[Craig Alan]

I listened to the clip on-line. Was not impressed. I would spend a bit more. If my suggestion is dated and not quite the right fit then for sure there is one that is. But I would think in that price range. For a documentary heavy on interviews it is more than 1/2 your production. I have also found that more expensive audio gear tends to last longer. I don’t know how long your doc is but if i have to listen for longer than a few minutes to sound that is noisy, or hollow or thin it just starts to get on your nerves. If the sound is natural and intimate it draws you in. Here’s another thought: since interviews are not a drama, there really is no need to hide the microphone. For less than a good lav you can get a quality dynamic hand-held. But granted you do see the mike that way. Depends on the type of interview. I like the Huell Howser approach to subjects. But it depends on the style you’re after. You are going up to people on the street and using your recorder as a handheld. Remember in a noisy environment you need to get very close to the source.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

That’s true Jonathan. What I suggest is you find a service rep there that deals with profession audio gear.

First find out who there best rep is for this type of gear. Tell them you have a small post house and need help isolating an RF problem. Then establish an email relationship. Explain your RF problem and that you are looking for solutions. Everyone knows in the audio field that it can come down to trial and error. Then deal only with this rep. Make sure he is in when you stop by. Keep all packing material. Take pictures as you go when you unpack it. Use scissors to cut open sealed plastic but leave cut piece attached. Nothing sells still new as a neatly repacked item. BH is the biggest vendor for the entertainment industry for a reason. They do honor the warranties and exchange policy and do not sell grey market stuff. On the other hand, they really are mostly not helpful when it comes to helping anyone buy what they need or technical support. But know what you want and they are the biggest if not the best.

Since you are getting different degrees of Rf in different outlets in the apartment, I suspect that maybe something can be done with the room wiring and a cheaper conditioner. For sure check out the wiring behind the outlet covers. And listen to Ty’s suggestion to figure out if it is the ground wire.

Also a different brand of speaker just might do the trick.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Hi Ty,

If the RF is traveling through the electrical line, where does it originate? Can an electrical line pick up RF from the air? The way speaker wire can? And if so, why does electrical wire not do this constantly?

In other words what makes a line dirty power vs. clean? And once discovered to be dirty is the only answer a high end conditioning box like the one you are recommending? In the studio installations I’ve seen where they have these boxes built in, I do not assume that the basic wiring with all the dedicated lines is dirty. I had therefore thought it was just to keep things as clean and constant as possible.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

So according to them you need a dedicated line for a set of computer monitors. Seriously, I’d go back to BH and get a different brand and test them out under the 30 trial. Return the one that doesn’t work. I mentioned above there are fancy line conditioners installed in studios with fat budgets. Ty knows his stuff and the price point makes sense.

I’d also find the local electric panel for your apartment, turn it off, unscrew the outlet you are using and see if the wiring look ok. Nothing frayed, nothing touching that shouldn’t be. easy enough to look on-line for the type of wiring connections and follow the diagrams.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

You need an external drive and usb 2 won’t cut it.

Get an 800 firewire raid or thunderbolt raid if it works on your Mac.

If you have the coin, I’d consider one where you can swap out drives. That way you can continue to grow your library. I think you need to decide if you are all in or just playing around.

Now if you do land a job as an assistant editor – logging in footage and the like – you might just be using your home computer to continue to learn if you don’t have time at work. Even so you want to employ best practices. So learn to store media on a fast enough external raid.

If you are serious about this get the:

https://www.amazon.com/Media-Composer-Editing-Essentials-Learning/dp/1133727980

https://www.amazon.com/Media-Composer-Editing-Essentials-Learning/dp/1133727980

parts 1 and 2 and then continue to learn from there.

Don’t give up on FCP X – the jury is still out.

Adobe PP is gaining traction

After effects is industry standard

Resolve is good to know.

The more you know the better your chances.

If you are talking about broadcast TV and Hollywood feature films then yes MC is a must.

For smaller shops, its everything from the above to FCP 7.

There is no one size fits all at the moment.

FCP 8 might have put the nail in the coffin.

That ship has sailed.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Sounds to me like you have a combo of problems. The new ones have better shielding. There is a problem with the circuit and/or plug where you have been setting them up. There is phone interference once they are set up on a quiet properly grounded line. I would still think that cell interference applies to the speaker wire not electrical wire but maybe I’m wrong. Speaker wire I know acts as an antenna for over he air transmissions. So shorter runs sometimes help. And shielding.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

You’ve tried everything I know, though there are dedicated line conditioning boxes that cost way more than built in stuff in battery back ups. I would try to find an electrician that has worked on production studios/post houses in NY. I think at this point it would be worth the consultation fee. Before that you might try to buy another set of speakers from a different brand that allow for a certain amount of time while you can still return. Like 30 days. Try them out. If the problem is solved then you have an answer. If the interference is regardless of which speakers then you have you have isolated your problem.

If you buy from BH again, you might be able to work out an exchange. It was their guy that recommended the brand you have.

You might ask your neighbors if they are experiencing the same problem. Not everyone is an editor but a lot of folks have either stereo or home movie speakers and or computer speakers – cheaper and less shielded.

Cell tower stuff is usually the speaker wires acting as an antena. The fact that that is not the culprit is interesting.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

There might be something you can do. If the electric is not properly grounded, it is most likely against code and could be reported. There are line conditioners you can buy. You might consider a battery back-up box that includes line conditioners. Poor electric lines are not good for your computer gear either.

Maybe you could hire an electrician to test everything for you and make recommendations?

Have you tried plugging the speakers in from a different outlet? Maybe the wires are frayed or shortening or ground got disconnected inside the outlet.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Richard. I was just trying to come up with one that was battery powered and decent. Is there one that would benefit from “plug in” power that would help him out?

I have a Sony wireless kit that came with a lav and I have to say I’m surprised it’s not mentioned more in the G3 conversations. It was about the same price point and holds its own.

When you say an adapter — why not just an xlr to miniplug cable?

The other brands you recommend need the xlr/power supply connector too. Right?

But back to your first point – the ATR 3350 is mono. And at such a low price point, is it really decent?

FYI: Richard is way more knowledgeable about this stuff than I am and I’m always looking for affordable solutions because I get asked this stuff all the time.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Though I have no experience with the one below, from other end users, I would say it is a good starting point:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/49318-REG/Sony_ECM44B_ECM_44B_Omni_Directional_Lavalier.html

Don’t go too cheap on sound gear. You’ll regret it.

Also from just reading: the H1 provides “plug in power” but not true phantom power – so make sure any mike you buy is compatible with this device including getting the sound to both channels – the right interconnect.

MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170, Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.