New Gear Review: Sennheiser Evolution Wireless D1

sennheiser_d1_vocal_kitSMALLD1 is a new range of digital wireless microphone systems for vocals and instruments designed to make using wireless easy, simple and automatic. Much like setting up Bluetooth devices, the D1 transmitters and receivers pair automatically and up to 15 channels of D1-paired systems will work in an ideal RF environment. There are no licenses and/or frequency coordination to be concerned with; D1 systems use the 2.4 GHz Band—license-free worldwide.

I got the ew D1-835 Vocal Set and from the moment I put the two AA batteries (supplied) into the SKM D1 handheld mic with Sennheiser e835 dynamic capsule and plugged in the wall-wart power supply for the EM D1 digital receiver, I was already paired and feeding audio over the receivers to my Pro Tools rig. I was able to walk down my street about 250-feet away and I was transmitting crystal-clear sound at all times.

Audio quality is excellent—exactly how the e835 wired mic sounds. Besides the vocal and instrument systems, the other D1 series systems are the ME 3 headset mic, the ME 2 lavaliere mic or the SK D1 belt-pack transmitter for guitars. The D1 kits each come in a handsome traveling case that includes everything you need to go wireless anywhere in the world.

sennheiser-d1.com

Barry Rudolph is a recording engineer/mixer who has worked on over 30 gold and platinum records. He has recorded and/or mixed Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart, the Corrs, and more. Barry has his own futuristic music mixing facility and loves teaching audio engineering at Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA. He is a lifetime Grammy-voting member of NARAS and a contributing editor for Mix Magazine. barryrudolph.com