|
Audio Technnica has created a very interesting new wireless mic system that is just what many people have been clamoring for. The ATW-1820 series has a dual audio channel, true diversity receiver
system. Yes, two independent receivers, each having two RF receiving sections for diversity operation. Each pair of receivers share a single pair of antennae on BNC connectors. In other words the receiver, which has
approximately the same dimentions as a Lectrosonics or Zaxcom ENG receiver, can receive from two independent transmitters. A-T offers three packages - with two lav packs, two plug-on "cube" transmitters, or one of
each.
The ATW-1820 receiver looks and feels well built with a metal shell (except for the battery door, which is plastic) and very low profile controls; an LCD screen, LED indicators, push buttons for menu control,
slide switches for various functions, and rotary pots for output & headphone level controls. It takes 6 AA batteries or external power. A 4 position switch selects the power mode between Off, External or battery
powering channel 1 only, or both channels. This is good, because single channel operation draws a rather high 350ma from the AA's, and operating both channels draws a hefty 600ma. It is a bit more efficient at 500ma
when externally powered. There is a fuel guage on the LCD when battery powered.
Since this is a two channel receiver, there are two output connectors. These are TA-3 mini XLRs and full size XLR adapter wires are
included. Output 1 can be switched to output channel 1 or a mix of both channels. Outpt 2 can select between channel 1, channel 2, or a mix. Each output has a rotarty level control. In addition, there is a headphone monitor
output on a miniplug. This can listen to either channel or a mix. The output is mono on both sides of a stereo headset. A pair of LEDs for each receiving channel shows which diversity antenna is being used.
Also on
the receiver, there is a 3 position switch to select which channel the LCD is displaying. This is used for frequency changes. There is an auto scanning function for finding unused frequencies. There is an LED for each
channel showing power,active status, and audio peaks., but
The ATW-1801 body pack transmitter is fairly small, has a plastic casing, and is nicely laid out with a minimum of controls. There is a three position
sliding door to cover all the buttons, leave just the power/mute button exposed, or expose all controls. The side mounted battery door has a sliding lock, a screw-on antenna is top mounted, and the Hirose 4 pin input
connector is also top mounted, but with a unique one-step-down design. In addition to frequency control, the LCD give you input level (mic or instrument) input gain (from -6dB to +12db in 6cB incriments), RF ouput power
(10mW/30mW), Power/Mute button locking, and reset. A sliding door can cover the buttons except for the LCD and the power/mute button, which are left exposed but well recessed. A ring at the base of the XLR connector screws
up and down to lock a mic in place.
The ATW-1802 Plug on "Cube" transmitter can be used with any dynamic mic and electret condensers capable of working on 12 Volts of phantom power. It has a metal shell
wrapped around the middle, but the top and bottom panels (including bottom battery door) are plastic which is unfortunate since a drop would most likely impact the bottom. On one side is an LCD display and push button
controls. The LCD has the same functions as the body pack.
There is no indication of RF signal strength or audio level on either of the transmitters or receiver. When shouting close into the lav mic at full input
gain, I clearly heard clipping distortion way before the peak LED on the receiver blinked. There is no peak LED on the transmitter, making it impossible to set level away from the receiver.
To evaluate the
system's audio performance, I listened to both of the transmitter's via the receiver's main outputs through a good headphone amp. I'll preface the evaluation by noting limited expectations at this price
point. Of the under $1,000.00 per channel systems I have auditioned, most exihibited higher noise and companding artifacts than would be expected from higher priced systems.
The lav transmitter, with the AT899 micro
lav capsule sounded pretty good. The noise floor was reasonable, the compander was not overtly obvious. In a walk test, I got about 180 feet before I started to hear any noise-ups at the RF-Low setting, and about 270 feet
at the RF-High setting.
The Plug-on transmitter however, was disappointing. I tried it with a variety of popular omni & cardioid dynamic and condenser hand held mics. Listening to the receiver's main outputs
through a good headphone amp, The audio noise level was abnormally high, as if the input level was low, though the transmitter's input gain was set to +12dB. I also could easily hear the compander working. Due to his, I
did not proceed to do a walk range test.
Marty Atias
ATS Communications
March, 2007
|
