Thank you for the info 🙏🏼 EDIT: It's been a day or two of using this mic now. It's happened to me twice now that the wireless mic's audio stops while filming around 15 minutes for some reason. So I have a lot of footage without sound now.
Some reviews state that theres a buzzing sound or high noise floor with the system. I've been listening to a bunch of reviews.. did you notice anything unusual in that regard? That USB-A though.. it's like Sony is calling our bluff then will proceed to release a USBC model a year or two later :/
Man I’ve been waiting for this since I found about this mic a month ago or so. Then I saw you had it and have been waiting to see what you think and hear the sound quality
Looks cool. I’m still holding out for dji’s dual mic kit, whenever that is released. I think there is a hot shoe attachment with it? Anyways, good stuff.
I fully agree with this review, I got it as a always with me mic (and have the B10 on order for the same reason) just in case. Even combined these 2 units (wireless and b10) are small and quick to use. One small nice detail you can 'secure' your hotshoe cover in the small connecting part so you don't loose it. One thing sony could and should have added is a 2 track 10dB lower mode so you get a extra 10dB or a auto level mode like on the B10,B1 inside the unit (so before the digital part)... no comment on the no usb-c guess they designed or had the parts still laying around just weird the only good news if it forces you to have a multi ended cable with you at all time and having atleast one old style usb for charging something is not a bad idea.... I use a closed L-Bracket so not having to open it to connect is a plus but also means a the analog out should be reusable as a headphone jack for monitoring.
So after purchasing this for my Sony A7ii and A7Rii I learned that the digital does not work. It will only work with analog. BUT!!!! guess what. Switch is set to analog and no need for the 3.5mm cable. It just works. Also, no peaking... It's just on point! LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS THING. Cant wait to use on my next video.
@@Luke-vg7ut It is, but very mild and almost not there when I use the lapel. Goes away with isolating voice in FCP of course, but I know the point is raw out of box.
@@GameboyZeroOfficial The only advantage of this over DJI mic or Rode Go is convenience but the audio is unusable out of the box.... thus eliminating the only point of the using it. Additionally even after noise suppression in post, the audio quality is worse than both Rode and DJI. I'm not seeing the point of it at all. I have all three DJI, Rode Go 2 and Sony W2BT and never use the Sony because of the crazy audio quality. It sounds like a $30 mic off of Amazon.
Wow. The fact that you can set it at -20db and still peak?!? Not a great selling point. And the lack of level control? No thank you. As a solo run and gunner, I can't be put in a position where my audio may be clipping and there's nothing I can do about it. I'm really enjoying the Rode Go II, despite the obnoxious giant logo on each of the transmitters (which I've covered with heavy black paper). I also have the new DJI wireless mic set on back order from Adorama. (It's been that way for several months, I think.) The fact that it's even smaller and has less ostentatious branding on the transmitter/microphones appeals to me. When it finally DOES arrive, I'll be interested to see how it holds up against the Rode. Thanks again for the work you do, Chris. Interesting content for us gear heads. 🙂
And if you go and buy a DJI Mic, you'll get the recorder (like the Røde Wireless Go II), but you don't need a special software to get to the files. You also get a charging cradle, so you can charge the receiver and the 2 transmitters at the same time with one cable. You get a longer battery lifetime than the Røde Wireless Go II. Oh .. and most importantly: you are able to set the gain on each of the two transmitters individually ... that's something you can't do with the Røde Wireless Go II. I mean, of nearly all of the wireless systems like these out there now, the Røde Wireless Go II is one of the most inconvenient ones.
DJI is definitely the best right now. I really want Sony to make an awesome wireless mic system but this one ain’t it. The Audio quality is very bad due to the self noise / hissing and inability to adjust the mic input volume
Thank you for sharing this content, I was interested in this exactly for the speedness and the portability and the cable free, it seems annoying that it cannot be fixed the audio levels on the camera, we really hope that Sony updates the firware of the device, When it will I will probably get this instead of the rode, I have a couple of lavalier mic but I hate the cable. it seems unconvenient, I love that they've blocked safely the fur, unlukily also on my a6600 there is not usb-C charger. Thanks Chris, Max
I appreciate your efforts in going outside and getting interesting shots. Really like what you did at 0:19. As for the Sony mic, this seems like a big miss other than the few features you pointed out. I have no desire to trade my Wireless Go II for this. You covered Rode's backup recording feature on your dedicated review of the Wireless Go II, but I don't think you mentioned it here. It is a must-have in my opinion but doesn't seem to be offered on the Sony. Also, Rode's 2.4 GHz did so much better than Sony's Bluetooth on your range tests.
Great video! The mic seems so close to being great however the lack of controls in camera when using the native hot shoe just is such a strange frustrating issue that seems like Sony could have easily fixed, so weird 🤔Thanks for showing how cool it is though!
On my Sony DSC-RX10M4 camera, the mic receiver has to be set on "analog" in order to work wirelessly. According to the Sony compatibility guide, only a few of the Sony Alphe e-mount cameras can actually take advantage of the "digital" setting. I should've paid more attention to this video as my first video had really back audio peaking with the audio level set at -10db and the microphone under my chin.
awesome job on the video. I was actually looking at this unit on and off for the last month or so. but realizing that there was one big omission on the Sony that makes my rode wireless go II more useful and that's the onboard recording backup on the transmitter. that's feature alone is a life-saver. I think you're right, this is a very niche produce. I think mostly for vlogging and you Gotta make sure you don't turn your back on the receiver. I wanted to love the Sony one, but I think the single version of the rode wireless go II is much more useful and practical.
Chris, you mentioned you use the Rode WGII with your Sony. Can i ask if you are getting that buzzing issue with that set up? If so how do you manage this? Currently this is really frustrating us! Cheers mate
Gain control in the Sony cameras is probably only for analog output, it depends how they built there internals if it’s even possible to adjust there digital output. And if there will be a camera firmware update it’s probably only for the A7s3, A74 and A1. :)
I was excited to get this mic for my Sony A7C but returned it due to the extreme noise and hiss. I don't care to mess around too much in post processing to get rid of mic noise that I don't get from a wired setup. Back to the Rode Wireless Go 2 that does not produce such noise, regardless of which mic configuration I go with into the transmitter.
Great video. Lol luckily I speak softly and definitely won't be holding it up to my mouth like that. 90% of the time mic from behind camera is perfect for me but appreciate the flexibility.
My theory is the mic is tuned to be super sensitive. I say that because this issue was in the model before it, which is almost 8 years old. If firmware could have fixed it I'm sure they would have. My experience is it runs hot, which bugs me, but no one I've shot for has every said anything but "that's great!" I lent my ECM-W1M to a friend and don't think I'll be getting it back ;) So will buy this new one. Even with that one super annoyance, all the rest, like you say, really takes the stress out of impromptu audio.
the 3.5 on the transmitter is also an issue as most lavs I've tried do not fit snugly - it's very loose and seems to really only work with the Sony lav. I've tried rode, sennheiser, zoom, etc. lavs on the transmitter and they all just basically fall out. thus a no-go when using lavs. also don't understand why they don't release a version with the locking port for the lav. oh well.
I have a sony hx400v will a Sony external microphone work to some extent? I know they are not completely compatible but is it so much that I will notice? I shoot outside. You
Hi there, I can't seem to find any answer anywhere to this. Do you know if you can record the camera's on board 3.5mm mic alongside the audio coming from this mic via the MI shoe on separate channels? Thanks!
This one is interesting. Idk why to buy. Which one would you reccomend I am buying to use for sports. I am trying to film soccer practices. I would hook up to a coach and film while he instructs the team ?
I got the ECM-W2BT dirt cheap on someone's return from Amazon. I have a Sony RX100M7 which does not have the multi-interface shoe, so I have to use a cable and plug it into the camera's mic jack. I use a small rig cage with my RX100M7. The cage has two cold (metal) hot shoes. My question is, will I short out the receiver of the ECM_W2BT if I slide the receiver onto the cold metal hot shoe on the cage, since the receiver has a lot of electrical contacts on the bottom? Metal against the receiver contacts tells me I might short out (Kaput) the receiver permanently. Sony makes it sound like no problem, but I'm worried. So will I blow up my new ECM_W2Bt if I slide those electrical contacts on the receiver onto a cold hot shoe when I turn it on? I'm a beginner to using external mics. I hope you can help. Thank you.
The inability to change the record level in-camera makes it a non-starter. I often shoot in loud environments where the mic is close to my mouth and where I have to speak loudly. This requires the in-camera level to be 1 and the Rode Wireless Go II set to -18db (in that setting). Surely that will be fixed in firmware.
This actually has decent reviews. Not great reviews. Also, anytime you are fiddling with anything wirelessly there are connection issues that could make start up much longer than just having the little cable plugged into your camera. IMO the rode destroys this thing.
@@Q8Webmaster I use all the variants of the Wireless Go mics and they are all good in this respect, however if the preamp in the host camera is relied upon it may often introduce noise if increased so generally I try to balance that and most of the time I keep the GOs at the lowest output on my Sony Camcorders but for DSLRs I keep the cameras preamp at the lowest and increase the GO output
How did you make your intro using the ecm w2bt mic so clean? Usually it’ll have hissing noise, did you do something on post?
Thank you for the info 🙏🏼
EDIT: It's been a day or two of using this mic now. It's happened to me twice now that the wireless mic's audio stops while filming around 15 minutes for some reason. So I have a lot of footage without sound now.
With RODE or Sony ? Were you away from the receiver?
Does that happen if you use the analog mode?
Some reviews state that theres a buzzing sound or high noise floor with the system. I've been listening to a bunch of reviews.. did you notice anything unusual in that regard? That USB-A though.. it's like Sony is calling our bluff then will proceed to release a USBC model a year or two later :/
Man I’ve been waiting for this since I found about this mic a month ago or so. Then I saw you had it and have been waiting to see what you think and hear the sound quality
Has some pros and cons, probably not for everyone but I actually really like the way it sounds
I was waiting for this video after DMing you on Instagram. This mic system was ALMOST a perfect concept.
Very very close
Looks cool. I’m still holding out for dji’s dual mic kit, whenever that is released. I think there is a hot shoe attachment with it? Anyways, good stuff.
Yeh I’m interested in trying they too
It has been released, but it's really hard to get your hands on one. I've had a pre-order in since mid November.
Its very interesting product for sure. I like the no cables, but the Bluetooth doesn't seem as reliable. Doesn't sound too bad at all though.
Defiantly not as reliable as the Rode, I wish it was ☹️
I fully agree with this review, I got it as a always with me mic (and have the B10 on order for the same reason) just in case. Even combined these 2 units (wireless and b10) are small and quick to use. One small nice detail you can 'secure' your hotshoe cover in the small connecting part so you don't loose it. One thing sony could and should have added is a 2 track 10dB lower mode so you get a extra 10dB or a auto level mode like on the B10,B1 inside the unit (so before the digital part)... no comment on the no usb-c guess they designed or had the parts still laying around just weird the only good news if it forces you to have a multi ended cable with you at all time and having atleast one old style usb for charging something is not a bad idea.... I use a closed L-Bracket so not having to open it to connect is a plus but also means a the analog out should be reusable as a headphone jack for monitoring.
Not being able to change levels in-cam is brutal, hoping a firmware fix can help.
Definitely limits its abilities
So after purchasing this for my Sony A7ii and A7Rii I learned that the digital does not work. It will only work with analog. BUT!!!! guess what. Switch is set to analog and no need for the 3.5mm cable. It just works. Also, no peaking... It's just on point! LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS THING. Cant wait to use on my next video.
Does yours not have the self noise hissing that I’ve heard in every review?
@@Luke-vg7ut It is, but very mild and almost not there when I use the lapel. Goes away with isolating voice in FCP of course, but I know the point is raw out of box.
@@GameboyZeroOfficial The only advantage of this over DJI mic or Rode Go is convenience but the audio is unusable out of the box.... thus eliminating the only point of the using it. Additionally even after noise suppression in post, the audio quality is worse than both Rode and DJI. I'm not seeing the point of it at all. I have all three DJI, Rode Go 2 and Sony W2BT and never use the Sony because of the crazy audio quality. It sounds like a $30 mic off of Amazon.
@@Luke-vg7ut Sorry to hear that. I really love mine.
@@GameboyZeroOfficial Do you have any examples of audio you recorded with it?
I was confused about the charging (Sony) so I appreciate the very clear instructions and comparisons.
First scene made me say “yea I need it” thanks
make sure you watch the whole thing, it has its issues
I Ordered one today 😂
That issue where you can’t adjust the audio on the camera is such a Sony thing .
Wow. The fact that you can set it at -20db and still peak?!? Not a great selling point. And the lack of level control? No thank you. As a solo run and gunner, I can't be put in a position where my audio may be clipping and there's nothing I can do about it. I'm really enjoying the Rode Go II, despite the obnoxious giant logo on each of the transmitters (which I've covered with heavy black paper). I also have the new DJI wireless mic set on back order from Adorama. (It's been that way for several months, I think.) The fact that it's even smaller and has less ostentatious branding on the transmitter/microphones appeals to me. When it finally DOES arrive, I'll be interested to see how it holds up against the Rode. Thanks again for the work you do, Chris. Interesting content for us gear heads. 🙂
Man I love your channel! Great video again. Hope you are feeling much better now.
Thanks man!
And if you go and buy a DJI Mic, you'll get the recorder (like the Røde Wireless Go II), but you don't need a special software to get to the files. You also get a charging cradle, so you can charge the receiver and the 2 transmitters at the same time with one cable. You get a longer battery lifetime than the Røde Wireless Go II. Oh .. and most importantly: you are able to set the gain on each of the two transmitters individually ... that's something you can't do with the Røde Wireless Go II.
I mean, of nearly all of the wireless systems like these out there now, the Røde Wireless Go II is one of the most inconvenient ones.
DJI is definitely the best right now. I really want Sony to make an awesome wireless mic system but this one ain’t it. The Audio quality is very bad due to the self noise / hissing and inability to adjust the mic input volume
Thank you for sharing this content, I was interested in this exactly for the speedness and the portability and the cable free, it seems annoying that it cannot be fixed the audio levels on the camera, we really hope that Sony updates the firware of the device, When it will I will probably get this instead of the rode, I have a couple of lavalier mic but I hate the cable. it seems unconvenient, I love that they've blocked safely the fur, unlukily also on my a6600 there is not usb-C charger. Thanks Chris, Max
I appreciate your efforts in going outside and getting interesting shots. Really like what you did at 0:19.
As for the Sony mic, this seems like a big miss other than the few features you pointed out. I have no desire to trade my Wireless Go II for this. You covered Rode's backup recording feature on your dedicated review of the Wireless Go II, but I don't think you mentioned it here. It is a must-have in my opinion but doesn't seem to be offered on the Sony. Also, Rode's 2.4 GHz did so much better than Sony's Bluetooth on your range tests.
Yeh it’s a no brainer between the two. Not even close when it comes to features between the two if your plugging in
Their is infact a way around to control audio peaking, connect reciver in analog mode through 3.5mm jack n can control audio level on camera
Great video! The mic seems so close to being great however the lack of controls in camera when using the native hot shoe just is such a strange frustrating issue that seems like Sony could have easily fixed, so weird 🤔Thanks for showing how cool it is though!
Just with more control it would be fantastic
@@chrisbrockhurst + USB C
How did u get rid of the hiss?
Did you figure it out? I’m trying to remove the hiss but couldn’t find any answer online.
Neat microphone! Thanks for the demo. Their mics seems awesome, hard to get some of them.
Rode still sounds better IMO. Better frequency response, less plosives, less noise, and much easier to work with in post IMO.
On my Sony DSC-RX10M4 camera, the mic receiver has to be set on "analog" in order to work wirelessly. According to the Sony compatibility guide, only a few of the Sony Alphe e-mount cameras can actually take advantage of the "digital" setting.
I should've paid more attention to this video as my first video had really back audio peaking with the audio level set at -10db and the microphone under my chin.
awesome job on the video. I was actually looking at this unit on and off for the last month or so. but realizing that there was one big omission on the Sony that makes my rode wireless go II more useful and that's the onboard recording backup on the transmitter. that's feature alone is a life-saver. I think you're right, this is a very niche produce. I think mostly for vlogging and you Gotta make sure you don't turn your back on the receiver. I wanted to love the Sony one, but I think the single version of the rode wireless go II is much more useful and practical.
Chris, you mentioned you use the Rode WGII with your Sony. Can i ask if you are getting that buzzing issue with that set up? If so how do you manage this? Currently this is really frustrating us! Cheers mate
yep buzzing is there.
@@chrisbrockhurst such a shame. is your best solution playing with gain controls and noise reduction?
Arrrr, the good ol EMC-WB2T Sony do love a catchy name. 🙄😏
Thanks man, it is a very helpful overview.
I am really interested in the DJI Mics. They seem pretty thought through
Gain control in the Sony cameras is probably only for analog output, it depends how they built there internals if it’s even possible to adjust there digital output. And if there will be a camera firmware update it’s probably only for the A7s3, A74 and A1. :)
What is better the sony ecm-wbt or ecm-b1m for concerts and environmental sounds.
I was excited to get this mic for my Sony A7C but returned it due to the extreme noise and hiss. I don't care to mess around too much in post processing to get rid of mic noise that I don't get from a wired setup. Back to the Rode Wireless Go 2 that does not produce such noise, regardless of which mic configuration I go with into the transmitter.
Great video. Lol luckily I speak softly and definitely won't be holding it up to my mouth like that. 90% of the time mic from behind camera is perfect for me but appreciate the flexibility.
The new DJI is the one I'd go for especially as a Nikon shooter as we don't have been the port problem.
Thank you! Concise yet detailed video!
Got to the 2:40 mark and knew this mic won't work. Thanks and bye!
Would love to see DJI Wireless Mic with digital audio hotshoe support for Sony and Canon.
Does it record a redundant audio copy in the mic as the Rode? Meaning, can I use it stand alone when I'm not recording with my Sony camera? Thanks
Thanks for the details
Does your receiver get charged by the camera's MI shoe?
My theory is the mic is tuned to be super sensitive. I say that because this issue was in the model before it, which is almost 8 years old. If firmware could have fixed it I'm sure they would have. My experience is it runs hot, which bugs me, but no one I've shot for has every said anything but "that's great!" I lent my ECM-W1M to a friend and don't think I'll be getting it back ;) So will buy this new one. Even with that one super annoyance, all the rest, like you say, really takes the stress out of impromptu audio.
i guess well see!
It needs a serious update with 2 mics to convince us over Rode or the new DJI mic.
Yes 2 mics are required.. Why did not Sony give 2 mics like Rode or DJi
Well, looks like I'm stuck with wires. lol V2 should fix all those issues. Software should help some but the new Rode wireless are badass.
the 3.5 on the transmitter is also an issue as most lavs I've tried do not fit snugly - it's very loose and seems to really only work with the Sony lav. I've tried rode, sennheiser, zoom, etc. lavs on the transmitter and they all just basically fall out. thus a no-go when using lavs. also don't understand why they don't release a version with the locking port for the lav. oh well.
OHHH many micro usb, biggest twist of the century!
Hahaha
Does the W3 connect fast and turn off if you turn your camera on and off ?
I have a sony hx400v will a Sony external microphone work to some extent? I know they are not completely compatible but is it so much that I will notice? I shoot outside. You
can you connect this mic to a pc for zoom calls? thanks
Hi there, I can't seem to find any answer anywhere to this. Do you know if you can record the camera's on board 3.5mm mic alongside the audio coming from this mic via the MI shoe on separate channels? Thanks!
Love the idea but no input gain control is mental.
Does this has Onboard Storage for Backup recording like the rode does?
This one is interesting. Idk why to buy. Which one would you reccomend I am buying to use for sports. I am trying to film soccer practices. I would hook up to a coach and film while he instructs the team ?
Get the rode system
Can I plug it on canin camera ?
I got the ECM-W2BT dirt cheap on someone's return from Amazon. I have a Sony RX100M7 which does not have the multi-interface shoe, so I have to use a cable and plug it into the camera's mic jack. I use a small rig cage with my RX100M7. The cage has two cold (metal) hot shoes. My question is, will I short out the receiver of the ECM_W2BT if I slide the receiver onto the cold metal hot shoe on the cage, since the receiver has a lot of electrical contacts on the bottom? Metal against the receiver contacts tells me I might short out (Kaput) the receiver permanently. Sony makes it sound like no problem, but I'm worried. So will I blow up my new ECM_W2Bt if I slide those electrical contacts on the receiver onto a cold hot shoe when I turn it on? I'm a beginner to using external mics. I hope you can help. Thank you.
Awesome, thanks!
Lol that intro is Fire
Awesome product
Did you do any post audio editing? things like hiss or background noise
compressor on the entire video. That was it. Wanted it pretty raw so people could here the difference.
Excellent video. Thank you
Does it work on iPhone ??
Thanks for the honesty
So does it work on Sony A6000?
Micro-USB in 2022 and beyond should be illegal.
Right!
Great video!
Thankyou!
@@chrisbrockhurst You’re welcome!
The inability to change the record level in-camera makes it a non-starter. I often shoot in loud environments where the mic is close to my mouth and where I have to speak loudly. This requires the in-camera level to be 1 and the Rode Wireless Go II set to -18db (in that setting). Surely that will be fixed in firmware.
Yep. No go for toy then
Mate I used this and it was sh**! It would never connect! Returned it and went back to comica! I wish this worked!
Yep, not for everyone
sony is so cool
❤
This actually has decent reviews. Not great reviews. Also, anytime you are fiddling with anything wirelessly there are connection issues that could make start up much longer than just having the little cable plugged into your camera. IMO the rode destroys this thing.
Nope. It's the other way around. R.I.P. Sony ECM whatever.
Big failure not buying anything with a micro usb c on it.
Maybe get walki talkis? Save your voice.
😅
No, it's not a Rode killer, the background noise on this mic is awful
Isn't that the same with Rode and Dji? I can hear some white noise with Dji mic2 as well.
@@Q8Webmaster I use all the variants of the Wireless Go mics and they are all good in this respect, however if the preamp in the host camera is relied upon it may often introduce noise if increased so generally I try to balance that and most of the time I keep the GOs at the lowest output on my Sony Camcorders but for DSLRs I keep the cameras preamp at the lowest and increase the GO output
1st 🥇
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
That is stupid you cant adjust levels on camera, Sony fail
Thank you this was cool to see🫐