Sony’s Three New Wireless Mics Empower Flexible Content Creation
Sony has expanded its microphone offerings with three new wireless microphones that promise exceptional sound quality and lightweight, portable designs.
“Sony’s ECM-W3, ECM-W3S, and ECM-S1 microphones embody the brand’s commitment to innovation and excellence,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics. “With these new offerings for microphones, Sony continues to push the boundaries of audio technology, empowering creators to achieve remarkable sound quality across various content creation avenues. We know that professional and hobbyists alike want to have the best audio quality and we are continuing to offer solutions for this.”
Sony ECM-W3 and ECM-W3S Wireless Microphones Are Built for Creators
The ECM-W3 and ECM-W3S wireless microphones are designed for video content creators who work in a wide range of scenarios, per Sony. Both mics are well-suited for vlogging and interview scenarios where the videographer requires high-quality audio and voice recording, even when shooting away from the camera.
The pair of mics differ in terms of channels and microphones. The ECM-W3 features a two-channel receiver and a couple of microphones, while the ECM-W3S has a single-channel receiver and one mic.
Sony says that the ECM-W3 wireless microphone is “an ideal solution for interviews and one-on-one conversations,” while the ECM-W3S “excels in capturing clear and articulate user voices for vloggers and video content creators with a focus on delivering a natural and organic sound.”
Both wireless mics sport a noise-cut filter that promises to reduce harsh noise with digital signal processing, and the mics include a low-cut filter to reduce unwanted low-frequency noises, including air conditioners, fans, and vibration and wind noise. The new products also ship with a windscreen to further reduce unwanted noise.
When used alongside a Sony camera equipped with the company’s Multi-Interface (MI) shoe, the ECM-W3 and ECM-W3S receivers are compatible with a digital audio interface, allowing the camera to directly record the audio signal output, which Sony says ensures minimal noise interference. The mics also include a safety function to suppress noise distortion at high volumes and an attenuator that reduces sound during high-volume recording.
Another essential feature of the MI shoe is that it supplies power directly from the camera to the receiver, alleviating worries about battery life for the receiver. The receiver also includes a USB Type-C terminal, enabling digital audio output (48kHz/24bit) from the receiver to a USB-connected smartphone or PC. The mic sports a 3.5mm mini jack (stereo) audio output terminal, ensuring it works alongside cameras and recorders without an MI shoe.
The microphone also includes a 3.5mm mini jack (monaural) that can be used as an input for an external mic, such as the Sony ECM-LV1 lavalier microphone.
The ECM-W3 and W3S are compact and lightweight. The microphone weighs about 17 grams (0.6 ounces), while the receiver weighs about 25g (0.9 ounces). They are also equipped with weather resistance and are suitable for outdoor use. They include a portable charging case so users can charge the gear while on the go.
The ECM-W3 and ECM-W3S will be available to order starting September 28, with shipping expected to begin in November. The ECM-W3 will cost $470 in the United States and $630 in Canada. The ECM-W3S comes in at more than $100 cheaper, retailing for $350 ($470 CAD).
Sony ECM-S1 Is a Wireless Streaming Mic
The ECM-S1 is built for professional photographers and video content creators who require high-end audio quality for shoots, livestreams, and podcasts. The compact, lightweight mic includes three 14mm large-diameter capsules tuned to capture natural-sounding voices.
“Its seamless connection to cameras, computers, and smartphones makes an indispensable asset for content creators seeking a dynamic and engaging audio-video experience. As audio can be recorded directly to the camera via a wireless connection, ‘sound and video lag’ that sometimes occurs when sound and video are input separately to a distribution device during live streaming does not occur, thus delay compensation is not required,” says Sony.
The S1’s capsules respond to three sound pickup modes: Uni-directional, Omni-directional, and Stereo. The mic also promises very low intrinsic sound, making the S1 suited for recording very soft sounds.
The ECM-S1 microphone weighs approximately 157g (5.5 ounces) and its accompanying receiver weighs just 25g (0.9 ounces.) Wireless communication is provided by Bluetooth 5.3 (Bluetooth Low Energy) and LC3plus codec.
Like the W3 series, the S1’s receiver can connect to a compatible camera via its MI shoe. The mic and receiver each include USB Type-C terminals that support 48kHz/24-bit digital audio output. The receiver includes a 3.5mm mini jack (stereo) audio output.
When the user records via USB to a PC or smartphone, headphones can be connected to the mic’s headphone output jack to monitor audio without using the connected device. The headphone volume can be adjusted with a short press of the dial on the bottom of the mic. The audio mixing ratio can be tweaked by rotating that same dial.
The ECM-S1 and receiver include a built-in battery and can be powered continuously using a direct power supply, including a connected camera with an MI shoe.
The mic includes a pop guard to reduce popping noises when a speaker’s mouth is close to the mic. A mic stand is also included in the box, and its 1/4-inch thread allows it to be mounted on a tripod or attached to available microphone arms.
The Sony ECM-S1 will be available for preorder beginning September 28, with shipping expected to commence in early October. The ECM-S1 will retail for $420 in the U.S. and $570 in Canada.
Image credits: Sony
