Low to mid range lav mic for Tascam DR-40

M

Mark080

Member
Hi.
I have recently purchased a Tascam DR-40 for recording sound with my Canon 60D. The built in mics are great and I will be using them most of the time. However I would like to get a Lapel/Lavalier microphone for the occasional interview type filming I may do.
I have struggled to find many reviews on Lapel mics. I would be looking for something along the mid to lower mid range.
Thanks in advance for any help or direction people can send me in. Sorry I am quite a newb when it comes to audio but got pointed in the direction of this great website.​


 
I would suggest first reading the "Sticky' threads, which should answer some of your lavaliere mic questions..
In any case, plan on spending an absolute minimum of $100.usd for a (hard-wired) Phantom powered lav.
 
Mark080 said:
However I would like to get a Lapel/Lavalier microphone for the occasional interview type filming I may do. I would be looking for something along the mid to lower mid range
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I don't know what's your budget, and I don't know what's the type of production you're working on, but I'd say that there's some nice entry-level models that would work for a fraction of the price. There's a difference in the necessity of spending much money if the final result will be screen projected or played on youtube...
Rick R said:
In any case, plan on spending an absolute minimum of $100.usd for a (hard-wired) Phantom powered lav.
Click to expand...
Depending what's the type of production. Spending much on equipment is the final product is web-based is maybe not necessary. I personally bought an entry-level lav earlier this year on B&H (first time buying from B&H from Canada), the Azden EX-503 and it performs rather well for the very low price I've paid it. I've done a test comparing various microphones with this lav and it surprised me. On a budget, it's a nice model to consider.
 
Azden is a bargain brand that is unloved on this board for the most part, ymmv. Countryman EMW is a good mid level unit, very rugged, good company. Check for your configuration as there are many.

Grant
 
ggrantly said:
Azden is a bargain brand that is unloved on this board for the most part, ymmv.
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Well, for anyone more than a simple hobbyist, it's probably not enough. And considering the audio quality out of the Azden shotgun (compared to others like RØDE) it's understandable. But I vouch for this little Lav, and considering the price, one could easily try it (~19$). I've been surprised with the results. For the work I do, it's more than enough, but for semi-pro and up, it's probably considered like a toy. From what I've recorded, it's plenty enough to suits my needs for short films.
 
+1 on the Rode Lavalier. It sounds good, and the interchangeable cables and connectors are worth their weight in gold. I've wasted too many hours in my life dealing with broken lav cables -- either losing time on shoots while we changed out mics, or back in the shop, trying to solder the minuscule things back together. At $250 or so it may be out of your price range, though.

- Greg
 
That really is some great information. Thanks to all. The interview type filming that I may do occasionally will be for use on small companies websites.
 
The Oscar Soundtech mics are very reasonably priced and have earned favorable reviews by the 'big shots' in feature film audio and elsewhere. The OST-801 & 802 are very similar in sound and appearance to the Tram and PSC Milimic. Their TL40 end-fire mic is smaller than a B3 but larger than a B6.
OST's customer service is exceptional and on par with Lectro and SD. Highly recommended.
www.oscarsoundtech.com/
 
I can get a Sony ECM 55B lavalier fairly cheap. Can anybody confirm for me that it will work ok with the DR-40s XLR input. I think it will but just wanted to double check with the audio gurus.
Thank you in advance.
 
The Tascam DR-40 says it provides phantom power.
The Sony ECM-55B says it uses either phantom power or an internal AA cell.
I would be 98% confident that an ECM-55 will operate from the phantom power provided by the DR-40.
I would be 100% confident that the ECM-55 will operate from the battery.
 
Just so happens I have both.. and indeed the DR-40 w/ ECM55 works with Phantom Pwr. I have not done any further evaluations on this compo, nor do I plan to. That said, I always liked the 'tight' sound of the 55, if one could live with it's relative huge size.
PS: the AA battery must be removed in order for the ECM55 to utilize the PP as I recall.
 
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