March 13, 2012 - 20:44
The SAMSON AIRLINE AL1/AM1 UHF Wireless Microphone System.
I've always said a cheap mic used up close to the sound source beats a good mic used metres away any day, and this tiny mic proves this beyond any shadow of a doubt. Here we have a mini camera-mountable receiver plus an all-in-one miniaturized transmitter with a built-in electret condenser microphone, an ideal portable system for use in countless video recording situations.
Here's how I've used it. I use black masking tape to attach it to the 'house mic' at any given event. As such, my mic gets passed round between all the various speakers for great 'up-close' recordings. I've attached it to the Registrar's lapel at weddings and plugged the receiver into my MiniDisc or Zoom H2. I've hidden the sender unit in the top table flower display at weddings by using its little alligator clip to cling onto a flower stem. I've put the sender unit on the coffee table in the middle of all the guests at home, and been able to film from anywhere in the room knowing I'll get completely consistent audio (the mic is omni-directional).
I've always said a cheap mic used up close to the sound source beats a good mic used metres away any day, and this tiny mic proves this beyond any shadow of a doubt. Here we have a mini camera-mountable receiver plus an all-in-one miniaturized transmitter with a built-in electret condenser microphone, an ideal portable system for use in countless video recording situations.
My picture shows one of the most useful pieces of kit I've ever had the pleasure to own. It's a tiny radio microphone that I've had for years, made by Samson (who also make the Zoom digital recorders) and the receiver is shown attached to my Panasonic SD900 with the sender unit lying in front of it. The receiver plugs straight into the 900's mic socket, disconnecting the camera's internal mics and putting the same signal on both audio tracks.
It's genuinely tiny - exactly half the size of a MiniDV tape box. The AL1 has power and mute switches, an input level control and a two-function red LED that indicates when the transmitter is on and transmitting a signal. The AL1 lets you use the transmitter's
built-in unidirectional electret condenser mic or you can plug your favourite lapel mic into the mini input jack, and phantom power is provided. An alligator clip allows the AL1 to be clipped to a lapel, pocket, belt or even to rose stems.
built-in unidirectional electret condenser mic or you can plug your favourite lapel mic into the mini input jack, and phantom power is provided. An alligator clip allows the AL1 to be clipped to a lapel, pocket, belt or even to rose stems.
The sender and receiver both operate on a single AAA cell with about an 8-hour battery life, Mounting on the hot shoe of your camera the AM1 features an audio out, a headphone out with level control for monitoring, a mic/line switch for optimized output, an on/off switch and a multi function LED displaying RF, low battery and power. The transmitter and receiver function on a single frequency 863.625 MHz / Channel 2, which probably accounts for it being discontinued, more's the pity. I'm looking after mine because there was nothing at BVE to match it.
Here's how I've used it. I use black masking tape to attach it to the 'house mic' at any given event. As such, my mic gets passed round between all the various speakers for great 'up-close' recordings. I've attached it to the Registrar's lapel at weddings and plugged the receiver into my MiniDisc or Zoom H2. I've hidden the sender unit in the top table flower display at weddings by using its little alligator clip to cling onto a flower stem. I've put the sender unit on the coffee table in the middle of all the guests at home, and been able to film from anywhere in the room knowing I'll get completely consistent audio (the mic is omni-directional).
If you ever see one for sale second-hand, snap it up.
