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DSLR video: wireless boom mic system
Hey there, my name is Sebastian and I’m from New Zealand.
I shoot video with a Canon 60D. In a few weeks, I am taking part in a youth camp to be held in my city, around 4000 young people show up. I am part of the video team that creates daily highlights which are played at camp. We shoot all dslr, and have 60Ds, a 7D and a 5D.
I have tried several sound options for my camera, and at present have a Rode NTG-2 shotgun mic, blimp and boompole, as well as a Tascam DR-100MK2 audio recorder. The sound I get from this combination is fantastic.
The only problem is, when shooting at camp on a tight timeframe with pressure for a quick turnaround, having separate audio and video recording is a hassle to sync up in post, even though we have Pluraleyes. It would all be a lot easier and faster if I could get the great sound I get right now, but recorded straight into my camera. I have tried mounting my Tascam recorder on top of my camera and plugging the line out into the camera’s mic jack, but while the sound from the Tascam onboard mics is nice, it is nowhere near the quality of my Rode. Also, the recorder is reasonably heavy and throws off the camera’s balance when shooting handheld.
I am currently considering using this piece of kit: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3659-REG/Azden_WMS_PRO_WMS_PRO_VHF_Wireless_Lavalier.html
It seems to me that I could plug the 3.5mm line out from my tascam into the transmitter, which would then send the sound to the receiver which I could mount on top of my 60D and plug into the mic jack. This way, my sound recordist/boom operator could move about freely with the boom, Tascam and transmitter, and I could get great sound without worrying about cables or bulky things mounted on my camera.
I am wondering if anyone has experience doing something similar to this with a dslr setup like mine?
Also, what are the chances that my audio quality will drop considerably considering it is being transmitted wirelessly?I know that this is possible, as I have seen it being done on television OB’s I have worked at.
Thank you very much in advance for any help or advice.
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4 Replies
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I think the broadcasters you have seen doing this were using much more expensive RF transmitters than the kit you propose using – I don’t know anything about the Azden however the price is very very low so either it’s a great deal or it’s a risk that the sound quality won’t be great or will drop out.
I would try renting the Azden package and seeing if it works the way you expect before buying.
Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com -
Thanks a lot for your help Steve, I will look into some hire options 🙂
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Have you tried a cable from the Tascam with the boom input into your camera? (instead of using the Tascam built in mics) There are special cables to make sure the levels are correct.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/746643-REG/Sescom_LN2MIC_TASDR100_LN2MIC_TASDR100_Line_Out_to.htmlOne thing suggested to me by an audio guy is to a wireless plug for your boom mic.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/618735-REG/Sennheiser_EW_100_ENG_G3_A_Evolution_G3_100_Series.htmlor get the plug and recieiver separately
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/618848-REG/Sennheiser_SKP_100_G3_A_SKP_100_G3_Plug_on.htmlhttps://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/618925-REG/Sennheiser_EK_300_IEM_G3_A_EK_300_IEM_G3.html
but the combo gives you 2 transmitters and a lav mic in addition to a receiver and the xlr transmitter.The advantage is it provides the quality of the boom mic without the issue of cable noise on the boom pole or cable impairing movement. You’d probably want/need to go through Tascam or other box before going into camera but I’m not sure.
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“Have you tried a cable from the Tascam with the boom input into your camera? (instead of using the Tascam built in mics) There are special cables to make sure the levels are correct.”
I use the line out to camera mic cable at the moment, it works fine using both the tascam mics and with my boom mic plugged in.
“The advantage is it provides the quality of the boom mic without the issue of cable noise on the boom pole or cable impairing movement. You’d probably want/need to go through Tascam or other box before going into camera but I’m not sure. ”
I have had a look at some of the options you mentioned already, but spending that much money on a wireless kit just isn’t really in my budget. I was looking at the Azden as it seems to be a really low price for what you get. I am not sure if it sacrifices audio quality though.
My idea is to definitely go through the mixer before the wireless transmitter unit, I would never try going wireless without a mixer, I really want my sound op to have full control over the levels. I might end up taking a gamble on the Azden as it is quite cheap. Thanks a lot for your response 😀
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