Affordable lav mics at DVinfo.net

Jamie Baughman · February 14th, 2006, 04:37 PM

I'm going to be recording some legal video (mostly depositions) and I need a suggestion for an affordable wired lav mic. I'll be buying 5 of them so that's why cost is an especially big issue. These don't have to be the best quality mics (i.e., they're just going to be sitting at a desk answering basic questions).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jamie

Ty Ford · February 14th, 2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie Baughman

I'm going to be recording some legal video (mostly depositions) and I need a suggestion for an affordable wired lav mic. I'll be buying 5 of them so that's why cost is an especially big issue. These don't have to be the best quality mics (i.e., they're just going to be sitting at a desk answering basic questions).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jamie

Absolutely! The Audio Technica MT830R

Ty Ford

Steve House · February 15th, 2006, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie Baughman

I'm going to be recording some legal video (mostly depositions) and I need a suggestion for an affordable wired lav mic. I'll be buying 5 of them so that's why cost is an especially big issue. These don't have to be the best quality mics (i.e., they're just going to be sitting at a desk answering basic questions).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jamie

You might want to experiement with one or two boundary layer mics on the desk as well. Very well suited to recording conferences, etc.

Stu Holmes · February 15th, 2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ty Ford

Absolutely! The Audio Technica MT830R

Ty Ford

USD163 ? eek. 5 of them ? double-eek. guess it depends on what you call affordable !

Anyway - quick question Ty - on B&H it says these come with a power module. Can they also be used without the power-module? i.e. is it detachable? and is the power-module designed so the lav can be used for LINE IN?

thanks in advance.

Ty Ford · February 15th, 2006, 01:12 PM

Stu,

The power module version is required for plugging the mic into a mixer that provides phantom power. If you get any of the other terminations, they must be plugged into a wireless mic transmitter and its battery provides the power.

No version can be plugged into a line input. They all require something to provide power and most of the time the output of that device is mic level, however some wireless receivers do output line level.

As I recall, you wanted to plug in hardwired.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Rob Neidig · February 15th, 2006, 01:40 PM

Jamie,

The most commonly used cheap mic for depositions is a Radio Shack lavalier. Some people actually prefer them to more expensive mics because eventually a lawyer is going to jump up from the table with the lav still attached and hose your mic. $40 lost is better than $163.

That said, while those Radio Shack mics aren't horrible (like most of RS stuff is), you will notice a HUGE improvement in sound - especially noise and some hiss) by using more professional mics. So you might start with the Radio Shack ones, and start buying up better lavs as you can afford them.

Personally I also use Audio-Technica lavs (as well as a couple of Trams). I have had great success with the AT803s (omni-directional) as well as the AT831 (cardioid).

Have fun!

Rob

John McManimie · February 15th, 2006, 04:00 PM

How about some of the mics from Giant Squid Audio Lab?
http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/

Stu Holmes · February 16th, 2006, 08:04 PM

OK got it. - thanks for the explanation Ty.

rgds

February 14th, 2006, 04:37 PM	#1
Jamie Baughman Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 180	Affordable lav mics I'm going to be recording some legal video (mostly depositions) and I need a suggestion for an affordable wired lav mic. I'll be buying 5 of them so that's why cost is an especially big issue. These don't have to be the best quality mics (i.e., they're just going to be sitting at a desk answering basic questions). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Jamie __________________ Jamie Baughman

February 15th, 2006, 01:12 PM	#5
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Stu, The power module version is required for plugging the mic into a mixer that provides phantom power. If you get any of the other terminations, they must be plugged into a wireless mic transmitter and its battery provides the power. No version can be plugged into a line input. They all require something to provide power and most of the time the output of that device is mic level, however some wireless receivers do output line level. As I recall, you wanted to plug in hardwired. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

February 15th, 2006, 01:40 PM	#6
Rob Neidig Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 222	Jamie, The most commonly used cheap mic for depositions is a Radio Shack lavalier. Some people actually prefer them to more expensive mics because eventually a lawyer is going to jump up from the table with the lav still attached and hose your mic. $40 lost is better than $163. That said, while those Radio Shack mics aren't horrible (like most of RS stuff is), you will notice a HUGE improvement in sound - especially noise and some hiss) by using more professional mics. So you might start with the Radio Shack ones, and start buying up better lavs as you can afford them. Personally I also use Audio-Technica lavs (as well as a couple of Trams). I have had great success with the AT803s (omni-directional) as well as the AT831 (cardioid). Have fun! Rob

February 15th, 2006, 04:00 PM	#7
John McManimie Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 314	How about some of the mics from Giant Squid Audio Lab? http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/

February 16th, 2006, 08:04 PM	#8
Stu Holmes Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 844	OK got it. - thanks for the explanation Ty. rgds