Paul F Posted January 20, 2021 Report Share Posted January 20, 2021 I've read many posts on this topic going back to 2011. I found all comments quite favorable regarding the TL-40. One post said the self-noise was comparable to the COS-11D. So I bought a TL-40 to try out. While the sound was acceptable (it was a little thinner in the lower frequencies), the self noise is substantially louder (I can't give a figure) than the TR-50 or the COS-11D Did I get a bad apple or have you had the same results? I'm surprised and disappointed because I also bought the OST 801 and found it comparable to the COS-11D and TR-50 regarding self noise. If the self noise were better, I'd like to have these in my kit as an end-fire option for those riskier Jerry-Springer-guest-who-rips-off-the-mic kind of jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted January 20, 2021 Report Share Posted January 20, 2021 I have a couple of TL40s. It has a flatter frequency response compacted to the COS-11, Trams or other OSTs. I never noticed an objectionable self noise, but my old ears have been subject to many high SPL environments (FOH mixer). I don't know if OST states the self noise specs for the TL40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berniebeaudry Posted January 21, 2021 Report Share Posted January 21, 2021 Contact the manufacturer. They're pretty responsive via email. I have several TL-40s and didn't notice higher self noise. They do have a hotter signal the the COS 11. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted January 21, 2021 Report Share Posted January 21, 2021 I have not been in contact with (Dave) OST in a few years, but customer service was stellar, though it was all via email. A response was usually within hours.. or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul F Posted January 24, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2021 Thanks everyone. I'll make a sample file and send it to OST for comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted January 24, 2021 Report Share Posted January 24, 2021 With lavs I've usually found that in real-world use A: TX noise, B: environmental noise and C : clothing noise are always bigger factors than the self noise of the mic. I'd recommend that past a certain level of self-noise that all pro lavs in good condition are at by now that you go with the mic you think sounds the best on the voices you record, the rigs you use and the sets you work on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul F Posted January 24, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2021 Yes, for the 801, TR-50, and COS-11D I'd agree. But for the TL-40 I find this not to be the case. It's a good 8 or 9db noisier. In a quiet interview, this mic is going to be noticed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filmsalang Posted January 25, 2021 Report Share Posted January 25, 2021 I am using TL40. But TL40 is very weak to RF interference. If you put the mic head onto Cell phones or Ipad you will get a lot of RF noise. So I don’t use for critical works. Just buy decent lavs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul F Posted January 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 I find the noise level of the TL-40 to be objectionable. What am I doing wrong? Please listen to the sample audio with headphones. Here's the test I ran: For the test below, I have used two different TL-40s and also swapped transmitters and receivers to make sure there were no differences in the chain. Results were the same using different wireless units and different TL-40s. - Connect an 801 and a TL-40 to two different G3 pairs. - Microphone connected to G3 transmitter. G3 receiver to Zoom F8. - G3 transmitter sensitivity on both units set to -24db - G3 receiver outputs set to 0db - Set both microphones near the bottom of the breastbone. - Send a tone to both microphones and set the level on the F8 such that both channels are at the same level (-12db) - As a result of the above, the 801 channel is at +35db. The TL-40 channel is at +30db, indicating the TL-40 is 5db more sensitive in this case. End fire TL40 is facing upwards towards my mouth. Side fire 801 is facing outwards from my chest. - Both channels sent to L&R - Reduce TL-40 channel gain all the way down (+10db). Leave 801 gain at +35 - Start recording. Remain silent to hear noise level of the 801. - Turn TL-40 gain up to +30db. Remain silent to hear added noise of the TL-40. - Turn TL-40 back down to compare. 2050494741_SelfNoiseSample.WAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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