GEAR BUYERS’ GUIDE
SENNHEISER XSW-D ENG £379/$429 sennheiser.com
To many, audio is not only a black art but is filled with equipment that has complicated – even baffling – settings. Sennheiser’s XS Wireless Digital series offers professional-level audio quality, but in kit that’s totally minimal and offers easy, plug-and-play usability that’s relatively idiot-proof. At the heart of the system are the cylindrical wireless and transmitter packs, which are smaller than the conventional Sennheiser wireless systems. Plug your mic into the stereo input jack on the transmitter – and the receiver comes with a clip-on hotshoe mount that sits on top of your camera, plugging into the mic socket with the included coiled lead. Turn both the packs on with the single button and they automatically link up together. You’re ready to shoot. The lav mic is crisp and clear, and the range is 75m/250ft in ideal conditions.
SARAMONIC BLINK 500 PROX B2 £285/$249 saramonic.com
Saramonic’s Blink 500 ProX lets you record audio from two different speakers to the camera or your recorder. The transmitters broadcast the audio signal to two separate channels in mono or stereo mode, direct to one camera-mounted wireless receiver that plugs in via a 3.5mm jack. The B2 kits come with two transmitters, lav mics and clips, windshields, cables, a case and a bag. Similar to Apple’s AirPods, the transmitter and receiver fit into a charging case and feature instant, single-button pairing.
Pros: Very simple to use, small and light Cons: No full manual control
Pros: Good audio quality
Cons: No safety track
Shure’s Uniplex is a tiny, 5mm sub- miniature cardioid lavalier microphone for vocal use. It comes in four colours and three connector types to fit most transmitters. And it is so much better than the standard lav mic your wireless kit comes with. The mic uses 1.6mm Shure Plex Cable technology, which ensures long-lasting durability and comfort for the wearer. The cable is built to eliminate any kinks and memory effects, thanks to its spiral construction and shielding. Said cable is also fully paintable – so it can be disguised easily. Each mic comes with a carrying case, snap-fit windscreen and single tie clip. There is a choice of TA4F, Shure Lemo and XLR fittings equipped with an RPM400TQG preamplifier. SHURE UNIPLEX LAV MIC £336/$349 shure.com
TASCAM PORTACAPTURE X8 £479/$499 tascam.eu
ZOOM H6 £310/$279 zoom-na.com
Tascam’s Portacapture X8 recorder uses 32-bit float technology to capture a massive amount of audio levels in one recording, like HDR for sound. The X8 can capture up to six audio inputs with two being stereo – that’s eight tracks in total. It comes with two detachable condenser mics on top that can be removed so you can use standard 3.5mm inputs. It’s simple to use. Once you’ve tried a 32-bit float recorder and boosted low volume or reduced loud sounds, you’ll be a convert. The recorder handles a massive range of noise, but your mic can’t. So it’s not as simple as never having to adjust levels.
Zoom’s H6 isn’t small or light compared to some, but that means the layout and options aren’t compromised. One of the recorder’s best features is that you can swap the capsule mics out. It comes with the X/Y capsule as standard, but there’s a mid-side one in the included case, and optional bits like a shotgun mic and dual XLR input. Added to the four XLR ports on the unit, it gives a fantastic number of mic options – though only the body XLRs provide phantom power.
Pros: High-tech mic for superior sound Cons: Pricey, limited fittings
Pros: 32-bit float is a game changer Cons: Have to sync in post
Pros: Inexpensive for all that tech Cons: No 32-bit float
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