Affordable lav mics
 

I'm going to be recording some legal video (mostly depositions) and I need a suggestion for an affordable wired lav mic. I'll be buying 5 of them so that's why cost is an especially big issue. These don't have to be the best quality mics (i.e., they're just going to be sitting at a desk answering basic questions).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jamie

Absolutely! The Audio Technica MT830R

Ty Ford

You might want to experiement with one or two boundary layer mics on the desk as well. Very well suited to recording conferences, etc.

USD163 ? eek. 5 of them ? double-eek. guess it depends on what you call affordable !

Anyway - quick question Ty - on B&H it says these come with a power module. Can they also be used without the power-module? i.e. is it detachable? and is the power-module designed so the lav can be used for LINE IN?

thanks in advance.

Stu,

The power module version is required for plugging the mic into a mixer that provides phantom power. If you get any of the other terminations, they must be plugged into a wireless mic transmitter and its battery provides the power.

No version can be plugged into a line input. They all require something to provide power and most of the time the output of that device is mic level, however some wireless receivers do output line level.

As I recall, you wanted to plug in hardwired.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Jamie,

The most commonly used cheap mic for depositions is a Radio Shack lavalier. Some people actually prefer them to more expensive mics because eventually a lawyer is going to jump up from the table with the lav still attached and hose your mic. $40 lost is better than $163.

That said, while those Radio Shack mics aren't horrible (like most of RS stuff is), you will notice a HUGE improvement in sound - especially noise and some hiss) by using more professional mics. So you might start with the Radio Shack ones, and start buying up better lavs as you can afford them.

Personally I also use Audio-Technica lavs (as well as a couple of Trams). I have had great success with the AT803s (omni-directional) as well as the AT831 (cardioid).

Have fun!

Rob

How about some of the mics from Giant Squid Audio Lab?
http://www.giant-squid-audio-lab.com/

OK got it. - thanks for the explanation Ty.

rgds