I’m prepping for a shoot and want to get the C300 lighter so I decided on using the RodeLink instead of our Lectrosonics SR Dual-Channel Slot Mount ENG system.
This system cost around $4000 complete with Sanken COS 11 and rigging. It’s a very good system but one most can’t afford.
So here is a quick audio test I did. It’s not scientific so dont get all crazy on me. I actually dont like doing comparisons because frankly it’s to dang hard and everybody wants a winner. Thats isn’t what this is for. I just wanted to hear the difference and thought you might want to as well. I also tested range today at the station and the RodeLink didnt have any issues. I think if you wanted or have a different lav mic it would work very well too on the RodeLink as long as the lav has the proper 3.5 mm TRS jack.
I think they are both very good and the price for the RodeLink with the included Rode Lavalier at $399 is a crazy good deal. Puts some good headphones on and listen to my silky voice. 😀
Okay here you go!
My take away is they sound very different. The RodeLink with the Rode Lavailer is fuller with more pronounced bass. The Sanken is brighter with less bottom. Both sound great and are a very different sound and will get the job done. Really depends on how much money you have to spend.
Follow me on Twitter @eriknaso and check out my page on Facebook.
Thanks for coming by! Please help support my site by using the links on this page or bookmark these from my favorite retailers, B&H, Adorama, Zacuto, Amazon.com & Think Tank Photo. Using the links cost you nothing extra, but it helps offset the cost of running my blog. Thanks again for coming by eriknaso.com!
Really hard to compare the sound when using different lavs. Any chance of using one or the other with an adapter? At my end, the Rode sounds dull and lifeless..but could easily be the stock mic vs the expensive Sanken. By the way, is rodes 3 pin wiring Sennheiser style or Sony UWP..or Rode’s own?
Another critical consideration with wireless is how the input stage deals with unpredictable dynamics. One of the selling points of Lectros are their quality input stage limiters that can protect from distortion without sounding horrible.
I hear you. This is one test I wanted to hear since I have both systems. It’s a very quick sample that I thought would be interesting to share. The RodeLink comes with a Rode Lavalier so I dont think putting a Sanken on it would be a good idea since people buying the RodeLink probably wont buy a Sanken COS Lav too. They cost as much as the Filmmakers kit. I also dont believe anyone that has $399 to spend on a wireless with lav would be looking to buy the $4K Lectro system.
I dont know about the pin assignments sorry.
Good work Erik.
Erik – Thanks for taking the plunge to try out the RodeLink. Given its price, it will likely be a popular unit. Please update your review after you have used it on locations and let us know how it works out.
Thanks for the test. Your site has been extremely helpful for me. I wonder how the RodeLink system compares to the Sennheiser AVX. I am considering both but the AVX is significantly more expensive.
It all depends.. Many understand the freebies that come with wireless sets are “starter” lavs. For instance, the lectros come from factory with a basic Lectro branded lav..unless a dealer yanks them and offers other bundles. A helpful analogy might be DSLR cameras and kit lenses. To judge ultimate quality, you’d likely attach something better than what it came with. And if comparing against other cams, you’d want to control that variable as best you can. And you’d expose them to challenging imagery, lighting conditions to see how they manage.
I know..just a quick test here…but just wanted to clarify.
Frankly, I wish manufacturers had more real world demos made available. Sennheiser spent time and money on that Oracle promo for the AVX while providing next to nothing in terms of useful demonstrations.
Appreciate your comment RR. Yes you are correct about the stock lav that comes with the Lectros. I always wondered how they bundled a lav that didn’t really match up to the level of the system they had. I believe they still do this and it’s a shame.
Thanks for contributing!
Erik
Great tests, Erik. Thanks. Have you compared distance quality between the two? Side note: I own and love the Sanken lav mics and would be interested in finding an adapter for it to work with this system if the distance quality is good. Thanks!
I took the RodeLink into the studio and was end to end. Roughly 65 feet. Worked great. So much more testing to do.
I used the RodeLink with Sanken COS and it did sound well like a Sanken should. I had it from my G3 and the connector is the same as the Rode Lavalier. I’m set.
Is your COS-11 that you used with the RodeLink the Sennheiser TRS or the Sony UWP one? I just purchased a Sennheiser wired COS-11 and unfortunately it does not seem to work with my RodeLink, nor the Senal phantom power supply I have. The signal is there but its extremely attenuated. It barely peaks at around -32Db with the RodeLink TX’s +20Db gain option turned on. I’m wondering if I got the wrong connector perhaps.
When does/did this shoot happen? Any further findings?
We wrapped yesterday and I like how it came out. I can share anything until July since it wont be on the air until then. I decided to go with the Sanken COS since thats the mic we use for image promos and it worked great in every scene. It’s great that the RodeLink like many other systems allows other mics to be used if the right connector is on the lav. The beauty of the Rode Lavalier is how the connector and be swapped out to fit a lot of different systems. Huge plus.
What kind(s) of scenarios? Controlled or with swings in volume etc? Just one system? Thanks.
This is a 15 and 30 second promo shoot. Camera was pretty close to talent delivering lines. Nothing crazy.