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Feature Quality: Lav Mic

Will Keir

Will Keir

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Hi all,

I'm looking to pick up two high quality wireless Lav Mics for narrative feature production. Any recommendations would be awesome.

Thanks.
 
Your on it man. Thanks.

Which Sennheiser?
 
I've only used it on documentaries but the Sennheiser EW-112 G3 has been solid for me.
 
 
lectrosonics are the best with sanken mics
 
Tram 50 mics I hear are good too.
 
DPA 4071 (4061 actually) + Zaxcom wirelesw. onboard recording. Doesn't get any better!
 
The sound guy on the last shoot I was on used lectro minis and then switched between DPAs and COS11s (depending on the location…) He said the DPAs were generally better, but the COS11 were good for certain things and were also way cheaper. On the shoot before that the audio guy has Sennheisers with Cos11s only.

The EW112G3s are pretty cheap, but the me2 microphone that the come with is really lousy. Overtly muffled/bassy compared to the COS or DPAs…. Depends on budget really… And how many people are being laved at one time. If it's overly complicated I agree with Ted; get a sound guy.
 
Lectrosonic's are the standard in the US, but not abroad.
Sennheiser's are pretty decent, but not as rugged. Definitely more semi-pro than pro.
I think folks have less drop outs with the Lectro's because their diversity system is better.
Also built to last.

DPA's are top flight, but Sanken Cos-11's have been the standard for a long time.
Great for picking up the high end, even in difficult situations, but a little lacking in bass.
Tram's and OST 891's are kinda throw-away microphones, used in difficult circumstances where you don't want to destroy more expensive ones.
Countrymen B6's are tiny and great for hiding, but a little lacking in dynamic's.
 
Guys, thanks a ton for the feedback. We are dialing in our gear right now, anything larger we'd jump to our sound man.

*For this shoot we are doing a two man crew in the mountains. Lots of running, jumping, possibly some water. Two actors, switching off camera, focusing on performance and increased difficulty.

Of the choices thus far, which wireless lavs and mics are best suited for our shooting environment? Can they take a light rain or be used if submerged in water for short periods?
 
Will Keir said:
Guys, thanks a ton for the feedback. We are dialing in our gear right now, anything larger we'd jump to our sound man.

*For this shoot we are doing a two man crew in the mountains. Lots of running, jumping, possibly some water. Two actors, switching off camera, focusing on performance and increased difficulty.

Of the choices thus far, which wireless lavs and mics are best suited for our shooting environment? Can they take a light rain or be used if submerged in water for short periods?
Click to expand...

You will want OST 801's (Oscar Sound Tech) cause they are cheap and decent quality, often used for this kind of thing. I also believe Countrymen makes a waterproof microphone (EMW), as does Voice Technologies. These should be wired for Lectrosonics. Much tougher body than Sennheisers, though bigger.
So there is that trade off.
 
I would absolutely talk to a seasoned post / production audio professional. Based on your quick explanation of what you are doing I'm not sure that even the best lavs in the world are going to give you what you want. I'm guessing your post sound would be a mix of boom and lav to give a sense of place with the dialog. Also don't let the need to move fast hurt your creative. If you're talking about mountains and water and running and jumping you'll want to hear that space. Likely with lavs you'll just hear clothing scraping on the mics when the actors run.
 
Will, I have sent you a PM with my phone number.. I can give some relevant experience based advice
 
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