Wireless lavalier mic system

[ikan]

Need some recommendations.

I'm planning to buy a mid-priced wireless lavalier mic system for my office. I need 2 mics. It's going to be used for presentations (hooked to the mixer) and video recording (interviews etc) using DSLR. Appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

 

[rokpunk]

Shure SLX system with WL185 lav mic. Around $600.
If you need 2 mics at the same time, you need 2 complete systems.
You can't tune 2 transmitters to the same frequency, as the signals will squash each other. It sounds like you really just need one mic, split to go to 2 places. If that's the case, just get a Whirlwind 1 in, 2 out splitter box.

 

[chinstrap]

Rokpunk is correct- Specifically when you are doing "interviews" will this be in an isolated space set up for recording, and no need to amplify the interview to an audience? IF that answer is yes, and the room is reasonably well behaved acoustically, you might consider an omni directional lav mic since it is more forgiving about where it is placed, etc. Most recording broadcast interview scenarios employ wide acceptance area mics such as omni's. Conversely, omni lav microphones are usually problematic in a live presentation situation with nearby loudspeakers and the need for higher levels of gain (see volume) before feedback so that others may hear the presenter.

If these are two distinctly different scenarios as I believe you are describing, you may need two different lav capsules.

The SLX system will work, and it is certainly "entry level" pro gear. You should look at the frequency set available in your area and make sure you have enough "tuning range" to avoid RF interference. A qualified Shure dealer or better yet call the factory in Evanston and they can help decide which frequency range and model is your best option.

 

[rokpunk]

somewhere on a shure webpage is an RF guide that will allow you to enter the zip code where these systems will be used and they will recommend the correct frequency block for that area. or just call shure customer service and they will be able to do it for you.

 

[ikan]

Great! Thank you very very much for all the info.

The wireless system is intended to be used for both video and presentations, but not both at the same time. What I'm looking is a system that can cater for both needs. For presentations, it's for amplification - hook them up to the existing mixer/PA in our training rooms. For video recording, sometimes I need to conduct interviews. I've had a session last week where we used the audio purely from DSLR. The output is not like what we desired, mainly because of the distance between the subject and the camera. It's harder to kill the ambience even in post. Synching double system is the way to go.

I've done some googling and set my mind to buy 2 sets of Sennheiser ew112G3. Considering the price of an extra bodypack+mic is quite expensive (I require 2 mics), it's better to buy 2 sets. Another receiver can act as a backup unit.

Now to the next question. Do I still need to buy a recorder? Or can I just connect the receiver into the audio port of DSLR and record the audio in camera?

 

[mixn4him]

You need 2 COMPLETE wireless systems and sometype of mixer to combine them into the DSLR..Either the Shure or Sennheiser are great I prefer the Sennheiser just because the packs are not plastic like the Shure's. Also you will probably want the EW122G3 with the Directional Lav as to help with the room ambience and possible phase issues depending on how close the 2 people sit next to/across from each other...