Wireless Shotgun Configuration?
 

Has anyone used their ME66/K6 with a wireless system? Are there any technical barriers to doing so? The practical barrier I see, at least with my Samson UHF wireless system, is the size of the XLR connectors. The standard lav uses a small-size XLR. I would imagine I could find an adapter?

I've done it many time without any difficulty. If the transmitter has a headphone jack the boom operator can monitor the sound that way. My transmitter also has a specialized connector, TA5F (AKA Mini XLR). Switchcraft makes the connectors, so I made a specialized cable (mini XLR to XLR) for boom operation.

Jeff

Would the Samson AX1 handheld transmitter work with the ME66/K6 combination (The spec says for dynamic mics, but does that really just mean self-powered mics?)

Jeff or Don,
Do you have an online source where I can get a couple of XLR-to-mini XLR adapters? I've scoured Markertek, my normal source for such stuff, but to no avail.

Thanks very much.

This is where I got mine http://locationsound.com/salescatalog.html Download #4 connectors PDF and you'll find a reference to them. I forget what they cost, maybe $10 each. Mine are made my Switchcraft.

Jeff

Thanks very much, Jeff.

The irony: Switchcraft's plant is located right here in Chicago, perhaps 5 miles north of where I am.

Maybe you can take a field trip and pickup a couple of adapters in their gift shop before you leave.

Jeff

One Darn Thing Leads to Another
 

Discovering that my Samson system's transmitter really does not have a headphone jack (which I thought it did), and unable to locate a wireless system that does feature a headphone on the transmitter, I realized that this idea was a bit hobbled. After all, how effective could a boom operator be if s/he can't monitor the sound?

So how could I best break the wired link between the camera and a boom?

Bottom line: I ended up buying an HHb MD500 MiniDisc recorder, largely on the strength of posts by Peter Wiley as well as a review published on the L.A. Final Cut Pro Users Group site. Of couse I also had to grab a PortaBrace case for it and a clap-slate (for synch). Harumph.

Here's what I do. I use the Sound Devices http://www.sounddevices.com/index.html MM-1, microphone preamp and headphone monitor. The output of the MM-1(line level) feeds the input to the Lectrosonics http://www.lectrosonics.com/ UM 100 belt pack transmitter (accommodates line level). The receiver attaches to the camera or goes to a remote truck etc. You can still feed DAT/MD from receiver or from MM-1. I've using this for almost a year now and the boom operator enjoys the luxury of no cords.

Jeff

Ah, you sneaky guy. You had another gizmo! Looks like a great solution that ultimately affords the boom operator more capabilties than simply monitoring the mic without cables.

Thanks, again, Jeff.

Well, I was sorta forced into it. All my shotguns are phantom power. I stumbled onto the MM-1 while looking for a phantom power supply. Then the light bulb went off over my head and I realized I could use it to go wireless. The rest is history.

Jeff

The MM-1 looked irresistibly handy, albeit a tad $ Had to get one of those, too. Thanks, again, for the tip.

That's what I thought at first, too. But, the quality of construction is the best I've seen and the audio quality is, well, transparent. It's almost impossible to overload, it handles whatever you throw at it.

Jeff

Jeff,
Just wanted to follow-up to let you know that the Sound Devices MM-1 mic preamp with headphone monitor is perfect. Exactly what I needed. Finally I can rig a boom for wirelesss operation while providing the operator with a headphone monitor.

Those folks at Sound Devices are definitely serious folks. As you noted, this thing is built to take much heavier duty than I'll be subjecting it to. It's also very sonically transparent and can nicely mitigate the mic's signal if needed.

Thanks so much for the tip!

Awesome link, Ken.

Just to make sure I understand it correctly, I would have to get the boom mic connected to the Sound Devices MM-1 mic preamp with headphone monitor, and then connect that to a wireless system, correct?

I have a couple of questions about this wireless boom rig: Is it easy to monitor the levels with this system (for someone who has very little audio experience)? Is the audio quality of a wireless system less than that of a wired system? If it's on par, it certainly would make life much easier in post.

Thanks again for your help!
Jaime