I'm looking for a high-quality lapel microphone for the Zoom H2 recorder that will suffice for weddings, under $400.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I'm looking for a high-quality lapel microphone for the Zoom H2 recorder that will suffice for weddings, under $400.

Anyone have any suggestions?

For planting on the groom I use this one:

ATR35 LAPEL MICROPHONE OMNIDIRECTIONAL CONDENSER (http://www.shopwiki.com/_ATR35+LAPEL+MICROPHONE+OMNIDIRECTIONAL+CONDENSER)

Works great and is all you really need for that purpose.

John

John, I thank you for your response. The mic you kindly linked for me seems like a very good deal.

I am in the market for someting a bit higher-end I think.

Since the time I posted the original question I did find a place called MM audio and they have an extremely nice assortment of $60-$250 microphones with mini-plugs.

I wrote them a note and am seeing if they recommend any particular model from their line of mics.

If anyone else has suggestions I'm still looking! Thanks again John!

While I'm here, I should ask another question:

Is there any reason or advantage to stereo lapel microphones vs mono?

Do I want omni directional mic for the groom or unidirectional? I'm guessing omni is better to pick up the bride with but thought I'd ask in case my assumption is wrong.

You may want to have a look at these (http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/gs/gs-micline1.html). I think they are even specifically designed for a recorder like the H2 and will use the built in power.

Ike, thanks. Those microphones may be just what I'm looking for! Thanks a million.

I'm looking for a high-quality lapel microphone for the Zoom H2 recorder that will suffice for weddings, under $400.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Jeff:

The Sanken COS11D seems to be the industry standard lav mic. Sanken should be able to install the appropriate plug for use with a plug in power recorder. About $375.

Is there any reason or advantage to stereo lapel microphones vs mono?
No advantage to stereo, AFAIK. Stereo lav configs are used by concert tapers, so, there are a lot of such lavs around when you go looking for mini-terminated mics.
Do I want omni directional mic for the groom or unidirectional? I'm guessing omni is better to pick up the bride with...
Omni. Not only for the bride's audio, but a uni will give problems even just miking the groom. A head-turn is enough to go "off-mic" with a uni lav.

You can spend way more money, I've recently purchased several Giant Squid lavs at about $30ea. for a local college. Entirely adequate. I'd call these "mini", not "sub-mini" microphones. Good recordings with my H4n, should work fine with your H2.

John, I thank you for your response. The mic you kindly linked for me seems like a very good deal.

I am in the market for someting a bit higher-end I think.

Since the time I posted the original question I did find a place called MM audio and they have an extremely nice assortment of $60-$250 microphones with mini-plugs.

I wrote them a note and am seeing if they recommend any particular model from their line of mics.

If anyone else has suggestions I'm still looking! Thanks again John!

If you are using it for music or a vocalist that would be a wise decision , however for capturing straight voice as with a bride and groom exchanging vows it may be overkill. The proximity of the mic is the biggest obstacle and that problem is solved when you pin it on the groom. I have some relatively expensive AT lapel mics that I use for vocalists and for miking some instruments, but for a groom the ATR35 works just as well for me. I can't hear any difference.

John

Gentlemen ( I use that term loosely!) I thank you for your input.

I have tentatively settled on mic by Microphone Madness, the mm-hlso mini for $159. It has a MKE2 capsule, which should be great.

I'll tell you why I'm looking for a slightly higher end microphone.

I used to have an AKG wireless receiver and lav (my first one). I hated it because it had no battery indicator. It was a few years old, and I had bought it used. New it cost around $700 or more.

Anyway, it sounded so great, that prospects watching my videos in my living room often remarked how they loved the sound of the vows, preachers, etc. in my videos, and I am certain it sold more than a few jobs for me.

So I decided to "upgrade" to the Sennheiser G2. It (the mic that comes with it) is much lower quality than my old unit. I'm not saying the ME2 capsule that comes with the G2 is actually terrible. It's just an inexpensive, standard kind of lav I guess and it is clear I was spoiled with a unit that was better than I knew.

I can tell you for sure customers have not remarked much at all about the audio quality since i switched units, and I certainly miss the wonderful rich sound of my old unit.

So anyway, I've been receiving lots of interference lately with the G2 (NOT blaming the unit) and I'm absolutely sick of the uncertainty of wireless.

So it seemed to me that I should break out my old Zoom H2 and find a great microphone to go with it, and the MKe2 is supposedly VERY good.

I'm going to purchase a second Zoom, for use on the podium at weddings, and I should be good to go.

Actually I might check out other recorders, such as the H4 which I know nothing about, since the Zoom H2 was among the best bang for the buck two years or so ago. By now there may be other great things to try.

Probably too late but I recently purchased a Voice VT500 that works with the G2 and it sounded fantastic for $234. It also came with kit that had a wind screen, tie tac, alligator clip, etc.

Sounds very nice Rob, nice little kit.

Jeff:

Just put a new plug on your old favorite lav and use it on the H2. The H2 has plug in power I believe.

Or get a COS11D for the G2. That won't fix the interference though.

Also, put the G2 squelch on low and pilot=on.

I was just testing a G2 system a few nights ago with different lavs and comparing it to direct recording to a digital recorder. With a perfect signal, a good G2 system only changes the sound quality very slightly over direct recording.

I'll tell you what got me back to using the zoom Jeff: I've had it since it first came out for all intents and purposes I've not really used it at all, till recently. The sound from it when placed on the podium was amazing, I was struck by how clear and noiseless it was compared to my wireless unit.

I did check the squelch on the wireless per your advice, it was set to low, and the pilot was on. But virtually every wedding I've used it for at some point I hear static at least a couple of times. Last week high up on a hill it was really bad, but it didn't manifest itself until into the wedding, of course.

Jeff,

Post back with your results after you try out the mm-hlso mini. That looks very promising. I may end up getting one myself.

John

John, MKE2 when bought in a lapel from Sennsheiser is $389 at B&H.

Bought from Microphone Madness in their own mini-plug configuration it's $159. That's a lot of mike for relatively cheap.

Jeff, by the way, your idea of putting a new plug on my better mic is a good one, except I sold the unit! I'm currently trying to buy it back!

Not to sidetrack the original topic, but if sound quality is an issue, the H2 + any external mic is not very good - the sore point being the H2. A PCM-D50 + Giant Squid is much better.

Just my 2¢

The Sony might be better, but I can't imagine the Squid would actually be superior to the Sennheiser. You're talkin a sub $100 mic vs a higher end mic.

We'll see, my mic is being put together now and should arrive in a few days.

But I must admit, I never considered the Sony recorder. Is it significantly superior to the H2? Tell me more Tus.

I certainly didn't mean to imply that the Sen was inferior to the Squid - my intent was to offer my (amateur) opinion that the H2 + any lav would be inferior to the PCM-D50 + Squid.

As a former owner of the H2, I was OK with the built-in mics. It fulfills it's intended purpose for it's intended audience. However, if you expect more, you'll have to contend with the barely functional 3-position gain switch (which is realistically 2-positions), and more importantly, a less than stellar pre-amp when using external mics.

I sold the H2 in favor of the PCM-D50 and have not looked back. (OK, I hope to someday have a SD 702....)

Thanks Tsu, I appreciate your input about the Sony.

I certainly didn't mean to imply that the Sen was inferior to the Squid - my intent was to offer my (amateur) opinion that the H2 + any lav would be inferior to the PCM-D50 + Squid.

As a former owner of the H2, I was OK with the built-in mics. It fulfills it's intended purpose for it's intended audience. However, if you expect more, you'll have to contend with the barely functional 3-position gain switch (which is realistically 2-positions), and more importantly, a less than stellar pre-amp when using external mics.

I sold the H2 in favor of the PCM-D50 and have not looked back. (OK, I hope to someday have a SD 702....)

Hi Tsu, once you get SD, you'll never go back. I'm lucky to get mine at a great price.
I believe the reason not to use Sony is this kind of situation is the size. It is too bulky compared with body pack transmitter, or Zoom H2, Olympus LS-10, or Edirol R09. I agreed it sound great. But I don't like it takes MS card only.

My 2 cents as well.

Tsu: I checked out the specs on the Sony and as Anthony says it certainly larger, over 6" tall and it weighs 12ozs compared to Zooms 3ozs.

It certainly does seem to be better recorder then the Zoom, but not as practical for using in wedding situation. A 3/4 pound recorder in the groom's jacket would be a bit much!

Yes, for your intended purpose, the H2 is a much better choice over the Sony, weight-wise and size-wise. One of the benefits of plastic over metal is weight; if the Fisher-Price build quality or the gain-control implementation don't bother you, then go with the H2.

I still believe that a $400 lav vs. the $30 Squid is questionable when used w/ the H2, due to the H2's pre-amps. You can put expensive Pirellis on a Kia, but in the end, it's just a Kia with expensive tires. More knowledgeable minds will correct me if I'm wrong.

FWIW, my daughter is marrying in a few months, and the groom will wear a PCM-D50 + Squid (because that's what I have) and I'm still pondering how he will carry the Sony. [Uh, is that a PCM-D50 in your pocket, or are you just glad to be married?]

Maybe the new smaller recorder that has been announced (will be out end Sep I think) will be much smaller and lighter than the 50 and save some of his potential embarrassment!!!! :-)

It is still the high quality metal construction (unlike my Zoom H2!) but certainly looks to be aimed at being a Zoom Killer from the YouTube video I watched (that someone linked to somewhere on DVinfo about a week ago - I'll post the link soon if I can find).

Edit: Here you go, it's the PCM-M10 - video in this thread, $400 US is the estimated price point:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-eos-5d-mk-ii-hd/239336-sony-pcm-m10-audio-recorder.html

I personally have no problem with the looks or construction of the Zoom, other than I wish it were about 25% or less slimmer.

It is well built and the plastic is not cheap, but sturdy.

What's to be embarrased about?

The audio quality of the Zoom is cleaner than my G2 wireless.

It is true the Sony's look nice, but they look like any gadget to the layman.

I have dropped the Zoom. It is so light that is just bounced gently and was fine.

I am buying a second recorder and since the new Sony is so small it will get a serious look from me. But I have absolutely no problem with the quality of the Zoom. For it's weight, features, and quality it is a great value.

I haven't received the Sennheiser mic yet but it should arrive by Monday. Should've been here by now.

Well, Tsu, I got my microphone today. I hooked it up to the Zoom and the sound was...well, it wasn't. Nothing. No sound. Apparently it is either incompatable or the mic jack on the zoom is broken.

I plugged it into my G2 and got a readout that it is working, but I need to listen/record on my camera to test it's quality. I'm sure it's fine, but I need a recorder I can use a mic with!

I need a second recorder anyway, so I'm looking at the Olympus LS-10. It seems to be the right price and good quality. I can still use the Zoom on the podium at churches, and I'll use the new recorder for the groom.

I don't want to wait for the new Sony, and I sure don't want to spend $400 anyway.

One thing I can say about the mic is the quality of the build is superb...heavy duty metal L shaped plug, very nice.

I have to admit, after playing with the Zoom for about an hour trying to figure out why the external mic wouldn't work, the buttons on the side are cheapo, pretty crappy. So in retrospect you guys are right, it is somewhat cheaply built in that respect.

I do like the retro look of it, and still think it's great for standing where it is close to a speaker. The built-in mic is not super sensitive but after testing it extensively this evening I do still like the quality of the sound...you just have to have the mic within a foot or so of the speaker. My best results were with the AGC turned on. Without it the sound levels were too low. I also admit that everytime I turn the darn thing on I have to go into the menu and reset things...that is a pain. I'm going to start a Olympus LS-10 vs Edirol R-09HR thread and see what people say.

As I recall.... the H2's ext. mic plug-in power must be activated via the software menu.
All of my mics that have a 3.5mm plug, (ie; Tram, B6, AT, MK, MKE) work in the H2 without issue.
.......... Aside from the H2's inherent cheapo pre-amps.

Thanks a lot Rick! Plug in power must be activated in the menu as you say.

Unfortunately, TSU, you may be right. Sensitivity is poor using external mic with this unit.

Rick, are the cheap pre-amps the reason for the low mic sensitivity?

As an aside, for some reason my recording level buttons have decided to stop operating.

Who was the dummy who said they like the way this unit was built? Oh, I forgot, that was me.

The record level adj, is disabled when in the AGC-1 & AGC-2 mode.
That could add noise. I find the compressors annoying too. I mostly use none or Limit-3 if headroom is going to be questionable.
I have not had a problem with mic gain, unless trying recording something of low SPL.
That said, I primarily use the H2's line-in as back-up recorder for the camera hops.