Adam Bowick Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 Hi there. Has anyone used the AT 1800 dual wireless system as a camera hop? In particular, an AT 1820 system (two end plugs). I am using a SD 302 for a mixer. I know it's not ideal, but it's the best I've got at the moment. I've done some basic tests with it and am not really overwhelmed by the sound quality. There seems to be a fair amount of "noise"... but I was feeding an older camera (GL2) using a beachtek. Is this system simply not good enough or am I not using it properly? Has anyone used this system much? Thanks in advance for any suggestions or comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gilbert Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 I had one as a loan unit for a few weeks and found it pretty hopeless, in terms of general sound quality, range, build quality etc. I didn't buy it! Actually, I remember that a number of units in the UK were recalled by AT due to them not performing 'properly'.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordi Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 Uh-oh... My boom op buddy (who has been spending a recent windfall on gear for both of us) just bought one of those series here with just that usage in mind. Now, I'm not so sure that was a good purchase, although I didn't get a chance to give a lot of input about the cost or the selection before he got it. Personally, I think he paid too much, but I haven't seen it yet to really evaluate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonG Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 I havnt tried that model, but I do have an older AT wireless system, and it has the same problems. Noisy especially. Ive used it primarily for IFB purposes, but since Ive gotten Comteks I havnt used it at all. Still trying to find a use for it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Lamontagne Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 Adam! Nice to see you here. Make sure your coming out line level from your receiver and into your camera if possible. The beachteck could be adding another gain stage that makes a marginal system even more marginal. I'd wire up a xlr to mini jack cable and go direct in line level to the camera if you can. Best case scenario, pickup your PD204 and record master audio to your harddrive and give the camera a GUIDE only audio track. Good Luck! Call me direct if you like. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 Hi to all of the newcomers here... " Is this system simply not good enough or am I not using it properly? Has anyone used this system much? Thanks in advance for any suggestions or comments. " well, have you searched this forum for references to it?? maybe that is a clue . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Bowick Posted April 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 Hey Eric! Those are all excellent suggestions... thank you. I'm going to borrow a 442 (so I can feed it instead of my low quality camera) and do some more comprehensive tests. My gut feeling was that the AT 1800 series isn't quite good enough to send high quality audio to a camera. A good guide track, yes... Thank you for everyone's input... looks like I'll try to upgrade down the road or rent in the short term if needed. For what it's worth, when I'm done testing, I'll let people here know what I find out. Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noeld Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 When setup correctly, the AT1800 performs as a reliable and solid unit. I have used it in many difficult RF environments including, NBA Finals, NFL football, and other large media events. Use the Tape out of any Sound Devices mixer. Follow this setup plan: The configuration of the camera hop is the audio out of the tape out of the Sound Devices mixer TA3 stereo Y to two XLR male connectors to two XLR female to Hirose 4 pin input connectors of the AT Transmitters. The settings on the transmitters are Mic level, RF High and 0db. The AT1800 Receiver is connected to the camera via xlr cables with the output level at about 9 o'clock. The camera input level is set to mic level and faders adjusted accordingly. I have found that this configuration has the best signal to noise ratio for the two devices to work properly. I like that I don't have to push the AT1800 receiver output level very hard to get enough level. I have tried using the other outputs of the Sound Devices mixer with the AT1800, but I have found an impedence mis-match. Any other setup with the two units provided an undesirable noise floor. The audio would not be acceptable on any shoot. Tape out of the 442 (TA3 unbalanced) to a Y XLR's into the transmitters Transmitter settings: Mic level RF high 0 db Receiver output into camera Mic Level. With this setup I didn't have to push the output of the receiver very hard. The level was set at about 9 o'clock on a 7-5 clockwise scale. I used this configuration at the NBA playoffs with no problems and clean audio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.