Sony ECM-W5R Wireless Microphone Receiver

Overview

The Sony ECM-W5R Wireless Microphone Receiver is a camera-mounted receiver for Sony cameras that have a Multi Interface (MI) Shoe with a built-in digital audio interface. It clips onto the shoe for cable-free digital audio recording and camera-supplied power, and pairs with ECM-W5T microphone/transmitters, which are sold separately.

It records at up to 96 kHz/24-bit or 48 kHz/32-bit float, supports four in-camera audio channels, monitors on wireless headphones and syncs timecode. It also works with computers and phones, and with cameras that do not have a Sony MI Shoe.

Sony Digital Audio

On supported cameras the 32-bit float signal is recorded as an audio track inside the video file, so there is no separate recording to manage and quiet voices or loud peaks can be balanced later in post. Compatible cameras can also record a WAV file alongside the video. Gain can be automatic to prevent clipping, or set from -12 to +12 dB by hand, even in 32-bit float, and noise-cut and low-cut filters switch on or off in the menu.

Four Channels

With ECM-W5T transmitters the receiver feeds up to four audio channels into the camera, so each speaker lands on their own track and interviews are easier to edit. Wireless transmission has low latency and reaches about 500 m in line of sight, and Bluetooth hopping with an optimised radio design helps keep the link steady and limit dropouts when many radio signals compete.

Monitoring Options

• Pairs with compatible Sony Bluetooth LE Audio headphones for cable-free monitoring
• Records the mic on compatible Sony wireless headphones in-camera
• Binaural recording with a compatible microphone for ambient sound with spatial depth
• Mono 3.5 mm input for lavaliers such as the optional ECM-L1

Timecode Sync

Timecode output helps line up footage in post. Switch to USB SYNC mode and a USB-C cable from the receiver to a compatible Sony camera writes timecode into the video metadata, which helps when several cameras are rolling. The receiver can also record to compatible phones and computers, and USB Audio Class 2.0 connections support USB audio recording, including 32-bit float.

Screen Controls

Settings are changed on a high-contrast AMOLED touchscreen with a control wheel, and indicator lights report power, recording and link status. On a compatible Sony body, the MI Shoe supplies power to the receiver for long shoots, and once camera-linked power is configured the paired microphones turn on with the camera. Off the camera, a full charge gives up to seven hours of use.