Educate me on mics! at DVinfo.net

Clive McLaughlin · November 30th, 2012, 07:01 AM

I've just ordered a Tascam DR-05. Slightly bulkier than Zoom H1 but I prefer the more solid build I hear people mention in reviews. Got it for a good price too!

Now I need a lavalier mic for it. I've heard that Giant Squid offer the best quality by far on a budget. Unfortunately their customer service is basically non-existent and theres somewhat of a waiting list since they are made to order.

Before I put my money on Giant Squid or anything else, i want to make sure I understand what I'm getting, or should be getting.

What with the powered/non-powered thing? If i have a Tascam DR-05 do i need a mic with power supply like a battery?

And mono/stereo? Can I only record mono on the Tascam DR-05?

Can anyone recommend budget lavaliere mic?

Thanks

Don Bloom · November 30th, 2012, 11:50 AM

I have a Tascam DR-05 and frankly I wish I would have gotten it way before.
I have 2 mics for it, 1 is a pwoered mic (I made a mistake when ordering it but it has a very very long cable, 15 feet at least) the other is an Azden503. Both were cheap, both sound about the same. Since the unit isn't my primary source of audio I can get away with lesser sounding audio on it but I will say, it has saved my bacon on a few occassions this year.
No you don't need a powered mic and yes you can record 1 channel or 2. Frankly most time I record to 1 (no real reason it just goes that way) and with that on a 2gig card I'm good for about the whole day if I need to be.
I've used it with a Shure SM63, an AT897, the Azden lav (about $25.00 at B&H).
Again for me, it's a backup and emergency source only but when I've needed it it's worked quite well and I am happy with my purchase and use of it.

Chip Thome · November 30th, 2012, 08:19 PM

I have a pair of these and they blow the doors off of my cheapie AudioTechnica ones, or whatever they are called. It says he is swamped under with orders and I see the never ending sales, ended. So I will take that as he is being truthful and has plenty of orders to keep himself busy. Plenty of orders for a one man shop means he's doing something right!

Omnidirectional Mono Microphone

Bill Grant · December 1st, 2012, 08:26 AM

MM Series Matchstick Matchstick Lapel Style Microphone

I use a couple of these with my H1s. I also have the Giant Squid. The sound is similar but the Giant squid's clip looks like a roach clip and it's very difficult to hide. These end up looking more professional and they have a better sound to me than the Azden 503 which I tried as well.
Bill

November 30th, 2012, 07:01 AM	#1
Clive McLaughlin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Belfast Posts: 823	Educate me on mics! I've just ordered a Tascam DR-05. Slightly bulkier than Zoom H1 but I prefer the more solid build I hear people mention in reviews. Got it for a good price too! Now I need a lavalier mic for it. I've heard that Giant Squid offer the best quality by far on a budget. Unfortunately their customer service is basically non-existent and theres somewhat of a waiting list since they are made to order. Before I put my money on Giant Squid or anything else, i want to make sure I understand what I'm getting, or should be getting. What with the powered/non-powered thing? If i have a Tascam DR-05 do i need a mic with power supply like a battery? And mono/stereo? Can I only record mono on the Tascam DR-05? Can anyone recommend budget lavaliere mic? Thanks

November 30th, 2012, 11:50 AM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Re: Educate me on mics! I have a Tascam DR-05 and frankly I wish I would have gotten it way before. I have 2 mics for it, 1 is a pwoered mic (I made a mistake when ordering it but it has a very very long cable, 15 feet at least) the other is an Azden503. Both were cheap, both sound about the same. Since the unit isn't my primary source of audio I can get away with lesser sounding audio on it but I will say, it has saved my bacon on a few occassions this year. No you don't need a powered mic and yes you can record 1 channel or 2. Frankly most time I record to 1 (no real reason it just goes that way) and with that on a 2gig card I'm good for about the whole day if I need to be. I've used it with a Shure SM63, an AT897, the Azden lav (about $25.00 at B&H). Again for me, it's a backup and emergency source only but when I've needed it it's worked quite well and I am happy with my purchase and use of it. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

November 30th, 2012, 08:19 PM	#3
Chip Thome Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Green Bay Wisconsin Posts: 553	Re: Educate me on mics! I have a pair of these and they blow the doors off of my cheapie AudioTechnica ones, or whatever they are called. It says he is swamped under with orders and I see the never ending sales, ended. So I will take that as he is being truthful and has plenty of orders to keep himself busy. Plenty of orders for a one man shop means he's doing something right! Omnidirectional Mono Microphone

December 1st, 2012, 08:26 AM	#4
Bill Grant Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Columbia,SC Posts: 806	Re: Educate me on mics! MM Series Matchstick Matchstick Lapel Style Microphone I use a couple of these with my H1s. I also have the Giant Squid. The sound is similar but the Giant squid's clip looks like a roach clip and it's very difficult to hide. These end up looking more professional and they have a better sound to me than the Azden 503 which I tried as well. Bill __________________ Cinema Couture www.cinemacouture.com