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From Rode
List Price : $69.00
Price : $60.00
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
366 of 368 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent option for discreet iPhone-based recording
By J. Geerling
Watch Video Here: http://www.teguh.com/review/RUXC9QNXXSZN7 (Disclaimer: I've reviewed more than fifty audio adapters for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and compiled all my discoveries in an article on my website, Life is a Prayer--if you want to read more, search for it on Google :).
For a long time, I've carried around an Audio-Technica ATR-3350 lavalier mic and a special adapter (TRS to TRRS) that allows the 3350 to be plugged into my iPhone, and this works pretty well, but doesn't give me the audio level I would like for a radio-quality audio recording, and it's slightly inconvenient, since I need to carry the 3350, the adapter, and some spare batteries.
The smartLav is pretty much exactly what I've been looking for since I first started recording videos and podcasts on the iPhone. It is well-built, matches the input impedance of the iPhone's headset jack (~600 ohms) well, and it fits in the pocket without requiring a little bag to hold any extra adapters/batteries.
** Sound Quality **
The sound is very good--as good as I get with any other mic through the headset jack. Listening to a recording with this mic and a Shure SM58 through a VeriCorder XLR adapter cable yields almost no discernible difference (from 6-8" from my mouth). It's much better than the built-in iPhone mic (which is only useful if you're within a couple inches of the iPhone... which is awkward if you're giving a speech and holding the iPhone right by your mouth!).
** Build Quality and Physical Characteristics **
The cable feels solid, as does the mic capsule and connector. The only downside to the cable is its length; it's only really long enough for recording with the iPhone in your pocket, or, for video, being pretty close to your iPhone. I like how other lavs have longer cables that let me mic talent on-camera 5-10' away, comfortably.
If you want to extend the length of this mic's cable, you can use the StarTech 2m TRRS Headset Extension Cable. (There are different lengths available on Amazon. I've used one, and it causes no degradation in the mic signal quality.
** Software **
I use FiRe 2 (Field Audio Recorder) for most of my audio recording, and either FilMic Pro or the built in Camera app for video recording. This mic works with all of these apps, as well as Rode's own recording app (which is just a derivative of the FiRe app), equally well (though some apps don't allow you to change the input level). Since it uses the headset jack, you should be able to use the mic with pretty much any audio/video recording app. You don't need any special kind of recording software or hardware to use it.
One note: If you don't want your recording interrupted by a phone call, make sure you switch your phone to airplane mode before you start recording!
** Price and Recommendation **
Finally, the price. It's a little high, I think, for a microphone that can only really be used with certain smartphones (especially since the headset jack's input has a reduced range, compared to what you can get through the dock/lightning connector). But it's not outlandish, and for the convenience, I'm fine paying $60. If the mic were closer to $40, this would be a no-brainer.
I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who's trying to mic someone with a smartphone for podcasting, interviews, at a wedding (have each of the main participants clip one on and record with the iPhone), etc.
64 of 67 people found the following review helpful.
Performance depends on recording device
By Francolargo
Watch Video Here: http://www.teguh.com/review/RUYUMXY2ZJ99Z I am impressed! Numerous online reviews suggested that the noise floor for this microphone was unacceptable for all but casual uses. I ordered it anyway to learn for myself because the price of more highly reviewed recorders and microphones was a deal-breaker. I admit, on first use in iOS devices I was disappointed by the hiss and noise. However, before returning the microphone I tried the Røde Rec application. That, and some persistence looking for good settings has paid off. This video shows you how to set up Røde Rec to get decent results.
20 of 24 people found the following review helpful.
Very disappointed
By BC
There is a lot of "hiss" or noise with this microphone. Very disappointed. I tried this with iPhone 5. The Olympus lapel is better and cheaper. The best so far is the Audio-Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier, but needs a battery and needs a connecting cable from kvConnection for use with iPhone and/or iPad. They have videoclips to explain which connector to use depending on type of microphone.
See all 59 customer reviews...
From Rode
List Price : $69.00
Price : $60.00
Product Description
The smartLav is a professional-grade wearable microphone designed for use in a wide range of film, television and broadcast scenarios, or wherever professional quality audio is required in a discreet, portable format without the complication and expense of additional wireless equipment. With the smartLav the user simply mounts the microphone on the talent, connects it to a smartphone or tablet headset jack and records via the RØDE Rec app for iOS, or any other audio app of their choice. By employing a high quality omni-directional condenser capsule the smartLav picks up sound equally from all around the microphone, allowing for versatility when mounting and ensuring a high degree of user-friendly operation. A foam pop shield is supplied to minimize wind noise and vocal plosives (hard ‘b’, ‘t’ and ‘p’ sounds), as well as a durable mounting clip with in-built cable management. The smartLav is compatible with any audio app that accepts input from the headset connection, however it has been designed to pair perfectly with RØDE’s RØDE Rec app for Apple iOS devices. RØDE Rec turns the user’s iOS device into a fully-featured field recorder, with a wide range of equalization presets to suit various recording situations, in addition to professional editing functions and the ability to publish to Sound Cloud and Drop box direct from the app.Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #126 in Musical Instruments
- Color: Black
- Brand: Rode
- Model: SMARTLAV
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 3.00" h x 1.00" w x 5.00" l,
Features
- Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20kHz
- Acoustic Principle: Pressure Gradient
- Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional - picks up from all sides equally
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
366 of 368 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent option for discreet iPhone-based recording
By J. Geerling
Watch Video Here: http://www.teguh.com/review/RUXC9QNXXSZN7 (Disclaimer: I've reviewed more than fifty audio adapters for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and compiled all my discoveries in an article on my website, Life is a Prayer--if you want to read more, search for it on Google :).
For a long time, I've carried around an Audio-Technica ATR-3350 lavalier mic and a special adapter (TRS to TRRS) that allows the 3350 to be plugged into my iPhone, and this works pretty well, but doesn't give me the audio level I would like for a radio-quality audio recording, and it's slightly inconvenient, since I need to carry the 3350, the adapter, and some spare batteries.
The smartLav is pretty much exactly what I've been looking for since I first started recording videos and podcasts on the iPhone. It is well-built, matches the input impedance of the iPhone's headset jack (~600 ohms) well, and it fits in the pocket without requiring a little bag to hold any extra adapters/batteries.
** Sound Quality **
The sound is very good--as good as I get with any other mic through the headset jack. Listening to a recording with this mic and a Shure SM58 through a VeriCorder XLR adapter cable yields almost no discernible difference (from 6-8" from my mouth). It's much better than the built-in iPhone mic (which is only useful if you're within a couple inches of the iPhone... which is awkward if you're giving a speech and holding the iPhone right by your mouth!).
** Build Quality and Physical Characteristics **
The cable feels solid, as does the mic capsule and connector. The only downside to the cable is its length; it's only really long enough for recording with the iPhone in your pocket, or, for video, being pretty close to your iPhone. I like how other lavs have longer cables that let me mic talent on-camera 5-10' away, comfortably.
If you want to extend the length of this mic's cable, you can use the StarTech 2m TRRS Headset Extension Cable. (There are different lengths available on Amazon. I've used one, and it causes no degradation in the mic signal quality.
** Software **
I use FiRe 2 (Field Audio Recorder) for most of my audio recording, and either FilMic Pro or the built in Camera app for video recording. This mic works with all of these apps, as well as Rode's own recording app (which is just a derivative of the FiRe app), equally well (though some apps don't allow you to change the input level). Since it uses the headset jack, you should be able to use the mic with pretty much any audio/video recording app. You don't need any special kind of recording software or hardware to use it.
One note: If you don't want your recording interrupted by a phone call, make sure you switch your phone to airplane mode before you start recording!
** Price and Recommendation **
Finally, the price. It's a little high, I think, for a microphone that can only really be used with certain smartphones (especially since the headset jack's input has a reduced range, compared to what you can get through the dock/lightning connector). But it's not outlandish, and for the convenience, I'm fine paying $60. If the mic were closer to $40, this would be a no-brainer.
I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who's trying to mic someone with a smartphone for podcasting, interviews, at a wedding (have each of the main participants clip one on and record with the iPhone), etc.
64 of 67 people found the following review helpful.
Performance depends on recording device
By Francolargo
Watch Video Here: http://www.teguh.com/review/RUYUMXY2ZJ99Z I am impressed! Numerous online reviews suggested that the noise floor for this microphone was unacceptable for all but casual uses. I ordered it anyway to learn for myself because the price of more highly reviewed recorders and microphones was a deal-breaker. I admit, on first use in iOS devices I was disappointed by the hiss and noise. However, before returning the microphone I tried the Røde Rec application. That, and some persistence looking for good settings has paid off. This video shows you how to set up Røde Rec to get decent results.
20 of 24 people found the following review helpful.
Very disappointed
By BC
There is a lot of "hiss" or noise with this microphone. Very disappointed. I tried this with iPhone 5. The Olympus lapel is better and cheaper. The best so far is the Audio-Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier, but needs a battery and needs a connecting cable from kvConnection for use with iPhone and/or iPad. They have videoclips to explain which connector to use depending on type of microphone.
See all 59 customer reviews...
