Wireless Microphones?

Question

I'm looking for some wireless microphones for my video production business and I was wondering if it was possible to hook a normal wireless mic system to a camcorder as long as it has a mic input jack?

Answer 1

yeah thats alright

Answer 2

thats ok but there is a sony set that is reasonably priced and works on the cold shoe mount.

uwpc1

http://www.sony.com.au/proaudio/catalog/...

should be around AU$800 or so (maybe cheaper)

Answer 3

Short answer:

It depends. Typically, yes, if the mic jacks all mate up or you have the right adapter(s).

Long answer:

A wired mic connects to a camcorder's mic jack. Most consumer camcorders have no mic jack at all. A few do... Those that do typically use 1/8" mic-in stereo jacks. Pro-grade or "prosumer" cams can have either 1/8" mic in stereo jacks or XLR jacks.

If the camcorder has a 1/8" mic in jack, but the wireless mic base station uses XLR connectors, you will need an XLT adapter like those from BeachTek.

If the camcorder has XLR mic-in jacks and the wireless mic's base station uses 1/4" or more likely 1/8" plugs, you can also use a BeachTek adapter if it has an AUX input. Why would you plug a 1/8" jack into the XLR adapter if the camcorder has a 1/8" mic in jack? Because the camcorder's mic-in jack is stereo and normally, the wireless mic's base station (if it uses 1 1/8" plug) will be mono so when you record, the camera will only pick up 1 channel (right, I think). By using the BeachTek adapter, flip the M/S (Mono/Stereo) to M, and the camcorder will record to both left and right.

While I am at it... please define "normal? wireless mic".

I have a lavaliere with a battery powered base station that uses a 1/8" plug.

I have a lavaliere with an AC powered base station that uses XLR. I have two handheld wireless mics with similar AC powered base stations that uses XLR.

Which mic is "normal"?