Lav Shootout! Rode, Tram, Sanken & Sennheiser

[Robert Rozak]

Chad,

Here are the full set of clips, including the AT803 with the low-cut filter engaged:
- Tram TR50: http://www.juicedlink.com/downloaddata/TramTR50.wav
- Audio Technica AT803: http://www.juicedlink.com/downloadda...hnicaAT803.wav
- Audio Technica AT803 with low-cut filter engaged: http://www.juicedlink.com/downloadda...803_wLoCut.wav

I feel that the low-cut filter works well on the AT803 to remove some of the low frequency room tone.

Again, the AT803 is not for everybody. It's not a sub-mini, so it can't be hidden easliy. But, for a budget lav with decent sound, it's something to consider.

-R

[Chad Johnson]

I have to say that the AT803 with the low cut engaged sound the best out of the three. The Tram track had a lot more noise. The Lo-Cut engaged 803 got rid of all the unnecessary low rumble, yet preserved the low register of the voice. Not bad for a 130.00 mic!

[Chad Johnson]

I'll be doing a demo of my new Rode PinMic as soon as I got over my flu. It's really a cool little mic.

[Chad Johnson]

OK I just went and found some shots I did with the Rode PinMic. No music or post processing. Just pure Pin. At the very beginning there is a quick take of one lady using the AT4053b to give you a reference point to compare to. I think the PinMic sounds pretty good here. Proximity seems to be pretty important judging from these tests. The Lady in the black jacket had the mic on the collar of her jacket, and it was closer to where the other two ladies had their mics. So the best place is on the collar, but then there is the issue of if they turn their heads toward the opposite collar. Anyway, I think the mic sounds pretty dang decent.

PS: I still plan on making a full PinMic Demo video, but I'm just getting over the flu, and it's a crazy week this week with Thanksgiving coming fast...

RØDE PinMic Test 1 on Vimeo

[Jimmy Toha]

Based on your earlier Lav shootout video, Chad, I really like the sound coming out of the Tram Tr-50. It has the right bass, pitch and you're right, warm tone. The test was done in a studio environment so I'm not sure how good it fares on the noise level if used outside or in a crowd setting.

For an initial buy though, since I'm fairly new to audio field, I'm thinking of investing in a Zoom H1 and an AT3350 wired lav. Some reviews have given it a decent score and can be a good alternative to the more expensive wireless lav + system like Sennheiser EW series (which is slightly pricey for me at this point in time).

If I move up eventually, I'd love to try out the Tram TR-50 personally :)

[Chad Johnson]

Hi Jimmy

In this test I fond the tram too dark compared to the other mics, but that being said, I have used it on a male yoga teacher while filming his class for his certification, and I fond it to be a rich sounding mic. These days I'm partial to the Rode Lav sound, as it is a nice balance between clarity and fullness. And the fact that I can switch connectors is big. Usually you have to buy a new lav that is wired for a new purpose, but the Rode has connectors for Sennheiser, XLR, 3.5mm Mini Jack, ATwireless etc. Their XLR is like 30.00, and normally to get something like an XLR adapter that converts phantom down to 1v for the mic is around 130.00.

If I had to lav a few people, I would probably put the tram on a woman so her higher register wouldn't be accentuated by a brighter mic like the COS11D.

[Jimmy Toha]

Thanks for the info, Chad. You’re probably right, I gotta take a listen to a few more samples from Tram in order to draw a more solid opinion on it. Just that when listening to the video, the Tram left a deeper impression on me. It also seems to produce this vintage radio sound to it, albeit richer and cleaner :)

The Rode sounds like a really good option too, especially with the multiple connectors like you mentioned - a cost-saving measure for the long run. I listened to your reviews on Rode Pin mic, and since the sound quality is very close to Rode lav, it seems to boil down to a choice of aesthetic and purpose, don’t you think? They’re both priced the same. Pin mic is great for camouflage while the lav is meant to be completely hidden.

[Chad Johnson]

Jimmy, I would say that a regular lav would be the first thing to get, then a PinMic later. I consider a PinMic more of a specialty item. It does point outward, rather than upward like a lav. Also the lav's furry is nicer and more functional. I don't know. I just find I want a traditional style lave more often. You can hide a lav under a shirt where a pinmic, though able to hide in the open, can't go under a shirt unless you have an under shirt, then you are dealing with fabric rubbing. They both sound vrtually the same, with maybe a bit more bass in the lav due to the way it's pointing.

Just my opinion. You like what you like. I'm glad to have both.

[Alex Footman]

Chad, what sort of transmitter were you using on the Røde lav? Your link to the DVeStore didn't work for me, and B&H just sells the mic without a transmitter.

[Chad Johnson]

Alex I was using the Sennheiser G3 wireless with the Rode Lav. The Rode Lav is only sold by itself, not with any wireless system. With the Sennheiser G3 system you get the ME-2 for free.

I'll fix that DVeStore link now. When something doesn't work, try the search function on the site.

[Chad Johnson]

For some reason I don't have the ability to edit that first post. Here is the link:

RODE Lavalier Microphone

[Chad Johnson]

Here's an interview I just conducted where the subject was a male, and I used the Rode Lav, with the included furry. It sounds pretty good! You can barely see the furry at the top right of the zipper, near the collar.

YouTube - LID (Low Impact Development) Miles Slattery Interview

[Terry Wall]

Hi, Chad! Boy, Rode mics are really gaining ground and the new lav kit with all the connectors is truly slick! I have two Senni G2 kits and have been using the ME2's that come with the systems, but I may upgrade to the Rodes.

Guys like me really appreciate the tests guys like you and Guy (lots of "guys" in this sentence!) Cochrane do. Yes there are other lav mics to choose from, but you've picked a good cross section of gear. I'm a part timer, so I don't see Sankens in my future.

Thanks again!
Terry

[Chad Johnson]

Cheers Terry!

Glad to have helped.