[Scott Dorsey]

wrote:
** OK - but I was thinking of some other issues that would definitely ruin a classical recording

1. You cannot use phantom powered mics - only dynamics & batt powered electrets.


This is no longer the case! A bunch of the newer butt plugs will now
supply 48V phantom. Shortens battery life, though.

2. Typical wireless mic systems are engineered to work with vocal mics, so big signal levels coming from the mic.
Not so good with only mV or sub mV levels.

The Lectrosonics systems are better than most in this regard. All of the
systems using companding will do some weird things with wide dynamic range
signals, but not all of them are as bad as the current Sony generation.
But yes, this is a fidelity issue and a big one.

3. Even with diversity receivers, RF level drops and brief noise bursts are common.
Just one of them and you have to start all over.

This is much better than it used to be. I wouldn't call wireless systems
reliable, but they are much more reliable and have better link margins than
they did a decade ago.

4. RF interference from other wireless mics, broadcast TV and data signals can cause the same as above.

This is why frequency coordination is critical and if it's any sort of live
event you need to have a dedicated frequency coordinator who does nothing
but look for undocumented noise sources and plot out intermodulation products.
At festivals, the security guys are on the alert to stop anyone who has
anything with an antenna that doesn't have a yellow flag on it and send them
to the frequency coordinator in the press room and get them tested and flagged.

Not worth it, for just a bit of convenience.

Agreed, but more and more people are demanding it.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."