Audio Technica ATR-3350 vs Sennheiser ME2
- Thread starter hellboy80
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legrevedotcom
Veteran
The ME2 is basically that comes with the g3. But Its not very good....
David W. Jones
Veteran
Sorry, but I can not recommend any mics in the $20 price range.
What would you recommend? I need something affordable that doesnt require phantom power. (Actually I dont know if my Zoom H1 supplies phantom power, but I suppose it doesnt).
David W. Jones
Veteran
Any mic I could recommend would be even more expensive than your recorder.
Don't dismiss the ME2 so quickly. Many films on the indie level are made with this mic. However, the ME2 costs about $120. In that price range, I would strongly recommend the Oscar Soundtech 801/802. These are essentially Tram TR-50 clones with differing response patterns. I would agree that you won't find something comperable to the ME2 for $20.00
So I should not even consider Audio Technica ATR-3350? Is it really so bad?
Do these mics (Oscar Soundtech 801/802) require phantom power (I cant find them on BHPhoto)?
EDIT: Hmm... this video says that Zoom H1 probably has some kind of phantom power (I'm confused]:
http://www.thec47.com/gearbox/who-knew.html
Do these mics (Oscar Soundtech 801/802) require phantom power (I cant find them on BHPhoto)?
EDIT: Hmm... this video says that Zoom H1 probably has some kind of phantom power (I'm confused]:
http://www.thec47.com/gearbox/who-knew.html
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The OST mics can be purchased to use Phantom power or plug-in power. Since most lavs are electret condenser mics, they will require some form of external power. What is the application? And what is your actual budget? Microphones are typically treated like lens, in that they will be in your kit long after you change recorders/cameras. As a location sound mixer/recordist, I would not consider a $20 lav for my kit simply from a durability/performance standpoint. Have you considered renting?
I already have Rode NTG2, but I wanna buy a lav mic too. My budget is small... around $120 
I have one more question, recently I bought this Zoom H1 recorder and I wanna ask whats the ideal input audio level. There is a scale from 0db to -40db, where should I keep my levels? On -12db? Thanks for any advice!
I have one more question, recently I bought this Zoom H1 recorder and I wanna ask whats the ideal input audio level. There is a scale from 0db to -40db, where should I keep my levels? On -12db? Thanks for any advice!
It looks like the H1 can support and will provide plug-in power to a mic which requires it so, just about any lav designed to work with a wireless will work. The rule of thumb for dialog is to keep averages are -20 with peaks around -12. I tend to run just a bit hotter but have really good limiters in front of the recorder.
John Willett
Veteran
Yes and no.
The ME2 is not very good when you compare it to much more expensive professional mics., agreed.
BUT - at it's price point it is a great little mic. and well worth getting if that is all the money you have.
I tried to plug my Rode NTG2 and it doesnt provide power for it, but maybe lavs needs less power?
Rick R
Veteran
Sort of, the NTG2 requires Phantom Power. The H1 supplies "Plug in" power, (aka, bias power) a much lower voltage and different configuration altogether.
That said, if the Rode NTG2 has an internal battery option, use a battery instead.
Yes, it has battery option, I'm just wondering if Sennheiser ME2 lav (which has not battery option) will work with my Zoom H1.
I have gotten good results with the Zoom h1 and the Giant Squid Lav mics. They run about $30. And yes the H1 does supply plug in power.
Here is a link to the Giant Squid site http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/gs/gs-mono.html
Here is a link to the Giant Squid site http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/gs/gs-mono.html
Noiz2
Sound Ninja
Don't take this the wrong way but you are asking questions you should know the answer to. I would take some time and read through some of the stickies and maybe pick up a beginning sound book or DVD.
Lecture over.
There are a number of ways mics are powered, they are as a rule not cross compatible and in fact you can destroy a mic by plugging it to the wrong power. So plugging it in to see if it works can be an expensive proposition.
Condenser mic capsules mostly require a small amount of power to run (some require a bunch). Modern Lav mics will generally be powerable by "plugin power". Most larger condenser mics use "Phantom power". Phantom power comes most commonly in at 48 volts (plugin power is around 6 volts). The wiring is also different. There are also some others that you probably won't come across. Most lavs don't have a battery option, though it's not so uncommon in consumer lavs.
Plugin power (if it exists) is almost always found on 1/8" jacks. Actually I don't know of any other connector that is wired for plugin power. Phantom (when it exists) is usually on XLR jacks. There are a few boxes that use 1/4" TRS connectors but that is not the best choice since you can short out your supply when plugging and un plugging.
So the short version is the H1 provides plugin power and that will power most lav mics that come with a 1/8" connector. It does not provide phantom power.
Captain Pierce
Veteran
Slightly OT, but if plugin power is the standard for lavs, then wouldn't everybody's bodypack connector use it? TA4F for Shure, TA5F for Lectro, whatever A-T calls the one they use, etc?