Best Lavalier Microphones For Film Productions
Lavalier microphones are useful for capturing clear, accurate sound from actors without interfering with the image. They can be placed discreetly on clothing for motion scenes or in noisy environments to separate the actor’s voice from background noise. They are good as backup microphones and should not be missing from production equipment. This article recommends the best lavalier microphones of the year.
Rode Lavalier GO
The Rode Lavalier GO is small, and unobtrusive, with a good-quality clip and a diameter of only 4.5 mm. It comes with a Kevlar-reinforced cable that makes it resistant to tugs, bumps, and tangles, and also includes a pop filter and a mounting clip.
This microphone is protected against radio frequency interference, which means you won’t hear any buzzing or popping in your recordings. It is ideal for social media streams, other audio applications, and especially for film productions, as it is designed for broadcast applications and delivers high-quality professional results.
It is compatible with devices using a 3.5 mm microphone input but has no power supply of its own, so it requires an external power supply to operate. In addition, the cable can be short at times, measuring only 3.9 feet.
Countryman B3
The B3 is small but powerful, with excellent sound quality and versatility. With an omnidirectional polar pattern and a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, the B3 captures sound transparently and effectively. It is waterproof thanks to the included protective caps — that, of course, can be removed for proper cleaning.
The microphone’s sensitivity varies depending on the model, but in general, its self-noise level is only 24 dBA, which means it does not affect the quality of the captured sound. In addition, Countryman can adjust the B3’s connector to be compatible with more than 100 models of wireless transmitters from 43 different brands.
The B3 is an excellent choice for a wide variety of sound sources and recording situations. Each included protective cap alters the high-end frequency response in a calculated manner to match the microphone’s intended source and relative position.
DPA d:screet CORE 6060
The DPA d:screet CORE 6060 features an excellent modular adapter system and IP58 water resistance. Its CORE technology reduces distortion and noise, comparable to lavalier microphones twice its size. The modular cable design allows a wide variety of adapters for compatibility with different wireless transmitters by converting its MicroDot connector to another type of connector. The removable waterproof cap and capsule are made of PVD-coated stainless steel for excellent durability, and the cable is designed with a Kevlar inner core to withstand high stresses. With an ingress protection rating of IP57, it is dust resistant and submersible in water. Available in four colors: white, beige, brown, and black, and covered by a 2-year warranty.
Tram TR50
The Tram TR50 has a frequency response range of 40 Hz to 16 kHz, an omnidirectional polar pattern, and a size of .18" x .300" x .55". The TR-50BPS cable is 9 feet long and is not waterproof. It has a sensitivity of 20 mV/Pa and a self-noise of 23 dBA. The microphone is rugged, durable, and reliable, and is available in black, gray, tan, or white to increase its ability to be concealed on the person or accessory within the visual frame. The consistent omnidirectional pickup pattern helps capture consistent sound quality, even when the performer’s head turns. The TR50 also has two optional power supplies, TR79 and TR79+, which come in different adapter combinations to connect any version of the TR50. The Tram TR50 comes with a 1-year warranty and accessories such as cable, clip, and ribbon holders, as well as a tie bar holder.
Sanken COS-11D
The Sanken COS-11D is an industry-standard lavalier microphone for theater, film, and videography professionals. It has a frequency response of 50 Hz to 20,000 Hz, an omnidirectional polar pattern, and a sensitivity of 17.8 mV/Pa. Its 16.1 mm x 4.0 mm size is easy to conceal and its HC-11 attachment clip makes it easy to attach to clothing and other thin materials. It is also water resistant and has a durable outer casing for longevity and continuous high-end performance.
Its centered peak around 6 kHz helps improve vocal presence and speech intelligibility. It is designed to overcome RFI from digital transmitters and has a high sensitivity that produces a strong microphone signal. Its 28 dBA self-noise level can mask low-level noise in the microphone signal due to its nature of picking up handling and friction noise when placed.
In addition to durability, and versatility, being small, lightweight, moisture and temperature resistant, your lavalier microphone should always have an omnidirectional polar pattern, as the size is smaller than directional microphones and have greater consistency in capturing sound. On the other hand, always make sure that the microphone has an extended high-frequency response because it will capture the sound more organically. Akso, you need to know how to hide it properly, especially in white clothes:
If you want expert advice to take your film production to the next level of quality, don’t hesitate to contact Enhanced Media Studio. We will be happy to help you create a work of art.
