Best cheap lav?

[Jay Massengill]

Over the years the Radio Shack mics, especially the lavs and the boundary layers have changed many, many times.
I still have a Radio Shack lav from 1986 that was really outstanding. Other than the fact it had an unbalanced mono mini connector and was powered by a button-cell battery in a tiny box in the spaghetti-thin cable, it was very well made and had very good sound. It was also very small, not much bigger than an AT899 today. Back then the devices I was hooking it to had mono mini inputs, so XLR wasn't a big deal. I think it cost about $40 then, but it does still work today just like it did originally.
I've seen and heard several of the newer models over the years and they seemed to be much lower quality. So like most Radio Shack items, it's a gamble on whether you're getting one of their good items or bad items.
Have you looked at Sound Professionals? I've never tried any of their lavs but I did buy some powerboxes to power computer headset mics for an intercom system.

[Tom Dickerson]

I don't know. I just googled it and it's the same one I've had for over a year. It was recommended to me by pro's on another board. I went to their videos (where they used them) and was impressed...plus I could actually afford it.

Of course, they don't have XLR connections so the point may be mute.

Like I mentioned, I have used them in everything from terrible conditions (weather, wind, rain, thunder) to a dead silent studio room. The omni lav will pick up ambient sound so you have to take that into consideration. As with all microphones you have to use them within their limitations.

[Marco Leavitt]

Well, at that price, maybe I'll give it a shot. I really would like a balanced connection and not have to have an attached DC powered box, but there don't seem to be any options. I suppose I should really just bite the bullet and get Countryman B3s or something.

[Pete Cofrancesco]

I'm about to put up on ebay an Audio-Technica AT831B Lavalier Microphone for $82 but that might be out of your price range.

edit: It already has sold.

[Richard Gooderick]

Marco
Just out of interest. How are you planning to record from 8 mics? Will you have an eight channel mixer and mix them down to one, or keep them separate and mix them in your NLE.
I'm curious in case I ever want to do the same thing.

[Pete Cofrancesco]

You would use an 8 channel mixer that would output the mixed audio to your camera (assuming your filming it).

[Marco Leavitt]

Eight channels mixed down to four (feeding two cameras).

Thanks Pete, but I need eight matching lavs.

[Tom Dickerson]

Hi hear good things about this guy. He builds lav mics. He might be able to help...at least might be worth a try.

Giant Squid Audio Lab: Miniature Microphone Specialists Stereo - Mono - Cardioid - Omnidrectional Giant Squid Audio Lab

[Greg Peters]

Yah I figured it was too cheap.

Will I be able to use a mini type plug with my XLR inputs on my camera?
How will the mics be powered? My camera has phantom power, but I don't think this will go through the mini plug

[Richard Crowley]

I've used the cheap RadioShack lav mic in a pinch and it sounds infinitely better than the most expensive mic too far away. If I had to get a bunch of lavs for a one-off project like this, I would certainly consider the Radio Shack things. I believe there is a "headset" version for roughly the same price ($25-30)

[Renton Maclachlan]

I'm no expert but have 6 GiantSquids which I've run to irivers and find them great...and price is one of the great things about them!

[Antonio Ricca]

You can check this

Samson | QL5-CL Cardioid Condenser Lavalier Microphone | SAQL5CL

[John Peterson]

I have the ATR35s for use with a minidisc recorder and it works surprisingly well.

Apparently the model number has been changed to the ATR3350. Sound Professionals sells it with an optional XLR plug for $35.

USB Microphone, Stereo Microphone, Preamplifier, Digital Recorder, Custom Cables and more at Rock Bottom Prices from The Sound Professionals - Great deals on Microphone, Preamplifier, Digital Recorder, Cable and more!

John

[Eric Vecchi]

Recently I bought a Audio Technica AT803 lav mic from Guitar Center for $160.

I have to say that I overall, I think it works great for its intended use. This mic won't fool anyone into thinking it sounds like a $2000 mic. But you get what you pay for. It feels rugged, takes batteries or phantom power, and puts out pretty darn good sound quality for the price. I am sure you can find it somewhere online for cheaper too.

I used it for an interview and it did a great job of minimizing the unwanted room noise sounds.

All in all, I am happy with it (my reasonable expectations were met) and I am wondering if other people have anything to compare it to or comments they would like to share.

I also want to thank all of the users and experts that contribute to this site. I have learned a lot from reading the posts by this community. Thank you all!

Eric

[Jon Fairhurst]

I bought an AT803 as well. It's a great bargain for a wired lav. The sound is very good.

It's larger than most lavs, and it's that size that makes it able to capture good sound for a low price. I think its especially good for male voices as it has a strong bottom end.

For a battery/phantom powered lav with an XLR output, it's a great value, if the large size isn't a problem for the application.