Since I began my career as a sound recordist, there are a few pieces of equipment that have travelled all the way with me to the present day. One of those pieces of exceptional tech is the Sennheiser G3 wireless radio system, which has helped me capture clean and professional audio for my clients in a range of challenging scenarios.
For those of you who aren’t aware, the G3 Radio system is a wireless microphone system that allows the capture and transmission of high-quality audio. This allows me to capture audio from a lavalier or handheld mic and send it to where I need. Whether I’m using it to capture and record clean audio from cast members or hooking it up so crew members can monitor the audio feed in real-time, the G3 adapts seamlessly to each challenge.
There are other wireless microphone systems on the market which take advantage of the improvements in technology since the G3 was released, and my Audio Ltd A10 radio system is one of them. Yet, thanks to its fantastic features and performance, the G3 remains a constant companion in my sound recordist toolbox.
Today I want to share with you my 5 reasons why I still use the Sennheiser G3 Radios and why I still see them as the amazing pieces of equipment they have always been.
1. Affordability
Starting out in sound recording isn’t the easiest when you know a large investment has to go into your equipment to ensure your clients get the quality of professional audio they deserve. So, when you find a piece of tech that can provide professional-grade performance at a price that is accessible to beginners and experts alike, then you know you have found a treasure.
With a lot of sound recording, there are multiple feeds to capture, multiple cast members to record, and multiple sources to draw from, so equipment is often doubled up or more to ensure the shoots are as streamlined as possible. To this end, having an affordable radio system is paramount so that the same quality can be captured across every part of the shoot simultaneously by using multiple units.
The Sennheiser G3 Radio system is affordable enough to allow me the luxury of having multiple units without a significant financial burden, so I can always feel at ease knowing I’m always prepared, no matter the scenario. And despite their affordable price points, they really do offer good performance and reliability, making them an excellent investment for anyone in the industry. Such an accessible price point allows those who are just beginning access to professional-grade equipment they’ll keep using throughout their career, just like I have.
2. User-Friendly Design
For a sound recordist, equipment wants to be as simple as it is reliable, not because we’re tech-shy or incapable of understanding complicated equipment—trust me, we are! But shoots are so time-sensitive and, at times, elaborate that every stage of equipment set-up must be as streamlined as possible to ensure the day goes smoothly.
The Sennheiser G3 has a very straightforward and intuitive interface with a backlit graphic display, allowing me to set them up in next to no time at all. The menus are clear and so simple to navigate that even inexperienced users could operate them with a fair amount of confidence. Simply requiring turning on and allowing its infrared syncing system to connect the transmitters and receivers, setting up the G3 is practically effortless to use, and thanks to its automatic channel scanning, you can be assured you’re receiving and transmitting audio without interference.
3. Versatility
Professional sound recordists need to be able to record sound from every source imaginable, and we have ways and means of doing so. When we have equipment that is easily adaptable across a variety of scenarios, then we know we’re dealing with a piece of tech we are going to grow very fond of.
The Sennheiser G3 radio system can be used across a multitude of settings and shoot scenarios, whether hooked up to lavalier microphones on cast or talent, being used as an audio feed direct to cameras, or simply for crew communications—the G3 radio system can cover it all for me.
This makes them well-suited to a large range of projects and have been successfully used by myself on factual entertainment such as Bargain Hunt and narrative drama such as Villain. Thanks to their ease of use, they’re simple to set up, and the ease of tuning and selecting frequencies allows us to use multiple radios at the same time without worrying about interference from the other radios.
The G3 radio system has an extensive range of accessories too, including antennae and splitters, making it ever more flexible and adaptable to whatever the job at hand requires.
4. Reliability
One of the things we are met with most as sound recordists are things we simply can’t prepare for. From background noise to the acoustics varying from location to location or even just bad weather, when everything else can go wrong, we simply want our equipment to go right.
So, Sennheiser’s G3 wireless radio system scores big points for me on the reliability factor as its versatility ensures I can use it to solve unexpected problems as they arise. Whether I need to throw an extra mic onto a cast member or suddenly need to send the camera a wireless audio feed, G3’s simplicity coupled with its consistent performance means I can always rely on it to get the job done.
5. Durability and Longevity
And finally, the G3 Radio system is made to last. I have used mine since 2013—that is 11 years of continuous use—and whilst I have picked up extra units since then, my original unit is still going strong. It’s so important to me that not only do the features of my equipment provide the highest quality audio and most professional sound, but also that they can withstand the rigours of constant use and not degrade with time.
The Sennheiser G3 Radio system is cased in metal housing which provides an extremely durable protective shell, which shields the interiors from physical damage that might occur due to accidental drops during the course of a busy shoot. The casing is solidly made and tight enough to ensure no dust or dirt gets inside to the sensitive electronics, enhancing the longevity and lifespan of the radio.
Not everything can be perfect, however, as many sound recordists, myself included, find that the factory aerials are prone to bending, breaking, and snapping. Maybe we’re just a heavy-handed bunch, but the demands of shooting can be challenging, and delicacy isn’t always possible. So, I decided to get my G3 modded a few years ago and found it has definitely helped. So even when there are downsides, the rest of the radio system is too good to let go, and the community stepped up to find a solution and enhance the lifespan of these awesome tools. The mods also allow the receiver to connect to other devices too which certainly aids me at my job!
Conclusion
The Sennheiser G3 radio still remains a solid choice for a wireless mic system, and I know many in the industry agree with me. Even since the G4 radio has been released, Sennheiser got it so right with the G3 that I still haven’t found a good enough reason to upgrade. Thanks to its affordability, its versatility, its ease of use, and excellent durability, I can happily recommend the Sennheiser G3 to industry professionals and amateur sound recordists alike.
So, whether you are looking to expand your collection or just starting out on your journey, I can guarantee you won’t go wrong with the Sennheiser G3. It has served me well all these years, and I know it will continue to serve me well for the years to come.
If you’d like to look at some more in-depth product information for G3 Radio System, you can take a look on Sennheiser’s official website.
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