Using A Cheap Budget Lav Lavalier Clip On Lapel Mic And Smartphone Mic As A Handheld Microphone
126Check the links below for links to buy the mics.
In this video I'm trying out a Lav and Smart Phone microphone as handheld microphones. Although these types of mics are not usually used handheld, I've found a couple that work really well handheld for voice and dialogue recording.
Both these mics, and indeed most clip-on Lavalier lapel type mics, are usually electret condenser microphones. This means that just like a condenser mic, an electret requires voltage to drive and make its capsule work. Unlike a condensor mic, an electret requires a much smaller voltage and current, usually between 1.5 to 9 volt or thereabout. This small voltage is usually supplied by the microphone input of most camcorders, DSLR cameras, computers and many other digital recording devices such as Smart Phones and audio recorders.
As part of the audio quality and dialogue test I'll also be using a Sennheiser ME66 K6 professional shotgun microphone to give an example of a pro mic designed for dialogue recording and something to compare to.
For the purpose of this test I'm referring to the mics as Mic 1 & Mic 2, capsule one and capsule 2. Both mics are omni-directional in their polar pattern, meaning that they pick up well off axis.
Mic 1 is designed for a Smart Phone or any device that requires a TRRS connection that's wired to the CTIA wiring standard, and I'm using a simple cheap adaptor cable to plug it into the stereo TRS input on my camcorder. Mic 2 is also wired CTIA and using the same adaptor, although this mic is a traditional clip on Lav.
Both mics actually work out really well as good quality cheap budget dialogue interview mics that can also be used for vlogging, pod casting, voice over or any other number of dialogue recording.
I'm also working on a simple microphone Mod Hack, which involves modifying a cheap dynamic XLR handheld body microphone. I'm replacing the dynamic moving coil capsule, which aren't usually very good on these cheap karaoke type mics, with the electret capsules from these cheap Lavalier mics. I'm also doing the same with the Primo EM172 electret condenser capsule, which is a very high quality, quiet, sensitive capsule. These modded mics are easy to hack and sound really good for the money, much better than cheap dynamic mics. Call back to see and hear the mic mod.
Here are some links to Mics 1 and 2. The eBay ones are cheaper but the Amazon ones arrive quicker.
Mic 1:
http://amzn.to/2w9GCWc
http://amzn.to/2ygUBtZ
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Portable-3-5mm-Voice-Mic-Microphone-For-Recorder-Mobile-Smart-Phone/112430216073?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Portable-3-5mm-Voice-Mic-Microphone-For-Recorder-Mobile-Smart-Phone/112430216073?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Mic 2:
http://amzn.to/2xVoa8l
http://amzn.to/2xkJvoD
http://amzn.to/2fdDjq3
http://amzn.to/2jN2sx8
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Stereo-Jack-Plug-Mini-Condenser-Microphone-Lapel-Collar-Tie-Clip-On-Mic/182769238985?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clip-On-Lapel-Mini-Condenser-Wired-Microphone-MIC-For-iPhone-SmartPhones/112182345733?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clip-on-Lapel-Mini-Lavalier-Mic-Microphone-For-iPhone-SmartPhone-Recording-PC-UK/122423383157?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Sennheiser ME66 and K6: