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Is the Sennheiser G2 junk?
I’ve been having a heck of a time trying to get good audio without interference with my 2 Sennheiser G2 wireless lavs. I’ve shot with this wireless system for a while and it is fantastic when the talent is still and not moving. It is awful during live events when people are moving around. I’m constantly getting bad reception from transmitter to receiver. I find myself having to bend the receivers antennas on my camera in order to eliminate the hissing sounds I’m hearing.
When I’m going out to these events I turn both my receivers on. I make sure that any other systems that will be in the facility are on. I scan the frequencies and choose available frequencies that are free. I use to enable Pilot mode but I have that turned off. I know that the antennas on the talents most likely are being moved around a bit when they are walking, but I find it unacceptable to receive so much hissing from Sennheiser Wireless Systems. Are my G2 simply ready for an upgrade or am I missing something?
Thanks for any advice.
Cody Walters
JW Studio LLC
Houston Video Production
Houston Wedding VideographerFinal Cut Studio 3
Adobe CS5 Master Suite
Panasonic HVX-200
Canon 7D -
19 Replies
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Hello Cody and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.
Sennheiser G2 are not junk. The air between them may be, though.
You sound like you have everything setup properly. Perhaps these thoughts will help.
Position the transmitters so the antenna dangles downward (and straighter).
Place the receivers as high as possible so they get a more direct shot from the transmitters with fewer people in the way.
Placing a transmitter on the belt right next to someone’s cell phone is a bad idea.
Weddings and public events are a prime place for interference problems due to cell phones and other personal broadband wireless devices and things are only going to get worse. You might try a different frequency band. I think Sennheiser sell three bands for the G3 these days.
If your receivers are in one place, try positioning them as close to the transmitters as possible and cabling from there to your mixer. Try using directional, high gain antennae on the receivers. That’s what the pros do.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Audio Forum Leader
Cow Audio Forum Leader
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide -
Ty,
Thanks for the advice. I haven’t tried pointing the receivers downward. I’ve had them pointed upward most of the time so I’ll have to try the reverse. I had not thought of using a high gain antennae. Am I able to remove the G2 antennae and replace with a high gain antennae?
It has been very difficult getting clean audio with these transmitters at events lately. Would you recommend the Sony equivalent of the Sennheiser G3? I feel like antennas that have the ability to swivel would be very beneficial.
Cody Walters
JW Studio LLC
Houston Video Production
Houston Wedding VideographerFinal Cut Studio 3
Adobe CS5 Master Suite
Panasonic HVX-200
Canon 7D -
Can’t speak for the G2 but I’ll tell ya the G3 totally rocks. 🙂
Noah
Unlock the secrets of 24p, HD and Final Cut Studio with Call Box Training. Featuring the Panasonic GH2 and GoPro HD Hero.
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The antennas on the G2/3 are hardwired and cannot be moved & there are no aftermarket substitutes for them. They can only be replaced with the same type in case of damage to the antenna.
Eric
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Eric, are you saying that not even YOU can do a mod for an external antenna?
Regards,
Ty Ford
Audio Forum LeaderCow Audio Forum Leader
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide -
That’s too bad. I’m almost thinking that my antenna may be a little damaged and bent over time. Cool to hear that the G3s are good Noah. Have any of you guys used Sony Wireless systems?
Cody Walters
JW Studio LLC
Houston Video Production
Houston Wedding VideographerFinal Cut Studio 3
Adobe CS5 Master Suite
Panasonic HVX-200
Canon 7D -
Cody,
I do antenna replacements for the G2/3. Contact me: audioetc@bellsouth.net or 954-255-7628.
Eric
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Eric,
Great to hear you can repair these. I’ll be giving you a call this upcoming week.
Thanks,
Cody Walters
JW Studio LLC
Houston Video Production
Houston Wedding VideographerFinal Cut Studio 3
Adobe CS5 Master Suite
Panasonic HVX-200
Canon 7D -
As a bit of FYI. Sennheiser uses the same antenna for the G2/3 series for all frequencys from 470-772MHz which cover blocks A, B, C and the newer G block. They are not cut for specific bands/blocks or frequencys. The C block from 740-772MHz is no longer legal in the U.S. and are not available here any longer thru retailers.
Eric
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Eric,
Can you use your slide rule to get a better length for one of your custom antennae?
Regards,
Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
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