Xvive U3c wireless system for condenser mics. Full review and Q&A

[@hansleeuw2840]

Hi. After watching this review and several more I bought the XVIVE U3C to combine with my DPA 4099 Core Trumpet clipmicrophone for trumpet and I am thus far quite happy with it. One remark though. You'll need to insert a 1 meter XLR cable in between the transmitter and the microdot to XLR adapter. If you don't the two of them will interfere leading to some pitched tones. Since your XVIVE will than hang loose (assuming you clip the adapter on your belt) you'll need something to clip that to your belt as well. For that I use the DPA Plastic Belt Clip for DAD6001 XLR-adapter connecting that on the XLR cable on the side of the XVIVE. You'll need a cable with a plug that allows for being assembled with that clip (I use it on a Neutrik connector).

[@Agrarvolution]

Hey, thanks for the review. I've been using the U3C for location audio and interviews in videos for over a year now. I think I can provide some insight into audio drop outs: *If the transmitter and receiver are close it rarely happens I only had one location so far that made issues there - a small convention center - which cause sporadic drop outs under 100ms. They were barely audible but are a pain to get rid off. At least for interviews I've stayed away from using it ever since. *If distances are increased it depends if they have direct line of sight or what material is in between them - thick walls or heavy metal plates make the signal go out in spurts before the signal is completely lost. (Below 10 m seems to be pretty save, anything above is kinda like: all bets are off) If the signal cuts out, it doesn't degrade, it's just gone completely - as expected I guess. When I first got them I compared the noise floor of the U3C with a direct connection into a MixPre recorder (with two Rode NTG5). The noise floor is higher, but in a negligible amount. I can't recall the exact numbers though. While this system works great when it works, the small issues I have with it, caused me to search for videos like yours. Especially gauging how much battery live is left on them or if the audio is dropping or not is a bit of a pain sometimes on an one man camera/audio setup. I kinda wish they were transmitting in 32bit and or with more kHz, but even in a very loud environment I haven't so far managed to clip my audio with them. Overall it seems to be pretty unique with its capabilities, size and price point. I only saw comparable tech for over 2500€ so far. :/

[@antpolyakov]

Cucumber of wisdom! Indeed.

[@Audiotopic]

thanx for this review. full professional.... ;) I will buy me after christmas a couple of this systems.

[@Alwingv2]

thanks pal, this is the video i needed. I'm just going to order mine right now.

[@oig40203]

I really like the sound of the mic you plugged in at 9:49. You said it was for drum overheads. It has a very nice round tone.

[@jan-mareinoelderik6877]

Cucumber of wisdom. Very useful information 👍

[@supermolo100]

good video and for that you have 1 more Sub. I have used the U3 for 2 years and I like it a lot. thanks

[@imark7777777]

as far as 12V microphones go pretty much every Mic mostly will work at the lower power level with less high noise level handling. This is usually listed as a "feature" in the manual for extended battery life but it shouldn't hurt to find out if it doesn't list it. There was also something called 12V T power that is still 12V but yet totally different than phantom power 48V.

[@marfigue777]

I wish you could male a video using a xvive product like the u4 to male a amplified pa speakers go wireless to see how they work

[@MrYankosG]

XVIVE U3C has fantom power which you cannot switch off, so it is unsuitable for dynamic microphones, so the story goes… However, you can use XVIVE U3C with dynamic microphones if needed, but you have to use a microphone preamplifier like Cloudlifter, DM1 DYNAMITE, Tritonaudio… to name but a few. These preamps need fantom power to function but do not pass fantom power on to the microphone, so dynamic microphones are safe. If nevertheless you need a preamp for a condenser microphone, you can use Tritonaudio FetHead Phantom Preamp which allows phantom power to reach the microphone. The only con is that the microphone gets longer by the length of the preamp. I hope this helps.

[@John_L]

Excellent review Max, thank you. I got a couple of them and am generally happy, although one has what I think is a bit of low level inverter noise from the transmitter phantom supply inverter. It sounds like a ~1kHz square wave tone. Have you come across that? I use them for recording classical organ music and livestreaming church services, so dynamic range is important and low noise is essential. Your English is a lot better than my German but you might like to fix your pronunciation of "impedance". It is pronounced "impeedance" (ee as in sweet). I know that's crazy and totally inconsistent but hey, I didn't invent English... I just try to speak it 😆

[@lucaskrammer]

Great Video - thanks!

[@rodolfo.medina2]

Hi, thank you: do you think XVive U3C is any good for live piano recording? I was thinking of using it with my couple of Behringer B-5 microphones (2 XVive U3C, of course): what do you think? Thanks

[@janorolin8622]

Hello Max, Great detailed review! But let's say that we have 2 transmitters and 2 receivers both set on Channel 1. What will happen? Will they interfere each other? I am asking because we need to have 12 of them (12 transmitters and 12 receivers) working together at the same time for our band. Did you try it by this way?

[@V.in.H]

Hi Max, im trying u3c on Lewitt 440 & 240 but there was alot of noise like interference in my room. I tried to fix it by balanced it by the xlr cable but it's not fix my demand. How i can do to improve the situation now ?

[@loopingmadman]

Seemed like you had no trouble "muting" the mic to switch it. Would this make a POP in a live setting?

[@DanielSRosehill]

Any way the Tx can be converted into a body pack? Like maybe some clip that can be added? Or if you were to run a lav into this and place it in a pocket would that block the signal?

[@DAmoreMusicEntertainment]

Hi, can this support handheld condenser performance mic - Shure beta 87a

[@Sammusicdubai]

Would this have any interference in a live performance with other equipment running on wireless as well (in ear, guitar, and possibly other musicians)?

[@bandalimoncitossanpedrolim8803]

Cómo puedo hacer que funciones con el micrófono Shure PGA 98 h

[@DanielSRosehill]

Yeah a real pity the phantom can't be turned off. Is it safe to use the transmitter with dynamic mics that don't require / expect phantom (generally)? Thanks for the video!

[@DanielSRosehill]

Ah I just got to the part of the video where you show it working fine. Thanks!

[@giuseppeprencipe4929]

Great review, in the end I bought one! Just one question: I can clearly hear noise when the receiver is connected in the mixer (much more than connecting the mic directly, without the U3c): I can distinctly hear a noise similar to your signal to noise test (around minute 18). When you test your mics, however, it seems that no noise is actually audible (or barely). Can you confirm this? Maybe my unit is defective....Thanks!

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Thanks. Someone reported a situation like yours but apparently the gain on the mixer was way to high, boosting everything including the noise. He was trying to use a dynamic mic at a distance it's not meant for. Like a meter or more, whispering into it. U3 and U3c have a pretty good signal to noise ratio. As long as the mics are used properly there shouldn't be any noise problems. Troubleshooting: try another mic with proper levels at zero distance

[@rudygomez6996]

Is it dangerous to plug/unplug it from condesor micrphone while the power of the trasmitter is on??

[@frankvillalta2022]

amazing!

[@78Strax]

Is it possible to use two microphones with transmitters on same channel with just one receiver?

[@thepatriotchannel]

What about condenser mics that take one double A battery (1.5v)?

[@joejohnston2035]

Is there a part # for the transmitter battery? I want to be sure I can get a new battery first before I break it down. I Have the U3C ( that will go dead after 2-2.5 hours) so I suspect a bad battery

[@RoyalTeamRecords]

Have you ever tried using it while it’s charging

[@Alessandroangelini79]

Hi, thanks for these video.. i have a question... I have tc helicon voicelive 3... can i have a problem with latency ?

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Hey. I assume Voicelive probably has around 3 to 5 ms. Latency adds up. So at the end you're likely to have around 8 to 10 ms

[@aaronshortmusic]

Can it be used with a condenser headset for singing?

[@MaxSoloMusicRU]

Yes, if it has a standard XLR plug. And yes, if it doesn't - you'll simply need an adapter

[@aaronshortmusic]

Max Solo Music RU That’s a game changer.

[@alessandroantico490]

Hi, can you tell me why using the DPA 4099 I hear an annoying whistle while whit AKG 414 and 451 it works perfectly? Thanks

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Hi. I don't have any of these mics. So there's no way for me to troubleshoot that. I'd say, try to contact Xvive about it, maybe they know more

[@zatoichiable]

how about connecting this to mic booster like cloudlifter?

[@MaxSoloMusic]

If only I had one of those

[@zatoichiable]

you just gave me an idea that a cymbal mic is good for podcast mic...

[@kingcosmo7589]

Can you use this for recording via a audio interface even though my interface is 24 bit times 192khz even though the system works at 24-48khz. Are there any cons?

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Yes you can, although it's hard to imagine why you would. In the studio the shorter your signal chain is, the better.

[@michaltanay2315]

What do you think about this Sennheiser XSW-D XLR Base Set ? That’s better this Sennheiser XSW-D XLR Base Set ? Or is much better this Xvive U3C Wireless System for Condenser Microphones ?

[@MaxSoloMusic]

Never tried it. But I'd expect it to be very solid, just as many other stuff from Sennheiser

[@Ai.R9]

Saramonic blink 800b

[@thearoom]

What was the beyerdynamic mic?

[@MaxSoloMusic]

8:08 It's M 59 N(C)

[@dasczwo]

Awesome review! By the way, i have a stompbox from them butjust noticed: Xvive = ex wife 😂 some founder of that company had some humor...

[@garyanderson4685]

Does the mute button make noise when activated? Is a latching mute or momentary?

[@MaxSoloMusic]

It's a slide switch, not a button. Makes no pop or noise when activated

[@marfigue777]

are this "true diversity" receivers?

[@farwestgarohills3831]

This shit ghost out within 2 years. Now mine is dead. Waste of money buying it. I have other models which are long lasting.

[@AndresLler]

Can you name those models? I am looking for the best and latest

[@farwestgarohills3831]

@@AndresLler Joyo MW-1, CKVOVA V4

[@AndresLler]

@@farwestgarohills3831 the first one is dynamic only. Second one can't find. Need for condenser mics.