View Full Version : Lavalier (tie clip) mic recommendations


Brendan Pyatt
January 25th, 2009, 09:24 AM
Hi,

I am looking for a Lavalier mic for my V1. Any ideas?

Sorry for the dumb question but does the xlr socket on the v1 supply power?

Lee Berger
January 25th, 2009, 11:13 AM
There's a lot of choices. How much do you want to spend? The better the quality, the less handling noise and better sound quality. I even got fairly good results with the $65 lav that came with my Audio Technical wireless, although it had too much handling noise (when placed on a moving person) and the wind screen did not fit securely. I like the Tram TR50 at around $250. It's a omnidirectional lav that sounds great. I also like the Sony ECM 44. There are many others.

Here's a great comparison article

Audio In Close Up - Which Lavalier Should I Use?" (http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/lavs_brockett.html)

By the way both V1U mic inputs will supply +48 volts phantom power.

Good luck.

John Petrocelli
January 25th, 2009, 12:41 PM
Wired or Unwired ?

Audio Technica makes a $30. wired lavalier (battery
powered) .. which in a pinch ... rivals my very expensive
lavaliers ...

For myself on camera, I personally like the
Sony ECM-55B lavalier which sells for $350. new ..

I've picked up several off of ebay for $ 100-150.
which range from 10-20 years old ... and they
have a remarkable sound quality .. deep bass ...
take an AA battery or phantom power .....

I use a 15 dollar XLR to Mini Cable with my Sony
FX1 and Canon HV20 .. which is available at Adorama
or BHPhoto ...





Hi,

I am looking for a Lavalier mic for my V1. Any ideas?

Sorry for the dumb question but does the xlr socket on the v1 supply power?

Brendan Pyatt
January 25th, 2009, 01:27 PM
hi and thanks!

I am looking for reasonable sound and light weight as I travel alot.

So to be clear when a mic says it require phantom power it can get this from the xlr socket on the v1?

The sony 55B looks nice but the power unit looks large and heavy. Ideally i would like something like the 55B but without power unit.

Lee Berger
January 25th, 2009, 02:13 PM
So to be clear when a mic says it require phantom power it can get this from the xlr socket on the v1?
Yes. That is correct.

Brendan Pyatt
February 8th, 2009, 08:17 AM
Thanks for all the recommendations.

Any ideas which of these I can use without any power unit. I travel alot of weight is a big issue for me. I would just like a small mic for interviews that I can just plug into the V1 without a power unit / adapter.

thanks!

Lee Berger
February 8th, 2009, 08:55 AM
After a cursory review it seems that all will have a power unit of some kind. The Tram TR50 power unit is only a bit bigger than an XLR connector.

TramMicrophones.com - Tram TR-79LA6 | TR-TR79LA6 | Power Supply For TR50 Lavalier Mics With A 6pin Lemo Connector & Wired For Audio LTD. Wireless Systems, Negative Bias (http://www.trammicrophones.com/sales/detail.asp?partno=TR-TR79LA6)

Here is one for audio technica
Audio-Technica | AT8538 Phantom Power Supply | AT8538 | B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/462543-REG/Audio_Technica_AT8538_AT8538_Phantom_Power_Supply.html)

Sam Renkin
March 25th, 2009, 03:22 PM
I'd like to chime in here with a mic that was not included in the lav shoot-out but has given me extraordinarily good results;

The Audio-Technica AT899 sells for around $199. It is a very small and unobtrusive mic (unlike the ECM 44, 55 and 77 series) that can be hidden under a lapel. It has its own power supply (connects using a 3-pin mini plug) and comes with a very nice carry case and an assortment of clips and windscreens much like the Tram mics do.

It sounds very smooth on vocals - intelligible and crisp without being sibilant - the output is plenty strong to drive the XLR inputs of my V1U, and I've been very pleased with it.

John Cline
March 25th, 2009, 03:36 PM
Here's another vote for the Audio Technica AT-899, it's a great mic.