RØDE SmartLav Lavalier Lapel iOS Mic Quick Review

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So this is not an Airgun related video or even a gun related product review, unless of course, like me you make Gun YouTube videos that require recording gear? In this video I showcase a neat little Lavalier (Lapel) Microphone called the RØDE SmartLav I picked up the other day. Mainly to let you know that the audio in many of my videos will sound a lot better since I will be wearing the RØDE SmartLav during any videos where I get away from the camera.

Camera Microphones usually sound pretty decent when you are up nice and close to them, but as you get further away from the camera (and built in camera mic), you start to sound like you are far away or in a cave. The room tone starts to get mixed in with your voice making the recording sound echoey and thin.

So in order to keep my voice sounding rich and clear, I will be wearing this RØDE SmartLav when I shoot videos that require me to be out front of the camera.

So what makes the RØDE SmartLav so "Smart"? The Smart part is that it works with a "Smart" Phone. All you need to do is plug the RØDE SmartLav into your smartphone, use a recording App like the RØDE Rec and record your voice directly to your Smartphone. Once you are finished your video shoot, you simply match up the audio to the video in your editing software and bingo - you have professional sounding voice audio in your videos.

And because you are recording "hard wired" directly into your iPhone or smart phone, there is no wireless signal to worry about which can often have interference or even cut right out. With the RØDE SmartLav you could literally walk a mile away from the camera and sound exactly as if you where right beside it.

So I think you understand the purpose for one of theses handy little Lapel mics, enjoy the improved audio in my future vids and for those tech savvy people out there, here are the specifications for the RØDE SmartLav:

  • Acoustic Principle: Pressure Gradient
  • Active Electronics: JFET
  • Capsule: 0.10"
  • Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional - picks up all sides equally
  • Address Type: End
  • Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20kHz (selected HPF @ 0)
  • Output Impedance: 0Ω
  • Sensitivity: -32.0dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (25.50mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz
  • Weight: 6.00gm
  • Dimensions: 1180.00mmH x 4.50mmW x 4.50mmD
  • Output: TRRS Output
  • Warranty: 1 year

Review, YouTube Video