The Problem With All These Wireless Mics
āļāļąāļ
- āđāļāļĒāđāļāļĢāđāđāļĄāļ·āđāļ 2 āļĄāļī.āļĒ. 2024
- Inexpensive wireless microphones have become super popular and they're generally pretty darn awesome. But every single one of these 2.4ghz systems that I've seen has a major flaw that I think is important to discuss.
This is an issue that applies to basically all of the 2.4ghz wireless mic systems currently available (as far as I know), so I'm not pointing fingers at any one brand. There are lots of Rode mics in the b roll because that's what I happen to have the most of, but again, it's something that applies to all brands.
I also hope it's clear that I'm not trying to say everyone HAS to spend a bunch of money on a UHF system. Like I say in the video, if you're on a budget or you don't use wireless audio very often, then one of these systems could be perfect. I just wish the manufacturers allowed for easy battery sways so that these can last for many many years and save us all a bunch of money while reducing waste.
ðŽ I edited this video (and all my videos) with Final Cut Pro. If you want to learn how I edit, check out my online course: learnfinalcutpro.com
ðïļAnd if you're interested in podcasting, I've also got a DIY podcast production course: podcasterplaybook.com
âąïļChapter Markers:
0:00 - Tangled Up With Wireless Mics
0:46 - What's the problem? (Spoiler: it's the batteries)
3:19 - My Prose on the Pros of Pro Audio systems
5:30 - What's the solution?
7:49 - My Request to Audio Companies
8:14 - My Advice for Consumers
-----------------------
Affiliate links earn a commission from qualifying purchases which helps support my channel at no additional cost to you.
---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ----------
Patreon: / tombuck
Become a Channel Member: geni.us/joinchannel
Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/tombuck
----------- CONNECT -----------
ðŊ Subscribe! bit.ly/TEPsub
Instagram: @sodarntom
Main Site: himynameistom.com
Podcasts: himynameistom.com/podcasts
----------- MUSIC -----------
âĒArtlist.io (2 Extra Months Free): geni.us/ArtlistTom
âĒEpidemic Sound (30 Day Free Trial): share.epidemicsound.com/enthus...
----------- VIDEO GEAR -----------
âĒEcamm Live for Streaming: geni.us/ecammtom
âĒSony FX3: bhpho.to/3EJuBde (B&H)
âĒSony a7SIII: bhpho.to/3f8mMlS (B&H)
âĒSony a7IV: bhpho.to/33mOGZo (B&H)
âĒSony 24 1.4 (Main Lens): geni.us/sony24 (Amazon)
âĒTamron 20-40 2.8: bhpho.to/3sTzIDy (B&H)
âĒZeiss 85 1.8: geni.us/zeissbatis (Amazon)
âĒSirui Anamorphic Lens: bhpho.to/309H0rV (B&H)
âĒGoPro Hero 12: geni.us/zXnTsh (Amazon)
âĒDJI Mini 3 Pro Drone : geni.us/I2e0AB (Amazon)
âĒATEM Mini Video Switcher: bhpho.to/2RVGI42 (B&H)
âĒElgato CamLink: geni.us/vddHN (Amazon)
âĒYoloBox for Mobile Streams: bhpho.to/3pc8qHU (B&H)
----------- AUDIO GEAR -----------
âĒRodecaster Pro II: bhpho.to/3wCwaqI (B&H)
âĒEarthworks Ethos: bhpho.to/3CthFs4 (B&H)
âĒShure SM7B: geni.us/tepsm7b (Amazon)
âĒSennheiser MKH 50: geni.us/mkh50 (Amazon)
âĒSony Video Mic: bhpho.to/3ztb6Vb (B&H)
âĒRode VideoMic NTG: amzn.to/2ZKrHTh (Amazon)
âĒSennheiser Profile (USB Mic): bhpho.to/3JDWGrh (B&H)
âĒRode Boom Arm: geni.us/shr0 (Amazon)
âĒSennheiser Wireless System: bhpho.to/43JgqkL (B&H)
âĒRode Headphones: bhpho.to/3JNacqg (B&H)
âĒBlue XLR Cable: geni.us/bluexlr (B&H)
---------- LIGHTS & SUPPORTS ----------
âĒNanlite Forza 200 (Key Light): geni.us/9Ofr (Amazon)
âĒAputure Light Dome Mini: geni.us/vf5O (B&H)
âĒSmall Nanlite RGB Tube Lights: geni.us/nanlite (Amazon)
âĒBig Nanlite RGB Tube Lights: geni.us/pavotubes (Amazon)
âĒAputure MC RGB Light: geni.us/IuE4 (Amazon)
âĒRolling Camera Stand: bhpho.to/3PbJGg3 (B&H)
âĒBig Tripod: bhpho.to/3lRoTyz (B&H)
âĒSmall Tripod: geni.us/oQOh3Az (Amazon)
âĒTravel Tripod: geni.us/nlUBm (Amazon)
âĒMotorized Slider: bhpho.to/3ztKMJA (B&H)
âĒCamera Backpack: geni.us/aEH2 (Amazon)
-----------------------
ðĨ Check out my full gear list here:himynameistom.com/gear
-----------------------
- Who Am I? -
Hi! My name is Tom Buck, a lifelong A/V nerd and former high school Digital Media teacher. I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for everything related to audio and video production.
It's my goal for each video to be interesting/helpful/atleastmildlyentertaining, but I'm an enthusiast and not an expert. You can take a look at my About page to know more about my background, both personally and professionally: himynameistom.com/about
âĒMy channel is open and welcoming to people of all races, ages, genders, and orientations. Iâm glad youâre here.
âĒRead my Ethics Statement about objective reviews, sponsorships, and brand partnerships: himynameistom.com/ethics
-----------------------
Episode 393: The Problem With All These Wireless Mics - āļ āļēāļāļĒāļāļāļĢāđāđāļĨāļ°āđāļāļāļīāđāļĄāļāļąāļ
![[TH] VCT Masters Shanghai Playoffs DAY 3 // FNC vs FUT | EDG vs PRX](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pw2T5v0ogDI/mqdefault.jpg)
Non-replacable batteries is the secret way to make your hardware product a subscription service.
exactly
And all of these sucks
I have taken similar devices to the people who replace cell phone batteries and they have been able to replace batteries. There are 2 main skills: 1) opening the device non-destructively, and 2) soldering in the new battery. Those guys can do it.
@@mattbrownartworkDigital tape recorder, powerbank, GPS, come to mind.
yeah was just gonna comment this, doesn't seem hard to fix. will always baffle me how people working w tech don't know how to fix easy stuff
There's probably still the issue of about 100 battery standards and a replacement costing relatively much money to the original product. Yes you can replace these batteries but finding the right one and in size and power delivery could very well still be an issue.
@@SyntheticFuture the Rode Go II take 3.7v cells, so i don't think the other ones are very different. it's not a hard job, the average technician could do it in less than an hour
It's not a very hard thing to do to be honest. And most microphone use Li-Po battery that is cheap and replaceable.
They should be a law preventing brands to release products with non removable batteries... not only for price reason, but also for the environment.
The EU is already on it
This is a really good point Tom! Hope the manufacturing companies address the issue âðŧ
Thanks Roger! I know there are complexities that come with product development/design/etc that I don't fully understand...but it seems like batteries should be manageable.
They most likely wonât. They want them to go bad in a few years so youâre forced to upgrade.
This is something that should be addressed just like the EU forced Apple to switch to usb-c. But they would probably just increase prices to compensate for losses.
@@christeduard951 yeah, most likely prices would increase due to less sales, and slightly more complicated engineering and product developement - but a price increase would actually be a price decrease, since you can switch batteries :)
Companies will not address the problem by themselves... they all profit from obsolescence! The European Union is addressing (or at least trying) this problem by regulation and new consumer laws and hopefully that will change things worldwide (if the companies don't want to develop totally different devices for just the European market).
They won't unless there is a law that forces them to do it.
There's the Sennheiser AVX-ME2 and MKE2, which are wireless and have replaceable/removeable batteries. They aren't cheap, but the audio is stellar.
Yes! I would love for Sennheiser to make a two-channel system with the AVX form factor.
@@gnosjo Indeed. A similarly-priced alternative (higher priced for dual channel, but nowhere near as crazy as, say, Lectrosonics) is Sony's UWP system. If you have a Sony camera or camcorder with a Multi-Interface (MI) shoe, you can even get an accessory for hot-mounting the receiver to the camera without the need for separate audio cables (i.e., the audio and power are transmitted through the MI shoe). Only trouble is, with the unique way Sony's mics and connectors are wired, you pretty much have to use their mics with their transmitters. Still, I love the results of a UWP dual channel system in combination with the wireless version of the Sony ECM-77 lavalier microphone. Uses replaceable AA batteries (I use rechargeable NiMH's) that (on paper) last for 8 hours. (As a precaution with an all-day training session I had to record once, I still changed the batteries during the lunch break.)
I have two sets of AVX mics and lavaliers for this very reason. Stellar sound that doesn't "expire" in a few years
Nicely said, Tom. I believe that the product companies need to simply be more responsible and offer battery replacement services or replaceable battery products.
For those commenting that these consumer systems are repairable by others or yourself, yes, yes, that's technically true, but that's not a great solution for those who aren't DIYers.
Exactly- it needs to be something that the "average consumer" would be comfortable with. Thanks Curtis!
These companies need to offer replacement/recycling and battery recycling programs to reduce all this waste
Thatâd be lovely
Have you reached out to anything to ask them to do it? How did it go?
They need to just make them user replaceable. Remember when phones used to have batteries you could replace? The iPhone and androids are all getting replaceable batteries in the EU due to a new law.
RODE offer a 10yr warranty, but good luck actually getting a hold of them to redeem it. On a professional set it just isn't good enough to have your audio go down over something simple like that. We now just have two kits with us to fail over to, but not everyone can afford to run redundant systems. It's still cheaper than dual tx UHF but a really silly oversight- to the point where I'd agree that it seems strategic on RODE's part. That's not even mentioning the button durability on their units is very poor as well.
I have one of the first sets of OG wireless Gos ever shipped out and have absolutely abused them over the years , I still have no battery issues at all with them. I'm at the point where if I spend $200 and they last me 3-4 years I've gotten my moneys worth. After that amount of time whatever new model is out is probally a decent upgrade for me anyways.
This reminds me of an Apple keynote many years ago, when batteries became non-replaceable in MacBooks. The claim was how much volume was taken up by the housing and compartment that allowed access to the battery. The volume of these two things was greater than the volume of the battery pack itself. Removing the requirement for these two things allowed bigger battery pack in a similar volume and / or reduction is the overall volume of the device. The placement of an inbuilt battery pack also adds more design scope to the placement of the pack. While Apple certainly didnât invent the concept, I believe they were instrumental in the popularisation of it - after Apple released the iPhone with a built in battery, other companies felt validated in doing it themselves. If replaceable batteries are added, the size of these devices will increase if performance is to be maintained - the size of 2.4GHz microphone systems are a central appeal to me personally. We will also have to accept that build quality will be affected - a device with less moving parts has a natural advantage over one with more. It is a nasty problem - I always wince when I see discarded disposable vapes put in bins
Man this is brilliant and a great way to tackle a problem thatâs not been chatted about enough! Thanks Tom!
Thanks Ron! It's not the biggest issue in the world, but something definitely worth being aware of.
Non-replaceable batteries are a big issue (don't even get me started on today's smartphones!). But I thought you were going to mention that they all operate on the 2.4 GHz band, which is generally not as reliable for transmission as UHF. I know from experience. One time I tried RODE's RODELink system, and I got the "fuzzies" when an actor dared sit behind a desk to begin a scene (which blocked the line-of-sight that 2.4 GHz is so finicky about). Good thing I also had a wired boom that day.
Seeing the Aquabats poster and the guitars was an instant subscribe, I havenât even heard your opinions on the mics yet but I just know I like your vibe and will appreciate your takes
Youâve got a heart of gold Tom. Deeply thankful for your unwavering ethical back bone and generous kind commitment to guiding us through our modern a/v minefield.
Spank you kindly for this; the teacher in you served this vid well! On a note about Rode, it's illuminating to recall its previous RodeLink system that offered wireless XLR and 3.5mm pack products with replaceable battery options (including Sony NP-F type ones for the XLR base!). What's followed with Rode and its contemporaries in the 2.4Ghz arena -- and other electronic devices in general -- has often been a race to miniaturize, and to abandon a good 'ol gasket for hardcore IP-xxx-proof ratings. And we've loved it like we loved CFC-pumping refrigeration; however, perhaps with time we're finally ready to talk with these chickens that have come home to roost... and, perhaps, let some pink bunnies have a turn.
Good point! Zoom F2 is a really small 32-bit audio recorder and these 2.4GHz wireless systems are comparable to it in size, while the Zoom F2 takes two AAA batteries, sure the build quality might be a bit questionable but I know I can use it for years, while I can't say the same for my RÃDE Wireless GO II
So funny you mentioned this because I originally had a whole tangent about the F2, but cut it for time.
I did talk to Rode about the batteries specifically, and they said that there's have protective circuits built in to make sure they don't lose charge to the point that they become dead, which should make them last longer than average (this tracks since it was my Deity system that died and even my original Wireless Go does still work, but the battery is still not removable).
Yeah but the zoom F3 only takes XLR connections and after 6 months of use the battery door already broke with my unit. The rode wireless go ii is not a recorder, it is a wireless mic. Two different things that you are comparing
Thank you for this discussion. I recently bought the rode wireless pros after waiting for the DJI Mic 2 to release. I got the rode wireless pro for about ÂĢ330 in the UK - so it was very comparable in price to the DJI Mic 2, and worked better for me. I quickly realised the non replaceable batteries may be an issue. I may switch to zoom F2. Good to know the rode wireless proâs are built with protective circuits. I may just see how it goes, and if i ever need to upgrade switch to another solution with replaceable batteries. Havenât seen your channel before - subscribed!
@@papsny it broke because it's cheaply designed. It doesn't have to break. Things like digital multimeters have replaceable batteries and they don't break even after decades of use on the terrain. All you need is solid plastic and a little screw to secure the trap.
â@@arjuntao with the F2 we are also not limited to transmission range and most probably less electrical disturbances.
Just got my first wireless mic and appreciate this video. "Right to Repair" is going to be a bigger and bigger trend. Don't be afraid to fix your stuff, especially for something as simple as a battery replacement.
I'm glad TH-cam place this video in my feed. I've been looking to upgrade my audio system. Cheers.
Youâre ABSOLUTELY right I've bought several replacement wireless go mics due to battery issues. I really hope these brands are paying attention. Great video
Such a bummer when something thatâs not really broken becomes unusable ðŦĪ
@@tombuck the last one to break was a white wireless go that Iâll only use for wedding gigs. Iâd normally tag it onto the brideâs dress. Then one day when I wanted to use it for a personal project it just didnât turn onðĪĢðĪĢðĪĢ
@@GuilDormeusHow old was that mic?
@@NickzAndMikz I got it as soon as the white one was available. A year or two old. I rarely used it, I have only used it maybe for 3 weddings and a TH-cam video. The black ones still work just fine but also, I would charge them all the time and use them
That's interesting. With how quickly it died, I wonder if there was an underlying issue. Regardless, it doesn't build the argument for the longevity of these guys@@GuilDormeus
This is a really good point. A lot of folks complained about the DJI Pocket 3 not having a replaceable battery, but I've never heard anyone say the same about wireless mic kits. Also, come to think of it, the original RodeLink Filmmaker kit (the predecessor to the Wireless Go) had replaceable batteries and was quite affordable.
Film-maker is the predecessor to the Wireless Go system, the Film Maker kit is still actively produced by Rode.
Yes the rode filmmaker is great, I'm very happy with mine, lovely audio quality, fairly cheap secondhand, and good battery life on AA alkaline or AA rechargeable batteries.
loved your office setup! Very cool. And a very solid point you have there.
Thank you very much!
It's easy to find used Sennheiser G4 or G3 systems from reputable dealers like BH and Adorama for around the same price as a new 2.4ghz kit (in the U.S. anyway). So that could be a good alternative for some people
Love the G3/G4s! I used them for many years when I was teaching!
found your channel today. I freaking love your energy!
Excellent points Tom. I held onto my RodeLink and NewsShooter lavs primarily because they take regular batteries.
100% agree. I'd love to see a mid-point between these devices and the next step up (things like the Deity Theos etc). Just the same devices but with replaceable batteries would be a fantastic improvement.
Great shout! You can solve this issue and bag yourself a bargain by buying used Rodelink Filmmaker Kits - 2.4ghz, great lav mic, AA batteries (which last a long time)! You could buy a few for the price of one of the new pro Rode kits.
I had bad luck with the Filmmaker kit once (interference even at short distances, just because the talent sat behind a desk). Plus the transmitters and receivers are bulky as heck.
Great video Tom and thank you for raising an important topic!
Thanks! I think it's definitely worth talking about.
very good point. that's why I love the Sennheiser EW 112P and its replacable batteries.
It has to be said though: Comparing the Sennheiser EW 112P to a DJI Mic 2 is like comparing a Ford Raptor F150 to a golf cart in terms of size, price and features ;) Mic 2 is tiny, cheap and entry level, the EW 112P is slightly more than that :)
agreed. if these low budget mics had replacable batteries I would give it a try. @@AndreSjoberg
Look forward to your video on the Theos and UHF systems. The UHF systems appear to require more time to setup, but interested in your observation. Thank you.
Iâm wrapping my head around how to approach it since itâs not my area of expertise, but I at least understand the basics I think ðŽ
Great video Tom. This has also been my concern and I think you played it out for perfectly.
Glad to hear it!
Very informative video. Excellent !
This video should be taped to the forehead of all video makers. And it's not only about batteries. The power button on my RÃļde Wireless Go II recently stopped working after 2 years and 2 months. Yes, you guessed it; the warranty was 2 years. Yes, I've been in contact with them. No luck.
From now on, I'll only buy this kind of device if the price is low enough for me to write it off in 2 years, like around $100. What I will buy though is a Comica W200 Pro UHF system with 96 channels, AA batteries and backup to a Micro SD card in each transmitter. It's bigger, heavier and looks "old-fashioned", but like similar systems from Sennheiser and others, it's built like a tractor and will hopefully last as long.
Thank you for a good, honest video!
Very good that you bring this up. I just want to tell you when I bought the new RÃDE wireless 2 system with two microphones. It was a problem from the start right from the factory. I had them replaced under warranty but the replaced one worked just as bad. No power from new out of the box. Disappointed with RÃDE in particular.
Wow! This is a REAL THING! Thanks for shining a light on it!
Great video! Great point and more constructive criticism than being negative. Perfect timing for me as I just started looking for one of these yesterday. This also might be an opportunity for some other company to make a little external battery to plug into one of these like those battery packs that attach to the bottom of a smart phone. But in the mean time I might have to look check out one of those more expensive wireless mics.
I agree 100%. That's why I chose the Rodelink Filmmaker Kit a few years ago. It has all the advantages (and limitations) of 2.4 GHz, but you can power the transmitter and receiver with either AA batteries or any powerbank through Micro-USB. It's great and I srongly recommend it ð
Time someone made a video on this topic! Thank you!
You have a good point. A big reason I like them is how small they are. And I would think adding replaceable batteries would make them a bigger size. If they could keep the same size with a replaceable battery I'd be all for that.
I totally agree! Just a couple of days ago I was talking to a friend and told him the same. While I like the fact that tech vendors are including lithium batteries because, A you have one less thing to forget at home when going to document an event, and B you waste lots of batteries (for your mics, for the recorder, for the led lamp, etc).
Of course I use rechargeable batteries, but those also have a limited life. Longer than a regular battery but....
Also, for all those things like flash, microphones, recorder, led lamp, etc. You need to have lots of them and recharge them all the time. So you end up carrying 10+ sets of batteries, which adds bulk and weight to your bag. And also make sure that all of them are freshly recharged. So having gear with included battery is a life saver.
But the fact that you can't change the batteries included, and the gear is dead once the battery dies, it's a bummer.
The problem is, I think, they change their gear design a lot from version to version. So it's like Apple, all the accessories you got for your laptop, are not compatible with the next version. So the same batteries designed for a Deity Mic, won't fit in the next version of the microphone.
It sucks!
I've got an old Shure wireless lav mic system that I bought 8 years ago. Uses AA batteries in the lav pack. Still going strong. In fact it even has great resale value after all this time.
Great point from Chicago about the batters
Nice Alkaline Trio reference! I couldn't agree more about replaceable batteries. I actually got a Theos, but unfortunately I gravitate more towards the Rode Wireless Pro because of the internal recording (which I monitor). I found the Theos slows me down when working solo, and I get interference when using both transmitters simultaneously. New subscriber here!
A very useful video, Tom. Unfortunately, if companies provide us with changeable batteries, they know their sales of the units will drop! I've not found a company yet that truly puts the benefit of customers above profit margins. Your best point was "stop buying the smaller units." I'm definitely going to investigate the UHF option.
I've read that DJI will replace the batteries on their mic kits out of warranty for a fee. Although they don't seem to make that fee known.
If you contact the manufacturers about battery replacement you may find others will do the same. Perhaps they don't want to make this widely known as it will discourage sales and given many of the fees are "down the road" (as opposed to down the Rode) they don't want to list a fee that may change in the future depending on battery availability.
You may want to investigate this or perhaps some manufacturers are already responding to you.
Very true. Thanks for sharing ð
really good point and reminder you make in this video. I think each and every wireless mic producer should offer a battery exchange service. This should be a common standard.
Shure had a wireless system, the GLX-D, that uses 2.4 GHz. I went to buy a second system, in late 2022, and found that they were discontinued. In 2023, though, they came out with the GLX-D+ system, which uses both 2.4 GHz and the 5.8 GHz bands. So, they have a much wider spectrum to search for open bandwidth. ðĪ I hope RÃļde et al will start to do this as well, not to mention the battery thing. This will make it better for people trying to work without interference in heavy WiFi usage areas, as well as from people heating their leftovers. ð
Oh that's cool- I like the idea of a system that can live in both worlds!
Great points, Tom. The only other thing I would add as a benefit to the 2.4 systems is the size. Battery compartments increase the form factor. For major events I have UHF interchangeable battery gear. For stuff like streaming and personal things, I just go with the 2.4 systems. Appreciate your work!
I'd easily accept a mm or two of extra thickness and even slightly shorter battery capacity if it meant I could have replaceable battery. But there's no long term profit in making a cheap product that lasts for a decade.
@@gutterg0dI don't think these companies are as nefarious as you might think. I don't think 80% of users of any of these mic systems will EVER eat through the usuable life time of the batteries. With true wireless headphones that's far more likely but most people really don't use their camera gear all that much. The fact that a few super hardcore users could buy replacement batteries instead of buying a new product for 300 dollars is not a huge impact on sales imo.
@@definingslawek4731 It's not just about longevity of the existing battery. If the battery runs out and you can keep a fully charged spare, you have effectively doubled the amount of use time between charges. Running around with an extra power bank connected is not very practical. Also, if you leave the devices unused without charging it for too long, it will deplete the battery fully and once that happens you won't be able to charge it at all anymore no matter how good condition the battery was in.
You got my sub, great video, this has really bothered me, so will now wait for the companies to offer a replaceable battery option before spending my money, many thanks.
Love this! I've heard you say this before and totally agree. I cringed just buying the pocket 3 for the same reason. Thanks for speaking your mind and I don't take it as negative at all. The consumer has a voice and you are just using it. Thanks.
Thanks John! I love these mics- just wish I could love 'em a little more ð
Thank you very much for addressing this. I've noticed huge battery performance loss with my 2 year old Rode Wireless Go kit. After 2 years of use, I get max 2 hours of battery life and that decreases in the winter temps. Like you mentioned, they perform perfectly well when charged, but as I am not able to replace the battery, I will have to throw them out soon.
Hi Tom, love what you are saying here. Rode does make a AA battery version which outperforms these versions. I use the ones you are showing here on some shoots, yet rely on the very trusty RODE battery wireless mic set up when it's really important.
Is it the Filmmaker set? I know Rode used to have one that seemed absolutely awesome, but I think it was discontinued?
Yes, I can still get it here in Aus.@@tombuck
Man - great point. I never actually considered it with the Rode - or others - I always chalked it up to "well my iPhone gets replaced within a few years..." - but - you are right - for PROs you use this stuff for YEARS! That sucks about the Your Deity system - I had one of their shotgun mics stop working on me as well. I bet constantly putting the Rode mics into and out of the case that charges also reduces it battery life as well.
I don't usually comment but your background is just beautiful! Great content presentation as well
I appreciate that! It really means a lot to hear.
This is always a deal-breaker for me for most tech. If I can't replace the battery easily and affordably, I generally won't buy it.
Fantastic point Tom!!! I never thought about the battery issue... Pro UHFs are too big for weddings, I believe. And that's going to be where I'm headed as a film maker...
The advent of rechargeable lithium cells in the form of AA and AAA has really created some wonderful options. You can also get the identical size battery at 3.7 V. You donât want to mix those up generally except maybe in a flash light but I get frustrated at the amount of electronics I have to throw away because of dead batteries even though Iâm able to repair a good 50% of what I have. The rest cannot be salvaged.
Good point. These get little use compared to say an iPhone which when you sell it the first thing someone asks is
âWhat percentage is the battery healthâ.
Damn, this is a really really good point. I've been playing with several of these and wondered what you could possibly be referring to, and this had not even crossed my mind. And that kinda sucks!
Now I want to see some hardware hacking to solve this problem once these start dying en masse so they don't all end up as e-waste... also Apple has prioritized making AirPods recyclable at least, but I feel like these wireless mics are just large enough that they shouldn't have to resort to that being the best case scenario.
@@JosephRooksMost users will never burn through these batteries. Most users can burn through their phone batteries or headphone batteries, but that's something you use every day for hours. How often is a user in the majority of users of these wireless mics actually recording audio?
@@definingslawek4731At least in the case of the Rode products, they use Lithium Ion batteries, which will degrade in capacity over time whether they're used or not. So actual use time won't be the deciding factor in the long term battery capacity. If they used Nickel Metal Hydride batteries it would be a different story, but they don't.
Thank you Tom, nice catch
You have an important and relevant point of view on these mics.
That was a very interesting topic, I did not thought about it ðĪ That would be so great to have replaceable batteries in these !!
Enjoyed the video, Tom. My 2 cents: I think we have crossed a certain threshold where these companies have moved the longevity of their products way down on the priority list. It's pretty clear, because these small audio TX/RX systems with internal batteries have a wider appeal (not just commercial/pro users), meaning bigger sales. What sells right now is smaller, more features, ease of use, and lower cost. Unfortunately, that has made us consumers (even myself who uses these professionally), short-sighted. Asking companies to create battery replaceable units, I'm afraid will most likely fall on deaf ears. On another note, I used to have a sennheiser G3 system, which uses AA batteries. For one pair of TX/RX, the system costs $440. That used to be the standard back the 2010's. I started having a problem where the buttons started to fail, and although I could have sent it in for repair, it would have cost me $200. So, all in all, I see the appeal of these smaller units that have non-replaceable batteries. They're not that expensive, and I foresee them getting replaced anyways in maybe 3 years. It's just a matter of what's the best bang for my Buck -- see what I did there? ;)
Great points. Overall I don't actually see in which way any of the 'more professional' sennheiser systems are better. Is the noise floor better or the transmitted audio somehow crisper? There's no way sennheiser can do radio better than a radio company, dji has customers send 30+ thousand dollar dangerous drones kilometers out. Sennheiser has customers transmit audio 15 meters.
I had to use the g3/g4 on a documentary shoot and they were such a pain to use, I plan to never use them again now that I have the dji mic 2.
Valid point this was something I had in mind when getting my DJI system
Thanks Tom, great topic and a very balanced discussion. Looking forward to your follow-up video on UHF vs 2.4 systems. BTW I am a pro public speaker and I present, live and online for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. I use an XLR Sennheiser MK4. I am happy with the sound quality, but I could get the mic off screen. Would it be worth my while to go with the Sennheiser UHF package? Thanks, Peter.
you make such a good point and raise a very important issue.
Thank you! I'm really glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way.
@@tombuck not only you ,but also me, so I don't buy any wireless mic after wireless go.
I have been using my OG wireless Go for almost five years, and it is still working perfectly, and to be honest, other brands' gear with swappable batteries have failed in less than half that time.
hmmm, i typically power the receiver on my dji mic using usb-c, i am not sure if you can even do that on the transmitters, although they do have a usb-c port...i totally agree with your point, but even if battery health fades, maybe you can run an external battery into them to extend their life. Probably not practical for the transmitters, but the receivers are usually on a camera anyway, and you can typically replace the transmitters for much less (as an example, I think DJI transmitter by itself costs $99).
The one downside of having replaceable batteries on the transmitter is more than likely that would increase size. When using it with a lav, that is not too much of an issue, but when you want to just clip it underneath a shirt, I really wish the transmitters were smaller! I guess it's a tradeoff.
My main point is basically, i always run the DJI Receiver powered by usb-c, and I want the transmitters as small as possible.
This is exactly why Iâve always been reluctant to buy these units. The idea, that in a pinch, I can always throw in some off the shelf batteries, gives me peace of mind. Iâll just keep using my tried and true Sennheiser G3.
Thank you so much for addressing this! I don't understand why more people aren't upset that the modern devices they're buying these days have such a limited shelf life because the batteries can't be replaced.
I have a question about the transmitters/receivers you recommended that take AA batteries: Do rechargeable NiMH batteries (e.g., Eneloop, Ikea Ladda, etc.) work fine in these despite the slightly lower 1.2v voltage?
Very Timely, Tom. I saw a video recently where the person took about a WirelessGO and the battery is accessible, but I don't know how you put it back together! While I agree that UHF is the way to go (I come from a past life where we used only Lectrosonics), the UHF packs are not able to offer the compactness of these 2.6GHz systems. But your point of longevity is well taken as I still have my 20+ year old Samson Series One UHF Diversity packs still fully operational!
But it may be time to take the WirelessGO and VideoMicGO for a trade in and get fresh models to extend things a bit. Not the right answer and the manufacturers should come up with replaceable battery solutions.
I've thought about taking one of mine apart too, but I know it'd be like Humpty Dumpty and never go back together again. ð
@@tombuck I've done this with laptops, macs, mics, and wheelchairs. The key is to just take tons of pics. I know you can do it! Plus, a great video either way. Success story or cautionary tale.
It would be nice to have some manufacturer support for battery replacement. Free under warranty if there is a defect or reduced battery lifetime (80% of rated duration?!). And after a warranty expires, service to replace the batteries (as long as the system is still supported). That would help this situation out A LOT. I'd spend $100 to replace the battery if it's a relatively quick turn around, say 10 business days.
Good on yu TOM yep I own the DJI Mic & RODE WIRELESS GO Both V1 units
This is a good point that I never thought about. I have the DJI Mic system and absolutely love it, but at some point, it won't hold a charge as long. I wonder if manufactures will let us send them in for servicing at that point for a fee? I would pay it. I own a UHF system too, but the size and weight have me grabbing for my DJI mic. It's much more convenient. Good topic.
Iâd never considered this point so well worth thinking about. I think Iâll keep using my Rodelink system which has the removable batteries and has never let me down in nearly 10 years of use.
I really didn't want to watch this video because I thought it was going to be some gimmicky thing. And then it took a while before you appeared and then I realized oh it's this cool guy I haven't seen in a while! And I just bought those Rode Wireless Pro mics. I wondered about the battery life on these two. So I'm anxious to know if maybe storing them drained is better...
I snickered at Alkaline Trio. Solid reference.
I hope the manufacturers take note of this. These systems would be way more useful - if a little larger - if they included aa or aaa batteries. I have the rode wireless go II and I love it. Itâs a great bridge to carry me until I can justify the price of an uhf system. I also love the accessories - interview go handles in particular - for the rode system. So there is that value add.
YES YES YES!!! I went Sennheiser many years ago and am so very happy. Always works. Always batteries around.
It's crazy how long the G-series Sennheiser systems last.
At last someone is pointing this out. Ive stuck with my Rode filmaker mics. They take LR6 batteries, and because I only do 2 or 3 interviews a year I don't worry. I simply bought a sarmonic audio mixer, so I can run 2 mics. It works, and has never let me down.
I did watch a review were they pitted the filmaker against a newer rode wireless, and they seemed to be better shielded again interference, maybe because of a larger case.
Glad you made this video. I feel the same way.
It's been validating to know I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Well done sir! This is something that definitely needs to be addressed. I believe the 2.4Ghz manufacturers are aware of this issue but are purposefully omitting it so they can sell more units down the road and thus increase their profits. And the E-waste issue is certainly worth considering as well.
I actually have another issue I would LOVE to see all the 2.4GHz manufacturers address as well. Why must all of your equipment look like a NASCAR team designed it!?! PLEASE STOP "branding" your products with huge shiny corporate logos and flashy red, orange, yellow, blue, etc. stripes and buttons. I'm specifically calling you out DJI and rOde. In a corporate environment the last thing you want to do is draw attention to a mic transmitter. Truly most of the time for corporate level productions you'll either boom the audio or use a lav wired to a Tx unit and then hide the unit in a jacket pocket or on a belt. But is would be SO much more professional to not have a big flashy logo plastered on that Tx unit. And frankly since I purchased that gear with my own money, there's no need to do that. If you were sponsoring me, then I could see the reasoning. But since I bought the gear, in my view I'M actually sponsoring YOU! Can I get an Amen from anyone else out there on this? Or have I just had too much coffee...
I have always felt exactly the same about branded stuff, especially T-shirts with logos on your chest/pocket. Why should I pay you and do free advertisement for you? You should be paying me instead.
@@doktorsaab Amen!
It's so weird that you posted this video because I've been trying to justify to myself getting the Rode Wireless Pro and this very question was forefront in my argument against it. That and what if I wanted to have more than 2 people mic'd up, which I still haven't found a solution to that I am comfortable with. I would really like it if we could mic up 4 people to a single receiver.
Dont buy anything rode. If anything goes wrong its a pain dealing with their warranty. Even if it comes broken brand new outta the box.
More than 2 people gets tricky unless you want to spend A LOT of money. Sometimes the easiest thing to do is use something like a Zoom F2 recorder for each person and sync the audio during editing (or even try a more advanced Tentacle Sync system with timecode).
The small recorders are great if you don't absolutely need the live audio and also have the added benefit of never being impacted by interference/signal issues.
I appreciate everyone's advice! It really helps.
Never thought about this I just bought the Dji mics, you're making me want to return them haha
It's definitely a sticking point with these kits. I've still got a set of the RÃļde Wireless Fillmaker Kit. It's bigger, and doesn't record internally, but they use AA batteries. That said, the included lavaliers don't sound as good as the built in mics on the Hollyland Lark Max kit I just got.
Oh I remember the Filmmaker kit! At least it's possible to swap out lav mics for a better sound.
@@tombuck They're just so gigantic by today's standards (the TX and RX, not the lavs). :)
Tom, I would suspect if one or more of the bigger named manufacturers could offer a return and replace program vs. adding to the land fill... At the end of the day you are right it is rather shocking and I would also suspect that consumers would find this situation polarizing if not down right electrifying!!
I just picked up the AM-18 from Ulanzi. 14 hours of 16-bit internal recording on each transmitter, $79 down from $99! Iâm fine with replacing that every few years. If I want 32-bit float, Iâd rather boom and Xoom or something that will give me more control than a lav, which is scratch/reference audio in most scenarios anyway right?
Very good point.
Spot on! I'm looking for a wireless mic and was looking for info on the battery lifetime. I have DJI drone and the remote controller battery is bad after a few years. I expect these mics have the same problem. The DJI service can replace the battery. The battery is cheap but that service fee will be almost the same as a new device. I have opened my controller myself to replace the battery, but these device are not intended to be serviced. They are very difficult to pry open and the casing will be damaged when doing so.
completely agree with everything on this video!! manufacturers please!
Excellent video âïļ
Thank you!
You are making a great point, but for me, the magnetic attachment for the DJI Mic was a game changer when doing documentary work in Africa. It is really hard to run a cable down a woman's dress and find somewhere to hang the transmitter when she doesn't have belt or a back pocket.
This is VERY true! My first several wireless lav systems wonât even turn on anymoreð
Maybe they could even put the car FOB batteries in them! Like the CR2032âĶ I am sure the wireless lav would be much harder on those than the FOB lol, but maybe?
Inbuilt obsolescence is sooo insidious! A simple solution would be a manufacturer's battery replacement service. Rode are a pretty good company, so they MIGHT have such a scheme. I haven't checked yet. Thanks for the video.
I talked to Rode about their batteries and they said that compactness was a big factor, so AA batteries and the like didn't work. They also said they do use high quality batteries with some protective circuits that should last a long time (and to be fair, my original Wireless Go has outlasted the Deity system), but I would love a simple replacement service or DIY replacement kit option.
You can sometimes re-awaken a dead lithium battery by freezing it. In the freezer for few hour in a sealed bag, take it out and wait till it is again room temp and dry and try charging. Yes, it's still a damaged battery that doesn't last long, but that's better than nothing.
Good video in any case ð be it a charging case or notâĶ ð
My experience with DJI has been affordable service rates on out of warranty or accidental damage repairs. My employer paid $27 for a repair on an out of warranty original DJI mic.
You have to look at the Tentacle Track E. Not wireless, but amazing 32 bit float pocket recorders. You can put as many as you want on people and sync them together and they offer replacement batteries you can change yourself.
Hey Tom, I am your most recent member! I am starting my Podcast Journey after giving it a Loooooong thinking process, I finally decided to ACT. So I recorded my first 2 episodes, (pretty much trials, nothing worth sharing yet) bought a Mic to fix the sound of my podcast....still learning, and now decided to be a member of your tribe since I started watching your amazing podcast last year. I want to ask you if you are planning to do a review of the Fifine AM8. Very affordable and it seems to be a goooood mic. Want to hear your thoughts!
Hey Martin!
Congrats on taking the leap! I haven't used the AM8 myself yet, but it seems interesting, especially since it's a USB/XLR combo mic at a pretty low price. I just ordered one on Amazon based on your recommendation, so I'm excited to see how it sounds and then maybe do a review ð
Thanks for joining as a channel member- that's what makes it possible to randomly order an interesting mic like this!
This is actually great info! I was looking into getting a wireless mic system for both connecting to my PC, where I need a clear shot from monitor to utilise facetracking and a dynamic microphone would obstruct its view and shotgun mics require an audio interface (so added costs), both would not solve the problem that I tend to walk around (and there's no mic that follows you around aside from something you strap onto yourself), but I was also looking into action cameras, which usually have poor audio and I figured an external mic could fix that. Also using the same mic setup on multiple platforms should result in a similar sound profile, right? And since all this is a hobby of mine, I want to keep the costs low and would like to repurpose as much as possible. But no replaceable batteries is something I need to keep in mind. Also a standard UHF box becomes too bulky too quickly for me (and there's the price)
Well played with the ALK3 mention :)
Hi Tom, thanks for this video. I found your videos really helpful when I was looking for a dedicated studio mic during COVID.
I've recently started to branch back out into video work after a long hiatus. Back when I was making videos previously, things like the Rode VMP and like on-camera shotguns were being paired with dedicated recorders like Zoom H4n. Now that I've come back, it seems like these systems are literally everywhere, and no one is talking about any audio solutions, on-camera or off-camera, other than these.
I would love to see some sort of breakdown of a 2-track recording using a contemporary wireless set, vs a UHF set, vs a dedicated recorder.
Is the ease of use really worth it, or could you buy one of the standards from 5 years ago and have a better setup?
Heck, I could buy two H4ns, plus two lavs, and still be at the price of the Rode setup.