2.4GHz vs UHF | How To Get More From Your Wireless Microphones

In this episode of Sound 101, we break down RF interference, what causes RF interference, and how to get rid of RFI. But we don't just tackle it as a guide to 2.4GHz wireless microphones. No! We also show you how to use a UHF wireless microphone system too. This is not some generic "how to use wireless microphones" tutorial video. We show you different RFI / EMI issues that can cause real harm on your film set. This is a filmmaking tutorial for the hardcore who care about their lavalier microphone clarity!
We also talk about RF overmodulation vs RF intermodulation and how you can avoid both of them altogether with some everyday quick tips that you can practice on your next film set. Normally we do guides like "2.4GHz microphone review" and "best wireless microphone for DSLR" but this dives deeper - even if you buy something cheap, you can get the most out of it anyway.
Why do we help you get more from wireless brands that aren't ours? Simple. We are a microphone company that also makes microphones for those systems too. You getting the most out of any kind of wireless microphone means you'll get better sound from our W.Lav Pro and W.Lav Micro. But if you do want to check out our wireless microphone system, you should check out Deity Connect!
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Summary:
Deity Microphones produces weekly digital web content to help filmmakers and sound mixers grow in their education. Deity Microphones shares this free web series in hopes that the next generation of filmmakers grows in their video production quality and changes the world.
Deity Microphones produces free educational web content to help filmmakers, vloggers, sound mixers and sound designers grow as creatives and take their production quality (be it independent, TV, or studio) to the next level. Deity Microphones believes that budget should never be a constraint to creativity.

[@DeityMicrophones]

How have you solved your RF interference problems in a creative way?

[@BadKarma714]

I would like to see a video about the best way to get sound with the Deity V-Mic D3

[@chrishoffman4635]

Planting the RX closer to the talent by using a long XLR cable. The RX doesn't always have to hang out on your bag.

[@Zorrorak]

I was working on a shoot earlier this year inside an RF dead zone (at a TV studio directly under a tower) and i was having issues with RF leaking through onto my audio recordings (Zoom f4). I eventually found out that my phone was struggling to maintain a connection so it was boosting its signal and thats what was leaking through onto my mixer. Airplane mode fixed it

[@tomlebeau7921]

Chris Hoffman This

[@adamhecht7308]

Straws on TX Antenna.

[@Simple6String]

Dope video team. Put all of that into really easily swallow-able terminology. Would love more troubleshoot discussions or classroom tutorial videos

[@GlenReed]

Perfect timing on this video Andrew!! I was doing a corporate shoot today and had to have a few wireless access points shut off because it was causing my Deity Connect to drop out. Unfortunately for the shot to work I had to be directly under the access point, but thankfully we had the ability to turn them off.

[@Mike0193Azul]

Thanks so much for this lecture! 💚 So much more to learn about rfi and coordinating frequencies

[@andrumxchannel9627]

This video is awesome. Didn't know anything about this topic before I watched this video. Now I feel like a pro.

[@SlavGuns]

This is a great video on this topic. Awesome primer.

[@pradeepchakraverti]

Excellent upload!!! This one has got to be one of the best thus far. 👍 It deals very well with both the theory and the practice of understanding and managing RFI issues. Thanks a lot, Andrew and Daniel.

[@sweet6tean]

incredibly helpful video for a beginner in this world. thanks to you both!

[@REACTORVISUAL]

i have a Rode Filmaker kit (2.4Ghz frequency), great so far, never failed, until a day I had to film/record someone inside of a baseball stadium full of people (and their cell phones) the audio was dropping all over and barely could get the seconds needed for the editing while audio was cutting seconds before and after the parts used, did not realized after all was shot and over, really scary experience while watching/listening the clips for the first time, I saw the meter pumping on the screen, did not used headphones. I trusted the thing first cause never failed me before and 2nd cause I had no idea that type of thing could happen, it was a close call on a paid work. Learn a lot from that experience, hope whoever read this, be careful inside crowds.

[@dingdong5601]

If you call yourself a videographer, you need to always be monitoring with headphones (unless it's an on body recorder). Which brings up that point, the Wireless Go II transmitters record internally so it's a really great fail safe.

[@timothywoods3365]

Great video with some thoughtful information.

[@Photoeye65]

Very Informative! Thanks guys......

[@benfeinblum]

Great information! Thank you!

[@AnilKumar-zo2eu]

Thank you so much sir for your packaged information.

[@jeremyjones8971]

Loved this Video! Very informative & encouraging as opposed to smug and condescending. I own some Sennheiser EW D1’s. I wonder if other than moving away from WiFi routers, and turning off cell phones is there anything you can do to strengthen 2.4 ghz signal. Do you need a specialized brand name directional antenna or can you buy any 2.4 antenna.

[@treffensaintjohnllc2913]

Thank you for introducing me to RF Spotlight.

[@uriwillzelinskiy6167]

"Daniel and I have been here talking about RF interference for three hours" Sounds like an awesome podcast, release that LOL

[@TigerEyeFocus]

Just got the Deity Connect set from Adorama. I love how you both spoke about environment. We primarily shoot in NYC which is a dense area. Now considering RFI, what should we thinking about when using the connect if our set is outdoors for example in a densely populated area?

[@8lec_R]

The tip about using weaker antennae was a good one. Thanks! Not gonna be using it anytime soon cuz I don't have a wireless set... Lol

[@DeityMicrophones]

Yup. It's all about SNR and sometimes lowering the noise makes all the difference!

[@protoman247]

noice. was looking more into this topic the other night

[@chrishoffman4635]

The biggest issue with 2.4 GHz isn't RFI, but the lack of reflection sources and penetration. The human body kills the signal quite well, so it has to rely on the signal bouncing off an object to get around the human body. That presents an issue in certain environments. One solution I have thought of - why can't there be a "secondary" antenna the size of a Wireless Go that you mount on the body, opposite the TX? It would be like having a TX on both sides of the talent - any direction the talent turns there will be a TX with line of sight to the RX. Would be a great problem solver for 2.4 GHz systems.

[@BasicFilmmaker]

Wow. These make me really appreciate sound people and their knowledge. Is it technically (or financially) possible to have some sort of adjustable GHz frequency making it adjust between various levels depending on where you are. Not sure if that is the correct way to ask that.

[@DeityMicrophones]

Yes it is. Infact we built that into Deity Connect. Set latency mode to high and RF Output to AUTO and it will automatically adjust based on distance.

[@BasicFilmmaker]

Deity Microphones Well, that answers that! Amazing. Thanks! Any word on killer lapel mic yet? 😁😁😁

[@DieTFT]

great tips

[@mosespalmer7097]

Hi guys. Thanks for doing a video on this very important issue. I realized that my wireless microphone receivers kept dropping signals and I would have one signal drop off when I turned one microphone on. I tried to daisy chain the antennae, change the channels but that has not helped either. I am thinking of getting a power conditioner as a last resort in case it has to do with AC interference. I know this is limited information to go by but what do you think?

[@bike4359]

Hi, great video! I have a Samson XPD2 Handheld and it sounds like a snow storm going on, any comments gratefully received, thank you 😊

[@TannerGwaltney]

We've just recently been experiencing a lot of rf interference with our new Deity Connect system at work. I'll definitely start by turning down the power since they were all the way up.

[@joellouisfire]

Yes! I think this was a little gold nugget of information that was said. Didn't realize more power can create more problems. Did that solve your RF issues?

[@TannerGwaltney]

@@joellouisfire I haven't really noticed, but we rarely use the system because they're just so noisy and have tiny dropouts.

[@joellouisfire]

@@TannerGwaltney Ah ok. Did you try updating the firmware and turning up the output settings on the transmitters? I heard that helped a lot with noise issues and Deity also fixed a lot of the noise with firmware updates.

[@andresponce1181]

Hey Deity really cool video. Just curious about the gap between channel frequencies. How much would be a good frequency gap between channels?

[@DeityMicrophones]

All depends on the brand of wireless you are using and the type of modulation they are using on their signal.

[@greconogueira8426]

A yellow foam with Deity´s logo on those mics would be nice :) didn't ask my opinion but anyway..lol thanks for the video.

[@djdholirajan]

Amazing video and content. I am a dj and have gotten both uhf and 5.8gh wireless xlr. However both send a signal that makes the low end sound really bad. What could I be doing wrong? Using a dj controller and mixer for sound.

[@JannesvanGestel]

Awesome video. Quick question, is RFI a possible cause of background noise as well? I've just started using the Deity Connect system with my GH5 and I'm still trying to figure out the best settings for sensitivity etc. and kinda feel like there's too much background noise when I listen to it in post. What TX sensitivity (+24db?) and RX output do you guys use with the GH5 (I've seen you use it in previous videos!)

[@DeityMicrophones]

Yea... the Lumix menu limits you guys to -12dB in camera. I'd drop your RX down to -12 or even as much as -18. And see if that helps. Maybe back off your lav to +21dB. Without a GH5 in our hands to gain stage it that's where we'd start.

[@tomlebeau7921]

So would you potentially get a lower noise floor by using a lower mW setting? If the “spread” is no more than you require, would there be less potential noise to be picked up than a higher mW with more spread? So using the lower mW creates a much cleaner signal?

[@uh_me]

So frequency coordination is kinda like picking which urinal to use in the men's restroom

[@TylerFernandes94]

My college's lavs (G3's with rode lavs) at their gear sign-out sometimes create a staticy "white noise" at times, either when actors are moving or even when they are not moving. I usually assume that the wire is broken or damaged. Is RFI maybe my problem instead? Or am I right about thinking it's probably a damaged wire? I am not sure what RFI sounds like

[@yaniprov]

Hey Deity I'm thinking about buying a 120d II or a Deity Connect. Currently for microphones I have a shotgun mic on a boom pole with a wired connection to a field recorder with 3 XLR inputs. For lights I only have an Aperture AL-MX. What would you buy first? Thanks.

[@malibriggs9783]

Hi guys, great video thank you. I am new to using mics. I recently filmed an interview with the senheisser g4. It turns out there's this random static interfwrence which seems to come in and out at its own will... it's now happened a few times, even after scanning and selecting a clean channel. Does this sound like I'm causing my own interference between transmitter and receiver from maybe the power being too high and both units too close? Thanks

[@dingdong5601]

So many variables to know before giving a useful answer. Where was the interview taking place? Indoors/outdoors, near power/radio towers? Is your subject moving around or stationary? Where is the transmitter on the subject (clipped on belt or buried in a pocket)? What power setting was used when it occured? How far away was your subject? This could go on for a while...

[@yeopot]

Hello and thanks for your video.i have two deity connect sets. My problem starts when i use both of them. It looks like the one interfere to the other.The pairing, between transmiters and receivers, can be lost by the slightest move or even when i put my body between them . The quality of the signal becomes very poor. If i use only the one set the situation is totally diferent . Everything works perfect. Do you have any sugestion or tip to fix this problem?

[@DesertCookie]

In Germany, both UHF in the ranges 470-608 MHz and 614-694 MHz, as well as 2.4 GHz in the range 2400.0-2483.5 MHz can be used free of charge (until 2031 for now). RFI for UHF is limited to other wireless microphone systems as these frequencies are limited to use for such systems. Just if this helps someone...

[@mdh2006]

I have a UHF lapel wireless, and I noticed Im picking up radio channels, I have a 6ft copper, ham radio antenna up on my roof, about ten ft away from where Im using the mic. Its not in use, but it was built for FM, so instead of broadcasting, its receiving signals....It took me a day to figure it out...lol

[@livingstones1196]

I recently built log periodic antennas for our microphones at our church to help with drop outs. Now I get intermodulation in (of all people) my pastor's mic. I have changed the frequency but it will experience interference from time to time. Quite annoying to say the least. More like truly upsetting. Anyway, I am thinking of going back to using the dipoles to try to remedy this. Do you think I am going in the right direction here? We are on a shoe string budget so we don't really have the cool diagnostic scanners to help.

[@fireworxz]

Thanks

[@mikey38632]

Quick question from a guy that's green to managing wireless mics and their frequencies. My UHF receivers have a "RF" meter. Where do I want that level to be (or does it matter) and how do I consider getting it there? Pretty sure the unit uses only Diversity antennas. I'm thinking it does matter since there's a meter and not just a signal presence indicator.

[@EmilianoGonzalez-vd1lw]

Hello guys, I am using UHF system and I was wondering how to get rid off interference because I hear this shhhhhh and static interference everytime. there is a way to send you a example so you guys can hear and tell me what exactly to do. Thanks great video by the way!!

[@johnschauf6457]

I have been trying to diagnose a multipath rf issue with our g3IEMs for a bit and am pretty confused on what to try - do you take zoom or FaceTime?

[@FernandoMongeIbiza]

Hi guys, I'm experimenting some kind of interference from my Wingman (2.4 GHz I believe) in my 664 SD. Specially noticeable when I engage the slate microphone when it is powered from an external battery. To me it feels like a bad ground on the external power system. Any thoughts on this?

[@JohnDoe69]

Is there 9ms delay in Deity like it is in Sennheiser AVX if you are mixing UHF-2.4Ghz transmitters in same set?

[@norton5681]

3:58 From 300 MHz to 1kHz? Old but gold mouth TX system, huh.

[@SymonSaysTV]

I’m about to buy a second G4 sennheiser wireless mic. The one I already have is on the 516-558 range. Now I have the possibility to purchase a second one from the same frequency range, or one in the 566-608 range. Is there one to favour or one to avoid? Oh! And I live in Canada. Thanks!

[@dingdong5601]

Get the 500 series. Lots more power at 50mW and the MKE2 is a fantastic mic

[@Mile26point2films]

Hey guys by the time you see this last evening Tuesday 11/12/3019, a couple of people from Sennheiser we’re talking about this at my local shop Second City Sound. As soon as the PDF’s are made available, I would be happy to share them with you.

[@user-yq9zp9jw2e]

If you needed to use a 70-channel wireless microphone in a very limited frequency band, what would you do?

[@theDanDeleon]

So for playing basketball, is it better to have a 2.4GHz or UHF system?

[@taranagnew436]

I have my 🖥 set-up next to my router and I wear bt hearing aids (witch the (i think) the other rf signals are interfering with bt on connection on my hearingaidsto devices, keeps cutting out/connected but no sound, how do/can I ✂️ down on interference?

[@alexanderaudio8383]

A general thing I've always wondered if I was doing correctly: When setting up multiple lavs(spec the G3&4s), should I have them all on while scanning? Also can I scan them all at the same time? Or should I scan them one at a time and while the others are off? Or should I scan them one at a time, but have them all on?

[@zuletajohn]

set them up simultaneously and leace thwm in so u can make sure ur not spraying or bleeding from one chabnel to next

[@dingdong5601]

With them all turned off, turn the first set on and find your first freq. Once found and connected, leave the first one on and do the same for the second set and so on.

[@dadaUnts]

I know this is pertaining to wireless microphones, but I use 5.8ghz on both my guitar transmitter, would there be any RFI to me or from me to others? I only ask because when I was using them for a band practice in the basement, there is a slight bit of hum. The hum doesn't exist when I use it in a hall. I have a general idea that the hum should not have happened for reasons that the 2.4G allows more devices but does not have a far reach and that the 5.8G (which I was the only one using it in the group; they were all using wires) would be connected to limited number of devices yet have more reach, so therefore my device should've never had any hums, or am I completely out of my mind?

[@sabasgonzalez4372]

Great video/subject. I find this very interesting, but still, UHF and 2.4GHz is chinesse to me. From a guitarist point of view, what would be the best choice for a guitar wireless system in a home environment - bedroom player -? Of course, I do have a wifi router at home. So, I should go UHF or 2.4GHz? Or in my case, either one will just work fine? Hoping you still read this even if I´m 8 months late here. Thank you!

[@DeityMicrophones]

either would be fine. The 2.4Ghz system might be easier to work with because a lot of stuff is automated for you. Plus, you'll be like mere feet away from your receiver, so interference shouldn't really be an issue.

[@sabasgonzalez4372]

@@DeityMicrophones Thanks so much for answering so quick! This helped a lot, and hope this helps other guitar players who read this. Keep up the good work! Thanks!

[@colinleask4777]

If I’m filming at a big event and the crowd are all on their phones using the cell network will this effect wireless audio using 2.4GHz?

[@harrij.9542]

I would like to know this myself

[@TheBlfan]

I want to see the full 3 hours. :)

[@brettsmithphotography2463]

Hi I recently bought the deity connect and used it for a wedding it worked pretty well but at home I’m getting a lot of dropped signal. From a relatively short distance away(15-20ft). I still need to do more testing using the different latency settings but one thing that worries me about that is the latency time. Could you do a tutorial on the best way to sync audio with the latency? For me my third wireless is a UHF and they’re all feeding into the same recording device. What do I need to do to sync it with video especially if I’m using timecode? Those are my burning questions.

[@DeityMicrophones]

Hey Brett, what are you recording your wireless into? also what kind of environment is your home?

[@brettsmithphotography2463]

Deity Microphones I know you must be busy so thanks for getting back with me! I’m recording into a MixPre 6 ii and a zoom H6. In terms of interference my main Wifi is the Orbi with a router and a satellite. I also have a lot of smart switches. At the wedding it worked ok but it still made me nervous. They were up on a stage and when I had the receiver in my sound bag on the floor it was dropping out a lot so I stuck it up on the DJ’s table and then it seemed solid. But it was only a 4 foot height difference. It was almost like it needed to be kind of site. I’ll do some more testing with the higher latency modes and see if that’s better, but if it does I’m worried about sync issues. If it’s pretty easy to fix then I’m not too worried I’m just not used to having to do it.

[@DeityMicrophones]

@@brettsmithphotography2463 Oh. Fixing sync issues is super easy.

[@brettsmithphotography2463]

Deity Microphones so I’ve manually synced things and I assume if I’m syncing from a scratch track it will just line up, but how does it work if I’m using the deity connect with a sennheiser G3 all going into a recorder like the MixPre using timecode?

[@vlaea2202]

Which UHF wireless lav system should I buy?

[@roudierigaudmarcelin3732]

Hello to everyone, big shot out from Haiti. I'm haitian sound guy, thank you so much for those informations. They are very helpful. My questions : ● How to set antennas with a cheap wireless microphones to get a good signal's sound in a way where is very complicated on set ? ● With the 2.4 Ghz, it's easier to set a RF Frequency on set Or with the antennas it's will be more easily to get better ? Thank you,

[@eartraffic]

wireless UHF mics cutting out all of a sudden. And I dont know why.. Can LED club lights mess with a signal? A mixer maybe?

[@peruperu-jj8zs]

In japan, they are banning the only currently available UHF band for unlicensed users in 2022. It’s going to be interesting what is going to replace it.

[@MrAnish007]

Hi guys...i.have a akg wms40 mini wireless 2.4ghz microphone.. It is always prone to interference.What do you recommend to keep it safe in 200 people events.

[@DeityMicrophones]

Stay close to it

[@icecreaman2010]

Has anyone had some unwanted noise in there microphone that maybe caused by a cell tower and what was your resolution 🤔?

[@cozymusicrelax]

When using Wifi 2.4Ghz you have 14 channels available for you to choose from. It is not a matter of being too close to a router for interference it is a matter of being in the same channel just change your frequency on any of thee wireless device.

[@DeityMicrophones]

Proximity to an RF device makes you more likely to run into problems with the harmonics of the RF signal. Also you are more likely to run into RF spray the closer you are to a RF signal.

[@cozymusicrelax]

Deity Microphones that’s right even your cellphone can be a source too. I think there are router and meter safe cages to avoid RF signals. There is also HF 35c High Frequency Analyzer that can be helpful. 🤗

[@machscga6238]

Absolutely not true.. we upgraded the WiFi at my church and all of a sudden we had a ton of problems on our 2.4ghz

[@BunkerAudioPanama]

Question: concerning audio quality. Have heard UHF frequencies tend to “compress” the signal as 2.4 or 5 send the raw signals. Myth or fact?

[@DeityMicrophones]

Myth

[@user-yq9zp9jw2e]

We were able to figure out how to use 70 wireless microphones in a single hall on a limited frequency spectrum.

[@TERUMI7]

"I never use 2.4GHz in the field. Today, all teams (lighting & video monitors) are using 2.4GHz to control their systems. It's like a nightmare for sound engineers. I've had so many problems when using 2.4GHz. That's why I never use it at work."

[@GL-uy3fd]

Where’s the uni mic guys?

[@rahmanmv]

Keren

[@L3803]

how ever the biggest RFI of 2.4Ghz is our body 😂 the deity outdoor range is less then 20m with no wifi on set

[@ebinrock]

1. As long as ultra-mobility is not an issue, why not just use good ol' fashioned cable? Seems like everyone these days wants to use wireless for *everything* - lighting, focus pulling, you kidding me? For sound, if I'm dealing with stationary talent (e.g., interviews, standups, etc.), I just plug in the good ol' shielded XLR cable. 2. When you do have to go wireless for sound, isn't 2.4 more finicky about line-of-sight since the bandwidth is smaller? Isn't the usable range shorter too?

[@Adralba007]

ALL pro soundos avoid 2.4 g completely. It’s too congested and inflexible.

[@dingdong5601]

plus delay

[@albertorincon3686]

2.4 is God

[@johnaweiss]

4:00 "300 Mhz to 1 kHz" doesn't make sense. 1 kHz is lower. I think he means "300 Mhz to 1 Ghz", which is better but still not correct. It goes to 3 Ghz (aka 3,000 MHz): Ultra High Frequency (UHF-FM): Radio frequencies from 300 Megahertz (MHz) to 3,000 MHz en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_high_frequency