Wireless lapel mics

[colinrego]

I need everyone's recommendations for wireless lapel mics. The setup would need to support two people initially. Room for growth is always desired, but so is keeping costs down. With that in mind, I would like any opinion, no matter how cheap or expensive it is. If anyone has recorded samples using particular models, that would be even better.

Thanks.

[colinrego]

I would have figured that someone here must podcast with lapel mics, was I wrong?

[jholm]

I would have figured that someone here must podcast with lapel mics, was I wrong?

Lapel Mics yes. Wireless no.

I've been real happy with the Giant Squid omnidirectional stereo lapel mics. We use them with an iriver, though, not wireless.

Julie

[SFEley]

I need everyone's recommendations for wireless lapel mics. The setup would need to support two people initially. Room for growth is always desired, but so is keeping costs down. With that in mind, I would like any opinion, no matter how cheap or expensive it is. If anyone has recorded samples using particular models, that would be even better.
I'm not sure why you need wireless, but you might want to hunt down some Web sites devoted to broadcast or theatrical sound -- those are the two main applications I can think of for wireless lapel mics.

I've certainly never thought of a wireless anything for my podcast. If a lapel mic is what works best for your conditions, you can get much cheaper and (usually) better sound from a wired one. I've got the Giant Squid Audio stereo omni too, and it sounds great.

[jholm]

I've got the Giant Squid Audio stereo omni too, and it sounds great.

We've got two. Our podcast depends upon the ability to do field work. If anything happened to the Giant Squid we'd be out of luck. So we have a backup.

We can also use the GS as the backup to the studio mic. Indeed we haven't yet used the studio mic for a podcast. :oops: Only the GSs.

Julie

[colinrego]

Well, the wireless is because the application is for a vidcast, and wireless would make mobility while shooting much easier. I definitely won't rule out wired options, and as such will look into the giant squid line or mics.

Thanks.

[kinkysex]

I've used audio-technica on stage for years and love 'em. They are pricey, though.

[colinrego]

Any particular models you have had experience with?

[kinkysex]

model atw-r600

[jholm]

Well, the wireless is because the application is for a vidcast, and wireless would make mobility while shooting much easier. I definitely won't rule out wired options, and as such will look into the giant squid line or mics.

Thanks.

We do walking tours with the Giant Squids and an iRiver, and have sufficient mobility (there's a picture of our setup, which we put on a clipboard, on the second page of the studio pics thread. You can see the wires, but a friend has done the same with the wires inside his shirt, which is close to invisible. The battery box goes in a pocket.)

They cost a lot less than wireless. But of course you need the recorder, also, and you need to upload the files when you are done.

[colinrego]

Do you find it difficult to merge multiple files when recording to an iRiver? I mean, if you have two or three people recording independently while conversing, is bringing those files together to produce one fluid dialog cumbersome. Also, since I currently do not own a portable device to record to (iRiver or otherwise) I suspect the cost could be nearly identical to wireless (although, having a portable recording setup might prove useful in the future). I appreciate all the responses.

[jholm]

Do you find it difficult to merge multiple files when recording to an iRiver? I mean, if you have two or three people recording independently while conversing, is bringing those files together to produce one fluid dialog cumbersome. Also, since I currently do not own a portable device to record to (iRiver or otherwise) I suspect the cost could be nearly identical to wireless (although, having a portable recording setup might prove useful in the future). I appreciate all the responses.

We don't use two mics while recording. We don't ever use two mics, we just get really close. :-)

We actually don't use the mics on lapels. We have a big old clipboard, and we clip the mics to it. Then we center the clipboard between us. Makes one of us on the right and one of us on the left, but not too much, and picks up ambient noise just great. We don't have to be on top of each other, just standing side by side.

Our setup is photographed in the studio pics thread under hardware.

We have two mics so that we have a backup.

Julie

[sbourne]

I need everyone's recommendations for wireless lapel mics. The setup would need to support two people initially. Room for growth is always desired, but so is keeping costs down. With that in mind, I would like any opinion, no matter how cheap or expensive it is. If anyone has recorded samples using particular models, that would be even better.

Thanks.

Maybe out of your price range but I'd suggest the Countryman E6i if you have big bucks. Much better sound than any lapel mic I've seen or used. The other problem with lapel mics is that it's easy to go off mic. If you turn your head you lose signal. There's also the possibility of clothes ruffling sounds, etc. While most television broadcasters use them, some are starting to switch to mics worn over the ear. The advantage of either style is better isolation of each voice. Comes in handy when recording panels etc.

Unfortunately, the E6i is about $375 for wired application and $350 for wireless.

[WyethDigital]

Well, the wireless is because the application is for a vidcast, and wireless would make mobility while shooting much easier. I definitely won't rule out wired options, and as such will look into the giant squid line or mics.

Thanks.
I'm assuming that you're also looking for a portable wireless receiver as well? Or are you going for a wireless mic studio set-up with the receiver not being portable?

If you head over to Full Compass, they have a crapload of stuff on sale/clearance. (http://www.fullcompass.com/specials/categories/AU0002/index.html#Sennheiser) Some of the stuff is rental and demo, but I can personally attest to the fact that they do keep their rental stock working well (minus some knicks and scratches on some of their gear).

Also, unless you're working in crowds or in wet conditions, a good XLR wired lav is pretty portable (especially if you buy a cord extender) and very durable. Of course, if you're chasing people down the street, you won't want a wired mic.

For some of my wireless stuff, I use an ancient Sony FM mono lav set-up. It ain't great, especially in wide open spaces (where the signal can't bounce) and in crowds (where the signal gets blocked), but it's super light and portable, and very reliable (going on 13 years with it). Lucky for me, I know it's limitations.

Eric

[WyethDigital]

Maybe out of your price range but I'd suggest the Countryman E6i if you have big bucks. Much better sound than any lapel mic I've seen or used. The other problem with lapel mics is that it's easy to go off mic. If you turn your head you lose signal. There's also the possibility of clothes ruffling sounds, etc. While most television broadcasters use them, some are starting to switch to mics worn over the ear. The advantage of either style is better isolation of each voice. Comes in handy when recording panels etc.

Unfortunately, the E6i is about $375 for wired application and $350 for wireless.
If you use a good lav, turning your head isn't going to lose a lot of sound. Over the ear mics are great for some things, but if you're outside, it's too easy to get wind noise. With a lav, you can at least mask it in a collar or under clothing (unless your the hostess of our show, and you have to put it, um, elsewhere to mask wind noise because everything is so low cut ;) ).

Eric

[sbourne]

Maybe out of your price range but I'd suggest the Countryman E6i if you have big bucks. Much better sound than any lapel mic I've seen or used. The other problem with lapel mics is that it's easy to go off mic. If you turn your head you lose signal. There's also the possibility of clothes ruffling sounds, etc. While most television broadcasters use them, some are starting to switch to mics worn over the ear. The advantage of either style is better isolation of each voice. Comes in handy when recording panels etc.

Unfortunately, the E6i is about $375 for wired application and $350 for wireless.
If you use a good lav, turning your head isn't going to lose a lot of sound. Over the ear mics are great for some things, but if you're outside, it's too easy to get wind noise. With a lav, you can at least mask it in a collar or under clothing (unless your the hostess of our show, and you have to put it, um, elsewhere to mask wind noise because everything is so low cut ;) ).

Eric

Never had any wind noise whatsoever using the Countryman E6 indoors or out. In any event, it's very expensive and not for everyone. But when you do panel discussions it can't be beat. It's the Mic that Leo LaPorte and the TWITS use for almost every podcast.

[WyethDigital]

No argument that it's a great mic! It's got a great rep!

I've never used one of that make, but I have used a cheaper over the ear mic and was a little frustrated by some of the noise. But with audio equipment, you get what you pay for!

Eric

[Canis Lupus]

Again pricey - but we use Lectrosonics mics in our television production business. They've stood the test of time with durability and good peformance. Also - you may want to research the differences between UHF and VHF mics. They can vary in price and performance. Typically VHF gives you only single frequency choices, so they can have interference depending upon where you shoot. UHF is more varied in frequency choice. We've been using the CR187s for more than 6 years and they both still perform.

http://lectrosonics.com/wireless/187/cr187.htm

[WyethDigital]

yeah, and oddly, a lot of the UHF receivers I've seen are cheaper than comperable VHF ones. Note that cheaper is subjective when you'r talking $100's of bucks!

Eric