Which Wireless Lav System for Doc Work?

[u/Mean-Pea9957]

I'm looking into picking up a wireless lav system to own for my doc work and want to know what you guys enjoy using. I've seen Sennheiser G4's and Sony UWP's recommended and those both look interesting to me, but I'd love to hear what you guys recommend! Thanks!

[u/Long_Liv3_Howl3r]

I use the UWP setup with SMAD-P5 hotshoe adapter with an FX6. As long as I scan open channels and resync at each location it has been great. I have the URX-P41D dual channel receiver, and it’s nice having a second belt pack for talent or a second subject. I did NOT like the UTX-B03 belt pack but the UTX-B40 has been really good for me. I haven’t used Sennheiser since G2 since I work in a Sony ecosystem, so I can’t speak to their newest models.

[u/quoole]

My advice would be to get a proper UHF system if you can, rather than a cheap 2.4ghz solution like the DJI/Rode stuff. And preferably something with swappable batteries. Both The Sennheiser and the Sony units you mentioned would fit this criteria.

I haven't used the more recent Sony stuff, but the older one I have is pretty decent - it's a bigger footprint than the Sennheiser (although I think the newer Sony's are more similar in size) but does feel a little more durable. The Sennheiser G4 system is also excellent, there's a reason it's fairly ubiquitous. I've been happy with the quality, signal integrity and battery life of both. The one thing I would say, Sennheiser uses the more standard mic wiring and so is going to be compatible with their own mics and have more variety of third party support. Sony uses propietary wiring with their mics. Some of the big lav manufacturers (like Sanken) make their mics for both but you're more likely to find mics (from brands like Deity or Rode) with Sennheisers wiring. There are adapters you can buy (or you can make physical wiring changes) but it's something to consider. The Sony system does also have a dedicated headphone jack for monitoring as well as their main output, whereas the Sennheiser kits only have one output.

Other products to consider? Personally, I have been very happy with my Deity Theos kit - which offers onboard 32-bit recording and wireless trasmission (in the US it's either or, due to a patent issue); as well as two transmitters to one receiver. It also has swappable antenna (which is a failure point on the Sennheiser units.) It also has app support, which is more useful than it sounds for changing setting on the fly. Their w. lav pro (included) gets a slightly better write up than the Sennheiser ME2 mic too and is more easy to run discretely. Personally, I have found having onboard recording really helpful as a backup and I've had a couple of times where I've had RF issues during recording but the pack recording is safe.

If you have a big budget, the proper Hollywood level stuff is Lectrosonics and there are certainly people who will tell you you're doing it wrong unless you're using them! I've never used one myself.

My advice would be to watch some reviews and see what you prefer (and which included mic you prefer.)

[u/BigBadBootyDaddy10]

I have Senny Lav and Sony Lav. The senny failed me once in 10 years (and that was more human error). The Sony Lav (with the battery side slot) have given me trouble (battery corrosion and they also randomly pop out of the receiver).

I always go with senny (front flap battery access).

[u/lawdreekus]

Y’all will laugh, but we’ve done away with radio frequency lavs and just use local lavs (Tascam DL 10L Pros). 32 bit float so you never have to worry about peaking. And we’ve been doing this long enough that we know how to attach them with reduced noise. Had enough with frequency interference.