EX3 microphone amp and wireless receivers at DVinfo.net

Arild Pedersen · October 26th, 2008, 09:13 AM

Today, I tested EX3 and 5 different wireless microphone sets, Azden, Samson, Sennheiser, AKG and Nady. All but one worked OK. The Samson UM1 UHF receiver delivered audio, but it gave a lot of noise. I tried different cabling to avoid the problem. I’m not going to use the Samson set on my EX3, but I have never heard noise like this on other type of equipment. Almost perfect white noise. I have tested the UM1 set on several portable and stationary mixer consoles, digital recorders, old tape recorders, Sony DXC-series DVCAM camera, works fine. But not on EX3! I really would like to see the schematic of the EX3 mic amp!
(I designed audio equipment for the film industry 20 years ago)

Andy Wilkinson · October 26th, 2008, 10:15 AM

My EX3 works absolutely fine with my Sennheiser G2 system. There is a way to set sensitivity of the EX3 pre-amps but I've never needed to change it from the default setting. Sounds like a dodgy EX3!

Paul R Johnson · October 26th, 2008, 10:37 AM

I'd suggest that the problem is phantom power - some equipment have real issues when plugged into an input that has 48V phantom on it. Sennheiser and Trantec, I know ignore it, but if the Samson behaves itself when used on other kit, but plays up on the sony - I reckon this could be the issue. To be honest, the few pence DC blocking actually costs is a false economy some manufacturers seem to ignor. I found this one out when connecting my JVC to an expensive Soundcraft mixing desk - squirting 48V up it's output made every LED on the desk - including all the meters suddenly go full! The audio result was just white noise at full output, but also just a way to get the mixer lighting up like a Christmas tree. Turning phantom off cured it straight away.

Arild Pedersen · October 26th, 2008, 01:17 PM

Noop! No phantom power.
Tried to connect the Samson receiver to an ENG-mixer, MM-3100, and then to the EX3 mic input, now in line position. Everything sounds OK. Very funny!

David Issko · October 26th, 2008, 08:54 PM

I have been using a Sony WRR/WRT series radio mic set with pristine results on my EX3.

Brian Cassar · October 27th, 2008, 04:06 AM

I've been using the Sony UWP series with no problem at all as well. Sound extremely satisfactory.

Arild Pedersen · October 27th, 2008, 11:40 AM

Anybody tested or used any two channel radio mic. Ex the Audio Technica ATW-1824?

Dan Chung · October 30th, 2008, 05:24 AM

David,

How are you mounting your WRR on the EX3? I have one and have been trying to figure out a good way of securing it short of velcro.

Dan

Mike Chandler · October 30th, 2008, 03:59 PM

Dan--I've always just put the receiver in a belt pouch, which I either strap to the tripod during interviews or on my belt during hand-held. Lets me see the controls, esp. battery, while working.

October 26th, 2008, 09:13 AM	#1
Arild Pedersen Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Elverum Norway Posts: 62	EX3 microphone amp and wireless receivers Today, I tested EX3 and 5 different wireless microphone sets, Azden, Samson, Sennheiser, AKG and Nady. All but one worked OK. The Samson UM1 UHF receiver delivered audio, but it gave a lot of noise. I tried different cabling to avoid the problem. I’m not going to use the Samson set on my EX3, but I have never heard noise like this on other type of equipment. Almost perfect white noise. I have tested the UM1 set on several portable and stationary mixer consoles, digital recorders, old tape recorders, Sony DXC-series DVCAM camera, works fine. But not on EX3! I really would like to see the schematic of the EX3 mic amp! (I designed audio equipment for the film industry 20 years ago)

October 26th, 2008, 10:15 AM	#2
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	My EX3 works absolutely fine with my Sennheiser G2 system. There is a way to set sensitivity of the EX3 pre-amps but I've never needed to change it from the default setting. Sounds like a dodgy EX3! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

October 26th, 2008, 01:17 PM	#4
Arild Pedersen Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Elverum Norway Posts: 62	Rewired Noop! No phantom power. Tried to connect the Samson receiver to an ENG-mixer, MM-3100, and then to the EX3 mic input, now in line position. Everything sounds OK. Very funny!

October 26th, 2008, 08:54 PM	#5
David Issko Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 393	I have been using a Sony WRR/WRT series radio mic set with pristine results on my EX3. __________________ David Issko Edit 1 Video Productions

October 27th, 2008, 11:40 AM	#7
Arild Pedersen Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Elverum Norway Posts: 62	two channel radio Anybody tested or used any two channel radio mic. Ex the Audio Technica ATW-1824?

October 26th, 2008, 10:37 AM	#3
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,045	I'd suggest that the problem is phantom power - some equipment have real issues when plugged into an input that has 48V phantom on it. Sennheiser and Trantec, I know ignore it, but if the Samson behaves itself when used on other kit, but plays up on the sony - I reckon this could be the issue. To be honest, the few pence DC blocking actually costs is a false economy some manufacturers seem to ignor. I found this one out when connecting my JVC to an expensive Soundcraft mixing desk - squirting 48V up it's output made every LED on the desk - including all the meters suddenly go full! The audio result was just white noise at full output, but also just a way to get the mixer lighting up like a Christmas tree. Turning phantom off cured it straight away.

October 27th, 2008, 04:06 AM	#6
Brian Cassar Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Malta Posts: 306	I've been using the Sony UWP series with no problem at all as well. Sound extremely satisfactory.

October 30th, 2008, 05:24 AM	#8
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	David, How are you mounting your WRR on the EX3? I have one and have been trying to figure out a good way of securing it short of velcro. Dan

October 30th, 2008, 03:59 PM	#9
Mike Chandler Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Moab, UT Posts: 264	Dan--I've always just put the receiver in a belt pouch, which I either strap to the tripod during interviews or on my belt during hand-held. Lets me see the controls, esp. battery, while working.