wireless mics, uhf or vhf

Ed Frazier · August 22nd, 2002, 07:19 AM

I have also just ordered the EW100 ENG system, should be here tomorrow. In researching this system, I came across this note, I believe on the Zotz Digital site: "LINE LEVEL OUTPUT ONLY"

How are those of you that use this system connecting the receiver to the XL1(S)? If you are plugging it into the onboard mic jack, are you experiencing any distortion with AGC on, or do you have to set audio to manual mode and monitor levels? Does this system have to be connected to Audio1 or 2 with Line level input selected in the XL1 menus?

I guess I'll figure all this out tomorrow when mine gets here, but just curoius how others are connecting this receiver. Thanks!

fargogogo · August 26th, 2002, 09:36 AM

Comparing wireless mic systems; is a Sennheiser better than a Samson strickly on a sound quality basis? or are they also more reliable, less drop outs, less static? In other words, is it more the quality of the microphone as opposed to the "wireless" part of the system that makes the difference?

Thanks.

Nathan Gifford · August 26th, 2002, 07:43 PM

Its all of those things. I now the Sampson is a good unit. Though I have not tried a Sampson, I love my Sennheiser since it is rugged and works better than I expected.

Becky McMillen · August 28th, 2002, 07:17 AM

I finally used my Ev 100 wireless yesterday. I love it! I connected it to my MA 100, switched to mic mode and I was off. I used manual settings. It was great!!!! I only wish that Canon would include a viewfinder audio monitor. Since I shoot with the viewfinder (can't afford the LCD yet) I set the level and go, hoping I don't get much change in audio levels. I'm very pleased, thanks for steering me in the right direction. It was well worth the extra expense (not really that much when you consider the benefits.)

Becky

August 29th, 2002, 05:48 PM

Hi Becky,

I also have the ev112p and find it does a great job with the audio. I did my first wedding recently and, in fact, used the audio from the lav mic in the final production as it was better than the audio from the on-camera mic.

Just returning to an earlier post where you said that you had to disable the onboard mic in order to use the lav.....this does not have to be so. If you record in 12bit audio, you have 4 channels available......2 channels are used by the onboard stereo mic and you can use one of the remaining channels for the lav which is mono. You can also monitor the audio levels from both sources using headphones and adjust accordingly rather than leaving it to chance.
Also if you had another radio mic, you could switch between them using the receiver or by having a second receiver you could use the remaining unused audio channel and have three audio sources being recorded. It took me quite a while to figure the various audio mode combinations as the manual is not very helpful.

Does anyone have any reccommendations for a replacement onboard mic for the XL1? I find that the supplied mic is not that good. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Regards

Becky McMillen · August 30th, 2002, 05:45 AM

You're right about the manual not being very helpful, it took me a while to figure out the mechanics of audio. The problem with using 4 channels is that not all editors support 4 channels. Although I edit most of my stuff some will be sent to Public Television for final audio tweaking and color correction. Since most of their footage is shot with 2 channels of audio I'm a bit nervous about sending something different. I've heard horror stories and decided on the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid.) When I know that I will be the end editor I will definitely use 4 channels. I've been very pleased with the stock stereo mic, it seems to have a pretty good range to my untrained ears. I do need to invest in a good camera mic tho for the 2 channel situations that I described above. Maybe I have relied on the monitor too much in the past and need to train my ears to watch for peaks.

Becky

Don Berube · August 30th, 2002, 03:05 PM

I own two of the Sennheiser EW0100 kits and overall, they have performed quite well. One thing I miss with the EW-100 system is XLR outputs. I got around this by having Stu Cody at Automated Media Systems [ http://www.automatedmedia.com ] custom make some 1' mini 1/8" TRS to XLR adaptor cables. Cost me about $20 each and I like the fact that these cables are just the right length and not too long (low profile). When I bought my EW-100's, nothing else really compared as far as size, construction, range and sound quality for the price. I even use them as a wireless headphone feed from the sound man. Just need a stereo-mono headphone adaptor cable in this case to fill both cans of the headphones.

However, I must say that the new AKG PR81/ PT81 system really has caught my eye. I'm buying one.

AKG product info:
http://www.akg-wireless.com/english/pr81.htm

B&H Link:
http://www02.bhphotovideo.com/default.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___219451___AKPR81L41754___REG___CatID=0___SI D=F0338F707C0

- don

Ed Frazier · August 30th, 2002, 03:49 PM

Don, maybe they have changed the EW100 package since your purchase, but the one I just received came with an XLR cable (1/8" TRS -> XLR). I'm still curious about the Line Level Output mentioned in a previous post, but since receiving my unit and connecting it to the XL1S/MA200 with the supplied cable, the levels certainly don't appear to be line level. In fact the level is a bit on the low side. Audio quality seems to be very good though.

August 22nd, 2002, 07:19 AM	#16
Ed Frazier Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 343	Evolution 100 Output Level I have also just ordered the EW100 ENG system, should be here tomorrow. In researching this system, I came across this note, I believe on the Zotz Digital site: "LINE LEVEL OUTPUT ONLY" How are those of you that use this system connecting the receiver to the XL1(S)? If you are plugging it into the onboard mic jack, are you experiencing any distortion with AGC on, or do you have to set audio to manual mode and monitor levels? Does this system have to be connected to Audio1 or 2 with Line level input selected in the XL1 menus? I guess I'll figure all this out tomorrow when mine gets here, but just curoius how others are connecting this receiver. Thanks! __________________ Ed Frazier

August 26th, 2002, 07:43 PM	#18
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Its all of those things. I now the Sampson is a good unit. Though I have not tried a Sampson, I love my Sennheiser since it is rugged and works better than I expected. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

August 28th, 2002, 07:17 AM	#19
Becky McMillen Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Scottsbluff, NE USA Posts: 43	I love my Sennheiser I finally used my Ev 100 wireless yesterday. I love it! I connected it to my MA 100, switched to mic mode and I was off. I used manual settings. It was great!!!! I only wish that Canon would include a viewfinder audio monitor. Since I shoot with the viewfinder (can't afford the LCD yet) I set the level and go, hoping I don't get much change in audio levels. I'm very pleased, thanks for steering me in the right direction. It was well worth the extra expense (not really that much when you consider the benefits.) Becky

August 30th, 2002, 05:45 AM	#21
Becky McMillen Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Scottsbluff, NE USA Posts: 43	Thanks Michael You're right about the manual not being very helpful, it took me a while to figure out the mechanics of audio. The problem with using 4 channels is that not all editors support 4 channels. Although I edit most of my stuff some will be sent to Public Television for final audio tweaking and color correction. Since most of their footage is shot with 2 channels of audio I'm a bit nervous about sending something different. I've heard horror stories and decided on the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid.) When I know that I will be the end editor I will definitely use 4 channels. I've been very pleased with the stock stereo mic, it seems to have a pretty good range to my untrained ears. I do need to invest in a good camera mic tho for the 2 channel situations that I described above. Maybe I have relied on the monitor too much in the past and need to train my ears to watch for peaks. Becky

August 30th, 2002, 03:05 PM	#22
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	AKG PR81/ PT81/ C417 wireless lav kit I own two of the Sennheiser EW0100 kits and overall, they have performed quite well. One thing I miss with the EW-100 system is XLR outputs. I got around this by having Stu Cody at Automated Media Systems [ http://www.automatedmedia.com ] custom make some 1' mini 1/8" TRS to XLR adaptor cables. Cost me about $20 each and I like the fact that these cables are just the right length and not too long (low profile). When I bought my EW-100's, nothing else really compared as far as size, construction, range and sound quality for the price. I even use them as a wireless headphone feed from the sound man. Just need a stereo-mono headphone adaptor cable in this case to fill both cans of the headphones. However, I must say that the new AKG PR81/ PT81 system really has caught my eye. I'm buying one. AKG product info: http://www.akg-wireless.com/english/pr81.htm B&H Link: http://www02.bhphotovideo.com/default.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___219451___AKPR81L41754___REG___CatID=0___SI D=F0338F707C0 - don __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

August 26th, 2002, 09:36 AM	#17
fargogogo Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 49	Comparing wireless mic systems; is a Sennheiser better than a Samson strickly on a sound quality basis? or are they also more reliable, less drop outs, less static? In other words, is it more the quality of the microphone as opposed to the "wireless" part of the system that makes the difference? Thanks.

August 29th, 2002, 05:48 PM	#20
Michael Hickey Posts: n/a	Hi Becky, I also have the ev112p and find it does a great job with the audio. I did my first wedding recently and, in fact, used the audio from the lav mic in the final production as it was better than the audio from the on-camera mic. Just returning to an earlier post where you said that you had to disable the onboard mic in order to use the lav.....this does not have to be so. If you record in 12bit audio, you have 4 channels available......2 channels are used by the onboard stereo mic and you can use one of the remaining channels for the lav which is mono. You can also monitor the audio levels from both sources using headphones and adjust accordingly rather than leaving it to chance. Also if you had another radio mic, you could switch between them using the receiver or by having a second receiver you could use the remaining unused audio channel and have three audio sources being recorded. It took me quite a while to figure the various audio mode combinations as the manual is not very helpful. Does anyone have any reccommendations for a replacement onboard mic for the XL1? I find that the supplied mic is not that good. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Regards

August 30th, 2002, 03:49 PM	#23
Ed Frazier Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 343	Don, maybe they have changed the EW100 package since your purchase, but the one I just received came with an XLR cable (1/8" TRS -> XLR). I'm still curious about the Line Level Output mentioned in a previous post, but since receiving my unit and connecting it to the XL1S/MA200 with the supplied cable, the levels certainly don't appear to be line level. In fact the level is a bit on the low side. Audio quality seems to be very good though. __________________ Ed Frazier