Buying a wireless microphone « Videomaker Community Forums

duoenigma
Member

I don't even know where to begin....Well I am looking for a wireless microphone (Duh) but I am recording pranks (Jackass type of stuff) I am using a sony vx2000. I would like to know does anyone know of a good wireless microphone? thats not so expensive? My budget is $300 or less, I'm looking for something that can transmit 500 feet or less. can anyone help? thanks

Posted 8 years ago #
FAV
Member

Try azden.com. quality inexpensive wireless mics

Posted 8 years ago #
mrvideo
Member

As usual, there are performance trade-offs at the low end, the big one being how they handle a crowded frequency environment. If you can live with having the audio drop out, requiring you to change channels/reshoot, a simple system may work for you. Always wear headphones to monitor what you're getting from an external mic (wireless or not)and take a look at makers like Samson as well. They have a true diversity series (micro32 I think) that isn't much more than your budget. Azden products are certaily worth investigating too, but try to learn enough to create reasonable expectations for whatever you buy.

David Hurdon
http://www.contentshop.tv

Posted 8 years ago #
duoenigma
Member

I found this one, what do you guys think? How many feet can I get?

WLX-PRO 240.00
A complete system which includes the WL/T-PRO, a belt-pack transmitter (WM-PRO) with electret condenser lavalier microphone (EX-503), and the WR-PRO receiver, which comes with both shoe-mount and velcro

Antenna: External Antenna
Mic Unit: Omni Lavalier
RF Output: 30mW (50mW max.)
Impedance: 2.2 k ohms
Battery: 1 (9v)
Battery Life: 8 to 10 Hours
Dimensions: 86mm x 60mm x 21.5mm - (3.4" x 2.4" x .84")
Weight: 98g with Battery - (3.4 oz)

Posted 8 years ago #
duoenigma
Member

Also! Do I need a beachtech in order to connect the wireless microphone?

Posted 8 years ago #
mappel
Member

I've been using an Azden WMS-PRO for a couple of years and have had no problems with it. This Mic has a small lavalier and a handheld that will plug into the transmitter, (one at a time). I've never gone more than about 100 feet, but they work fine at that distance

Posted 8 years ago #
mrvideo
Member

I've only used one (a friend's Sony) without the Beachtek but it works fine. The Beachtek lets you use balanced mics with XLR connectors, and mixed sources like a mixer in one channel and a shotgun in the other. When you use it your on-camera mic is disabled. Here's a link to a Samson unit at B&H for $50 more than your budget.

http://tinyurl.com/3fkmh If that times out (as it did on me) the full URL is http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=187777&is=REG

David Hurdon
http://www.contentshop.tv

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

I recently purchased the 500 UDR series. The first time I used it I put 6 brand new akaline batteries in the receiver and the power-on led red light started out flashing. I didn't know at the time what that meant and used the system for just a few minutes before I lost sound.

I put in 6 more brand new batteries and the red light stayed red, but when I started using the system it only lasted about 5 minutes before the red light started blinking. Does anyone know what the problem is and do you know whether or not lithium batteries would be better? It didn't mention them in the phamplet.

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

The Sony WCS-999 wirless mic set is perfect for video taping. Records mono to left channel on my Cannon GL2. The transmitter and receiver are both the size of a pager and both run on a single AA battery. Distance is limited because of no external antenna I believe 150 feet. Has 3 channels on 900 MHz band. The receiver can be clipped to the hand strap on the camcorder and I have used both for 3 hours on same set of batteries, may go longer. The mic is plugged into the transmitter via 1/8" mini jack but the line in wire from the receiver is hard wired with 1/8" male plug. I would purchase extended warranty for that very reason. Price is $149. It works great.

Posted 7 years ago #
nobody
Member

> The Sony WCS-999 wirless mic set is perfect for

> video taping. Records mono to left channel on my

> Cannon GL2. The transmitter and receiver are

> both the size of a pager and both run on a single

> AA battery. Distance is limited because of no

> external antenna I believe 150 feet. Has 3

> channels on 900 MHz band. The receiver can be

> clipped to the hand strap on the camcorder and I

> have used both for 3 hours on same set of

> batteries, may go longer. The mic is plugged into

> the transmitter via 1/8" mini jack but the line

> in wire from the receiver is hard wired with 1/8"

> male plug. I would purchase extended warranty

> for that very reason. Price is $149. It works

> great.

Chuck: I've been using the Sony WCS-999 for some time with moderate results, I use a mono to stereo adaptor (Radio Shack, about $2.00) so I get the sound on both stereo channels. Better sound. Try it if you like.

Posted 7 years ago #
nobody
Member

David,

The Samson model you referenced at BH Photo is exactly the one I bought recently for my Canon XL1S. (and I got it from BH, too)

So far no problems. I've learned that I don't like using the XLR connector from my MA100 mic adapter. (mono sound in left channel only). I need to get an RCA Y-connector for the unbalanced input. As soon as I do that, I'll have a better idea of what I'm working with.

Paid about $350 for the Samson unit. I tried it outside and in some small rooms...no problems with clarity or interference as I can tell. They say that the 9 Volt batteries will last about 12 hours of usage.

Posted 7 years ago #
nobody
Member

Will the WCS-999 work with a Canon zr90? I want something fairly inexpensive that will be decent. Thanks

Posted 7 years ago #
nobody
Member

They will work on any 1/8" mono input jack. Their small size along with good audio quality make them a good buy. Also you can extend the warranty for another year, about $30. Because the cable on the receiver is hard wired I opted for the extended warranty. The mic plugs into the transmitter and can be substituted by another mic, even a powered mic. I used a small Radio Shack powered mic with good results, for audio pickup of a group discussion.

Posted 7 years ago #