film location wireless

[aracu]

Is there anything on the market now for one channel of film location wireless which does not have any significant issues such as radio interferance in busy city locations?

[robcap]

It is hard to beat rf interference these days. You may want to check out products from Lectrosonics and Zaxcom among others if you have not already. Lectrosonics comes with f scanners that can quickly determine which space is free. Of course, you could change locations down a city block and discover you will have to change f again. Digital hybrids from both of these companies can sometimes have some success. I also think Zaxcom has incorporated a flash recorder in one of its wireless transmitters for those difficult scenarios.

If you have not tried already, check out rec.arts.movies.production.sound better known as 'RAMPS'. Most film location guys are on there. Or try Trewaudio.com and ask one of their guys there.

Hope this helps!

[kk@jamsync.com]

We have several Lectrosonics and they're really good, if a bit expensive. It drives us crazy in some situations, though. I've had available freqs change in the middle of a shoot. Nashville isn't a very big city, but even with just four wireless mikes, it can be irritating to try to stabilize the audio. I love the scanner in the Lectrosonics. It's fast and intuitive once you figure out the buttons.

Also, be sure you have lots of extra batteries for transmitter and receiver!

[philper]

Originally Posted by aracu

Is there anything on the market now for one channel of film location wireless which does not have any significant issues such as radio interferance in busy city locations?

No. You have to get the freq. charts from Lectro or Sennheiser and do your research per city, and sometimes by parts of cities, and these charts are not fully up to date and don't indicate RF squatters. You also have to coordinate your RF gear within your own system to make sure you aren't causing interference to your own gear. There is also th eissues of the RF put out by digital recorders if they are physically close to the wireless receivers--do some testing. (All the cheaper audio recorders have this problem.) Lectro will help you get started on the phone--check their website too. Once you are on location fire up your receivers before you turn on your transmitters and see if your chosen freq are clean. If you have a chance, "walk-testing" the transmitters thru the set--with just the transmitter w/o a mic while watching the signal strength on the RX and listening for hits can tell you if you have made a good choice of freq. for that location.

Philip Perkins