Lapel/Lavalier Mic suggestions.

[muttley]

My lad is in his final year of UNI studying Journalism (yes, the same one that was at Elon Uni last year) and he has a lot of field assignments and interviews to do this semester. Her is looking for decent Lavalier mic that wont break the bank and will get decent voice recordings both out and about and in a controlled room. I was wondering if any of you guys may have dabbled in such things? It doesn't have to high end but reliable and, well you know.....

So far the Rode SmartLav + or the Sennheiser ME 2 seem to be in budget and get decent reports.

Any other suggestions, recommendations or comments greatly accepted as I'm out of that loop these days.

Most of the recordings will be straight to phone with minimal post processing although some would be possible.

[Tadpui]

I don't have direct experience with it, but the Rode Wireless Go, Micro, and ME seem like really good options. I see a lot of YouTubers using them, and I think they sound great. I don't know the difference between the models though, or which particular one I've heard on YT. I've just seen the distinctive Rode box clipped to shirts, coats, hats, etc. and thought that the audio sounded very good.

They may not be the best option if the mic needs to be discrete and/or hidden. They're kinda big boxes as far as lav mics go. But I like that they're the whole wireless system plus mic in one little box. As opposed to buying a wireless system (which are pretty crazy expensive, even for entry-level) plus a good lav mic (which can get expensive but there are good budget options).

[CrowsofFritz]

How is he recording? I use a shotgun mic that plugs into the lightning port of my phone. I’ve used it at work many times. I work in news.

Most people are opting to record with phones these days. Honestly, the newer phones look way better than our older bulky cameras.

[muttley]

I don't have direct experience with it, but the Rode Wireless Go, Micro, and ME seem like really good options. I see a lot of YouTubers using them, and I think they sound great. I don't know the difference between the models though, or which particular one I've heard on YT. I've just seen the distinctive Rode box clipped to shirts, coats, hats, etc. and thought that the audio sounded very good.

They may not be the best option if the mic needs to be discrete and/or hidden. They're kinda big boxes as far as lav mics go. But I like that they're the whole wireless system plus mic in one little box. As opposed to buying a wireless system (which are pretty crazy expensive, even for entry-level) plus a good lav mic (which can get expensive but there are good budget options).

Thanks Tad, we were leaning towards the Rode stuff as a good option. The only thing holding us back is the compatibility with Android. They seem to be heavily tied to the Apple eco system. We are looking deeper. The size probably wouldn't be a problem generally because it seems you can either use the mic on the box or it has a 3.5 to use a lapel mic. A bit of a faff to set up maybe but people seem to like the system.

[muttley]

How is he recording? I use a shotgun mic that plugs into the lightning port of my phone. I’ve used it at work many times. I work in news.

Most people are opting to record with phones these days. Honestly, the newer phones look way better than our older bulky cameras.

Preferably direct to phone and a lot would need to be fairly quick set up, record, break down. He has an interview arranged outside our EPL football ground with a protest group lined up. That would be active on the go and would need to be done amongst the clutter that goes with it. He would also need to be able to get the stuff inside the ground after and security can be quite snooty about such things at West Ham United..

Other situations would be different, everything a journalist would normally come across I guess? I have explained that there is no one size fits all but an expandable system would be good. The Rode does have recording backup to the kit so I guess thats a bonus but it is quite bulky for semi candid stuff.