Is a wireless boom really that bad..? at DVinfo.net

Greg Quinn · January 2nd, 2007, 08:27 PM

I've got an ME66 shotgun mic and also a Sennheiser SKP100 XLR wireless unit, which I'd like to use in combination. I've seen some posts in this forum from folks who say that the sound quality is good enough for ENG but not for indie feature production Is it really that bad?

Scott Ellifritt · January 2nd, 2007, 11:18 PM

No, it's actually acceptable. As with any mic system you have to pay as much attention to your audio as you do your video. Cell phones, microwave ovens, very close power lines, ie: anything that gives off emr, etc. can be a problem and here it's better to use cable.
High end NLE audio packages give some very good controls. Best thing to do is perform some tests where you plan to shoot and decide for yourself.

Cole McDonald · January 3rd, 2007, 08:56 AM

I run wireless now...works just fine, big rich sound. Make sure you have headphones and listen for interference/shifts in quality.

Greg Quinn · January 3rd, 2007, 09:56 AM

Thanks for the encouragement, guys. I will do some more extensive testing, but my initial tests seem to indicate that it wouldn't be unusable. The alternative would be to have sound recorded on a small recorder and sync up later. I don't have TC, so wireless seems attractive .

Alex Leith · January 3rd, 2007, 10:42 AM

The normal reason to choose wired over wireless is as a safety...

You are less likely to get dropouts over an XLR cable than you are through a UHF wireless signal - especially if you're not using a diversity receiver.

As long as you've got someone carefully monitoring sound and you're not in a "one take" situation then it shouldn't cause too many problems.

We shot an exercise DVD in the summer wireless audio only, using the Sennheiser G2 kit. Over 3 days with about 6 hours of recorded tape we had just 4 dropouts, although we had to keep fresh batteries on standby the whole time.

Don Donatello · January 3rd, 2007, 11:04 AM

the TV show "without a trace" only uses wireless when they shoot at their studio sets ( warner brother lot) ... as far as i know they run wireless at locations too ....

Cole McDonald · January 3rd, 2007, 12:04 PM

if you do end up shooting separate sound, just make a claping noise (with a board or your hands, pen against clipboard). in post, synch the spike in the audio waveform with the frame where the clap happens, don't need TC for that...just a good eye :) Again, more testing to check for drift and whatnot.

January 2nd, 2007, 08:27 PM	#1
Greg Quinn Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 505	Is a wireless boom really that bad..? I've got an ME66 shotgun mic and also a Sennheiser SKP100 XLR wireless unit, which I'd like to use in combination. I've seen some posts in this forum from folks who say that the sound quality is good enough for ENG but not for indie feature production Is it really that bad?

January 2nd, 2007, 11:18 PM	#2
Scott Ellifritt Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MS Gulf Coast Posts: 146	No, it's actually acceptable. As with any mic system you have to pay as much attention to your audio as you do your video. Cell phones, microwave ovens, very close power lines, ie: anything that gives off emr, etc. can be a problem and here it's better to use cable. High end NLE audio packages give some very good controls. Best thing to do is perform some tests where you plan to shoot and decide for yourself. __________________ There's no reason to stop learning. www.crystaleyemedia.com

January 3rd, 2007, 08:56 AM	#3
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,675	I run wireless now...works just fine, big rich sound. Make sure you have headphones and listen for interference/shifts in quality. __________________ Web Youtube Facebook

January 3rd, 2007, 10:42 AM	#5
Alex Leith Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northampton, England Posts: 500	The normal reason to choose wired over wireless is as a safety... You are less likely to get dropouts over an XLR cable than you are through a UHF wireless signal - especially if you're not using a diversity receiver. As long as you've got someone carefully monitoring sound and you're not in a "one take" situation then it shouldn't cause too many problems. We shot an exercise DVD in the summer wireless audio only, using the Sennheiser G2 kit. Over 3 days with about 6 hours of recorded tape we had just 4 dropouts, although we had to keep fresh batteries on standby the whole time. __________________ Alex

January 3rd, 2007, 12:04 PM	#7
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,675	if you do end up shooting separate sound, just make a claping noise (with a board or your hands, pen against clipboard). in post, synch the spike in the audio waveform with the frame where the clap happens, don't need TC for that...just a good eye :) Again, more testing to check for drift and whatnot. __________________ Web Youtube Facebook

January 3rd, 2007, 09:56 AM	#4
Greg Quinn Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 505	Thanks for the encouragement, guys. I will do some more extensive testing, but my initial tests seem to indicate that it wouldn't be unusable. The alternative would be to have sound recorded on a small recorder and sync up later. I don't have TC, so wireless seems attractive .

January 3rd, 2007, 11:04 AM	#6
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	the TV show "without a trace" only uses wireless when they shoot at their studio sets ( warner brother lot) ... as far as i know they run wireless at locations too ....