in mics. The sound recorders, and suggestions on these for under $200.

March 12th, 2011, 01:13 PM	#1
Tyson Yoder Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Montgomery IN Posts: 124	Decent Wireless Mics I was just wondering what my options are on good Wireless mic systems for under 200? I am looking for something that connects with 1/8 jack (since my camera doesn't have xlr) I have found some Sony's for $100 on ebay new. Are they worth anything?

March 12th, 2011, 02:00 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Re: Decent Wireless Mics Tyson, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but good and $200 don't really go together. Now having said that, by doing some good hard shopping on the big auction site that starts with E you might find something good for about double that. The ones that you found for $100 might not work, might be VHF, might be in the 700mhz range which is not legal in the US anymore so be very very careful before you buy. Sennheiser, Sony, Audio Technica are all good brands but even used will be more than your budget. For that you might think about using stand alone recorders such as Zoom. I'm sorry about being negative about this but audio is something you can not "cheap out" onespecially for weddings since audio is 70% of what you see. Greatest footage around with bad audio is suspect by the clients. Average footage with really good audio is looked at by clients as awesome. Audio gear should last you thru many many years and cameras. Perhaps you can rent to start with until your budget is enough to invest in a quality, long term system. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

March 12th, 2011, 02:08 PM	#3
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Re: Decent Wireless Mics OK I just searched thru Ebay for Sony Wireless mics. Here's what I found. There is a set for about 160 that's in the 900mhz range. Could be a problem because there are a lot of other electronics in that freq range. I also found a few sets for around the 100 mark but the are old VHF units. Not exactly the best usints out there. I also found a number of newer UHF units that start in the 400 to 500 and up range. Mind you I only looked at the first of 4 pages, there might be some other units there but again be careful. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

March 12th, 2011, 02:31 PM	#4
Tom Dickerson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 86	Re: Decent Wireless Mics Some people have had decent results with these. I've seen demos on YouTube. These are NOT considered professional equipment and are the VHF models. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68058-REG/Audio_Technica_W88_57_829_W88_13_829_Camera_Mountable_VHF.html http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3656-REG/Azden_WLX_PRO_WLX_Pro_Wireless_Lavalier.html

March 12th, 2011, 03:10 PM	#5
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Decent Wireless Mics On a budget, a wire or hidden recorder are better than a cheap wireless system. If feet aren't shown and the actor isn't moving much, wrangling an XLR cable may be the way to go. If the actor needs more freedom of movement, you can mount a small flash recorder where you would normally mount the transmitter. Of course, you can't monitor for levels and problems while shooting, so make sure to set the levels conservatively just prior to shooting and review the recordings before striking the setup. Okay, wrangling a cable or recording without a monitor or live mix control aren't what the top pros do, but I'd rather take these steps than guarantee poor sound with a low-end wireless system. Poor wireless systems have noise, poor frequency response, and poor dynamic range. The sound is dull and lifeless at its best and is intermittent or non-functional at its worst. I've gor a Shure SLX system at work. It's so-so for live usage and not adequate for filmmaking, IMHO. And it's UHF. We use it as more of a high-end, clip-on, always-on walkie-talkie as we have both a transmitter and wireless monitor. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

March 12th, 2011, 03:49 PM	#6
Tyson Yoder Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Montgomery IN Posts: 124	Re: Decent Wireless Mics thanks for your help! I know that you pay for what you get in mics. The sound recorders, and suggestions on these for under $200.