Sony ECM-LV1 Lav Mic Review & Test (vs. BY-M1, MVL, Go Mic)
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- HQ Audio: podcastage.com/rev/ecmlv1
Today I review a $30 lavalier microphone from Sony. This is very similar to their older ECM-CS3, but it sounds a bit brighter. It is a stereo lav mic, it has a pretty healthy sensitivity, it does pick up a little bit of room tone, but the top end boost gives it clarity even while clipped to the collar of your shirt. The build quality leaves a bit to be desired, the cable is kind of short, and the top end can be sharp if your sound source is already bright. But for a bright budget lav mic, it's not bad.
Buy the Sony ECM-LV1 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: geni.us/ecmlv1
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RECORDING SETTINGS:
Input: Canon 90d
Computer Level: ~40%
Boosted in Post: +6dB
SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
Freq Response : 50Hz - 15kHz
Sensitivity -38dB
Power Required: Plug-in Power
00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer
00:22 - What’s in the Box
00:39 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:07 - Specifications
01:20 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:36 - Plosive Test
01:54 - Lav Mic Position Tests
03:04 - Background Noise Test
03:18 - Untreated Room Test
03:46 - Windscreen Test
04:19 - Does it ASMR?
04:43 - Camera Internal Mic Comparison
05:53 - Laptop Input Demo
06:22 - USB Soundcard Demo
06:41 - Lav Mic Audio Interface Demo
06:59 - Portable Record Demo
07:19 - Smart Phone Demo
07:47 - Intro to Comparison
08:13 - Sony ECM-CS3 Comparison
08:40 - Boya BY-M1 Comparison
09:06 - Movo LV1 Comparison
09:31 - Rode Lavalier Go Comparison
10:06 - Shure MVL Comparison
10:43- Rode Lavalier II Comparison
11:12 - Shure TL47 Comparison
11:50 - Neumann U87 Comparison
12:30 - Pros & Cons
13:31 - Overall Thoughts
14:02 - Recommendation
15:50 - Outro
#Budget #Lav #MicReview
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gee... using U87 as a lav mic is such a brilliant idea!!!
definitely highlight of the week
Finally the kind of complete test that I want to see on a microphone, thank you!
The clip is in fact removable. There is a tiny pin that can be pushed out with a tack or something small. Then there is a tiny screw that can be unscrewed and the clip removed. Definitely not permanent. I just removed mine to install via velcro in my motorcycle helmet.
Thank you for an excellent review! Certainly wasn't expecting it to sound best with in on the cap.
Best-sounding lavmic that i heard, actually.
I've had this mic for about 6 years. It's good for the price. Quite happy.
Hi Bandrew, as always, thanks for your work sir. Great review!
From a sound engineers point of view, a good test would be to touch the cables of lav mics to see where the inherent rustling on most semi-pro cavaliers stops. On the cheapest it might be all the way to the end of the cable, on the better ones it stops after 6 inches to a foot. so that could be a great test (and really helpful if the viewer was thinking of it being a concealed mic) maybe a 'cable quality test'. Also, testing the chin shadow and adding top-end EQ to a pleasant sounding level can reveal whether the noise level of the mic will cope. so that might be a 'can it survive corrective EQ?' test.
And lastly is size of capsule, which, again, is quite important if you were going to conceal or wear it in an elegant way. A big, bulbous capsule is what it is... but a thin capsule (like the Rode Lavalier II) can easily be hidden if you take the windscreen off. Also, then, removable windscreen is another helpful point.
Hope that helps and isn't onerous.
Blessing from the UK
Tim :)
You shared everything that anyone wants to know. You made me to buy ECM-LV1
Glad to see you covering different form factors! A friend was actually asking about lavaliers recently and I may shortlist this one, not bad at all for US MSRP. Rather prefer the sound of it in an untreated room, which makes sense given how these tend to be deployed. Guess those reflections can help a bunch.
... in hindsight I may just give them a bad reco if they're gonna be TikToking the lav. Gonna go ask em about that now.
11:50 Okay I'm laughing. What the hell man, genius.
Great to see you get into lav mics. Now try the deity W. Lab pro/micro 🙏
Best U87 comparison ever. Loved this😂
That is a very thorough review thank you very much
Firstly, thanks for the great content. Long time subscriber, first time commenter.
Suggestions for tests re:outro a "shirt rub" test while walking or moving (squatting, arm movements, swinging arms, etc) would be a useful test. Famously lav mics mounted to not ideal spots combined with people not used to being micd up results in scratchy audio. Test case for vloggers or active presenters moving in a small space (e.g. Rode Wireless mic pack and Sony lav for a video where the presenter is moving around the set). I know other mics and styles (boom, etc) could be more useful in these settings but for many low budget productions I see it being useful to test.
It would be nice to see wired lav mics tested against the Wireless Go mics to determine if one should pick up a wired Lav mic to connect to their Wireless Go instead of the onboard mic.
Comica makes a furry wind muff that fits over this Sony lab mic, great for outdoor use: CVM-MF1
Although this is a stereo omnidirectional mic, setting your device to mono or mono mix (as the Zoom H2 Recorder has) opens this mic up for other use cases. The flimsy plastic clip of this lav mic, is the only weakness.
Man, you really are good. I have no interrest what so ever in this mic, yet I watched the entire video.
Sounds excellent!
Loved this!! Very helpful! Thank you!!
thank you for this conparison clip
Great video. That small mic is on the money!
Thanks, very helpful!!!
The only person I trust for mics and audio devices. Thanks! I haven't seen a video from you around 32bit float recorders. Any thoughts?
4:23😮 ooooh! That AMSR gave me tingles! 😊
You standardized your recordings with the Focusrite 18I20. Lav mics are very often used in a wireless scenario like interviews, maybe you can find a wireless transmitter/receiver combo, preferably a more pro radioversion and not bluetooth to be your standard interface.
It is just a thought.
This brings me some nostalgia feeling. Used to have this kind of mic connect to a Walkman and do recording of lectures before lol.
I think the primary use of this mic is with a portable recorder, like recording lectures. That’s probably why the cable is so short.
It’s probably made specifically for Japanese domestic market in mind.
The Neumann 🤣 thank you for the video, as I'm planing to get a lav mic at some point
I would love if you did some type of joke with the lav mic in the box of doom for guitar but I understand not adding many more hours of work just for a small joke, especially for the amount of effort you put into these videos
4:20 you should start doing an asmr/whispering segment on reviews, I think that would be interesting.
Still got the Neumann in there. Impressive. Most impressive.
IM NOT STOPPING UNTIL YOU UPLEAD A VIDEO I WICH YOU UPLOAD YOURSELF SINGING JUST A SOLID NOTE11111111111!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i love these videos
Before I got a real mic (shots fired), all I had was a lav. I found that I got the best sound when I turned the gain down and used a wire coathanger to hold the mic right in front of my mouth. Also I got much better audio when I used a powered source, like this little box with a 23A battery in it to provide active plug-in power.
My issue with the ECM-LV1 was cable noise. Any time I'd move slightly it would pick up my shirt rustle.
I ended up buying a Saramonic SR-M1 which is a bit cheaper and handles shirt rustling against the cable a lot better while still clearly picking up my voice.
Awesome video and review. Could you PLEASE review the Purple Panda lavalier microphone.
The Purple Panda was a good purchase back in the day, but now I feel it’s kind of an also-ran. The competition is that much better.
Thank you for this excellent review!
Just before I pull the trigger on the clear winner of this comparison I want to ask one detail: Does it ship with a collar clip, or is it really meant to be used dangling down from your shoulder like that?
This lav costs $30 and I bought it with my own money. Totally unbiased :)
The u87 component freaking killed me. Are you sure you're not running a comedy channel??
Since he got it he always uses it as the last comparison, it's a control between videos, so yeah a great joke XD
@@ElvenSpellmakerit's the dangling that got me
@@IanMustafa Hahahaha yeah!
Would love to see a comparison with a Sanken COS-11D and think it could hold its own vs. large form factor microphones. It's probably the most used lav mic for professional filming with spoken voice. It is expensive though, but not U87 expensive.
Is neuwmann make lavalier mike? if not, why not? Could you ask them? It strange to hear this mike in not treated room... Thank'zs again for your review.
Incredible sound in the tiktok position! I wonder if it works for voiceover 😂
Have you made a sE Electronics sE8 review on your channel? I saw this microphone in your comparisons, but I couldn't find a full review of it.
Bandrew typing his magnum opus during those keyboard tests
Why am I so obsessed with microphones
Danke!
Thank you so much Rainer, I really truly appreciate the continued support. It helps so much continue to produce these reviews, you’re absolutely incredible and so kind.
Wow this was very informative. It sounds incredible for the price.
How can I get stereo sound on an Xperia 5 IV smartphone with this? Do i need some adaptors either USB/TRSS?
You mentioned that for more neutral ones there are other options, i would prefer mono, with less room reflections, which one from your reviews should i watch first?
love how you respectfully set down the mic so that you could wind up that box throw lmao
Calm down STeVen T. MNUchin 😂 0:22
Pretty good for $30!
Love all your stuff.
Good video...
Would you consider testing LAV mics with Rode Lav Headset in a kind of headworn earhook position? At least it should make for a good DUCE drop
Could you please do a video about the different types of microphones and what each one is for? When you say a microphone is a condense or a ribbon or whatever I think people don't really know what that means or what it's for.
Hi Sir, on minut 6:00 I could not see the TRRS splitter. Own since yesterday the Sony ECM-LV1. Tested with camcorder and yes stereo setup on -12DB which was somehow over clipping. - 18DB should be better.
The iPhone? Test it with the Edutige TRS to TRRS converter adapter, also with equal Saramonic and Rode TRS to TRRS adapters. None of this adapters where able to convert the TRS to TRRS.
For now disappointed that no stereo could be reached on iPhone.
Note: I own both, the Apple lightning and USB - C to 3.5mm jack.
Missing is the adapter splitter that is showing to fast and not recognised which adapter I need to order and to be able receiving stereo on iPhone.
Is it possible to share an link where the splitter adapter is to order?
Thanks for the whole explanation you have made, it was very helpful.
I look forward.
@Podcastage, how do you feel about the Sony ECM-LV1 as a general low-cost stereo mic (as opposed to a lavalier)?
Hi! Thank you for good Review! But why don't you compare self noise levels of this microphones? it's very important
Thanks for the suggestion.
To me the mic sounds the best when you had it on your collar! I am watching this on an Android tablet with 4 integrated stereo speakers! (No headphones) on your hat/cap it sounded the worst very flat and tinny!
But in general it has a good very noticeable stereo sound!! So for 30$ it's worth it!.
I use the Boya BY-MI as my go=t lav. Sounds good with my voice, works with everything. I usually buy them 5 at a time. I'm hard on lavs. My cat usually kills one of them a month .... cheers
Hello podcastage, i'm new to the audio word, i want to stream and have a good audio quality, wich is the best microphone on the 25$-55$ price range? It would be better if it's on Aliexpress because in from argentina and Amazon shipping cost 40$-70$ on every product+fees
I'm using a Tascam DR-10L as lav mic and recorder. Maybe a hint for a review 😉
Their silver version is better, probably harder to find. This "update" is cheaper feeling, but does come with a nice foam wind screen.
I have a tough time figuring out a use case for a stereo lav mic. I just don't see the point in picking up stereophonic sound from the typical location where a lav mic is mounted. I feel like in 99.99% of cases a person would be better off having one really good mic pointed directly at the source instead of two mics worth half as much pointed in directions where they will pick up as much room noise as actual signal.
Ty
Hello! This Sony works with a audio interface (Focusrite)??
Other issues/tests you might consider for lavs: cloth rustle during talent movement, and direct (hand) hits when talent gets "emotional." "They like me! They really like me!"
Thanks but I think you omitted the acoustic guitar test☹ I like the ECM-LV1 Sony mic though recording so clear sound.
the tiktok position really got me 😂
Can you please do a review of Zoom Ams24 audio interface. Thanks
Love your videos... ❤
How do you get stereo out of this thing?
I lost the windscreen, does anyone know where I can buy a replacement for this mic?
how would u connect it in stereo on a smartphone?
4:25 I fucking love you Bandrew 🤣❤️
Just a quick info for DJI users : Shure MVL will NOT work with DJI Mic 2 (you need a TRS adapter as Rode SC3)
Can you make review about maono pm 422, it's a budget mic😮
I have this mic and imma put this here cuz I'm too afraid to test it IRL: is it better to record yourself with the capsules horizontally or vertically with one of them pointing at my mouth? Considering I'll combine the signals to mono later?
if instead of summing of summing to mono you just choose the signal from the capsule that was closer to your mouth. record as stereo, choose the best of the two signals to use in mono.
@@TheREAPERBlog that's another option and I did test it (the only time I used this lav mic), it worked alright but I wondered if there was a better way to make use of the two capsules.
The cap position still wins.
I think it did a good job, assuming that stereo is actually useful. The untreated room vs the Canon built in would sell it to most people I think. It's shocking how bad the mics are on all the cameras. I guess they expect you to plug in a better one. Given its Sony its sad it's a bit cheap feeling, and I think a 3 foot unreplaceable cable is going to limit its lifespan. That's barely long enough if you've a recorder or transmitter on your belt and route the cable under clothing.
11:50 😂😄🎙
I have this mic and I hate it and I was not able to get to work on my PC for some reason but I had the older version of this microphone and it sounded pretty good and I bought the updated version after it fell off of my shirt one day and landed in the toilet LOL. But I bought the newer version after that and it did not sound anywhere near as good
the ONLY mistake, not running the ECM-LV1 in your X8, for control, of course.
I have the Sony ECM-CS3 and bought it years ago. To my untrained ears, it sounds aok.
DOO BA LEE DOO!!!!!
Stereo lav mics always sound weird to me. Theres this weird roominess that just doesnt "work" for me. How dare ye hold a lav in front of your mouth. HEATHEN! lol jk. maybe... The stereo field was kinda "meh" at best. The price reflects the quality for this. Great video as always! Thanks!
What if you use it kind of as a safety track? Have one capsule pointed up at your mouth and the other down towards the ground. Then you'd likely get a lower signal on the downward face capsule and in post you could isolate each track and choose the one that has the best signal?
@@Podcastage that would probably be the best way to use this for a single person. I still want to know what the use case is supposed to be for the device. Seems odd. Perhaps its more meant to be used for ambient recording without having to hand hold a mic. I could almost see it being useful to capture room tone but still weird.
The U87 💀
Before below. Just wanted to say looking Great Brother Keep it up 🎉
Hi if you wouldn’t mind I have a question/ request.
I am starting a podcast CZcams channel soon. I was looking for advice.
I will need some intro out to music something nice mellow year now opera or Chopin.
I need how to mask a person’s voice as I will be posting videos/audio files of my interviewee.
I want to make the Interviwee’s voice is kept private as we are speaking about important yet speaking open about private work life issues.
Not cartoonie or a peculiar sound something more natural sounding test not like the person who spoke.
Thank you if you have time
Jason
Haven’t watched this channel in years, you’ve aged!
Yes, that's true. I don't know if you've heard the news, but aging seems to be something that happens with the passing of time.
@@Podcastage scandalous! Love your work tho mate 👍🏻
I'm waiting for the LV 426 where everyone can hear you scream.
I don't like the sound, when you put this mic in the middle of your chest. It booms and sounds a bit hollow. Great review, though!
What's with the rapper lav? To be fair that one might cost more than a gold chain. 🤣
Did you asked me to hit like button? From the beginning I made 😊.
Seriously got some April Fools Day vibes from this video...
What?! No funny SFX while probing the windshield?!!
Aren't those as traditional as box throws?
😆
The whole concept of a stereo omni mic with closely spaced capsules is deeply flawed (if stereo imagery is important). Low frequencies are captured in mono, higher frequencies in stereo with more stereo the higher the frequency - so the stereo image is horribly distorted. Sony keep doing this - eg the Sony M10, a much respected recorder with two low noise mics, but once again they are closely spaced omnis. Anyway - in recent months I have purchased Zoom M3 and M2 mics - the latter quite recently, largely because a local dealer dropped the price close to the humble H1N recorder. Maybe you wouldn't class them as mics because they have built-in 32 bit recorders, but they can output to USB-C or 3.5mm analog, and the mics are pretty decent for the price as there is no point in making a 32 bit float recorder which only accepts input from the built in mic, if that mic (and the preamps) was crap. I'd love to know your opinion of them, or one, if they ever went cut price near you!
I have to wonder, why the hell is it stereo?
You’re telling me the Neumann doesn’t have stereo sound and needs an XLR interface? Deal breaker.
87 as a lav. Nice. 😂😂
Rustle Test!
Replace the plosives test.
Hmmm, has a bit of a 'boxy' sound to it, not good for a Sony product.
as I wish: to this theme ufo untill the USA and usa likes exists no other solarsystem will come to visit the earth as they mentioned more then 5000 years earlier.
Its pretty bad, try out clippy lav mic, its way better sounding