Wired Lav Mic Suggestions

J

jrod81

Veteran
I am trying to find a decent lav kit under or very close to $200-$250 range. I found an archived discussion here: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/archive/index.php/t-19429.html
but would love some more up to date suggestions.
Currently I am shooting my interviews on a T2i DSLR, but with time and money I will get a proper video camera. I say that because right now, I would plan to run the lav mic straight into my Zoom H4n (I know I need a mixer but I simply can't afford it right now).
So with that all out on the table, what are some suggestions? I would need to make a decision by end of the weekend.
thanks
jared
 
Are you looking for a hardwired lav, or one wired up for a wireless system? Hardwired lavs are usually more expensive because of the power supply they come with. If you are looking for one wired up for a wireless system, then your budget really gives you lots of options. If you are looking for a hardwired lav, then your budget really narrows it down a lot.
 
I am not sure I totally understand the question due to my own lack of knowledge here... I am wanting it to be a stand alone option for a wired mic meaning- I clip it to the subject and then run an XLR to my camera (or for now the Zoom H4n). I would suppose that means hardwired right?
 
Countryman EMW: Specify XLR plug w/ phantom power. Best bang for the buck IMHO.
Rode Lav: Has adapters, sold separately, which allow you to switch between wireless transmitters and XLR, very cool.

Grant
 
thanks for the suggestions... when it comes to the countryman emw it looks like there are 3 choices for the lav mics... i would assume i would just go with the "emw classic lav" but just want to make sure i am not missing anything...
i asked oscarsoundtech to shoot me an email with pricing...
 
Jared,

You can get used Tram TR-50s on ebay for under $100. These have been a workhorse of the industry for many years. Well respected lavalier. Don't pay over $120. I picked two up in two separate auctions for under $80 each. You can hear the TR-50 here in a shootout with 3 other lavalieres. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...-amp-Sennheiser&highlight=tram+tr-50+shootout

Here is an example. They come up often. http://cgi.ebay.com/Sennheiser-Tram...ultDomain_0&hash=item3f084aa159#ht_500wt_1156
 
jrod81 said:
thanks for the suggestions... when it comes to the countryman emw it looks like there are 3 choices for the lav mics... i would assume i would just go with the "emw classic lav" but just want to make sure i am not missing anything...
i asked oscarsoundtech to shoot me an email with pricing...
Click to expand...

That's correct. The EMW would be the lowest priced model, but still a good quality lav. I don't know if they are still calling their lavs waterproof, but when I was at Coffey Sound, we put all of their lavs in our fishtank to test this out, and sure enough, no issues.

But there are lots of good lavs out there. I haven't much about the Oscar Sound Tech lavs, but I have been reading positive things about them.

In my experience (I've used or messed around with just about every professional lav that was available until I left Coffey Sound), they all have their positives and negatives, and it will really come down to what lavs fit within your budget, and then which one of those you like the best. I've literally listened to professional sound mixers argue of which lav was best, but it's such a subjective thing. I like some lavs for certain applications, and other lavs for other applications.
 
Chad Johnson posted some lav comparisons recently, search them, it was only a few months ago. I think it had the newish Rode lav compared to the rest of the pack, and it sounded very good indeed.

As Dave mentioned, the EMW is one tough customer. I think the configurations mentioned were for shelved, and check me on this, are more suited to musical recording.

Grant
 
You can get a wired Countryman B3 that will plug right into your H4n for just a hair over $200. Personally, I'd rather get that than the Countryman EMW.
 
and then later can i plug that B3 countryman straight into the XLR input of a camera (ie HMC150 or the like)???
same question with the Tram too...
thanks everyone...
on ebay as i type
 
i guess my concern at this point is choosing a lav that has the xlr connection... in the ebay link of the Tram mentioned in this thread i do not see an xlr box... what am I missing?

it looks like getting an XLR connector certainly plays an impact on the price of these babies... i would want one that is powered by a battery and not phantom just to be safe (espcially when using it with the Zoom)...
so with that in mind... i am somewhat back to square one because i feel all the lavs that Chad Johnson reviewed are out of my price range when adding the XLR connector...

on bh, the countryman EMW does come with the XLr connector but i can't find if its battery or phantom powered- anyone?
 
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Don't know about the Tram, but Countrymans don't have a box, they are configured for the connection type at manufacture.

The B3 is a smaller more easily hidden mic than the EMW. I suspect the EMW is a bit more robust, I use mine for door wedges.... Everyone will have opinions on this, but I think their audio is about the same.

Grant
 
jrod81 said:
i guess my concern at this point is choosing a lav that has the xlr connection... in the ebay link of the Tram mentioned in this thread i do not see an xlr box... what am I missing?

......
Click to expand...

Tram TR-50 normally comes with an XLR connection. What your don't see in the picture (and perhaps not included with this unit) is a unit that carries a button battery and converts from the small connector of the mic to XLR. It also has a belt clip. Examples here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/TRAM-TR50-pro-M...ultDomain_0&hash=item4cf60f9618#ht_500wt_1156

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/415917-REG/Tram_TR50BLXXL_TR50_Omnidirectional_Lavalier.html
 
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Paul F said:
Tram TR-50 normally comes with an XLR connection.
Click to expand...

Just for clarification, I don't think I'd use the word "normally" here. Tram TR-50's come hardwired for XLR, they also come in TA4, TA5, 4-pin Lemo, locking mini for Sennheiser EW, non-locking mini for Sony UWP, unterminated, etc. etc. etc. You have to be really aware of this stuff when you're buying any kind of lav.

Paul F said:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/415917-REG/Tram_TR50BLXXL_TR50_Omnidirectional_Lavalier.html
Click to expand...

The reason this one is $399 is that it comes with the TR79 power module. The TR79 converts a specific kind of transmitter-sized mic connection into XLR. TR79's are also available with TA4, TA5, etc. etc. etc. The TR79 also will power the connected mic with a LR44 watch-style battery. TR79's on their own are around $170. They're nice if you own a wireless system, and you want the option to use your TR-50 lav that you use with your transmitter as a wired mic.


It's cheaper to get a Tram with a hardwired XLR connection (like the first one Paul linked). It powers from a watch-style LR44 battery or phantom.
 
Yes, thanks for the clarification Sam. I suppose I said 'normally' because that is what I am most familiar with for a hardwire configuration. On ebay, they also come in many configurations. There is an very wide price range, even when comparing the same kit. As I mentioned, I got full kits with the battery holder/XLR adapter and all the accessories for $80. Yet I've seen the same kit on ebay for $325. Here is another example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tram-TR50-Omni-...525?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19b37cb3ad
 
Yeah, Sam is right. Lavs don't really come in a "normally" way, unless, like Paul said, if you are specifically talking about a hardwired lav, then a hardwired lav would normally come in a certain way.

If you are handy with a soldering iron, you can even get lavs pigtail, and you can put your own connector on yourself.
 
You can get the Oscar Sound Tech mics with a plug-on +48V phantom power supply for by far less money than all the others mentioned here, even without any connector. I recommend the OST 802 for its neutral sound. The TL40 (Countryman B3 style) is a bit more harsh. Makes me wanna use a De-Esser.
 
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