Anyone have knowledge/experience of lavalier microphones?

[MotorsportTom]

Hi all,

As the title suggests does anyone have any knowledge or experience of lavalier microphones and want to look for when searching for them? As you'll see I'm a complete noob with this stuff so please be gentle

A bit of background - I've created a youtube channel but I'm very aware of the lack of sound quality with the microphone on my gopro despite having the "media mod" attached and so would like to upgrade and have a lavalier mic to make things more pro.
Not sure of the differences or wired or wireless and how that then translates into having audio on the video when editing? Not sure if it's best to have it direct into the gopro?
I'll mostly be in front of the camera/facing the camera so not sure what will work best

Are there specific specs that highlight what is a good or bad mic? Any must have features with them?

I haven't got a set budget but want to get value for money. I don't want to spend £50-100 now and then find it only lasts a number of months but equally don't want to spend £200+ if a £100 mic will do it - << hope that makes sense!!

Thanks in advance

[megaphone]

There are two 'standards' of mic, you need to check/decide which one will work for you. Will you plug directly into the Go-Pro?

Dynamic mics, these do not require any power source for them to work.

Condenser/Electret mics, these need power for them to work. Many of them use 'phantom power', derived from the source device, say a mixer. Others use in-line powers supplies etc. These are the more common type of lav mic. They tend to be more sensitive and have a better bandwidth.

Then there is the pick-up pattern. Most lavs are 'omni-directional' they are designed to pick up sound from a wide area, great if you are in a quiet studio, not so good if you are out and about, or in front of speakers they will feed back. A Cardioid pic up pattern is much narrower, problem is you need to speak into it more, move you head and the levels can fluctuate.

Good brands. Sennheiser, Shure, AKG, Rode but there are many others which will work.

Note the 'industry standard' go to lav is the Sennheiser MKE2. They do cost though, and OTT for what you are doing.

https://gopro.com/help/articles/question_answer/Ex...

Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 28th October 08:21

Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 28th October 08:22

[MotorsportTom]

Appreciate the comprehensive reply megaphone!

So I realised last night with some extra research that perhaps I didn't explain my needs clearly enough.

I'll be doing a lot of moving infront of camera and so a wireless lav with a tx and rx is probably required. Also the ability to have another party join me in future (which is likely and also for 1-2-1 interviews) then it would be handy.
Think potential for top gear style I.e. Multiple people in front of camera, some movement etc


I found a full kit from Comica that has a lav mic, two tx and one rx for £349.99 which was a shock but again I'd rather pay the money for a decent kit that will last as I grow and still have a resale value.

From your reply though it appears I need to do way more research on what all of those things mean!

[megaphone]

If you're going wireless then ensure you go UHF not VHF. Most systems will be on the licence free UHF CH70 frequencies or CH38. There are some systems out there that run on 2.4ghz, same as some WiFi, these can cause interference on WiFi, but not too bad. Watch some imported systems, as they may not be on the UK approved freq. ( Ch70 & CH38)

Connectors. Different brands use different connectors to fit the lav to the belt pack transmitter. I would look for one that uses 3.5mm jacks TRS. These are more common, used by Sennheiser, Trantec etc. Although they all use a locking screw down jacks. It looks like GoPro cams have a TRS 3.5mm jack, so you would then have the option to plug the mic in directly, maybe.

Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 28th October 09:08

[Mr Pointy]

There's a shed load of reviews & information on Youtube. This is quite an in-depth comparison but slightly shies away from any too negative comments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t474Bu-7Ftg

Here's his review of the Comica Boom XD (he likes it):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2QEs4ezAYs

He seems to really like the Picomic system as well - look though his other videos.

I suspect for your budget you're going to be using a 2.4Ghz system which can be subject to interference if you're using it where there is a lot of Wi-Fi use (hotels etc). Note his comments about dual transmitter systems & making sure the receiver outputs the two channels separately so you can adjust each speaker in post if necessary.

[Luca Brazzi]

If it's of any interest, my partner is embarking on something similar...ie a Youtube channel where we need good video and audio quality. I chose this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EO4A7L0/ref...

And downloaded their Reporter app so it records onto either an iPhone or iPad which I then sync up with the video.

[MotorsportTom]

Cheers for the info all, lots of research required on my part as I am well out of my depth! Seriously appreciate the detailed responses.

Luca that's an interesting point I hadn't considered at all as in downloading an app to record to a phone and then just syncing afterwards... Might be the budget friendly option for now. Cheers