Hi Curtis, just want to say you're the man and you are an extremely underrated youtuber. You're the mature persons youtuber. There's no flashy gimmicks, no stupid 3D intros with loud obnoxious music and insincere hyperbolic yelling into the camera. We appreciate you Curtis! Thanks for all the great advice.
It's honestly so hard to find good quality reviews that aren't biased (Google search is a perfect example of such awful results) so thank you for these! It's refreshing to hear from someone that's been in the field and is a professional for newbies like us to understand even new information lav mic's components and how and why they work with various attachments! And the more I look at your desk, I'm like is that a bamboo top?! 😅
This is an overview of the lavalier microphones I have used - not meant to be comprehensive and not intentionally leaving out any options. There are just so many microphones I haven't had a chance to use just yet. Many have asked about the Tram TR50. Seems like a great mic, just haven't had a chance to use it. Same with many others. Index: 01:14 What's special about pro-level lavalier microphones 05:39 Sanken COS-11D 08:34 Voice Technologies VT500 10:53 Countryman B6 14:04 DPA 4160 15:51 Shure Twinplex (TL47 & TL48) 21:37 Which is the best? (spoiler - none. Each fit different situations)
hi curtis, my name is cepha, I'm a location sound mixer living in Ghana. i have worked on some couple of documentaries, movies etc.I have been following your UA-cam channel and it's been very helpful. please I need your help in choosing a a replacement lav mic for my sennheiser G3 and a mic for indoor dialogues. I currently use sennheiser mkh 416 p48 and zoom f4 recorder. 1. Between Samson C02 and senal SCI- 3212MP which of these mics will you recommend for indoor dialogues. 2. countryman B3 and senal UTM-86-35H lab mics which of these will you recommend as a good replacement. thank you.
On the theme of lavaliers, i would love to hear your advice on a wireless setup including lavaliers that provides the most reliable signal/quality to record sound on the move outdoor. Lavaliers positionned on cyclists and sound recorded from a car following and shooting. We tested Rode's wireless kit and wireless go, but signal strength and quality have proved unpredictably unreliable. have you experienced products suited for this type of use? distance could vary from 15 to 100m. hopefully you get to see this message.
You may need to move up into the UHF pro or prosumer systems like the Sennheiser G4 or Sony UWPD systems to keep connected in those situations. You're pushing the limits of any of the consumer systems.
I can tell from your attitude that you are a true professional and I appreciate your impressions, and the specifics you went into. As always, use the best tool for the job! I'll definitely be giving your other videos some views. Thanks for making this content.
Hi again, Curtis. Just bought the Sanken (to use straight into my Tascam DR10L) through the link in the description. I'm pumped, man. Thanks for all of your educational help over the past several years. I really love your channel and I'm happy to see your success.
You brought up a great point about non-actors being uncomfortable getting mic'd up sometimes. Most UA-cam videos showing how to hide mics seem to focus on working with professional actors/actresses who know what to expect, and almost no one has addressed how to work with non-actors. Would be great if you could show us how you approach corporate people (men and women) who aren't always comfortable getting mic'd for a video.
Thanks Alan. Depending on the corporate piece, we sometimes have to punt and use an alligator clip on the outside of the clothing. For women, I often give them instructions on how to attach the mic with an alligator clip or tape to their bra between the cups. This almost always works perfectly because then the clothing does NOT rub against the mic. For men, I usually get the mic ready with a "moleskin" sandwich and then have them place it on their sternum. This is a little trickier and requires repositioning in many cases. Will cover it in more detail in the future.
@@curtisjudd Would be great if you could do one on this. And agreeing with Alan Tutt that there are plenty about working with talent, but few on corporate. Do you use any of the URSA products? Thank you for the articulate videos.
@@srbh41413 Thanks. Yes, but mostly for narrative film work, not so much for corporate. We just let the mic be in picture when we don't have time to hide it. When I do hide the mic for a corporate piece, the time is still usually very limited so I just have the talent clip the transmitter on their belt or waistband and then we hide the mic as described above. More to come.
Thanks, I appreciate that. I received another comment the other day that my videos were good but boring. LOL! I guess that person wants a goofy salesperson to present instead. 🤷♂
Curtis, I'm new to the world of video/audio production. My goals include real estate (virtual tours & virtual open houses) as well as UA-cam videos such as yours where I can reach out to my senior and out of state clients. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to make these videos. I wasn't sure if it made sense for me to try to learn about the technology involved, but with your guidance I believe I can do this. Thanks again, Mike
I'd love to see some of the narrative projects you work on! The one you showed was a really great example of how you can tell a story with just two characters on a very low budget.
I'd like to show more of them. Over on the Uphill Cinema channel we have several shorts and we have another one in post presently. I also did production sound (not post) on this one: ua-cam.com/video/PDcRG_lomEA/v-deo.html
Thanks, Mr. Judd, for your years of helpful videos. I'm in the market for a new professional level lavalier microphone system. Your video is very helpful. If you or one of your viewers/subscribers can point me to one of your videos in which you take time to show the novice/newbie (me!) the most common, effective settings to use when recording educational videos using a wireless lavalier system (with a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K-6K) in an airtight, indoor studio, I would be very appreciative. One of my difficulties in this area is knowing how to use the jargon of this industry to find the resources I need. But, I'll keep looking. Thanks again, Mr. Judd. Jay Creighton
@@curtisjudd: Curtis, I'm using Sony's wireless microphone package UWP-D21. But I've emailed you about this particular issue privately and you answered my questions. Thanks, Curtis. Jay
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Very nice review ! It was very informative to see kind of best boom mic they would cut more with. Actually in the mixing process we would not only switch from one mic to another but most of the time offset the phase of the lav to match perfectly with sample accuracy the waveform of the boom and add them together to add more clarity. I have had Sanken COS-11D for years and just witched for Sennheiser MKE1 (kind of the same as MKE2), for more clarity and more flexibility to hide.
I’d love to see a video from you about different ways to mic people up. Especially in tricky situations, but corporate, men, women, sweat, hair, tapes, etc.
Hey Curtis your videos are a godsend! Thanks for always posting such useful videos. What would you say are the best higher-end lav mics for the Rode Wireless Go II???
Hey Curtis, As always, great video, very helpful. 1) I'm looking at the Sanken, would it be a good choice while standing in front of an electronic white board? IF not, any recommendations? 2) I'm recording with a Zoom H5 recorder, will the cable connect to the recorder? Will the Zoom H5 cause any problems? Thanks for providing this review.
I like that you touch on the interaction with the people you are mic'ing up. Folks might be so into the tech side of the work that they are not prepared for the human element; the prime impediment I encounter is impatience. Resistance to cooperating with the processes behind setting up sound and other gear comes into it also. They are are paying for you to be there, to give them a good production, but then they want you to stop fussing with the lavalier and body pack and get on with it. Things like that. Sometimes you're running into executives or entrepreneurs who are used to having things their way and don't like you in their space, so it might feel uncomfortable until you're rolling and they can start to do their thing on camera.
Hi Curtis, I've been filming with a Giant Squid lav for years now as you can hear in my videos. I want to upgrade but I'm torn between a shotgun or better lavalier. My home studio is a basic apartment small bedroom and I use the Zoom H5. My dilemma has been that I don't have a deep/strong voice hence heavy post production. Previously I figured that for a smaller budget, a lav would be better since it's closer to my mouth, but now I'm looking for something still under $1k but that would be the best for my situation. Seems out of the Lavs here the countrymen would be best for me, but what would you recommend? Should I finally get a shotgun mic.? Thanks for all the info!
I think it depends a lot on the room in which you're recording. Sometimes, in small rooms with a lot of hard reflective surfaces, a lav will often sound better than a boom mic. So I'd first consider your recording space. If it does have a lot of audio bouncing off of walls, floors, ceilings, and even computer screens, then a it may be better to stick with a lavalier. Best wishes!
Hi Curtis, thanks for the great video, I really appreciate the time you put in it to go through the features of the different mics :). What lav mic would you go for when it comes to someone singing with a higher pitched voice? I've been looking to buy one of these lately, but I'm not sure which one would be good enough quality-wise and which one would resist the sound pressure as well. Thanks!
Great comparo. Would also love to see you do one on budget lavs for the passion producers and budding youtubers. I’m sure someone of your stature would have no problem getting a bunch of them sent to you for review
Sorry. I meant to ask for a comparo on budget wireless lav mics. I caught your comparo on budget lav mics and was kinda disappointed at the lack of recommendations but that is the one thing I like about your show. You really don’t make an effort to pimp anyone’s gear and don’t come off as a shill. More power to you and keep up the good work
Thanks. Yes, it is a tough line to walk because many people would like a simple answer - which microphone should I get. Unfortunately, that’s not an easy question to answer because there are so many factors I don’t know about each person who asks that question and there is no perfect microphone or wireless system.
What Mic would you recommend as the most sturdy and foolproof when it comes to wearing it under a shirt? I need a lav for filming myself in UA-cam videos but can’t monitor myself. I have a deep boomy voice if that makes a difference 😀
I was able to AB test the COS11-D against the DPA 4060 and the DPA was so clearly amazing (better) in comparison. Would definitely recommend that one for higher end lavs.
I bought a lavalier on Amazon. I didn't want to spend much and when i saw the Slint lapel for only $20 why not give it a try. Im happy with it i use it on my iphone 11 very clear, no echo.
Sanken COS-11D is the most widely used lav for TV and movie production, I think. I've seen a lot of them heavily worn out and dirty in that adhesive tape glue - but still working.
23'46" well spent. Very informative, very well presented, no waffle, no BS. Many thanks! Would have been nice, though, to see the Sony ECM-77b (that staple of newsgathering) included.
You are a sound genius. Thanks again. Shopping for the perfect lav. mic. for me for a Sennheiser G3. Thinking Countryman B3 or B6. Have a great day! PS. Also thinking I need to go to the G4 now that it has been out for a while.
Amazing video, which actually captures the further away? Here I am thinking of street interviews or prank videos where you don't want to hold the mic and hand it over to the people
Many thanks for another excellent review. I am going to get a lavaliere better than the ones I have to use with my iPhone and your review pointed to the solution: Voice Technologies. I've completely forgot about Voice Technologies what was really surprising seeing that I have a VT lavaliere ( an old model with a big battery compartment and XLR end. I can't use it with my iPhone.) and used it many times when I shot wired rather than wireless interviews. But you mentioned a VT mic and 💡! . Why I didn't think about Voice Technologies before even if I had one? Maybe because I didn't use it since the lockdown and because I was obsessed with DPA, which is the mic I really want but it's beyond my budget at the moment. An option would be the Deity Wav Pro with the Picogear transmitter (the new pro version. You can connect the transmitter to a lavaliere mic). The transmitter is so small that it might fit inside a suit /shirt/coat pocket with the mic cable so no need of 'could you please pass the cable under your shirt?" that so many interviewees feel uncomfortable about and rightly so.
So much valuable info, as usual. I see MKE2 "Reduced Sensitivity" versions floating around. 1) what is the appropriate use for this - -can it be used for standard dialogue? 2) as a general concept, why wouldn't you just use a regular sensitivity version and lower the gain, enjoying the increased signal to noise ratio? Did you already do a video about this?
That’s primarily for opera and musicals where the performers generate really high sound pressure levels, more than most wireless packs can handle even at the lowest gain settings with standard sensitivity mics.
Love this video! I need to do more research yet, but do you have any recommendation on which mic to go with to get a sound similar to the Electrovoice RE27 N/D or the Shure SM7B (which seems to be what you're using when recording this video)? I really want as close to a broadcaster microphone equivalent in the form of a lav mic as possible. I'm also looking for recommendations when it comes to which wireless kits to get to use in conjunction with any of these mics. Almost like a starter kit. I worry about picking a quality mic but getting a really awful wireless kit. Or having the wrong connectors for the mic. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks again.
The Countryman B6 is where I’d probably start. For wireless systems, it depends on your budget and whether you’ll be working in studio or on location and what you plan to feed the audio to from the receiver (audio recorder, camera? XLR line or 3.5mm microphone input?)
Hi Curtis, great job as usual! You made a perfect comparison between different models, with strengths and weaknesses. Few years ago I bought an Aspen Mic after I saw one of your video. Today I'm searching something affordable and more recent to replace it and to improve sound quality. Any suggestions? I'm looking the tascam tm-10lb, and I took a look to the Deity V lav (but it has too long cable for my use). I hope you can make an overview on cheap lavalier mics, you are simply the best in audio equipments reviews!
Hi Marco, thanks. I need to spend some time looking at affordable lavaliers. I've been so busy with other things I haven't kept up. Hopefully more to come. Best wishes!
Hi JT, my regular studio space is in an unheated basement and it is dead of winter. So I used this warmer space instead. Will switch back to the regular space as it warms up. 😀
Hi Curtis, thanks a lot a always for your valuable insights. I would like to purchase a couple of lavs in the pro entry level which I can somehow start using as "general purpose". Which one would you suggest? I plan to use them with Sony or Rodelink wireless systems. Thanks for your feedback Luigi
Thank you again for your great content! What lav mic would you recommend to help reduce background noise when shooting outdoors (planes, lawnmowers, cars, etc)? I am using the Rode Wireless 2, and/or Tascam recorder. The dialogue is good, but I pick up a lot of noise and I use Izotope to try and remove sound. Thank you for those videos as well - they're excellent!
Curtis I've watched this video several times as I shop for lavalier microphones. I've come across several used Sanken COS-11D and Voice Technologies VT500 and I love the sound these mics provide. Thank you so much for giving your time and energy to provide such valuable and thorough information to all of us. Consequently, I am having an issue with the Sanken COS-11D and Voice Technologies VT500 though only while using the Rode Wireless Go and RodeLink systems. When the TRS is fully inserted, the mics pick up no sound. If I pull them out slightly - maybe 3mm or so from full insertion - they pickup sound. Given your background, surely you know whats happening here and how I can remedy the situation. I thought maybe it was a phantom power issue (which I still struggle to understand why a PP mic still works with a system that doesn't provide PP) but if PP was the issue then I suppose I would get no pickup at all. "Help me Obiwan Kenobi! You're my only hope!"
It would appear that they're wired for Sennheiser, but strangely, I didn't experience this issue with my Sanken COS-11D and the RODELink. Hmm. You might give Gotham Sound or Trew Audio a call and see what they suggest. Best wishes! Also one note to prevent any potential issues: lavalier microphones should never be used with phantom power (+48V) unless you're using a model with an XLR output which is specifically designed for using phantom power. 99.9% of lavaliers with a 3.5mm TRS output connector require plugin power (3-5V).
Thanks for this and all of your videos-love the objective, non-sensationalized overview. I have a couple of questions as a newbie, having scoured most of your videos: 1) can you use/do you recommend using two different brands of lav mic’s in the same shoot-ex. An interview between two people? Or 2 different actors? Does it require a lot of post production EQ to use different types of mic’s? 2) in watching your videos I am thinking about picking up a DPA 4060 for me (interviewer) and a cos 11 for an interviewee or is it better to buy a set of two of the same for my purposes, using a Rode Go wireless ii. Thanks for the vids-they really are so informative.
Hi Shane, yes, I regularly use different lav mics for the same shoot. What I generally try to do is choose the mic which will suit a particular person’s voice best. So if someone has a rather “thin” voice without a lot of bass response and I want a bit more, I might use the Countryman B6 on them. For those with a lot of bass, I would opt instead for a DPA 4160, etc. Your plan sounds good - a DPA and Sanken should work nicely. Best wishes and happy recording!
@@curtisjudd Hi Chris, just wanted to circle back on this conversation and say a heartfelt thanks. I went with the sanken which i really like, and also the countryman which for my voice is my favourite. Both are great IMO just a matter of which sounds best on the individual. I also wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the tone and tenor (metaphorically speaking) of your videos, the are calm and cogent, objective and evidence based.
Thanks Sarah! The wireless GO II puts out plenty of RF so you’ll want to use a lavalier mic which is RF immune. All of the mics we covered here should work nicely.
Thx Curtis, always loud and clear. Just to give some comentarios about, and a Q. What did you use to clean the wire? I have got cables destroy , I mean, cables get broken, dry, the plastic cover in Sanken and Countryman get damage easy. The wire of Voice Technologies are thinner (Kevlar) but they last by far againts the other mention. Sensitivity: I can say that the capsule of Voice Technologie are so good that it became a problem because they are to sensitive to clothe and body moisture specially in shoots done in summer or in the jungle. They really match with a Shootgun. Countryman work good in those situations. I appreciate very much your advice, and I understand that this video was concern to other subjets. best regards Mario Rivas Sound Location Mixer Peru
Hi Mario. To clean the cables, I use wipes called Uni Solve. I bought them at Amazon: geni.us/lmv8X0 Full disclosure - this is an affiliate link and I earn from qualifying purchases.
Curtis, very helpful video for those of us using or considering lavs. I do have a question. I notice you omitted the Tram TR50--the German mic. Of course, you have to limit your choices. But do you have any general remarks on it? On tests I've heard it seems to have more depth/warmth than most other mics. Any comments? PS, your videos are always so terrific....Think I'm going to get some of your merchandise. I hope they won't mind we drinking coffee out of a Teespring cup. (They spelled "tea" wrong--but I guess you can't be great at everything.) ;-)
Hi William, thanks. I simply haven't had a chance to use the Tram. It seems to be voiced with a rather bright presence boost which seems common on most German engineered microphones. I'd probably consider it only for use under clothing unless someone had an extraordinarily bright voice.
Curtis, I am looking for either a lav or shotgun mic to shoot my self-tape auditions. This will be in a small 5'x7' non-soundproofed room so I imagine it needs to be a dynamic mic? My budget is not too big maybe 100-200. I have a zoom F4, But would prefer to feed it straight into my DSLR which has a 3.5 mm port. Thank you!! If that budget is not enough to make a difference versus the built in mic of my Canon RP or even my iPhone 13, then I will just use those. I was on a major tv production recently and I believe they used a Sennheiser MKH 50, but that is a little too pricy.
Your reviews are terrific, presenting the various devices without the hype. Sadly the hype is what draws attention. Maybe involve a kitten? I dunno, but you deserve 100x the subscribers you have sir. Honesty and objectivity, coupled with solid competent experience and information are rare finds in this attention based economy. I recently had to mic up the president of my organization in my company. Anyone who hasn’t, if they have only worked with actors or amateur players, it’s interesting how these executives want you to make them look and sound good but you only get a fraction of the time you really want to get that done. He was doing this global meeting, 10’s of thousands on the receiving end, I was trying to get the mic placed and hidden but he kept acting like we were done every few seconds. Finally did get the wireless body pack (just my own stuff, sennheiser EWG3) on him and hidden, the mic mounted and hidden, but no time to test, he vanished as I turned my back to get my headphones. Good times. Anyway, thanks for all your reviews and comparisons, excellent resource.
Can one use the Sanken or something like the Sennheiser ME 2 with the DJI wireless mic? Sorry for the noob question, but I'm not sure how it works with power/compatibility. Thanks for your great videos!!
Yes, but...the consumer wireless systems like the DJI supply a bit less voltage than most pro level microphones are specified for. I did try the Sanken with the DJI and it worked, but I cannot say whether that will reduce the life of the Sanken (it is my understanding that undervolting electronic equipment can affect its performance and possibly its life.)
What about some good-quality lavaliers that we can hardwire into a Mix-Pre 10 II ??? Are there any other options than converting a 3.5mm on a Sennheiser MKE2 or ME2 to an XLR connector?? Or is that the only way to go if we wanted to stick with Sennheiser lavs??
You can record one in via the MixPre's 3.5mm input. If you need more mics at the same time, you'll need XLR adapters (which also convert phantom power - 48V - to 3-5V plugin power so you don't damage the mics.)
Hi, thanks for this useful information. Please recommend for a headband microphone mainly use for live singing with band (in front of loud monitors). Thank you.
Very helpful, thank you. The conclusion is: hire a soundman who has all of them? I have the Cos-11 without the D. Is that very different from the D version?
Very informing video as always Curtis ! But I have some questions about lavalier frequencys. Is there an optimal frequency range that I should work with ? When buying new transmitters, should I go to the farthest frequency possible from the one I already have ? Or should I stay within a certain frequency and same A or B group with both transmitters ?
The diversity wireless systems these days have a wide frequency range so you could go either direction. For my Audio Ltd. system, I have one transmitter in the lower range, one in the higher range.
Great video! Do you notice a lot of handling noise with the countryman b6? I recently tried to use mine in a podcast situation with high end in ear monitors on and couldn't stand the noise that came from any slight movement.
Another great video, thanks. Have you ever made a video or used the Rode Lavalier Lapel Microphone and compared it with other high-end mics or the Rode Smart Lav+ or Rode Lavalier Go? Thank you.
Hi Curtis, Great video! I had a question, have you heard the difference between the 4060 legacy and CORE series side by side? If you have do you know if there is any difference when it comes to voice over work? Let me know what you can, as I cannot find ANY video reviews on this. Thank you.
Great video. What mic & recorder combo are you using for creating your videos while your camera is overhead and your hands are free? I'm looking for pro quality and slight tolerance for head movement.
Generally I use an Earthworks SR314 on a desk mounted boom arm and a variety of recorders, audio interfaces, and preamp/processing channels: MixPre, Universal Audio Apollo x6, camera input, and others depending on which product review I'm working on at the moment.
Amazing as always! Question - I noticed you didn't talk about the RM-11 accesory on the Sanken. How does that compared to a Bubblebee Lav Concealer? Thanks!
@@curtisjudd thanks for the prompt response! I'm trying to find a lav with proper xlr connector from senheisser but all seem to be made for their wireless series with mini jack. Right now an Akg I use does have long cable and xlr but recently it has become very noisy... Any suggestions?
@@curtisjudd thanks again! I just saw one of your older reviews of the AT899 lavalier mic which does sport an xlr cinnector. Is it considered today a good alternative?
@Curtis Judd Excellent video. Does the Sanken COS-11D version with the Sennheiser 3.5mm connector, plug in directly to the Tentacle Track E Recorder you reviewed recently?
Great video and very helpful. What's your recommendation between the Sanken COS and the Sennheiser MKE 2? I don't know if Sanken has the filters the Sennheiser has. I nearly always hide the law under clothing. For boom I have an old Sennheiser MKH (a 3-position switch, not push buttons) but am buying the Oktava 012 for the amazing cardioid options and sound. Thank you, sir!
Hi Todd, good question - I'm not sure there's a clear answer. But since you work with one of the MKH microphones, the MKE-2 is probably a better fit since its voicing is similar. Best wishes!
I have been looking at several of your videos and found them really helpful. I am trying to work out which type of microphone I should use for long videoconferencing sessions and court cases and mediations (now very commonly done over Zoom etc, so we are speaking for many hours, often over many days for a full trial/hearing) but one that works from several feet away; with the microphone out of the way/not obtrusive (the speaker may be handing lots of files/papers, turning from side to side/ reaching for papers etc), so not the typical podcaster arrangement with the microphone in the face of the speaker. The quality of the sound and the microphone being out of the way (it need not be hidden as such) are the primary issues. It seems, for example, a dynamic microphone is out of the question. So far, the only solution has been a speakerphone but I am hoping a dedicated microphone will produce a better sound (the loudspeaker element is not important). is there the same type of microphone but better standard than on a speakerphone? I have been looking at your videos on the Lavalier microphones and perhaps they offer a solution. many thanks for any thoughts or ideas.
Hi D B, a boom microphone would be my preference. This video demonstrates different types of microphones for live-streaming at a desk: ua-cam.com/video/arCe4UNwwYg/v-deo.html
Hi again! I’m wondering how do you compensate for the drastic sound difference for where you place the microphone? (Under a shirt, in a hat, etc) is it just intense EQing?
Thanks for the review! I haven’t had good luck with mics in general so I’m moving to a higher price range. But I notice you haven’t spoken on which mics are unidirectional and which are omnidirectional...?
Thank you for your excellent quality work! Do you have a recommendation for an over the ear mic for senn g3 set. I bought the jk headset mic that you recommended and while it sounds good and I like that it goes over both ears , its a little large and noticeable. Do have a recommendation for outdoor fitness type videos ? I was thinking about the countryman h6. Thanks again!
I'm looking for an excellent travelling mic for business conferences. Wired. Lavalier. What top 2-3 would you recommend? Would love advice! Price being no issue.
Great presentation thank you! What lav would you recommend for on stage presentation in a large space that reduces the most room noise? Budget wouldn’t be an issue.
I would look at using a headworn mic instead of a lavalier like they do for TED talks. The Countryman E6 is worth a look: bhpho.to/3aEDvee full disclosure - this link is an affiliate link. As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
@@curtisjudd thank you for such a quick reply! Part of the issue is we work with people often who dislike the head mic and really don’t like wearing it and don’t like a handheld. Which is why we are now looking for the best lapel option for those that really don’t like the headset. Given that situation if you had to choose a lav would you recommend any particular one?
Hey Curtis, Can you do an update on budget Lav mics please. Some of the Lavs from your budget video are not available anymore. Love your videos. Keep up the good work!
@@curtisjudd I was looking for the Aputure A.lav EZ mic but it seems to be discontinued or unavailable. I really liked the sound it produced. I usually record using an H1n.
@@Benji_Enji Ah, ok, Aputure spun off their microphone business to DEITY Microphones and replaced that mic with the Aputure V.Lav. We reviewed it here: ua-cam.com/video/-_nPN_9n3Kg/v-deo.html
Most of these I use with a wireless transmitter system. But there are lavalier mics which can plug directly into your camera like the DEITY V.Lav: ua-cam.com/video/-_nPN_9n3Kg/v-deo.html
I definitely need some decent lavs which I don't have yet. I like the twinplex but trying to hold out to see if those new deity lavs are going to come out soon and compete with these. Luckily I have time before I need a set of lavs to purchase 😟
Hey man!! Nice video, thanks for the deep explanation. :) One question.. I'm looking for a mic to use while sport climbing, so something to hide inside/outside the t-shirt (both scenario are realistic to me). Is there one on them that hold up better then the others with the noise produced by the movement of the clothing? Hopefully makes sense what I said. If you have any advice, I'm looking to hear them :) thanks
Hi Curtis. I am upgrading my lavs but will want to connect to a Tentacle E which uses the locking Sennheisser. I am cutting with an 8050 and Schoeps MK41. I have been attracted to the Twinplex, but there seems to be no available termination to match the Tentacle E 3.5 lock. Do you know of a workaround, or could you recommend an alternative?
Hi Curtis, just want to say you're the man and you are an extremely underrated youtuber. You're the mature persons youtuber. There's no flashy gimmicks, no stupid 3D intros with loud obnoxious music and insincere hyperbolic yelling into the camera. We appreciate you Curtis! Thanks for all the great advice.
Thank you 🙏
I agree with this comment 🙏🏻
You sound a bit homosexual if you ask me
I was JUST looking at new lavalier's so big thanks for this video. I've bought a lot of my equipment based on your assessments
I hope this helps. Best wishes!
But did you use the affiliate link? 😁🤑
Which mic did you bought
Eyyyy, its Rippa!
@@youngrippa59 Curtis is the best.
It's honestly so hard to find good quality reviews that aren't biased (Google search is a perfect example of such awful results) so thank you for these! It's refreshing to hear from someone that's been in the field and is a professional for newbies like us to understand even new information lav mic's components and how and why they work with various attachments! And the more I look at your desk, I'm like is that a bamboo top?! 😅
Thanks Nek0.
It is bamboo.
This is an overview of the lavalier microphones I have used - not meant to be comprehensive and not intentionally leaving out any options. There are just so many microphones I haven't had a chance to use just yet. Many have asked about the Tram TR50. Seems like a great mic, just haven't had a chance to use it. Same with many others. Index:
01:14 What's special about pro-level lavalier microphones
05:39 Sanken COS-11D
08:34 Voice Technologies VT500
10:53 Countryman B6
14:04 DPA 4160
15:51 Shure Twinplex (TL47 & TL48)
21:37 Which is the best? (spoiler - none. Each fit different situations)
hi curtis, my name is cepha, I'm a location sound mixer living in Ghana. i have worked on some couple of documentaries, movies etc.I have been following your UA-cam channel and it's been very helpful. please I need your help in choosing a a replacement lav mic for my sennheiser G3 and a mic for indoor dialogues. I currently use sennheiser mkh 416 p48 and zoom f4 recorder.
1. Between Samson C02 and senal SCI- 3212MP which of these mics will you recommend for indoor dialogues.
2. countryman B3 and senal UTM-86-35H lab mics which of these will you recommend as a good replacement. thank you.
On the theme of lavaliers, i would love to hear your advice on a wireless setup including lavaliers that provides the most reliable signal/quality to record sound on the move outdoor. Lavaliers positionned on cyclists and sound recorded from a car following and shooting. We tested Rode's wireless kit and wireless go, but signal strength and quality have proved unpredictably unreliable. have you experienced products suited for this type of use? distance could vary from 15 to 100m. hopefully you get to see this message.
Hi Cepha, I haven't used the Senal microphones yet, but when I do, I'll have a review of them here. Sorry I couldn't help more and best wishes!
You may need to move up into the UHF pro or prosumer systems like the Sennheiser G4 or Sony UWPD systems to keep connected in those situations. You're pushing the limits of any of the consumer systems.
Dpa 4061, you should try it too
I can tell from your attitude that you are a true professional and I appreciate your impressions, and the specifics you went into. As always, use the best tool for the job! I'll definitely be giving your other videos some views. Thanks for making this content.
Thanks fakecubed!
Hi again, Curtis. Just bought the Sanken (to use straight into my Tascam DR10L) through the link in the description. I'm pumped, man. Thanks for all of your educational help over the past several years. I really love your channel and I'm happy to see your success.
Thanks Alex. I hope it works well for you!
Very nice overview!
Thanks for checking it out!
BEEN WAITING DECADES FOR THIS FROM YOU!
Glad we finally delivered!
You brought up a great point about non-actors being uncomfortable getting mic'd up sometimes. Most UA-cam videos showing how to hide mics seem to focus on working with professional actors/actresses who know what to expect, and almost no one has addressed how to work with non-actors. Would be great if you could show us how you approach corporate people (men and women) who aren't always comfortable getting mic'd for a video.
Thanks Alan. Depending on the corporate piece, we sometimes have to punt and use an alligator clip on the outside of the clothing. For women, I often give them instructions on how to attach the mic with an alligator clip or tape to their bra between the cups. This almost always works perfectly because then the clothing does NOT rub against the mic. For men, I usually get the mic ready with a "moleskin" sandwich and then have them place it on their sternum. This is a little trickier and requires repositioning in many cases. Will cover it in more detail in the future.
@@curtisjudd Would be great if you could do one on this. And agreeing with Alan Tutt that there are plenty about working with talent, but few on corporate. Do you use any of the URSA products? Thank you for the articulate videos.
@@srbh41413 Thanks. Yes, but mostly for narrative film work, not so much for corporate. We just let the mic be in picture when we don't have time to hide it. When I do hide the mic for a corporate piece, the time is still usually very limited so I just have the talent clip the transmitter on their belt or waistband and then we hide the mic as described above. More to come.
@@curtisjudd will be interesting to see especially with Covid-19 issues to deal with
@@doubledark2 Agreed. My thinking is that initially, I'll be sticking to boom mics exclusively.
Best video i have seen on that topic so far, i love the technical insights.
Thanks!
An all-in-one resource. You rock, Curtis!
14:35 Oh, that is very sly. Nice! :D
Thanks huyked!
Very professional, it's refreshing that you have a no-nonse/no-blabla approach.
Thanks, I appreciate that. I received another comment the other day that my videos were good but boring. LOL! I guess that person wants a goofy salesperson
to present instead. 🤷♂
I have literally been waiting on a video like this! Thanks a lot, Curtis!
👍
Curtis, I'm new to the world of video/audio production. My goals include real estate (virtual tours & virtual open houses) as well as UA-cam videos such as yours where I can reach out to my senior and out of state clients. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to make these videos. I wasn't sure if it made sense for me to try to learn about the technology involved, but with your guidance I believe I can do this.
Thanks again,
Mike
Hi Mike, Thanks so much for the feedback and best wishes on your recordings!
I'd love to see some of the narrative projects you work on! The one you showed was a really great example of how you can tell a story with just two characters on a very low budget.
I'd like to show more of them. Over on the Uphill Cinema channel we have several shorts and we have another one in post presently. I also did production sound (not post) on this one: ua-cam.com/video/PDcRG_lomEA/v-deo.html
Whats the link to that vid?
Another great one Curtis. Always love the amount of detail that goes in to your videos. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Griffin! I've got your C500 review in my watch later list. Can't wait to check it out.
Curtis Judd awesome glad to hear that. Thank you Curtis!
Thanks, Mr. Judd, for your years of helpful videos. I'm in the market for a new professional level lavalier microphone system. Your video is very helpful. If you or one of your viewers/subscribers can point me to one of your videos in which you take time to show the novice/newbie (me!) the most common, effective settings to use when recording educational videos using a wireless lavalier system (with a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K-6K) in an airtight, indoor studio, I would be very appreciative. One of my difficulties in this area is knowing how to use the jargon of this industry to find the resources I need. But, I'll keep looking. Thanks again, Mr. Judd. Jay Creighton
Hi Jay. Which wireless system are you using?
@@curtisjudd: Curtis, I'm using Sony's wireless microphone package UWP-D21. But I've emailed you about this particular issue privately and you answered my questions. Thanks, Curtis. Jay
Very nice review ! It was very informative to see kind of best boom mic they would cut more with. Actually in the mixing process we would not only switch from one mic to another but most of the time offset the phase of the lav to match perfectly with sample accuracy the waveform of the boom and add them together to add more clarity. I have had Sanken COS-11D for years and just witched for Sennheiser MKE1 (kind of the same as MKE2), for more clarity and more flexibility to hide.
Thanks Benoit!
As usual, great tutorial video Curtis.
Thanks Peter.
Great Review! That‘s a massiv help and saves a lot of time!
Thank you Curtes!
👍
very informative, something I never thought about before watching your vlog. Thanks !
Thank you Lung Wai.
Sony's ECM-77B has been around for decades, and I'm still using those in 2020.
That's great news!
My favorite!
Great review Curtis. I'm on a huge learning curve made ultra easy by your reviews :)
Thanks K!
I’d love to see a video from you about different ways to mic people up. Especially in tricky situations, but corporate, men, women, sweat, hair, tapes, etc.
Here's one: ua-cam.com/video/RxcQz4VFGXA/v-deo.html We had some issues with the connection, but the content from Simon is good.
@CurtisJudd This is an excellent overview of these lavs. Love seeing the comparisons. Great work. Thank you.
Thanks Leo.
was just looking at upgrading my documentary sound kit, awesome stuff brother. Cheers. Ras
Thanks Ras!
Hey Curtis your videos are a godsend! Thanks for always posting such useful videos. What would you say are the best higher-end lav mics for the Rode Wireless Go II???
My preference is for the Shure Twinplex TL-48
Hey Curtis, As always, great video, very helpful. 1) I'm looking at the Sanken, would it be a good choice while standing in front of an electronic white board? IF not, any recommendations? 2) I'm recording with a Zoom H5 recorder, will the cable connect to the recorder? Will the Zoom H5 cause any problems? Thanks for providing this review.
Hi Alison, It should work, yes. I haven't specifically tested the COS-11D with the H5, but the XLR version of the COS-11D should certainly work.
Another excellent video. Really interesting - thanks very much.
Thanks Patrick.
Watching Allen's review on the Deity W.Lav Pro I'm impressed with the sound quality. I currently love my DPA 4060 lav.
👍
Hi Curtis, Thanks so much for your insights.
👍
I like that you touch on the interaction with the people you are mic'ing up. Folks might be so into the tech side of the work that they are not prepared for the human element; the prime impediment I encounter is impatience. Resistance to cooperating with the processes behind setting up sound and other gear comes into it also.
They are are paying for you to be there, to give them a good production, but then they want you to stop fussing with the lavalier and body pack and get on with it. Things like that. Sometimes you're running into executives or entrepreneurs who are used to having things their way and don't like you in their space, so it might feel uncomfortable until you're rolling and they can start to do their thing on camera.
Agreed - there is a huge human element to being effective at production sound.
Thanks for this! Very helpful!
🙏
Excellent review thank you 🙏🏻
👍
Phenomenal video! Thank you so much!
Thanks so much, May.
Hi Curtis, I've been filming with a Giant Squid lav for years now as you can hear in my videos. I want to upgrade but I'm torn between a shotgun or better lavalier. My home studio is a basic apartment small bedroom and I use the Zoom H5. My dilemma has been that I don't have a deep/strong voice hence heavy post production. Previously I figured that for a smaller budget, a lav would be better since it's closer to my mouth, but now I'm looking for something still under $1k but that would be the best for my situation. Seems out of the Lavs here the countrymen would be best for me, but what would you recommend? Should I finally get a shotgun mic.? Thanks for all the info!
I think it depends a lot on the room in which you're recording. Sometimes, in small rooms with a lot of hard reflective surfaces, a lav will often sound better than a boom mic. So I'd first consider your recording space. If it does have a lot of audio bouncing off of walls, floors, ceilings, and even computer screens, then a it may be better to stick with a lavalier. Best wishes!
@@curtisjudd Thanks again Curtis!
Man!!!! Thanks for this video!! Helps me a lot!
👍 You're most welcome!
u god of microphones! u knowledge is awesome! THANK YOU! SIR!
Thanks Alexander!
Hi Curtis, thanks for the great video, I really appreciate the time you put in it to go through the features of the different mics :). What lav mic would you go for when it comes to someone singing with a higher pitched voice? I've been looking to buy one of these lately, but I'm not sure which one would be good enough quality-wise and which one would resist the sound pressure as well. Thanks!
I'd look at the DPAs or the SHURE Twinplex. I believe they also make low sensitivity versions for musical and opera singers.
@@curtisjudd Thanks a lot Curtis! :) I think I might go for the DPA's they're not the cheapest but I like what I heard so far :)
Great comparo. Would also love to see you do one on budget lavs for the passion producers and budding youtubers. I’m sure someone of your stature would have no problem getting a bunch of them sent to you for review
Sorry. I meant to ask for a comparo on budget wireless lav mics. I caught your comparo on budget lav mics and was kinda disappointed at the lack of recommendations but that is the one thing I like about your show. You really don’t make an effort to pimp anyone’s gear and don’t come off as a shill. More power to you and keep up the good work
Thanks. Yes, it is a tough line to walk because many people would like a simple answer - which microphone should I get. Unfortunately, that’s not an easy question to answer because there are so many factors I don’t know about each person who asks that question and there is no perfect microphone or wireless system.
What Mic would you recommend as the most sturdy and foolproof when it comes to wearing it under a shirt? I need a lav for filming myself in UA-cam videos but can’t monitor myself. I have a deep boomy voice if that makes a difference 😀
I'd give the VT500 a try.
I was able to AB test the COS11-D against the DPA 4060 and the DPA was so clearly amazing (better) in comparison. Would definitely recommend that one for higher end lavs.
👍
Great video as always! The tinted glasses are very cool btw :D
Thanks Nabil.
I bought a lavalier on Amazon. I didn't want to spend much and when i saw the Slint lapel for only $20 why not give it a try. Im happy with it i use it on my iphone 11 very clear, no echo.
Good!
Sanken COS-11D is the most widely used lav for TV and movie production, I think. I've seen a lot of them heavily worn out and dirty in that adhesive tape glue - but still working.
Yes, they're little tanks.
23'46" well spent. Very informative, very well presented, no waffle, no BS. Many thanks! Would have been nice, though, to see the Sony ECM-77b (that staple of newsgathering) included.
Thanks John. Just as soon as I have an opportunity to use it, will include in a future update.
You are a sound genius. Thanks again. Shopping for the perfect lav. mic. for me for a Sennheiser G3. Thinking Countryman B3 or B6. Have a great day! PS. Also thinking I need to go to the G4 now that it has been out for a while.
If the G3 kit is still working, I’d stick with it.
@@curtisjudd Thank you, Curtis. You are the best!
Thanks for the content as always!
👍
Amazing video, which actually captures the further away? Here I am thinking of street interviews or prank videos where you don't want to hold the mic and hand it over to the people
They’re all about the same. Laws of physics apply.
Many thanks for another excellent review. I am going to get a lavaliere better than the ones I have to use with my iPhone and your review pointed to the solution: Voice Technologies. I've completely forgot about Voice Technologies what was really surprising seeing that I have a VT lavaliere ( an old model with a big battery compartment and XLR end. I can't use it with my iPhone.) and used it many times when I shot wired rather than wireless interviews. But you mentioned a VT mic and 💡! .
Why I didn't think about Voice Technologies before even if I had one? Maybe because I didn't use it since the lockdown and because I was obsessed with DPA, which is the mic I really want but it's beyond my budget at the moment. An option would be the Deity Wav Pro with the Picogear transmitter (the new pro version. You can connect the transmitter to a lavaliere mic). The transmitter is so small that it might fit inside a suit /shirt/coat pocket with the mic cable so no need of 'could you please pass the cable under your shirt?" that so many interviewees feel uncomfortable about and rightly so.
👍
watching in Jan 2024. Do these reviews still count or are the new Lavaliere kids on the block?
There are the newer DEITY W.Lav models which are decent. ua-cam.com/video/4-kM_xN5sPA/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
Great work on 'The Army Nurse'. I've worked with Mary Hall. Small world!
Thanks Nyk - Small world, indeed!
So much valuable info, as usual. I see MKE2 "Reduced Sensitivity" versions floating around. 1) what is the appropriate use for this - -can it be used for standard dialogue? 2) as a general concept, why wouldn't you just use a regular sensitivity version and lower the gain, enjoying the increased signal to noise ratio? Did you already do a video about this?
That’s primarily for opera and musicals where the performers generate really high sound pressure levels, more than most wireless packs can handle even at the lowest gain settings with standard sensitivity mics.
@@curtisjudd thanks for knowing all the things and sharing it.
Very helpful. Going to get the Shure TL47
I hope it works well for you!
I have 2 Sennheiser MKE2's and couldn't be happier.
They are classics for good reason.
Love this video! I need to do more research yet, but do you have any recommendation on which mic to go with to get a sound similar to the Electrovoice RE27 N/D or the Shure SM7B (which seems to be what you're using when recording this video)? I really want as close to a broadcaster microphone equivalent in the form of a lav mic as possible. I'm also looking for recommendations when it comes to which wireless kits to get to use in conjunction with any of these mics. Almost like a starter kit. I worry about picking a quality mic but getting a really awful wireless kit. Or having the wrong connectors for the mic. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks again.
The Countryman B6 is where I’d probably start. For wireless systems, it depends on your budget and whether you’ll be working in studio or on location and what you plan to feed the audio to from the receiver (audio recorder, camera? XLR line or 3.5mm microphone input?)
Hi Curtis, great job as usual! You made a perfect comparison between different models, with strengths and weaknesses. Few years ago I bought an Aspen Mic after I saw one of your video. Today I'm searching something affordable and more recent to replace it and to improve sound quality. Any suggestions? I'm looking the tascam tm-10lb, and I took a look to the Deity V lav (but it has too long cable for my use). I hope you can make an overview on cheap lavalier mics, you are simply the best in audio equipments reviews!
Hi Marco, thanks. I need to spend some time looking at affordable lavaliers. I've been so busy with other things I haven't kept up. Hopefully more to come. Best wishes!
Thanks for answer Curtis. Sure! Obviously if you have time and you are interested. Thanks anyway for your job!
Another great useful video.
Thanks Mad Scientist Prospecting!
Great video Chris. Wondering why u chose to do a setup where u show ur mic instead of ur usual setup? I actually like seeing the mic on the boom
Hi JT, my regular studio space is in an unheated basement and it is dead of winter. So I used this warmer space instead. Will switch back to the regular space as it warms up. 😀
Hi Curtis,
thanks a lot a always for your valuable insights. I would like to purchase a couple of lavs in the pro entry level which I can somehow start using as "general purpose". Which one would you suggest? I plan to use them with Sony or Rodelink wireless systems. Thanks for your feedback
Luigi
Hi Luigi, I'd look at the Voice Technologies VT500.
Thank you again for your great content!
What lav mic would you recommend to help reduce background noise when shooting outdoors (planes, lawnmowers, cars, etc)?
I am using the Rode Wireless 2, and/or Tascam recorder.
The dialogue is good, but I pick up a lot of noise and I use Izotope to try and remove sound.
Thank you for those videos as well - they're excellent!
A headset mic can help if that is an option for what you're shooting. Anything which can get closer to the sound you want - dialogue - will help.
Curtis I've watched this video several times as I shop for lavalier microphones. I've come across several used Sanken COS-11D and Voice Technologies VT500 and I love the sound these mics provide. Thank you so much for giving your time and energy to provide such valuable and thorough information to all of us. Consequently, I am having an issue with the Sanken COS-11D and Voice Technologies VT500 though only while using the Rode Wireless Go and RodeLink systems. When the TRS is fully inserted, the mics pick up no sound. If I pull them out slightly - maybe 3mm or so from full insertion - they pickup sound. Given your background, surely you know whats happening here and how I can remedy the situation. I thought maybe it was a phantom power issue (which I still struggle to understand why a PP mic still works with a system that doesn't provide PP) but if PP was the issue then I suppose I would get no pickup at all. "Help me Obiwan Kenobi! You're my only hope!"
It would appear that they're wired for Sennheiser, but strangely, I didn't experience this issue with my Sanken COS-11D and the RODELink. Hmm. You might give Gotham Sound or Trew Audio a call and see what they suggest. Best wishes!
Also one note to prevent any potential issues: lavalier microphones should never be used with phantom power (+48V) unless you're using a model with an XLR output which is specifically designed for using phantom power. 99.9% of lavaliers with a 3.5mm TRS output connector require plugin power (3-5V).
@@curtisjudd Very helpful Curtis. Thanks again for all you do.
Thanks for this and all of your videos-love the objective, non-sensationalized overview. I have a couple of questions as a newbie, having scoured most of your videos:
1) can you use/do you recommend using two different brands of lav mic’s in the same shoot-ex. An interview between two people? Or 2 different actors? Does it require a lot of post production EQ to use different types of mic’s?
2) in watching your videos I am thinking about picking up a DPA 4060 for me (interviewer) and a cos 11 for an interviewee or is it better to buy a set of two of the same for my purposes, using a Rode Go wireless ii.
Thanks for the vids-they really are so informative.
Hi Shane, yes, I regularly use different lav mics for the same shoot. What I generally try to do is choose the mic which will suit a particular person’s voice best. So if someone has a rather “thin” voice without a lot of bass response and I want a bit more, I might use the Countryman B6 on them. For those with a lot of bass, I would opt instead for a DPA 4160, etc. Your plan sounds good - a DPA and Sanken should work nicely. Best wishes and happy recording!
Thank you so much Curtis. Really appreciate you responding.
@@curtisjudd Hi Chris, just wanted to circle back on this conversation and say a heartfelt thanks. I went with the sanken which i really like, and also the countryman which for my voice is my favourite. Both are great IMO just a matter of which sounds best on the individual. I also wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the tone and tenor (metaphorically speaking) of your videos, the are calm and cogent, objective and evidence based.
This is such a great video. I learned a lot! By the way, new subscriber here! Thank you for what you do! Is the Rode Wireless Go 2 RF immunity?
Thanks Sarah! The wireless GO II puts out plenty of RF so you’ll want to use a lavalier mic which is RF immune. All of the mics we covered here should work nicely.
Thx Curtis, always loud and clear.
Just to give some comentarios about, and a Q.
What did you use to clean the wire?
I have got cables destroy , I mean, cables get broken, dry, the plastic cover in Sanken and Countryman get damage easy.
The wire of Voice Technologies are thinner (Kevlar) but they last by far againts the other mention.
Sensitivity:
I can say that the capsule of Voice Technologie are so good that it became a problem because they are to sensitive to clothe and body moisture specially in shoots done in summer or in the jungle. They really match with a Shootgun.
Countryman work good in those situations.
I appreciate very much your advice, and I understand that this video was concern to other subjets.
best regards
Mario Rivas
Sound Location Mixer
Peru
Hi Mario. To clean the cables, I use wipes called Uni Solve. I bought them at Amazon: geni.us/lmv8X0 Full disclosure - this is an affiliate link and I earn from qualifying purchases.
Curtis, very helpful video for those of us using or considering lavs. I do have a question. I notice you omitted the Tram TR50--the German mic. Of course, you have to limit your choices. But do you have any general remarks on it? On tests I've heard it seems to have more depth/warmth than most other mics. Any comments?
PS, your videos are always so terrific....Think I'm going to get some of your merchandise. I hope they won't mind we drinking coffee out of a Teespring cup. (They spelled "tea" wrong--but I guess you can't be great at everything.)
;-)
Hi William, thanks. I simply haven't had a chance to use the Tram. It seems to be voiced with a rather bright presence boost which seems common on most German engineered microphones. I'd probably consider it only for use under clothing unless someone had an extraordinarily bright voice.
love it..... Audio makes so much fun
👍
Curtis, I am looking for either a lav or shotgun mic to shoot my self-tape auditions. This will be in a small 5'x7' non-soundproofed room so I imagine it needs to be a dynamic mic? My budget is not too big maybe 100-200. I have a zoom F4, But would prefer to feed it straight into my DSLR which has a 3.5 mm port. Thank you!!
If that budget is not enough to make a difference versus the built in mic of my Canon RP or even my iPhone 13, then I will just use those.
I was on a major tv production recently and I believe they used a Sennheiser MKH 50, but that is a little too pricy.
Perhaps try the DEITY D3?
Your reviews are terrific, presenting the various devices without the hype. Sadly the hype is what draws attention. Maybe involve a kitten? I dunno, but you deserve 100x the subscribers you have sir. Honesty and objectivity, coupled with solid competent experience and information are rare finds in this attention based economy. I recently had to mic up the president of my organization in my company. Anyone who hasn’t, if they have only worked with actors or amateur players, it’s interesting how these executives want you to make them look and sound good but you only get a fraction of the time you really want to get that done. He was doing this global meeting, 10’s of thousands on the receiving end, I was trying to get the mic placed and hidden but he kept acting like we were done every few seconds. Finally did get the wireless body pack (just my own stuff, sennheiser EWG3) on him and hidden, the mic mounted and hidden, but no time to test, he vanished as I turned my back to get my headphones. Good times.
Anyway, thanks for all your reviews and comparisons, excellent resource.
Oh yes - classic scenario for those in the corporate space!
Great video. As always. 👍 Trying my best finding an own style with my own videos. But I'm just startin' on YT. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Holger and best wishes!
@@curtisjudd thank you so much!
Can one use the Sanken or something like the Sennheiser ME 2 with the DJI wireless mic? Sorry for the noob question, but I'm not sure how it works with power/compatibility. Thanks for your great videos!!
Yes, but...the consumer wireless systems like the DJI supply a bit less voltage than most pro level microphones are specified for. I did try the Sanken with the DJI and it worked, but I cannot say whether that will reduce the life of the Sanken (it is my understanding that undervolting electronic equipment can affect its performance and possibly its life.)
@@curtisjuddso are these usually 48volt phantom powered?
@@TeddyRumble No, these usually require 3 - 5V plugin or bias power. Many of the consumer wireless kits like those from DJI only supply 2.5V.
What about some good-quality lavaliers that we can hardwire into a Mix-Pre 10 II ??? Are there any other options than converting a 3.5mm on a Sennheiser MKE2 or ME2 to an XLR connector?? Or is that the only way to go if we wanted to stick with Sennheiser lavs??
You can record one in via the MixPre's 3.5mm input. If you need more mics at the same time, you'll need XLR adapters (which also convert phantom power - 48V - to 3-5V plugin power so you don't damage the mics.)
Hi, thanks for this useful information. Please recommend for a headband microphone mainly use for live singing with band (in front of loud monitors).
Thank you.
Earthworks SR117?
Very helpful, thank you. The conclusion is: hire a soundman who has all of them? I have the Cos-11 without the D. Is that very different from the D version?
Ha! Yes, hire a sound mixer! I don't know the difference between the D and non D versions.
Very informing video as always Curtis ! But I have some questions about lavalier frequencys. Is there an optimal frequency range that I should work with ? When buying new transmitters, should I go to the farthest frequency possible from the one I already have ? Or should I stay within a certain frequency and same A or B group with both transmitters ?
The diversity wireless systems these days have a wide frequency range so you could go either direction. For my Audio Ltd. system, I have one transmitter in the lower range, one in the higher range.
Great video! Do you notice a lot of handling noise with the countryman b6? I recently tried to use mine in a podcast situation with high end in ear monitors on and couldn't stand the noise that came from any slight movement.
Not more than most lav mics hidden under clothing.
Another great video, thanks. Have you ever made a video or used the Rode Lavalier Lapel Microphone and compared it with other high-end mics or the Rode Smart Lav+ or Rode Lavalier Go? Thank you.
No, but from my tests, the RODE Lavalier GO and smartLav+ both produce a lot more self noise than the RODE Lavalier.
@@curtisjudd ok thank you.
Hi Curtis, Great video! I had a question, have you heard the difference between the 4060 legacy and CORE series side by side? If you have do you know if there is any difference when it comes to voice over work? Let me know what you can, as I cannot find ANY video reviews on this. Thank you.
I haven’t, unfortunately.
Great video. What mic & recorder combo are you using for creating your videos while your camera is overhead and your hands are free? I'm looking for pro quality and slight tolerance for head movement.
Generally I use an Earthworks SR314 on a desk mounted boom arm and a variety of recorders, audio interfaces, and preamp/processing channels: MixPre, Universal Audio Apollo x6, camera input, and others depending on which product review I'm working on at the moment.
@@curtisjudd Thank you for the swift reply! :)
Amazing as always!
Question - I noticed you didn't talk about the RM-11 accesory on the Sanken. How does that compared to a Bubblebee Lav Concealer? Thanks!
Hi Louis, I haven't used the Bubblebee concealer, but will surely cover that when I do get the chance.
@@curtisjudd Sounds good, thank you!
Great analysis, as always!
Will the mke 2 cut well with the mke-600 or is there another one better suited for dialogue with that configuration?
Hi Evan, yes. The Sennheiser mics are generally voiced in a similar fashion with a rather bright top end.
@@curtisjudd thanks for the prompt response!
I'm trying to find a lav with proper xlr connector from senheisser but all seem to be made for their wireless series with mini jack.
Right now an Akg I use does have long cable and xlr but recently it has become very noisy...
Any suggestions?
@@EvanFotis Full size XLR terminated mics are quite a bit less common. I'd give Gotham Sound or Trew Audio a call and get their input.
@@curtisjudd thanks again!
I just saw one of your older reviews of the AT899 lavalier mic which does sport an xlr cinnector.
Is it considered today a good alternative?
@@EvanFotis Sure - that one seems quite popular with those recording depositions and such. Pretty good sound.
@Curtis Judd Excellent video. Does the Sanken COS-11D version with the Sennheiser 3.5mm connector, plug in directly to the Tentacle Track E Recorder you reviewed recently?
Yes, it does.
Great video and very helpful. What's your recommendation between the Sanken COS and the Sennheiser MKE 2? I don't know if Sanken has the filters the Sennheiser has. I nearly always hide the law under clothing. For boom I have an old Sennheiser MKH (a 3-position switch, not push buttons) but am buying the Oktava 012 for the amazing cardioid options and sound. Thank you, sir!
Hi Todd, good question - I'm not sure there's a clear answer. But since you work with one of the MKH microphones, the MKE-2 is probably a better fit since its voicing is similar. Best wishes!
I have been looking at several of your videos and found them really helpful. I am trying to work out which type of microphone I should use for long videoconferencing sessions and court cases and mediations (now very commonly done over Zoom etc, so we are speaking for many hours, often over many days for a full trial/hearing) but one that works from several feet away; with the microphone out of the way/not obtrusive (the speaker may be handing lots of files/papers, turning from side to side/ reaching for papers etc), so not the typical podcaster arrangement with the microphone in the face of the speaker. The quality of the sound and the microphone being out of the way (it need not be hidden as such) are the primary issues. It seems, for example, a dynamic microphone is out of the question. So far, the only solution has been a speakerphone but I am hoping a dedicated microphone will produce a better sound (the loudspeaker element is not important). is there the same type of microphone but better standard than on a speakerphone? I have been looking at your videos on the Lavalier microphones and perhaps they offer a solution. many thanks for any thoughts or ideas.
Hi D B, a boom microphone would be my preference. This video demonstrates different types of microphones for live-streaming at a desk: ua-cam.com/video/arCe4UNwwYg/v-deo.html
Hey Curtis awesome video! Which mic would you recommend for filming a hiking documentary in windy conditions?
I'd go with the Twinplex TL-48 hidden under my shirt.
@@curtisjudd thank you so much you’ve made my day!!!!!
I own the Sanken COS-11D. It's incredible. Got the boom mic richness on a lav
It’s a good one!
Where can I find the best lavalier mics like the DPA 4160? And Great Video!!!
Links in the description.
Hi again! I’m wondering how do you compensate for the drastic sound difference for where you place the microphone? (Under a shirt, in a hat, etc) is it just intense EQing?
EQ indeed!
Thanks for the review! I haven’t had good luck with mics in general so I’m moving to a higher price range. But I notice you haven’t spoken on which mics are unidirectional and which are omnidirectional...?
ALL of these are omni-directional.
Thank you for your excellent quality work!
Do you have a recommendation for an over the ear mic for senn g3 set. I bought the jk headset mic that you recommended and while it sounds good and I like that it goes over both ears , its a little large and noticeable.
Do have a recommendation for outdoor fitness type videos ? I was thinking about the countryman h6.
Thanks again!
Hi Jeff, The Countryman H6 is basically their B6 lavalier in headset form. I'm a fan of the B6 so I suspect the H6 will be a winner. Best wishes!
Great video Curtis! Of your lavs, which do you prefer for women that have very low voices?
The Shure TL-47 is where I'd start. If that isn't sounding great, I might try the VT500.
Good stuff. Thanks
👍
I'm looking for an excellent travelling mic for business conferences. Wired. Lavalier.
What top 2-3 would you recommend? Would love advice!
Price being no issue.
Great presentation thank you! What lav would you recommend for on stage presentation in a large space that reduces the most room noise? Budget wouldn’t be an issue.
I would look at using a headworn mic instead of a lavalier like they do for TED talks. The Countryman E6 is worth a look: bhpho.to/3aEDvee
full disclosure - this link is an affiliate link. As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
@@curtisjudd thank you for such a quick reply! Part of the issue is we work with people often who dislike the head mic and really don’t like wearing it and don’t like a handheld. Which is why we are now looking for the best lapel option for those that really don’t like the headset. Given that situation if you had to choose a lav would you recommend any particular one?
@@adammesa 99.9% of lavalier microphones are omni-directional so keep that in mind. I like the Twinplex TL-47 quite a lot.
Hey Curtis, Can you do an update on budget Lav mics please. Some of the Lavs from your budget video are not available anymore. Love your videos. Keep up the good work!
Which mics are you looking for in such a review? :)
@@curtisjudd I was looking for the Aputure A.lav EZ mic but it seems to be discontinued or unavailable. I really liked the sound it produced. I usually record using an H1n.
@@Benji_Enji Ah, ok, Aputure spun off their microphone business to DEITY Microphones and replaced that mic with the Aputure V.Lav. We reviewed it here: ua-cam.com/video/-_nPN_9n3Kg/v-deo.html
How do you plug the mic into your camera? Do i need to purchase a box or something?
Most of these I use with a wireless transmitter system. But there are lavalier mics which can plug directly into your camera like the DEITY V.Lav: ua-cam.com/video/-_nPN_9n3Kg/v-deo.html
I definitely need some decent lavs which I don't have yet. I like the twinplex but trying to hold out to see if those new deity lavs are going to come out soon and compete with these. Luckily I have time before I need a set of lavs to purchase 😟
I'm looking forward to the DEITY lavs as well.
First???? LOL! 😁😁😁 Seems like the Countryman would cut nicely with my NTG3. Be looking this at NAB.
Congratulations! As the first commenter, I will personally accompany you to the Countryman booth to learn about the B6!
Curtis Judd Yes!!!! I’ll even carry your stuff for you...to the booth I mean. 😁
Hey man!! Nice video, thanks for the deep explanation. :) One question..
I'm looking for a mic to use while sport climbing, so something to hide inside/outside the t-shirt (both scenario are realistic to me). Is there one on them that hold up better then the others with the noise produced by the movement of the clothing? Hopefully makes sense what I said. If you have any advice, I'm looking to hear them :) thanks
I'd probably look at the Shure Duraplex.
Hi Curtis. I am upgrading my lavs but will want to connect to a Tentacle E which uses the locking Sennheisser. I am cutting with an 8050 and Schoeps MK41. I have been attracted to the Twinplex, but there seems to be no available termination to match the Tentacle E 3.5 lock. Do you know of a workaround, or could you recommend an alternative?
You could look at custom termination. Trew audio, Gotham Sound and other pro shots usually offer this service.