Wireless Lav direct to PC recording

[BasicJim]

I am at a super small (50 ppl) church and we are starting to get some tech going. The Pastors first mission is for me to record the sermons.

He wants a wireless lav mic and I figure I'll take that straight to PC with some podcasting software for recording. We don't need any sound amplification right now though in the future, I'll do all the sound through a board.

I haven't worked with wireless mic's before. I understand there is a mic, a transmitter, and a receiver. Any issue with me going straight to a PC with this?

Any recommendations for a VERY inexpensive wireless mic system? We're talking under $500. I know you get what you pay for, but this is the budget I got. I'd also take any prayers for a bigger tech budget you wanna offer up!

TIA,

Jim

[cmchamp]

I'm generally not a big proponent of Azden gear, however, it's quality is acceptable, and it's inexpensive enough. I do have a couple of local schools that use it in their videography classes for on-site and interview work.

check out these products
http://www.azdencorp.com/shop/customer/home.php?cat=35

The WLX-Pro should provide 1/8" mic level input into your laptop.

C.

[sien]

Hey Jim,

My vote goes for the Audio Technica ATW2129.
It's about US$350, switchable freq, uses AA batteries.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--AUTATW2129

[jjb]

Sennheiser's G2 range is being replaced by the G3 this month. The G2's should be available at a reduced price. They usually retail about $550 a channel. Watch out for counterfits through, particularly if you buy through ebay.

I can't state emphatically enough that you want to avoid Azden or any other cheap kits. Don't throw away what little budget you have on poor gear, it's not good stewardship.

[daver2]

Hi Jim,

You are correct - you get a mic (usually with a flying lead and a connector), a body transmitter pack and a receiver unit. You should be OK to go directly from the radio receiver to the PC. I would advise you to get the Specifications for the PC audio input card though just to double check the input capability (e.g. line and/or mic input level). The Sennheiser stuff we now use has both XLR mic and 1/4" line outputs. Over the years we have been improving the quality of our radio mic kit - and it is very true that you get what you pay for!

One of the things we did notice about the 'cheaper' end of the market was the inferior build quality and the ease at which people destroyed the equipment! The other thing you should watch is the rate at which batteries are used. The cheaper radio kit does not have remote battery level monitoring and you will have to learn the hard way how long your transmitter battery lasts under the use you give it.

I guess you live in the States? I have some radio mic kit to give away to a good home - but since I live in the UK I don't think it will be any good to you as you guys use a different frequency band if I remember correctly?

[BasicJim]

Sennheiser EW 122 G2-B seems to be a good price point. Amazon has it for $383. Has anyone had experience with these or know anything about them?

Thanks,

Jim
(not enough posts yet to post a link, but they come up with a search on Amazon)

[BasicJim]

Got the green light to buy the Sennheiser ew122G3 Evolution G3 100 Series UHF Lavalier Wireless, the Behringer U Control UCA202 USB Audio Interface, and Ebtech Hum Eliminator.

The Sennheiser output on a 1/4 in and the Ebtech receives and outputs on RCA. The Behringer needs RCA input. Do I need a special cable to go from the 1/4 to RCA or is that just the regular MONO 1/4" PHONE (M) - TWO RCA (F) cable?

TIA,

Jim