Olympus ME-15 vs ATR 3350 / ATR 35S?

[James Wimbly]

They're all around the same price, is there one that is clearly better than the other? I know people recommend giant squid a lot in this price range but they're $40 + shipping whereas the ones mentioned above are $22 with free shipping from Amazon.

Also both Audio Technica's require a battery but the Olympus does not, how come?

[James Wimbly]

Surely someone has tried them! :)

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by James Wimbly

Surely someone has tried them! :)

They're pretty much bargain basement consumer level mics and most folks who take their audio seriously, such you'll find active in online forums, tend to set their sights quite a bit higher. Not to sound snobbish but that's just the way it is. If you had asked for opinions on Sanken, Tram, or Countryman you'd probably get more responses but that puts you into the range of $200 to $500 professional mics.

All condensor mics require power to operate. It can come from a variety of sources. Professional devices usually provide it in the form of 48 volt 'phantom power.' Most consumer recorders, camcorders, computer sound cards, etc supply it as a bias voltage of about 5 volts called 'plug-in power' piggybacked through the mic input jack. Other record devices might not have it and a mic used with those recorders has to supply its own power through a battery. The Olympus mic you mention must be used with a recorder that supplies plug-in power while the Audio Technicas are a little more flexible and can be used with both recorders that have it and those that don't.

[James Wimbly]

Well this is for a one off event, just to mic some wedding vows, which do you recommend I buy between the two, or is there something else I should be looking at? Thanks!

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by James Wimbly

Well this is for a one off event, just to mic some wedding vows, which do you recommend I buy between the two, or is there something else I should be looking at? Thanks!

I see you're in Toronto. If it's a one time deal and you don't anticpate needing the mic going forward, head over to Trew Audio (17 Carlaw Avenue, downtown in the Studio District, see their website) and rent something from them for the day. $15 will get you a professional quality mic such as Countryman or Sanken for a day or weekend. You didn't mention what camera or recorder you plan to use it with but take it along with you and they can help you make sure you're getting one that works properly with it.

[James Wimbly]

Unfortunately not, the wedding will be in PEI

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by James Wimbly

Unfortunately not, the wedding will be in PEI

Renting still might be a better option than buying something cheap.

[James Wimbly]

Fore something like a wired lav mic though, is there going to be a big difference in quality? It looks like lav mics all use the same little foam windscreen so wind performance probably won't be better.. more gain? I'm just wondering if the difference is something the average person would even pick up on

[James Wimbly]

ok i called around and can rent a Shure PGX-14 for $19 for the weekend, or a Rode NTG 2 for $10. thoughts?

[Michael Clark]

Does your camera have XLR input? Knowing what camera would be helpful.

[James Wimbly]

Will be using a Canon 60D DSLR, and Zoom H1 and/or H2 recorder

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by James Wimbly

ok i called around and can rent a Shure PGX-14 for $19 for the weekend, or a Rode NTG 2 for $10. thoughts?

The PGX receiver is tethered to AC power, not really suitable for use with your camera. The Rode is a shotgun mic. Neither one is a replacement for the lavs you were asking about.