Better Wireless Lavalier Mic Setup

[Mike Kujbida]

Wireless mic systems range in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
What’s your budget?

[Victor Bausell]

Few hundred at most.
Thanks

[Mike Kujbida]

Given your limited budget, all I can recommend are choices from Azden and Audio-Technica with A-T being my preference.
Here is the pricing from B&H on these products.
Azden:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?sts=ma&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0&N=4291600805&srtclk=sort&Ntt=wireless+lav+mic+system
Audio-Technica:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?sts=ma&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0&N=4291606550&srtclk=sort&Ntt=wireless+lav+mic+system

[Victor Bausell]

Mike,
Thanks, so that would be the low end, what if I wanted to throw some more cash in the pot, say up to 500.00?
Does that buy a better transmitter and receiver?

Thanks
Vic

[Phil Seymour]

How far from the camera is the mic when it drops out? Also what environment is the problem occurring? The Sony mic isn’t a bad mic, so it makes me wonder if something else id causing your problem. Are you using good batteries… is the receiving antenna clear, Is the mic antenna/cable in good condition. Things to check before shelling out $$$

Windows 7 Pro64, 16GB RAM, SSD boot drive, GTX 570 Graphics, Vegas Pro 11 and VP10 just in case

[Mike Kujbida]

[Victor Bausell] “Does that buy a better transmitter and receiver?”

Yes it does. The ones I originally linked to operate in the VHF band and, depending on where you live, may not be the best choice and might even be illegal in this day and age of changing wireless mic rules.
For $550, I recommend the Audio-Technica 1800 series as this operates in the UHF band which means a lot less interference.
B&H has the ATW-1811C and ATW-1811D for $549.00
I highly recommend talking to them to find out which frequency band is best for the area you live in.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?sts=ma&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0&N=4291606550&srtclk=sort&Ntt=wireless+lav+mic+system

If you live in or near a major U.S. city such as New York or Los Angeles or Toronto or Vancouver in Canada, I highly recommend going to or calling a pro audio store such as Trew Audio, Professional Sound Services or Gotham Sound to get these folks to help you out on your decision.
Professional audio is what these folks do for a living and their staff is both knowledgeable and helpful.
https://www.trewaudio.com/
https://www.pro-sound.com/
https://www.gothamsound.com/main.shtml

I bought a Sennheiser G3 wireless system last summer and was ready to buy from my usual audio company but decided to get a quote from Trew Audio in Toronto as well. Not only did the store manager call me, he had some excellent suggestions on getting the best bang for my buck and was able to save me a good chunk of money as well.
There are times when it’s worth it to go to an expert and these three shops are all experts.