Wireless mic Sennheiser G4 - Sony UWP

[Aquilasfx]

Hello, I need a wireless system for my interviews (documentary,...)

what system do you suggest for Europe?

I’m oriented in these 2 system:

- SONY UWP-D21

- SENNHEISER G4 ew122p

 

Eventually,  for sennheiser there are these Versions:

G4-G 566 – 608 MHz

G4-E  823-865 MHz

G4-B 626 – 668 MHz

G4-A1 470 – 516 MHz

 

What do you suggest? I’m in italy

i found g4 ew122p  new for 513€

 

[dgbarar]

Hi Aquias,

I know that you are considering a wireless system.  I have a Sennheiser G4.  Works well, but on are occasions there are issues with electronic interference that prevents you from finding a band to sync the transmitter and receiver.  I am assuming the Sony would have similar issues.

Recently I have transitioned to wireless belt packs.  TentacleSync manufactures their Track E which is 32 bit unit with a lavaliere microphone.  These are $350US/unit.  A couple of these and the Tentacle Sync E connected to the camera would be about $950 US.  More expensive than a wireless system, but much more convenient to use and no interference.

Don Barar

[Aquilasfx]

8 hours ago, dgbarar said:

Hi Aquias,

I know that you are considering a wireless system.  I have a Sennheiser G4.  Works well, but on are occasions there are issues with electronic interference that prevents you from finding a band to sync the transmitter and receiver.  I am assuming the Sony would have similar issues.

Recently I have transitioned to wireless belt packs.  TentacleSync manufactures their Track E which is 32 bit unit with a lavaliere microphone.  These are $350US/unit.  A couple of these and the Tentacle Sync E connected to the camera would be about $950 US.  More expensive than a wireless system, but much more convenient to use and no interference.

Don Barar

Thank you, but my budget is 500€ **

[Aquilasfx]

Ok, I think after research, to go for EW112P G4 A1 (470 – 516 MHz), that seems to work almost all around the world for now.

 

For now I can't find a deal for an used G3 or a decent price for a sony UWP D26. The G4 new has a better price in this period.

[IronFilm]

On 2/23/2021 at 9:28 AM, Aquilasfx said:

- SONY UWP-D21

- SENNHEISER G4 ew122p

In my eyes, it is not even a contest, you get better range and more features with the Sonys. 

Meanwhile, the entry level G4 is a fairly non-existent "upgrade" from the previous older G3 (which itself was only a modest upgrade from the G2, adding in a fake form of "diversity").

Deity Connect Wireless is another worth considering in the sub $1K price category, but has its own set of pros/cons. 

If you want to roll the dice and go secondhand, then Lectro 200 series are a great sub $1K choice as well. 

  

22 hours ago, Aquilasfx said:

Ok, I think after research, to go for EW112P G4 A1 (470 – 516 MHz), that seems to work almost all around the world for now.

No way in hell would I want my talent wireless to be in those frequencies! Far far too close to the mega wattage (I jest... they're not quite that) RTs that hundreds of people are using all around me on sets. 

[Aquilasfx]

1 hour ago, IronFilm said:

 

No way in hell would I want my talent wireless to be in those frequencies! Far far too close to the mega wattage (I jest... they're not quite that) RTs that hundreds of people are using all around me on sets. 

What frequencies would you suggest for europe? I know that in usa you have some problems with frequencies over 600mhz.

Here they sell: A1,  A 516-558 MHz, B (626 – 668 MHz), G (566 – 608 MHz)

The thing was that for SONY UWP D26 I have to spend 200eur more then the same G4 new set.... In Italy is not too sold that kind of set, and also for service Sennheiser is faster and there are many services center...

[Aquilasfx]

*D21

[IronFilm]

12 hours ago, Aquilasfx said:

The thing was that for SONY UWP D26 I have to spend 200eur more then the same G4 new set....

That's a marginally small difference that feels worth it. 

If you have your heart set on Sennheiser, then don't buy a new G4, get a secondhand G3 instead. You're not missing out on anything when comparing the entry level G4 vs G3. 

[Aquilasfx]

6 hours ago, IronFilm said:

That's a marginally small difference that feels worth it. 

If you have your heart set on Sennheiser, then don't buy a new G4, get a secondhand G3 instead. You're not missing out on anything when comparing the entry level G4 vs G3. 

Ok but what about frequencies?

[independent]

Check the site? https://en-us.sennheiser.com/sifa

Anyways, get the Sennheiser. They're extremely common, everybody is familiar with them, and warranty/repair service is excellent. 

[IronFilm]

14 hours ago, independent said:

Anyways, get the Sennheiser. They're extremely common, everybody is familiar with them, and warranty/repair service is excellent. 

That's the same type of logic behind recommendations such as buying a new Sennheiser 416, or a Canon 5Dmk3. 

Both are a bad, or at least suboptimal, idea in 2021. 

[rdouthit]

The Sony is better. Not just the transmitter/receiver but also the quality of the sound from the lavs they include. 

[Aquilasfx]

8 minutes ago, rdouthit said:

The Sony is better. Not just the transmitter/receiver but also the quality of the sound from the lavs they include. 

For what I have read from many comments all around the forums and video tests is the opposite...

 

1 hour ago, IronFilm said:

That's the same type of logic behind recommendations such as buying a new Sennheiser 416, or a Canon 5Dmk3. 

Both are a bad, or at least suboptimal, idea in 2021. 

I have read many comments all around and you are always commenting about Sony/sennheiser wireless lav  pushing strong all the time for Sony.. it seems that you are ambassador for Sony ;D

[independent]

 

1 hour ago, IronFilm said:

That's the same type of logic behind recommendations such as buying a new Sennheiser 416, or a Canon 5Dmk3. 

Both are a bad, or at least suboptimal, idea in 2021. 

No, it’s the type of logic that get the job done. 

Reliability, compatibility, availability, etc., all matter more, especially on larger sets with bigger casts and crew. All rental houses carry boatloads of Sennheiser G3s/G4s, for good reason. 

But if you’re by yourself, and you’re wiring up your mom and the mailman, then sure, you can choose whatever toy to tell your story. 

Except for the Sennheiser 416. That’s a tool.  Leave that for the pros. 

[IronFilm]

2 hours ago, Aquilasfx said:

I have read many comments all around and you are always commenting about Sony/sennheiser wireless lav  pushing strong all the time for Sony.. it seems that you are ambassador for Sony ;D

Nope!
But it's just the facts:
Better range with the Sony
Better ergo design with the Sony
More features with the Sony

When you really compare them head to head, it isn't even close, Sony comes out on top. 

  

2 hours ago, independent said:

Except for the Sennheiser 416. That’s a tool.  Leave that for the pros. 

I am a pro. And I'm saying, don't buy a new 416.

  

2 hours ago, independent said:

Reliability, compatibility, availability, etc., all matter more, especially on larger sets with bigger casts and crew. All rental houses carry boatloads of Sennheiser G3s/G4s, for good reason. 

If you're choosing on the basis of reliability, then you sure as hell don't choose a Sennheiser EW100 G3/G4. 

And those "rental houses", they're not specialist audio houses (their normal rental stock would more likely be Lectros), they're general photography/videography rental houses. (thus you should take their opinions on anything audio with a massive grain of salt! Or even better, keep the salt to yourself rather than waste it on their audio opinions. As keeping the salt would be worth more than what their opinions are)

[independent]

Yes these are just your opinions. The majority of which don’t jibe with the industry. 

[newfoundmass]

It's fine to have a preference but Sennheiser G3/G4s are the most popular wireless systems I've seen here in the US and it's not even close.The only thing rental houses care about is having what people want, and what most people want are Sennheiser kits. I don't think they particularly care about the brand, their only concern is meeting the demand of their customers. 

@AquilasfxI don't think you'll have any problems going the Sennheiser route if that's what you choose. They're popular for a reason. They're extremely common in the industry, last for a long, long time (I know people who've had their G3s for 10 years) and are easy to get serviced. Once you're in a position to do so I recommend upgrading the mic to a Sanken or Countryman, which I'd also recommend you do with the Sony. The mics they come with, while decent, are kinda big and could be better. 

I'd steer clear of the Deity Wireless Connect as I've heard a lot of people who've had problems with them, particularly when it comes to drop outs. I'm not sure why they were suggested, given that's a pretty well known and widely reported issue.

 

 

[Aquilasfx]

12 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

It's fine to have a preference but Sennheiser G3/G4s are the most popular wireless systems I've seen here in the US and it's not even close.The only thing rental houses care about is having what people want, and what most people want are Sennheiser kits. I don't think they particularly care about the brand, their only concern is meeting the demand of their customers. 

@AquilasfxI don't think you'll have any problems going the Sennheiser route if that's what you choose. They're popular for a reason. They're extremely common in the industry, last for a long, long time (I know people who've had their G3s for 10 years) and are easy to get serviced. Once you're in a position to do so I recommend upgrading the mic to a Sanken or Countryman, which I'd also recommend you do with the Sony. The mics they come with, while decent, are kinda big and could be better. 

I'd steer clear of the Deity Wireless Connect as I've heard a lot of people who've had problems with them, particularly when it comes to drop outs. I'm not sure why they were suggested, given that's a pretty well known and widely reported issue.

 

 

Is it worth go for a g4 new ew112p for 490€ and eventually buy another mic or go straight to ew512 (that has included make-2) new (almost 1000€ new). Or take an used G3 ew112 (not easy to find under 350€/400€ with a good range of frequencies)...?

[newfoundmass]

2 hours ago, Aquilasfx said:

Is it worth go for a g4 new ew112p for 490€ and eventually buy another mic or go straight to ew512 (that has included make-2) new (almost 1000€ new). Or take an used G3 ew112 (not easy to find under 350€/400€ with a good range of frequencies)...?

Those are things only you can answer, really, since it's your money! 🙂

I think though the ew112p is a good bet. You can always get the MK-2 at a later date, or get a nice Countryman or Sanken one. I'm planning to buy a Countryman B3 myself eventually 🙂

If you can't find a G3 for much lower than the G4 new I would just go with the G4 new. Honestly it might not be a bad idea to go that route just to have the warranty and protection. 

 

[IronFilm]

On 2/27/2021 at 8:51 PM, newfoundmass said:

It's fine to have a preference but Sennheiser G3/G4s are the most popular wireless systems I've seen here in the US

That's true for non-professionals at sound, those who are not full time working in the sound department. 

They are the wireless of choice by those who are not specialists in this field. 

They're used by wedding videographers, camera ops, and shooting preditors, etc 

They get rented out by photography rental houses, or general videography rental houses, and such. They're not the primary rental of any specialist production sound rental houses. 

I thought it is important to make this distinction very clear, Sennheiser G3/G4 are chosen by people who are not knowledgeable about sound and don't need to rely upon it as their primary income. 

It's like asking a MUA about the best ring light, rather than a Gaffer.