Initial impression of Sony UWP-D16 wireless set

[Jay Massengill]

That is impressive battery and range performance, I'm getting about 6 hours from name-brand alkalines and I try not to push them even that long. I've probably only gone 60 feet maximum too in my use in large training rooms.

I'm still very pleased with the audio quality. I've primarily used the plug-on transmitter connected to a K6/ME64 cardioid with an internal AA battery, placed on the podium.

I haven't used the belt-pack transmitter at all really.

I haven't had any more problem with the buzz using the Canon XA10 as long as the Sony is plugged into input #2. It now doesn't matter whether input #1 is using a phantom powered device or not. As long as the Sony is in input #2 and not input #1, I haven't had anymore trouble.

In all cases, I've been recording split tracks, but I think the camera's ability when specifically switched to send input #1 to both recording tracks may have been the problem even though I wasn't actually doing that at the time.

[Dean Sensui]

I did another test, comparing the stock mic to a Countryman B3.

The Sony stock mic sounded OK. No objectionable midrange hollowness. It sounded quite natural for the most part. The only difference I could discern is the ability of the Countryman mic to capture the higher frequencies. It did sound crisper, and with certain caps it can boost the upper end of the spectrum which is important if the mic capsule is being concealed under clothing.

It has to be considered, however, that the B3 would add about $190 to the cost of each wireless channel. So it has to be weighed whether that's an important consideraton.