Check out the links below the video
Nature and wildlife filmmakers don’t often have a need for a wireless mic system that often. But the more I learn that the story is king, the more I see myself interviewing people about our natural world.
I’ve always been a fan of Sennheiser for many years. In fact, my  boom mic is a Sennheiser ME66 shotgun mic that I really love. But it’s not practical for me to carry around a shotgun mic, boom pole and a long XLR cable.
So when my cheapo wireless mic finally gave up the ghost, I knew it was a sign that I needed to add the Sennheiser Evolution G3 series to my camera bag.
I actually looked at Sennheiser back when the G2 series was just coming out but couldn’t justify the expense when I had a system that was working. Not great, but working.
The sound quality of the Sennheiser G3 series is really pretty good. The range is farther than I would ever want to use it.
Set up is very easy. One pass though the manual and I had the system up and was recording audio.
The only real negatives I have on the system is that I’ll probably add a better mic clip than the one provided. It works fine but I’d like to get something a bit more solid.
The other is that the foam windscreen is both huge and worthless. I invested in a Windcutter cover and that cut wind noise down considerably.
Like I say in the video below, I went with the more directional mic since I tend to record in noisier locations. Even though I’m out in a tallgrass prarie, I can hear trains, dogs, planes, motorcycles miles away. The downside of the directional mic is that it picks up wind noise better than an omnidirectional mic will. But the windcutter makes it very workable.
Product Highlights
• EK 100 G3 Camera Mountable Receiver
• SK 100 G3 Bodypack Transmitter
• ME4 Clip-On Lavalier Mic
• 1680 Tunable Frequencies Across 42 MHz
• Auto Frequency Scan Finds Open Bands
• 3 Level Squelch To Block Interference
• 20 Banks With 12 Channel Presets Each
• Compander For Clearer Sound
• Auto-Lock Prevents Accidental Adjustment
The EW112p is the set to get if you want the omni-directional mic
The EW122p is the set to get if you want the directional mic
Sennheiser ew 112-p G3 Camera Mount Wireless Microphone System with ME2 Lavalier Mic – A (516-558 MHz)
Sennheiser ew 112-p G3 Camera Mount Wireless Microphone System with ME2 Lavalier Mic – B (626-668 MHz)
Sennheiser ew 112-p G3 Camera Mount Wireless Microphone System with ME2 Lavalier Mic – G (566-608 MHz)
Sennheiser ew 122-p G3 Camera Mount Wireless Microphone System with ME4 Lavalier Mic – A (516-558 MHz)
Sennheiser ew 122-p G3 Camera Mount Wireless Microphone System with ME4 Lavalier Mic – B (626-668 MHz)
And as always, shoot the ordinary and make it extraordinary!
I guess it’s very rewarding to do films starring wildlife and nature. You guys are so lucky. It’s good that this kind of gadget are now available for your aid.
Nice. But isn’t it a little pricey?
Lynell,
Well it sounds like it is but you get what you pay for.
I have an Audio-Technica system that I only paid a couple hundred dollars for that is plagued with interference issues. It got to the point where it was unusable which is why I picked up the GF3 series to begin with.
Looking at a few places, the Countryman lavaliere microphone I want to get for this system is $503.
There are wireless systems that cost much. much more than the G3 does but I felt this was a good compromise and still get really good quality sound.
I am looking for a microphone to purchase for my job and I am torn between the ew112 and the ew122. I will be using this for interviews in and outside of the classrooms. I will also be using this in a live classroom setting where the teacher may be doing a massage demo and or just talking and walking around the classroom. Do you have any videos demonstrating how the ew112 holds up. Thank you for your time.
Chrissy
Hi,
Thanks for the comment!
I don’t have the mic tht comes with the ew 112.
I knew because I was filming primarily outside I waned a mic that was directional instead of omni-directional to help block out the non nature sounds tht always seem to pop up whenever I decide to record a tutorial.
Either mic I going to record excellent audio. The one I have just excludes more sound from its surrounding than the other. But I don’t think you’d go wrong with either one.
The one I have since it is a directional mic picks up more wind noise which is why I have a windscreen on mine otherwise I love that it makes the motorcycles and braking dogs less noticeable.
Kevin
Thanks so much Kevin for your quick response. I have one last question how does the ew 112 pick up if the person being interviewed and or mic’d turns their head away from the mic. while talking is it that noticeable, slightly, dramatically? I feel like I am now leaning towards this mic. because of what you said about blocking out motorcycle’s and barking dogs. etc. Also what windscreen do you recommend purchasing.
I can try shooting a demo with me turning my head and upload it for you so that you can see the amount of drop off there is.
I just recorded a dance instructor using it. I can go through that footage too and see if she turns her head. It would give you more of a real life example.
I get all my windcutters from here: http://www.thewindcutter.com/shop/
You can get a variety of colors and the longer the “fur” the more wind it cuts.
Now, no mic is going to eliminate ALL background noise. A directional will do a better job of it than an omni-directional.
Kevin
Thank you Kevin that would be amazing! I feel like that is my final determining question on which mic. to get.
Hi Kevin
Can i use Sennheiser ew 112-p G3 or Sennheiser ew 122-p G3 for vocal or singing ?
It is for recording.
Hey Nick,
I imagine it would work just fine. The real key is the mic that you use. Some have a lower end then others so they will sound richer when it comes to vocals.
Since all my stuff is just speaking voices, I can tweak the audio if I need to in order to get it to sound better.
If you have the ability to sweeten your audio, I think you’d be ok. I know a lot of people use them for weddings but that’s probably for the vows etc.
They’re certainly awesome mice and if you pair them with the right mic you should get some great audio.
I’m looking into maybe buying a Countryman lav for my set just to get a bit richer audio.
Hi,
I am considering purchasing this wireless system. Have you used it outside the US and if so, any issues? I would be using it both here and abroad.
Thanks
I haven’t used it outside the US but outside of some reason why the frequency would be banned it will work just fine.
I love mine. Use it all the time.