Wireless Shotgun Configuration at DVinfo.net

Ken Tanaka · January 11th, 2003, 01:43 AM

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?

Jeff Donald · January 11th, 2003, 06:47 AM

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

Don Palomaki · January 11th, 2003, 07:03 AM

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?)

Ken Tanaka · January 11th, 2003, 08:06 PM

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.

Jeff Donald · January 11th, 2003, 08:20 PM

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

Ken Tanaka · January 11th, 2003, 08:28 PM

Thanks very much, Jeff.

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

Jeff Donald · January 11th, 2003, 08:33 PM

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

Jeff

Ken Tanaka · January 12th, 2003, 04:40 PM

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.

Jeff Donald · January 12th, 2003, 05:49 PM

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

Ken Tanaka · January 12th, 2003, 10:23 PM

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.

Jeff Donald · January 12th, 2003, 10:36 PM

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

Ken Tanaka · January 13th, 2003, 02:43 PM

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

Jeff Donald · January 13th, 2003, 03:07 PM

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

Ken Tanaka · January 19th, 2003, 02:09 PM

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!

Jaime Valles · January 22nd, 2003, 02:55 PM

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

January 11th, 2003, 01:43 AM	#1
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	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? __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 11th, 2003, 08:28 PM	#6
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Thanks very much, Jeff. The irony: Switchcraft's plant is located right here in Chicago, perhaps 5 miles north of where I am. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 12th, 2003, 04:40 PM	#8
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	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. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 12th, 2003, 10:23 PM	#10
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	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. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 13th, 2003, 02:43 PM	#12
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	The MM-1 looked irresistibly handy, albeit a tad $ Had to get one of those, too. Thanks, again, for the tip. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 11th, 2003, 06:47 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	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

January 11th, 2003, 07:03 AM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	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?)

January 11th, 2003, 08:06 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	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. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 11th, 2003, 08:20 PM	#5
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	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

January 11th, 2003, 08:33 PM	#7
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Maybe you can take a field trip and pickup a couple of adapters in their gift shop before you leave. Jeff

January 12th, 2003, 05:49 PM	#9
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	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

January 12th, 2003, 10:36 PM	#11
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	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

January 13th, 2003, 03:07 PM	#13
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	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

January 19th, 2003, 02:09 PM	#14
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	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! __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff!* Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 22nd, 2003, 02:55 PM	#15
Jaime Valles Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New York City, NY Posts: 316	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