Reddit reviews Giant Squid Omnidirectional Mono Microphone

Assuming you're looking for a lav with a 3.5mm output, you have at least one other quality option in your price range [Referral Links]:

The [$35 Bronstein LM 15 Omni Lav] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EZB9XY4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00EZB9XY4&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) you linked to is pretty good:

Frequency response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity:-47dB+/-2dB
Signal to noise ratio: >58dB
3 feet of cable

But the [$47 Giant Squid Audio Lab Omni Lav] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HWMG44U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HWMG44U&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) is a little better:

Frequency response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity: -35dB+/-4 dB
Signal to noise ratio >62dB
6 feet of Cable

Either of these mics will do the job - but you may want to consider spending the extra $12 for the Giant Squid.

Hope this is helpful, good luck with your doc - and Happy New Year!

Hi /u/Lapare - is there a reason you want a Canon camera with a viewfinder that goes blank when you're shooting video because it is blocked by the mirror? Or a camera that doesn't have a built-in headphone jack? Or a camera with no 1080/60p for smooth slow motion?

Instead, for $2000, you may want to consider a [$940 Panasonic GH3] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=291102268564&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg), a [$199 Sigma 30mm f2.8 lens] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0076F3RS4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0076F3RS4&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), a [$330 Sennheiser MKE600 mic] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B0YPAYQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B0YPAYQ&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), a [$17.50 Hosa MIT-156 XLR to 3.5mm adapter/transformer] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002IAJ2O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002IAJ2O&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), a [$15 shock mount] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I3Y3A52/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00I3Y3A52&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), a [$44 Giant Squid lavalier microphone] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HWMG44U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HWMG44U&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) a set of [$90 Senal monitoring headphones] (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/755659-REG/Senal_SMH_1000_STUDIO_MONITOR_HEADPHONES.html), a [$128 75mm bowl professional tripod] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0072B0UPA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0072B0UPA&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), a [$40 Ravelli dolly] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YB862E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000YB862E&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and a [$170 softbox light/background/chromakey kit] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TYFT4G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003TYFT4G&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) [Referral Links].

Here's my GH3 on the 75mm bowl tripod with headphones and a pro XLR mic plugged into it. This setup produces great video and sound in one package:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q8OAPrPM-18/U1RWQuefRAI/AAAAAAAAIsU/1dgWocEwd_A/w724-h543-no/P1120725.JPG

Here's what the GH3 can do in the studio with a green screen:

http://vimeo.com/70194803

Hope this is helpful!

Bill

Well hang on though. Because depending on what and how you're filming, a lav mic may be better for you. Best thing you can do for audio quality is get the mic as close as possible. Since you've indicated you're willing to combine in post (which honestly is way less work than some people make it out to be) something like this and this might work better for you. To be clear, I'm not saying the linked Shure is bad. It's not. If you're planning on putting the phone on a tripod and videoing yourself from like 5-10 feet away, go with the lav. If you're videoing at arms length holding the iPhone, go with something like the Shure. Getting the mic close is the single best thing you can do.

The groom and officiant each have their own Zoom H1 with a Giant Squid lav plugged into it. So all in all, 2x Zoom H1, 2x Giant Squid Lav.

And here's a link to the said lav mic that I was talking about: http://amzn.com/B00HWMG44U

Yes, you will have to sync audio in post. It's pretty easy to do, just record on the recorder, record video, and then clap your hands in front of the screen. Then it's a snap matching things up.

The only tricky thing about a shotgun/recorder combo is that you sort of need a boom pole to go with it, as well as someone to hold it (unless you have a stand). A shotgun mic is really only as good as you get it to your subject. Granted, they are very very good, but it will be difficult without a boom pole and someone to help you out.

Taking that into consideration, it might be better to get a nice lavaliere microphone like this one instead. I used to have that mic paired with the H1N, and that combo was a great way for me to get started (and only cost $150). Lavs are actually better for interviews as it isolates the sound, in case something is going on in the background that you cannot control.


I'd personally get a Lav, H1N, and the Videomic. The videomic mounted on the T3i will serve as a very good backup/ambient microphone, and the lav/H1N combo will be great for main capture of your interviewees.

The 50mm lens outperforms the kit lens in sharpness, low light performance, and durability. It's the best value-for-your-dollar out there.

If you're just needing Natural Sound, then the Rode VideoMic Go will do you fine. It also picks up decently well in interviews.

However, even if you have that Shotgun for interviews, to make them just that much better, use a Giant Squid Lav Mic connected to a Zoom H1. It's a phenomenal entry level Lav setup that is decently affordable.

Depending on the work you are doing, you could use one or several of many options.

The first is to use a more directional shotgun mic on top of your camera or mounted on a boom pole above your subject to capture a more focused and cleaner sound.

The second is to use a lavalier/lav/lapel mic clipped to your subject's clothing. Wired (if you are cheaper or are recording to an external recorder) and wireless if you are rich. Wired and wireless both have many options. Wired: option 1, option 2, option 3, option 4, option 5. Wireless: option 1, option 2, option 3. The wired lavs are a bunch of good ones at different price points. The wireless ones are three industry standard sets at different prices.

There are many more options you could do but those would be for more specialized jobs.

Youtube videos for fun along with interview/busniness videos to build a portfolio. Ideally it will mostly be interview style stuff. For my lav I think I'm going to get the Giant Squid:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HWMG44U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HWMG44U&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20#customerReviews

Cool video and I learned a lot about diopters! My only recommendation would be to try a different mic. There is a decent lab mic a guy makes and sales called Giant Squid. A Ride VideoMic Pro would probably get you some better audio too. Or the room could just be very echo-y. But with some improved audio this would be a great review video! Sub'd!

I don't have access to a Gopro right now or I'd test it for you. That's how most cameras work though.

A good lav popular with pros on a tight budget is the Giant Squid: http://amzn.com/B00HWMG44U

Another option that could be cool would be the RODE VideoMicro because it rejects off-axis sound (tires on pavement, chain on sprocket, loose valves, etc.) a bit better than a lav does: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1183909-REG/rode_videomicro_compact_on_camera.html

Whichever you pick, consider a dead cat addon to reduce wind noise: http://www.amazon.com/Auray-Fuzzy-Windbuster-Lavalier-Microphones/dp/B00CYWJWOC/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1458698097&sr=8-3-fkmr1&keywords=lav+dead+cat for a lav or http://www.amazon.com/Rode-DeadCat-Wind-Muff-VideoMic/dp/B0056HEK6W for the RODE.

EDIT: Also, if you motovlog, shoot me a link. I ride too and I love a good motovlog.

Yes, they would for a wireless system.

An individual wired lapel costs less and is usually compatible with computers. Shure, Samson, AKG, Sony, AudioTechnica, Rode, Polsen all have offerings in the $20 - $80 range. I purchased a great one last year for $30.

Link to amazon reviews

Best Budget setup: SONY ICD recorder $30: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-ICD-PX333-4GB-Digital-Flash-Voice-Recorder-OEM-VG-ICD-PX333-/201262950482?hash=item2edc34e852:g:YDAAAOSwRLZUIwvu

Giant Squid Lav $50: https://www.amazon.com/Giant-Squid-Audio-Lab-Omnidirectional/dp/B00HWMG44U/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1474440515&sr=8-3&keywords=giant+squid

This will give you great audio that you can drop into a groom's pocket for hours at a time and will save you the trouble of setting up and having to worry about some sweaty groom running around with your iPhone all day

I'm trying to record vlogs in a wood-floored (~75% carpeted), many-windowed, relatively empty 15x17ft room, using:

1. a Giant Squid Audio Lab lav mic, and/or
   
2. a Rode VideoMic directional condenser mic,
   plugged into:
   
3. a Tascam DR-05 field recorder , recording:
   
4. a baritone voice that resonates some in the room.
   
   If I pad down some surfaces in my apartment and properly calibrate the Tascam, is it possible to get audio of comparable quality to, say, this or this with the above tools? Or will I need to invest in better equipment? Either way, what else can I do to get the clearest sound out of these conditions?

If you are tight with budget, than I would recommend Giant Squid Lavalier. They are cheap and produce excellent sound. I have two of them and use them all the time.