I need to add more wireless systems; but I have 3 options.

M

Matt Vivlamore

Senior
Jan 11, 2011
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Southern MD, USA
www.meerkatsound.com
I’m sitting at crossroads on what to do, be cheap and buy what I need or buy what I was planning to do.

I have several events coming up where I need multiple wireless set-ups and I am short on the systems. I am slowly working on upgrading/changing out my ULX/SLX to EW500-e935. For these several events, I also need to supply 6 systems (4 HH & 2 Lavs) and I only have 4 HH. I would probably be using the Lavs about dozen or so times throughout the year.

Option 1A: Keep my rack set-up the same and buy 2 new EV RE300 lav systems (Costs: $600).

OR

Option 1B: Keep my rack set-up the same and buy 2 new Senheiser EW100 lav systems (Costs: $1300).

**For Options 1, I would still upgrade my SLX later on to EW500 as planned and then sell the Shure wireless gear.

OR

Option 2: purchase 2 EW500-e935 systems and then demote 2 SLX from the rack and add 2 bodypacks with lav mics to the SLX. (Costs: $2600) I would also keep 2 SLX’s systems and with both handheld and lavs.
 
Re: I need to add more wireless systems; but I have 3 options.

Option 3: Make all your purchases consistent with your goal, get two ew500 systems with bodypack and lav. OK, I get that ew500 is overkill for lavs in most situations/for the price level of your clients, but if you decide to add a couple of quality headmicks at a later date for vocal acts that need it, at least you have the system to handle it, and you are en-route on your new system without any deviation.
 
Re: I need to add more wireless systems; but I have 3 options.

Option 4: Use what you have to cover the greater percentage of your wireless needs, then rent supplemental wireless for the few times you need more.
 
Re: I need to add more wireless systems; but I have 3 options.

Unless you have an excellent working relationship with a production partner, renting wireless is miserable...

You have to factor in the time it is going to take to go pick up and return the units etc.
 
Re: I need to add more wireless systems; but I have 3 options.

Will Lane said:
Unless you have an excellent working relationship with a production partner, renting wireless is miserable...

You have to factor in the time it is going to take to go pick up and return the units etc.
Click to expand...

We have a great outfit here in the Twin Cities. And one of the partners is Art Welters brother. Their shop is conveniently located close to two freeways, a lighting rental company and the major back-line supplier in our area.

Time spent picking up and returning rental gear is simply part of the business.

No problem...
 
Re: I need to add more wireless systems; but I have 3 options.

More Notes:

The purchased EW500 ($950 each) is just going to be handhelds with the e935 capsules. Lav purchased would be additions to the SLX ($300 ea), or full system from EW100 ($650 ea) & RE300 ($300 ea).

I am doing it now and continuously renting is difficult for me because I just don't have the time to pick up and return the wireless. The events are one day, not a week long.

I'm going to be regularly using 4 handhelds for band vocals and then about 35-50% of the time I'll need to supply 1-2 lavs for the officiant of wedding ceremony (we'll put one on the groom if they are doing their own vows).
 
Re: I need to add more wireless systems; but I have 3 options.

Going cheap on wireless is pretty much always the wrong decision. The best thing to have is matching units, of the best possible quality you can afford. Unless you're using the mics extremely often, renting is often a very economical way to get better quality without the huge upfront investment. Now, if you can't afford to rent, that means your client isn't paying enough to start with. There's a reason rental rates are set where they are.
 
Re: I need to add more wireless systems; but I have 3 options.

Matt Vivlamore said:
I’m sitting at crossroads on what to do, be cheap and buy what I need or buy what I was planning to do.

I have several events coming up where I need multiple wireless set-ups and I am short on the systems. I am slowly working on upgrading/changing out my ULX/SLX to EW500-e935. For these several events, I also need to supply 6 systems (4 HH & 2 Lavs) and I only have 4 HH. I would probably be using the Lavs about dozen or so times throughout the year.

Option 1A: Keep my rack set-up the same and buy 2 new EV RE300 lav systems (Costs: $600).

OR

Option 1B: Keep my rack set-up the same and buy 2 new Senheiser EW100 lav systems (Costs: $1300).

**For Options 1, I would still upgrade my SLX later on to EW500 as planned and then sell the Shure wireless gear.

OR

Option 2: purchase 2 EW500-e935 systems and then demote 2 SLX from the rack and add 2 bodypacks with lav mics to the SLX. (Costs: $2600) I would also keep 2 SLX’s systems and with both handheld and lavs.
Click to expand...

Assuming you're set on buying instead of renting, here are some thoughts.

You don't want yet another manufacturer of wireless in your rig, as that tends to introduce headaches. That takes option 1A off the table.
Option 2 complicates the use of lavs, as Shure and Sennheiser use different connectors. This makes selling the Shure systems slightly more complicated down the road. The entry-level Shure lavs (WL 183/4/5 and WL93) seem to be a bit more common than their Sennheiser counterparts, though.

If you've got the cashflow to support it, it is less expensive in the long term to not need to purchase the gear twice. Me, I'd look hard at picking up a pair of EW500 lav systems to add HH transmitters to at a later date.
 
Re: I need to add more wireless systems; but I have 3 options.

Brian jojade said:
Going cheap on wireless is pretty much always the wrong decision. The best thing to have is matching units, of the best possible quality you can afford. Unless you're using the mics extremely often, renting is often a very economical way to get better quality without the huge upfront investment. Now, if you can't afford to rent, that means your client isn't paying enough to start with. There's a reason rental rates are set where they are.
Click to expand...

I have used the EV RE300 units before, I had no issues finding a free channel in DC.

My local dealers has nothing but good things to say about them (they sell everything, yes they have a Midas Pro2 on the showroom floor), these mics with a handy soft case.
 
I agree with Brian regarding cheap wireless units. That said, the EW100 units gave been solid performers for me, I regularly run anywhere from 8-24 units of EW100 packs - typically with e6i headsets - with no dropouts or interference. The G3 series has the handy sync feature that is included on the higher end units. The 100 series lacks the remote monitoring available on the more expensive units though.

All in all, the EW100 series might be a good supplement to your 500 series for non 'money-channel' apps.
 
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