Azden 31 LT VHF Mic Wireless Transmitter (I know Sennheiser G2 all the way)

[MicMic]

Well I am in need of mics. And I currently am quite strapped for money. I thought maybe extra Azden would help because so far and I know this is practically taboo to say this but the only audio I have been able to get has been through my on camera mic. Or my Shure wired mic (excellent)).

Hence I need some lavaliers. I was thinking of just trying to start with some backups. I would have about 5 or more of these if I did purchase them. Are they totally useless or should I give them a chance.

Azden 31 LT VHF Lavalier Mics Wireless Transmitter

I was wondering if anyone knows anything about this mic?

[BillGrant]

Mic,
I would suggest looking for a Iriver IFP-795. They are pretty coveted as it goes, but I have had more luck with my Iriver than my sennhesier. It should run you about 60 bucks. And then you get a mic from Giant Squid Labs (just google it) they are wired for this iriver. Best piece of kit I own honestly. If you have 180 bucks, scrap the Iriver and go with a Zoom H2. It will fit in a pocket, and use the same Giant Squid Mic. Both are excellent alternatives to wireless which can be sketchy especially at the lower levels.
Bill

[HankCastello]

I've written quite a bit about mics and about the Azden VHF mics, in particular.  In a comparison test, they came in second to the Sennheiser G2, above other Azdens and other brands.  Their range is good too.

The drawbacks are -

* You can only use two, because that's all the channels they give you (at least, on the older model that we tested)
* The handheld mic that comes with it (for only $150 total) looks cheap
* VHF is what most churches use, so you have to be careful about interference (but we never had an issue with this)
* With the new FCC changes, I'm not sure how these mics might be affected, especially in highly populated areas

[MicMic]

Thank you so much Bill and Hank.

To Hank,
I'm sorry. I've been doing so much research on my audio that sometimes I forget where I found all my information. I do very much appreciate all the posts you have made about mics so far they've all been so helpful. Being a newbie at this as I am I thought maybe these were a different brand or something since there seemed to be a good deal on them on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280521383395&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

To Bill,
Yes I have $200 for sure to spend on good audio it's the bane of my editing existence. I have been looking into the Zoom H2 for a while. I want to purchase it but I don't want to have it create syncing issues when it comes time to edit. Is it better then to just get a wireless 200 - 350 is my price range that will connect to my DVX100B so that if I have to start and stop all audio with be matched already?

My biggest problem is trying to figure out how to buy a wireless mic that will feed into my DVX100B or a Canon GL2. Last shoot I had a pretty decent lavalier that I was blessed with to borrow at the last mintue but unfortunately we had no time to figure out how to hook it through my camera.

Hence I want to be prepared with the right hook ups next time.

[HankCastello]

Those aren't the greatest cams for wedding work.  Their low light capabilities are far below Sony VX2100s which you could probably buy cheap on ebay.  In fact, I'm selling three of them, with accessories including rain covers, wide & tele lenses, a few tripods and Beachteks.  I'm not sure what price I should be asking - was hoping for $2k for everything or $2400 if I throw in a Panny C7 with hard case and extra batteries (I'd take six and a half for it by itself - it's only had about two dozen tapes run through it, but again, it lacks in the low light area, though not as bad as some.

[BillGrant]

Mic,
I haven't had any synching issues with the H2. I love the idea of no wireless. I have much more issues with wireless interference even with 1600 available channels, than I have ever had with the H2s or the Irivers. I have a feeling that I will go completely without wireless in the next year. I have 2 H2s and 1 Iriver and if my wireless ever dies, I will probably replace it with another Iriver or H2. That's my thought. I don't put any stock in monitoring wireless because if it starts to fail there's just nothing you can do. I would 1000 times rather have a wired device like the H2 than cheap wireless. Just my opinion.
Bill

[HankCastello]

Valid points about wired vs wireless  - BUT - If you have neither right now and can only get one or two, then I would advise wireless first, then follow up with a good dr.  Wireless is more versatile and useful in on the go situations where a dr would be a headache.

[kwshaw1]

...if my wireless ever dies, I will probably replace it with another Iriver or H2.

But then it's nice to have at least one wireless setup so you have something on the video to sync with during editing, plus it helps monitor what's happening during the ceremony.

[HankCastello]

About Bill's point that monitoring a wireless isn't much help during a ceremony because there's nothing you can do at that point to fix a problem -

I can recall a fairly recent wedding where I'm listening to the minister's feed when static hits for about five seconds.  True, I couldn't do a thing about it but was sure happy to have a mic on the groom to blend in and cover that noise.

As far as monitoring - ceremonies aren't the only things we shoot.  I've started guest interviews where the receiver hadn't been turned on yet.  The audio level meter seemed ok because it was also registering the shotgun feed.  If I hadn't worn those headphones, I'd have ended up with awful audio.

It's not that I disagree with Bill's assessment and preference to wired or direct-digital feeds, but that I feel that at least a couple of wireless sets should be in any professional's kit.

[BillGrant]

Oh, I agree that you need a wireless for alot of things. I shoot alot of interviews, and appreciate monitoring for that because I can adjust for different volumes of speakers etc. But, if I had to choose between a $200 wireless system and a $200 DR system there's no doubt in my mind that I would go with the DR instead. Even with my Sennheiser G2s I have gotten consistent blips of interference and static even though I scan ahead of time in each location and supposedly have 1600 channels to choose from. I can't imagine what a $200 VHF wireless would be like. I see DJs all the time with VHf handhelds and they consistently short and crackly when you get 100 ft. from the DJ booth. No thanks. I'll take consistency and a little synching in post to a crapshoot anyday.
Bill

[HankCastello]

[I'll take consistency and a little synching in post to a crapshoot anyday.]

Point taken.  But your post might give the impression, to the uninitiated, that VHF sets are more prone to interference than UHF, and indeed it makes sense that they would be - but that has not been my experience in shooting weddings all over the USA.  I almost wrote that, in fact, the uhf sets seem more prone to interference, but then I have more UHF than VHF, so that wouldn't be fair.  They're probably about the same (in my experience).

[MicMic]

Thanks for all the help! I do own a hideous handheld wireless mic (came with a camera package i shouldnt have gotten) that I wish I could get rid of quick. It's terrible static every minute and I only use it as a backup just in case it happens to pick up a decent piece of audio. So no to a $200 wireless then.

I actually have not done a wedding yet! I have done one years ago (for free) but was told by someone else that the footage was no good. I never got to see it though so I'm pretty suspicious since they couldn't even tell me 1 thing that was wrong with it.

But I'm better now than I was 3 years ago. I've so far filmed a funeral, an engagement ceremony, and recently this surprise party. So no wedding yet basically similar events. A Nigerian wedding isn't even the same as n American one so you're dealing with a lot of surprise factors when they tell you no matter how you insist "just wait and see" which sends you into massive research.

But I digress yes the Zoom H2 sounds like it's for me. When I do interviews I use my Shure wired mic which is wonderful. I never have static and it's clear crisp sound feeding right into my camera. For now until I buy my Zoom H2 I think I'll get a good XLR extension cord.

Anybody know who might be selling a Zoom H2 or should I just search tons of forums?

[HankCastello]

So no to a $200 wireless then.

Your previous experience with another brand of vhf has no bearing on what to expect from the Azden VHF set.  If you use the search feature of these boards you will find actual mp3 files comparing it against three other, much pricier mics - it came in second only to the Senn G2.  Static has never been an issue with the Azden VHF, though a low hiss is an issue, but is easily removed and rarely even noticed by non-pros.

As to your quest for an h2 - ebay and craigslist are the places to find used gear.  B&H is a safe place for new.

[MicMic]

Mm I mean if I have to pick either one right now as something to start off with.

I'm not dismissing the value of a wireless mic but saying that since I have had so much trouble with one before I'll try using the Zoom H-2 first then once I have built up some capital I will go all the way to Sennheiser and also purchase Azden as backups.

I might change my mind though since you have convinced me to buy some Azdens to. I think I have the capital to spend on that. I really appreciate you telling me this. It really helped me in my search for a wireless mic to begin with. So now I'm set, I'll start with an Azden and a Zoom H-2.

Your previous experience with another brand of vhf has no bearing on what to expect from the Azden VHF set.  If you use the search feature of these boards you will find actual mp3 files comparing it against three other, much pricier mics - it came in second only to the Senn G2.