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Lectrosonics v. Sonosax

T

Tim Duran

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I have a gaggle of Lectrosonic 400 series systems based on comments from RedUser/Audio people like yourselves that Lectros were better than Senns. But over the last 6-9 months, I'm reading more positive comments on Sonosax systems than Lectos. What do you hear/what's your field experience with the two systems?

(3-10-2011: my error. I was multitasking too much. I mean Zaxcom, not Sonosax)
 
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Lectosonic are the best! I have 4 sets and they certain sound the best! Just bought a dual channel receiver for my MX / stedicam system.
 
Adam, are you using the 400 series? Is Sonosax distributed in Australia? Have you actually used Sonosax? I know a lot of people dismiss Sonosax because they are so expensive.
 
Define "Best"

I like Lectrosonics because they have the best ability to get the wireless signal through- even when there is a lot of traffic- including police and military broadcast. Basically unless you are under military jamming, Lectrosonics will probably get you a usable feature grade signal.

(UPDATE: I wrote about Sonosax transmitters here... but Sonosax doesn't make transmitters. Now I am unsure what the real brand of the transmitters I was working with was. Sorry for the confusion!)

Zaxcom has a great focus on audio quality, and is trying to deliver "RAW" audio recording. The standout feature of their wireless products however is that each transmitter has a built in recorder which records the signal before transmission. Their transmitters are very good, but not as good as the Lectrosonics by a long shot. For feature film use though the Zaxcomm absolutely guarantee that you get the audio recorded- even at the cost of a little post re-synching later.

To be perfectly clear at this level of gear, everything sounds good, and its all got great wireless reliability.

Its a matter of "inches", and your preference will depend a great deal on your personal style and working environments.

Before sinking money into ANY of these systems I'd rent the kits for some short shoots, maybe a 48 hour film festival or a student short- something you don't care too much about. Then you can use them in a low stress production environment.

Yes, I've used all of these, but I own none of them
 
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I'm confused. Sonosax is a very fine Swiss company that primarily makes exotic portable sound mixing consoles (and a mixer that records); Lectrosonics is an American company in New Mexico that mainly makes wireless microphone transmitters and receivers.

If you mean Zacom, yes, they make also make wireless microphone transmitters and receivers. Both Lectrosonics and Zaxcom are very highly regarded; they have different price ranges and design goals, but it's a "Mercedes vs. BMW" comparison -- both good, both pricey, but both top performers. Lectro uses digital audio signals on analog RF transmissions; Zaxcom's is all digital. There are pros and cons with both approaches, with compromises on sound quality and range -- neither one completely trumps the other, and they're both good choices.

Sennheiser isn't bad, though I'd put them in a lower category -- but they're very popular for live stage performers. (They use about 40 of them each week on American Idol, as one example.) I'd put Shure in the same category -- good, but not optimized for film production.

So much depends on specific frequencies used, microphones selected, receiving antennas, working with wireless on a cart vs. a one-man-band in a bag... this is a very complex subject. I agree with Alexander above that renting the systems before you buy is a very wise idea.
 
Marc Wielage said:
I'm confused. Sonosax is a very fine Swiss company that primarily makes exotic portable ...
Click to expand...

And right you are to be confused... because I was confused! The transmitters I was using were NOT Sonosax, and now I have no clue what they were. (because I thought they were Sonosax)

Apologies all around.
 
I define the "Best" as best sounding. The Lectro is rock solid both in range and performance. I have tried several other units including the Zacom and I find Lectro the best, 400 series that is..

Nearly every television production in australia uses them and i still have a set that i use all of the time that is 10 years old and is still going great.

I own 4 sets and also a wireless kit for Audio into the RED attached to my Stedicam
 
Very, very pricey, but very well-made... kind of like the Rolex of mixers. The (now closed) American company Cooper Sound was very close -- possibly the best portable analog mixer ever designed for film sound.
 
Cail Young said:
Does not compute.

But it is good advice. The only real test is your own ears on a real shoot.
Click to expand...

LOL

I just mean that the results don't "matter" like a paid gig matters.

Nobody expects perfection in the 48hour film festival- I mean you are making a short film in 48 hours concept to screen.

Hell nobody should expect anything reel worthy.
 
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