This is incredibly helpful thanks Curtis - especially as my Rode Lav Go just stopped working. I've used (and loved) it for a year but now with no apparent external damage, if you touch where the (supposedly Kevlar) cable meets the jack you get massive electronic clicking and silence. I'm on with Rode Support at the moment, but really glad I've seen your review of this Deity mic so I can get this as a replacement... because I'm now very wary of the Rode Lav Go. Thanks again!
Hey Judd I hope you are having a fantastic day. Do you still recommend this mic? Or would you be better with the Rode lavalier pro 2 or Deity W. Lav Pro/micro? Or do you recommend any other within that price range? I’m looking for an upgrade from the tentacle sync default mic that comes with the track E purchase. So, anything it’s better 😂 Thanks for all the effort 🙏🏼 I hope you and your love ones were safe during yesterdays hurricane (don’t know where u at 😅) much love Edit: Typos
Not bad for $50. It would have been cool to have a shorter cord, then include a long-run cable to jack into, best of both worlds. White wind cover? Hmmm. I mean, Andrew and Deity crew aren't dummies - curious to know why that decision was made. As always, thanks for the great content!
The extension cable is a great idea! I talked to Andrew who said the white fur covers are quite popular in Asia(?) It works well but screams, “Hey! Look at me! I’m a microphone!”
Great review, Curtis. I own 4 V-lavs and really like the audio I get with them. I plan on getting the BMPCC4K, so hearing your experience with the V-lav and the P4K (as I call it now) was really helpful.
Thanks for all your advice, Curtis. I just received my v.lav and it works well, as noted. One thing I was trying to do did not work however. I have a videoconference setup and was trying to use a lav mic with my Focusrite 2i2 and the Rode VXLR+. This works for my Sony ECM-CS3 very well. If I use my JK Mic J 044 I get lots of 60 hz interference (shielding I guess). With the v.lav I get no gain and very little signal. It might be outsmarting itself. While that's the bad news, the v.lav works great simply plugged in to my MacBook Pro. So I inadvertently simplified my setup and acquired a very capable mic. (Yes, I'm just a beginner, so there's that...) Thanks for your great advice!
@@curtisjudd Does he run a business doing this? I'm sure a lot of people would love to get him to do their intros as the job he did with you is awesome!!!
Thanks for the review. I previously used the PowerDeWise lav mic until it broke, and am looking for another budget friendly mic. In terms of sound quality, did you get the impression that the Deity V.Law is similar to the Aputure A.Lav?
I think its nice to see this in the market space. That long cord probably will hinder most peoples interest, and yet be perfect for others. Its nice to see the smart plug becoming more of a thing. I have the D3 shotgun mic and love it because of it. I don't need to be thinking of adapters.
On iOS, yes. On Android, you'll need to use a camera app which allows you to choose the external microphone. Then it will be synced without any post work.
thanks, sir for a great review, could you suggest, for budget lav should I go for Deity v Lav in 2023, I found Shure Mvl also sound great. confused if I go for either one.
Thanks, it looks very promising. It's a little noisy, but nothing really bad and I think I could remove much of that that noise in post. I am more worried about that electronic thing. Are there any schematics of what it is doing? Is there a risk of damaged recording, if it fails to recognize desired input level of the recording device? Did you plug it off and on just to check? It looks really cheap, but maybe because it's not that complicated.
Good questions, it is configuring which pin the plugin power is on and which pin the signal is on. The microphone is for mic level inputs only. It shouldn’t cause any damage. The little battery box is metal and felt sturdy.
Hi Curtis, First off thanks for the videos, they are invaluable. Secondly, it seems that the two 50ish dollar lavs you most highly recommend are the apurture a.lav and this one from deity. Could you possibly tell me which one of the the two is better, (and if you have a moment, why?) Mny thanks, Manny
Hi Manny, Aputure spun Deity off into its own company. The V.Lav is the replacement for the A.Lav. I prefer the V.Lav because it has a single cable which works with almost any device you plug into to. The sound is good for the price. Happy recording!
Thanks ericsf. The Aputure A.Lav was probably the best sounding sub $50 lavalier I had tested up to this point. The V.Lav improves on that in a couple of ways: 1) it does not require a battery to power the mic which must be charged regularly (the batteries only power the chip that configures the mic and then shuts down) 2) there are fewer cables and battery pack interconnects to mess with or worry about them coming disconnected and 3) The V.Lav is still able to work with cameras, phones, audio recorders, tablets, and PCs. From my point of view, it is very much worth the additional $15 price.
Initially I was put off by the low (compared to USB microphones like the Blue Yeti) signal-to-noise ratio but thanks for The detailed self noise test that showed that it's actually around 80dB. The audio quality is in my opinion comparable to or better than the Rode SmartLav+
Hello Curtis. What is your recommendation to use with MacBook Pro? Jack TRRS Splitter or USB Splitter ? Which one are you using for your tests? Thanks again for your videos...
Amazing content as always Curtis! One doubt, I'm gonna buy the Rode Wireless Go and I don't know which microphone could work better with this one, the deity lav or the rode lav? thank you for your attention
hi, thanks for your great review! if I have Aputure A.Lav and want to get another lav, do you think Deity D.Lav is worth the upgrade or do you have any other suggestions?
I like the sound of the rhode better, but im sure diety can be eq'd very easily. I would love to here you eq the mics for how you would want them to sound.
I wonder how to use a lav mic to use as a gaming mic attached to headphone. proximity effect will make sound better and less noise (for my taste), any part suggestion to make DIY?
I haven't done this but I would position the lavalier off to one side of the mouth on a small boom arm. If you put it right in front of your mouth, you'll get a lot of plosives. Good luck!
Excellent review, as always ! Thank you Curtis. For such products, my experience leads me to believing quality lies in details... same as when you compare the top 10 tennis players ! ;-) What I mean is... - in the long run, one can be pushed to nervous breakdown by this 5 meters long cable (what... 5 meters ?) when folks at Purple panda were clever enough to fit theirs with a shorter cable, and provide an extra-long cable. Choice. - that screwed-on windshield. Taking it off, putting it on... when you know capsule-setting can sometimes take up to 5 minutes, depending on costume/garment, then some more when sound guy or director asks for improvement. - that white fur. Deity guys, be logical til the end... give us an all-white OR an all-black fur/cable combo ! Or both, so we can choose depending on oufit of the talent. - that not-square-angle jack plug : the cable exiting from the plug housing screams for being popped out or bent... or ruined ! - the battery case a little too close to the plug itself. Pulling on the tiny cable and hitting objects is not what you expect from a lavalier microphone appendixes... silence must reign, especially next to an ultra-sensitive microphone capsule ! On the scoreboard : nice try... try again !
Hi! Great review. I am actually shopping between the Rode Smartlav+ and this Deity V.Lav. I do a lot of personal electric vehicle videos so most of my audio is outdoors with a lot of wind. Between the Rode and the Deity, which one would you pick for outdoor windy environments? Do you have any other recommendations for a Lav mic that could work with a mobile phone for that same use? Thanks!
They're about the same in the wind. I'd learn how to hide the lavalier under your shirt which solves the wind issue and has the added benefit of not being visible. Or, get one of the fur covers to put on the mic. Probably the V.Lav is what I'd choose but it is a complete toss-up.
@@curtisjudd Thanks! I will probably go for the Deity then. Yeah I do use a fur windscreen while riding. Currently testing out the Boya BY-M1 but it seems to be one of those mics that don't like it when you speak loudly (which you tend to do in noisy environments). Cheers and thanks again for your response!
Does the intelligent auto-configuration work if you have two V.Lavs configured for recording separate tracks into the L and R channels of a DSLR? For example, I have a Canon T7i with a single stereo 3.5mm TRS input, so I'd use a special Y cord that separates it into two mono inputs (one for L and one for R) and then plug one V.Lav into each one. (Of course I would pan the two speakers' closer to Center in post.) Thanks for all the incredibly useful tutorials and reviews you publish!
Fun fact is that this microphone works with my Android better without batteries. This micro-chip inserted in cable somehow interfere with phone software. When batteries are in, recorded voice is very quiet, and noise is more likely to appear. Without batteries output level (gain) of recordings is way better. Important: I'm sure that batteries are inserted correctly. Recorded tests audios are both from Deity microphone, none is from phone microphone
@@curtisjudd The lavalier is placed the same position as yours on 1:28. Here's a link uploaded on G Drive, you can play it online - drive.google.com/file/d/10eVeX8X1QzUW2LdtE4v82MyT55r-jrQc/view?usp=sharing
@@curtisjudd I am recording it with Lexis Audio Editor. Normally it's MP3 or WMA but because I exported, it saved as m4a. Do you think the battery could be the cause? I see the green light indicator when I plug it in but I am not sure. I am using Galaxy Note 9 running the latest update.
@@TechnoGenuine The battery is only for figuring out what the mic is connected to. You might want to contact DEITY support. There may be an issue here. Also, make sure the recording app has "external microphone" selected as the source. Not all apps on Android do that.
Question: I do product reviews, and I move around a bit just gesticulating and showing the product. Does the cable cause any noise during movement? I`ve had that problem with my Boye Lav which is the reason I never use it. I am currently running a Rode NTG2 through my Smartrig Preamp into my Canon T7i and it picks up too much room noise so I am thinking of going back to a Lav. Thanks as always for the quality content, and if you don`t answer don`t worry, at 111k I don`t expect you to read every comment :D
Hi German Survivalist, I haven't run into cable noise. But to be certain, it is helpful to tape a loop in the cable underneath your shirt so that if the end gets tugged, it will not transfer the sound to the microphone capsule.
Hi Curtis, so in the end did this work ok with the Rode Wireless go, GH5 and the BMPC4k? Also, have you ever tested the Purple Panda Lav mic, if so what do you think? It has good reviews on amazon compared to similar priced lavs. Thanks again for all your help :)
@@curtisjudd thanks Curtis. I just got my wireless Go, on testing j hear a very faint but high pitched whine when plugged directly into the GH5, but not into my zoom. It's a shame, but I don't think the unit is defective.
Curtis! Have you tried the Deity W.Lav? Is it the same capsule as the v.Lav? I'm looking for a lav for my Tascam-DR10C and I like Deity's sound so far.
Hi George, I think it depends on the inexpensive mic we compare to. I'd look at features like the sound quality and voicing, the warranty, and whether the auto-config feature is something you need. I prefer this to relying on adapter cables which add complication and more places for the cable to pull out.
Depends on the budget. Mostly I work with pro grade gear so I don't have a lot of insight into the consumer options. But we did do a video a few years ago looking at affordable lavaliers: th-cam.com/video/CZKs1U1GA84/w-d-xo.html
I have a few questions about the mic. I just bought one and I was wondering if there was a way to lessen the amount of muffled sound that you hear when not talking. People might not notice it but it really gets on my nerves, and when I plug in the mic to my phone I have to unplug it to hear the audio is there any way to record audio and listen to it without having to unplug it and plug it back in?.
Hi! How did you connect it to the iPhone? If you are using the lightning adapter, does that mean it can be connected to any kind of adapter for different devices? Thanks.
I’m new to the audio world and kind of just learning a lot. I’m trying to figure out what would be the best kind of mic for indoor interviews. There has been a lot of interviews where They have air conditioning, fans, or heaters which they don’t like turning off so I can get clean audio and I was wondering what kind of mic is good for minimizing those kinds of hums that are produced from those machines. Currently I’m just recording scratch audio then going afterwards and having them re record the audio in a quiet room to overlap over the bad audio. To me it seems like extra un needed work if I can just buy a microphone that will help minimize this problem. Thanks for any help! I appreciate it!
Can the mic be in the shot? If so, the best solution is dynamic microphones like Shure SM58 or SM7b or Samson Q2U. Lavalier microphones *might* be a little better than boom mics. If not, the production needs to make the decision on whether the extra re-recording effort is preferable to not turning off the HVAC.
@@curtisjudd thanks for your reply! It’s best if the mic isn’t in the shot. I’ve thought about lav mics but to my knowledge their pickup pattern seems to usually capture everything around it which has been my concern. Maybe I’m wrong on that. As I said I don’t know much. I’ve been looking into the deity s mic 2 because it seems to reject a lot of the noise from the sides. Thanks so much again for the reply! You’re a legend!
@@BransenPass It depends on where the HVAC sound is in the room. With an omni-directional lavalier, it become somewhat directional because it is worn on the body which blocks the sound behind the person wearing it. So if the HVAC sound is coming from behind the talent, it can work pretty well. There are a LOT of factors to choosing which will work best. If you decide to go with a boom mic, you might look for one with a more directional polar pattern than the S-Mic 2, perhaps something more like the RODE NTG5.
So when u plugged it to ur blackmagic, deity couldn't recognize it? And u had to crank ur gain up? And I don't think u can update its smart trrs jack in order for it to recognize blackmagic, no?
Hi Fernanda, no, the P4K has one of the most non-standard wiring designs out there. If you plug the V.Lav directly into the P4K it simply does not work because the P4K is sending plugin power to two pins (no other device I know of does this) Fitting a TRRS to TRS adapter on the V.Lav solves this problem and the two work together. The next problem is the quality of the 3.5mm input on the P4K. It does not supply a lot of clean gain so you have to crank it to 90+ to get a decent level and then you’re operating at the top of the mic input’s amplification range which is not clean. Just not a great combination. I wish it were better but I figure honesty is the best option for describing this to the audience here. It also helps the manufacturers improve their products if they’re willing to listen.
@@curtisjudd thanks Curtis, what would you say is a good lav match for the bmpc4k? I'm considering the vt500 but I'm still trying to work out how to get it wired to work with a gh5, rode wireless Go and bmpc4k. Getting a bit confused with all the wiring!
@@AlexDelfont Hi Alex, since the 3.5mm mic input isn't very good in my limited tests, I'd look for an XLR mic instead. The VT-506 might be a good choice for the Go and GH5: vt-switzerland.com/en/vt506-video
Just got a zoom h1n but the v.lav doesn't activate it self with the green indicator light. On my a7iii it works flawlessly. Do I have to change any settings on the zoom h1n? All the recordings I've done with this combination are completely unusable
I'm not sure - might be best to contact DEITY support. I know that their main guy there knows a lot about the ZOOM products so he should be able to help.
Thank you for the video! Also you got me laughing, because I had a misunderstanding. In the outdoor part you say something like "The RODE(!) is behind me!" and my first thought was: Why should he put a Rode Mic behind himself!? ;-D
I'm confused. It says the mic adapts using its batteries, once connected they "go to sleep". So does this mean it won't work with a Tascam DR-10x which does not supply plug-in or phantom power?
This microphone requires the recording device to supply plug-in power, 3-5V. If the DR-10X does not supply this, then it unfortunately will not work with this microphone.
@@curtisjudd Thanks for the quick response. Your answer was what I suspected ... but really hoped wasn't the case. I'm currently using Boya BY-M1's and really want an upgrade. Have had 50% losses this year do to cable shorts and switch failures.
Now the V.Lav is discontinued is there a new long-lead lav that can be recommended to clients that just works (without first needing to know what device they'll be plugging it into)?
I use my iphone to record videos in empty houses with lots of reverb. no tripod, I just hold the phone with my hand. which microphone do you recommend for me? Saramonic SmartMic+, deity v.lav or the rode lavalier or something else? which option will eliminate the reverb?
I believe they all have omni-directional polar patterns so they'll all perform about the same in terms of picking up reverb. I'd focus on the sound quality instead. I haven't used the Saramonic, but of the other two, I'd say it is a toss-up - either would be fine.
@@curtisjudd No prob. I just thought you might, cause I saw your comment highlighted under a video where were quiet praised. Kevin - Basic Filmmaker / 3 Lapel Mics comparred. th-cam.com/video/A_gBxPCqEfw/w-d-xo.html
Does the quality of this mic outperform the aputure A.lav? I was disappointed with sound quality of Aputure A.Lav... so hoping this is much better quality but wanted your opinion on it.
any recs for connecting to a Mac / PC, especially if they don't have mic inputs (newer Macbook pros)? is there a USB adapter that would work or an altogether different plug n' play lav?
Hmm, Good question, haven't tried to make it work with a computer which does not have a headset in/out port. But a headset usb to 3.5mm adapter should, in theory work.
@@curtisjudd Saramonic SR-XM1 works directly on gopro hero 7. Someone on youtube made a video and said if the jack of mic is TRS then it will work on gopro hero 7 directly. Is this V.Lav mic is TRS ? (The letters TRS stand for Tip, Ring, and Sleeve,)
Hey, I bought the diety lavalier microphone and when I plug it into my android phone there is a constant fuzzy static noise that won't go away. Is there an app or software I can use to fix this?
Interesting how you compare the sound quality to the RODE mic, yet when you show the size comparison you exclude the RODE and show mics that cost 4-6 times that of the DEITY. Deity seems to be a decent mic for the common guy.
Great review as always. Thank you. Any suggestions on black third party dead cats that would work with this? White stands out too much for what I plan to use it for.
Hey hey, great review! I just purchased two of them, and i was wondering... i'm trying to connect them both to my zoom h4n in the XLR inputs. I tried both using a 1/4" to 3.5" adapter and also deitys D-XLR 3.5mm to XLR Adapter in both cases the lavaliere wouldn't work:/ Is there a workaround? how can i can i connect two lavaliere to the same audio recorders? thanks in advance!
Hi Aviad Fux, these lavalier microphones need plugin power (3-5V) but the XLR inputs on the H4n provide phantom power at 48V. The Deity XLR adapter should work if you turn on phantom power for the XLR input on the H4n Pro. The adapter should also adapt the voltage needed. Best wishes!
Hello, does is create some kind of hum noise when the camera is attached to a power supply? I have problem with lumix and fuji while the camera attached with power chord. Only few does not create the problem, where on battery everything is fine. is this product also related to Aputure? Because the mic itself and the V.lav name compared to Aputure A.lav make me think about this, and I have problem wìith Aputure A.lav in fact, don't want to have same kind fo trouble with this..
Hello nerd Mike, I haven't specifically tested this but I would suggest you contact the camera manufacturers support to see what they can do to help. Also, yes, Aputure and Deity are the same company, different brands.
@@nerdMike The A.Lav and V.Lav which I reviewed are not the same thing. I actually liked the sound of the A.Lav better. Nevertheless, if you're not getting the results you need, you may be best off just returning as soon as possible. I'm guessing this is going to be an issue with most cheap lavaliers when using with consumer grade cameras while powered via AC adapter.
Oh my god. new opening graphics. HELLL YEAH
👍
i know Im pretty randomly asking but does anybody know a good site to watch newly released series online?
So refreshing. My goto audio guy. Love it! 💕
Thanks! 👍
(0:22) I like new graphic elements.
Deity's really working hard to penetrate in this segment of market. I'm impressed.
Thanks! Yes, they definitely are!
This is incredibly helpful thanks Curtis - especially as my Rode Lav Go just stopped working. I've used (and loved) it for a year but now with no apparent external damage, if you touch where the (supposedly Kevlar) cable meets the jack you get massive electronic clicking and silence.
I'm on with Rode Support at the moment, but really glad I've seen your review of this Deity mic so I can get this as a replacement... because I'm now very wary of the Rode Lav Go.
Thanks again!
Good luck and happy recording!
Used your amazon link. Thanks Curtis! All Deity Mics have been great! Picked up the S mic-2 after your initial review! 🤙🏻
Thanks Isaac. I hope it works well for you!
Hey Judd I hope you are having a fantastic day. Do you still recommend this mic? Or would you be better with the Rode lavalier pro 2 or Deity W. Lav Pro/micro?
Or do you recommend any other within that price range?
I’m looking for an upgrade from the tentacle sync default mic that comes with the track E purchase. So, anything it’s better 😂
Thanks for all the effort 🙏🏼 I hope you and your love ones were safe during yesterdays hurricane (don’t know where u at 😅) much love
Edit: Typos
Yes, in 2024 I’d recommend the DEITY W.Lav Pro instead. Happy recording!
Thanks for taking time to review this product! Your reviews are always so insightful and I’ll be sure to use your link when I purchase!
Thanks for the feedback Arlisa.
Wired lavs are great for interviews. I've even used them to record lectures and q&a sessions in a pinch.
Agreed, definitely have their place. Wireless adds a lot of potential complication.
Not bad for $50. It would have been cool to have a shorter cord, then include a long-run cable to jack into, best of both worlds. White wind cover? Hmmm. I mean, Andrew and Deity crew aren't dummies - curious to know why that decision was made. As always, thanks for the great content!
The extension cable is a great idea! I talked to Andrew who said the white fur covers are quite popular in Asia(?) It works well but screams, “Hey! Look at me! I’m a microphone!”
That should be a bullet point on the box. "Wind cover also allows you to establish custom white balance."
@@curtisjudd Wow. Would have never connected those dots.
@@joshuabradburn3748 LMAO! LOL! LOL! LOL! :)
@@joshuabradburn3748 Seriously! Hahaha!
Thank you, Curtis. Exceptional review as always!
Thanks TJ!
Curtis Judd and we will “Learn Light and Sound” on this channel from now on) congrats with the new intro)
Hey interesting to see the Judd spread. Beautiful setting. Keep up the reviews. I recommend your channel to people asking about sound.
Thanks Scott!
Your mic reviews are always TOP notch
Thanks!
wow @ the sunset/landscape! ...and of course, thanks for the review!
👍
Yaaaayyyyy new intro!!! Amazing 👌🏾
👍 thanks!
Great review, Curtis. I own 4 V-lavs and really like the audio I get with them. I plan on getting the BMPCC4K, so hearing your experience with the V-lav and the P4K (as I call it now) was really helpful.
Thanks Todd. I hope you enjoy the P4K!
Thanks for all your advice, Curtis. I just received my v.lav and it works well, as noted. One thing I was trying to do did not work however. I have a videoconference setup and was trying to use a lav mic with my Focusrite 2i2 and the Rode VXLR+. This works for my Sony ECM-CS3 very well. If I use my JK Mic J 044 I get lots of 60 hz interference (shielding I guess). With the v.lav I get no gain and very little signal. It might be outsmarting itself. While that's the bad news, the v.lav works great simply plugged in to my MacBook Pro. So I inadvertently simplified my setup and acquired a very capable mic. (Yes, I'm just a beginner, so there's that...) Thanks for your great advice!
Glad it worked with your MacBook! It may well be outsmarting itself with the RODE adapter.
Great new graphics and again a really insightful review. Will be purchasing one as a backup.
Thanks! Clayton Root did the graphics for me.
@@curtisjudd Does he run a business doing this? I'm sure a lot of people would love to get him to do their intros as the job he did with you is awesome!!!
@@MuchOfLife He does for commercials, I need to ask if he's open to working with lower budget operations like mine on a regular basis. 😀
Thanks for the review. I previously used the PowerDeWise lav mic until it broke, and am looking for another budget friendly mic. In terms of sound quality, did you get the impression that the Deity V.Law is similar to the Aputure A.Lav?
Not the same, but the V.Lav can be EQed to sound quite nice.
Really helpful review thanks, went out and got myself one for my new channel. Wish me luck :)
Thanks Toby and happy recording!
I think its nice to see this in the market space. That long cord probably will hinder most peoples interest, and yet be perfect for others. Its nice to see the smart plug becoming more of a thing. I have the D3 shotgun mic and love it because of it. I don't need to be thinking of adapters.
Thanks Chris for your thoughts.
I couldn't stop myself from banging my head on that beat at the start
😂
@@curtisjudd great vid btw, I'm gonna buy this one. I'm just starting out with yt. Thanks for the vid!
You are the man Sir. I Learn a lot from your presentations. Much appreciated Bro
Thanks Kennedy!
Thank You for review! i ordered Deity )
I hope it works well for you. Happy Recording!
@@curtisjudd Just tested and it's ok! Compared with boya-m1, and Deity sounds better ) Thanks )
Wonderful job with this review, Curtis!
Thanks Allan!
I love this! Thank you for all of your examples and data. Will this mic plug and play with my trusty Canon EOS T5i?
It should work, yes.
I bought this Lav, its awesome
Glad you like it! Happy recording!
Thank you for making this! I think I prefer the Rode one but this one sounds pretty good for its price. :)
Thanks.
Like the new intro and graphics.
Thanks Sam - that was made by Clayton Root, a fellow that is known to be seen around these parts!
@@curtisjudd He did a wonderful job. It adds an extra layer of professionalism which fits in perfect with your videos.
Great video as usual, Curtis.
Thanks Stevie
Excellent Video!
I am surprised by the nice sound quality. Does this mic sync to the video without the need editing post?
Thank you...
On iOS, yes. On Android, you'll need to use a camera app which allows you to choose the external microphone. Then it will be synced without any post work.
thanks, sir for a great review, could you suggest, for budget lav should I go for Deity v Lav in 2023, I found Shure Mvl also sound great. confused if I go for either one.
I prefer the sound of the v.lav.
Thanks, it looks very promising. It's a little noisy, but nothing really bad and I think I could remove much of that that noise in post. I am more worried about that electronic thing. Are there any schematics of what it is doing? Is there a risk of damaged recording, if it fails to recognize desired input level of the recording device? Did you plug it off and on just to check? It looks really cheap, but maybe because it's not that complicated.
Good questions, it is configuring which pin the plugin power is on and which pin the signal is on. The microphone is for mic level inputs only. It shouldn’t cause any damage. The little battery box is metal and felt sturdy.
@@curtisjudd OK, so it only detecting pins. That's good. :) Thanks. I'll seek for that compatibility list and maybe get one of those.
Great video. Awesome new intro!
Thanks George!
Hi Curtis,
First off thanks for the videos, they are invaluable.
Secondly, it seems that the two 50ish dollar lavs you most highly recommend are the apurture a.lav and this one from deity. Could you possibly tell me which one of the the two is better, (and if you have a moment, why?)
Mny thanks,
Manny
Hi Manny, Aputure spun Deity off into its own company. The V.Lav is the replacement for the A.Lav. I prefer the V.Lav because it has a single cable which works with almost any device you plug into to. The sound is good for
the price. Happy recording!
@@curtisjudd Thank-you. Much appreciated!
Great review, thanks. Is this micro belongs to the electret category?
Yes.
Excellent as usual
Thanks David!
nice video and nice new motion graphics :). How would it compare to the other wired lavs you made a video a bout before like the Aputure one?
Thanks ericsf. The Aputure A.Lav was probably the best sounding sub $50 lavalier I had tested up to this point. The V.Lav improves on that in a couple of ways: 1) it does not require a battery to power the mic which must be charged regularly (the batteries only power the chip that configures the mic and then shuts down) 2) there are fewer cables and battery pack interconnects to mess with or worry about them coming disconnected and 3) The V.Lav is still able to work with cameras, phones, audio recorders, tablets, and PCs. From my point of view, it is very much worth the additional $15 price.
Great! Thanks so much for the reply Curtis. Keep at it. You are my go-to for audio questions and learning!@@curtisjudd
Initially I was put off by the low (compared to USB microphones like the Blue Yeti) signal-to-noise ratio but thanks for The detailed self noise test that showed that it's actually around 80dB. The audio quality is in my opinion comparable to or better than the Rode SmartLav+
👍
Nice review as always.
Thanks Bill!
Hello Curtis. What is your recommendation to use with MacBook Pro? Jack TRRS Splitter or USB Splitter ? Which one are you using for your tests? Thanks again for your videos...
For this mic, you can go straight into a MacBook
Thanks! This was super helpful.
👍
Amazing content as always Curtis! One doubt, I'm gonna buy the Rode Wireless Go and I don't know which microphone could work better with this one, the deity lav or the rode lav? thank you for your attention
Thanks Rata Del Desierto! I'd go with the RODE GO Lavalier for the Wireless GO. Best wishes!
Hi, thanks for your videos , always inspiring. What would you recommend for a lav for live sound in a church with NO budget limits
Probably a DPA 4060 or Countryman B6 along with a pro level wireless system from Shure.
hi, thanks for your great review!
if I have Aputure A.Lav and want to get another lav, do you think Deity D.Lav is worth the upgrade or do you have any other suggestions?
I actually preferred the sound of the A.Lav but the V.Lav is pretty good.
Thanks Curtis I didn't know Deity released a new product.
You bet! Me neither - it was a pretty low-key product launch.
I like the sound of the rhode better, but im sure diety can be eq'd very easily. I would love to here you eq the mics for how you would want them to sound.
Thanks. I'd sweep the EQ a bit to see what sounds best. I'm guessing a bit of a cut around 1kHz would be a good starting place.
@@curtisjudd So you're saying the "diety" needs some slimming in the middle?
@@Graham_Wideman Haha! Yes, I suppose I am!
Great, thorough review!
Thanks Nick!
I wonder how to use a lav mic to use as a gaming mic attached to headphone. proximity effect will make sound better and less noise (for my taste), any part suggestion to make DIY?
I haven't done this but I would position the lavalier off to one side of the mouth on a small boom arm. If you put it right in front of your mouth, you'll get a lot of plosives. Good luck!
Excellent review, as always ! Thank you Curtis.
For such products, my experience leads me to believing quality lies in details... same as when you compare the top 10 tennis players ! ;-)
What I mean is...
- in the long run, one can be pushed to nervous breakdown by this 5 meters long cable (what... 5 meters ?) when folks at Purple panda were clever enough to fit theirs with a shorter cable, and provide an extra-long cable. Choice.
- that screwed-on windshield. Taking it off, putting it on... when you know capsule-setting can sometimes take up to 5 minutes, depending on costume/garment, then some more when sound guy or director asks for improvement.
- that white fur. Deity guys, be logical til the end... give us an all-white OR an all-black fur/cable combo ! Or both, so we can choose depending on oufit of the talent.
- that not-square-angle jack plug : the cable exiting from the plug housing screams for being popped out or bent... or ruined !
- the battery case a little too close to the plug itself. Pulling on the tiny cable and hitting objects is not what you expect from a lavalier microphone appendixes... silence must reign, especially next to an ultra-sensitive microphone capsule !
On the scoreboard : nice try... try again !
Thanks Gilles. Thanks also for the insights.
Hi! Great review. I am actually shopping between the Rode Smartlav+ and this Deity V.Lav. I do a lot of personal electric vehicle videos so most of my audio is outdoors with a lot of wind. Between the Rode and the Deity, which one would you pick for outdoor windy environments? Do you have any other recommendations for a Lav mic that could work with a mobile phone for that same use? Thanks!
They're about the same in the wind. I'd learn how to hide the lavalier under your shirt which solves the wind issue and has the added benefit of not being visible. Or, get one of the fur covers to put on the mic. Probably the V.Lav is what I'd choose but it is a complete toss-up.
@@curtisjudd Thanks! I will probably go for the Deity then. Yeah I do use a fur windscreen while riding. Currently testing out the Boya BY-M1 but it seems to be one of those mics that don't like it when you speak loudly (which you tend to do in noisy environments). Cheers and thanks again for your response!
great review
Thanks.
Does the intelligent auto-configuration work if you have two V.Lavs configured for recording separate tracks into the L and R channels of a DSLR? For example, I have a Canon T7i with a single stereo 3.5mm TRS input, so I'd use a special Y cord that separates it into two mono inputs (one for L and one for R) and then plug one V.Lav into each one. (Of course I would pan the two speakers' closer to Center in post.)
Thanks for all the incredibly useful tutorials and reviews you publish!
Hi Scott, not sure, I only have one so no way to test that from here. Might be best to contact Deity support. Best wishes!
Hi, great review! Will this deity v.lav work with the canon m50? Thank you.
Hi John, I don’t have an M50 here to confirm, but it should. You might check with DEITY support. Best wishes!
Hi! which mic do you prefer the sound of, between this and the Rode SmartLav + ?
This.
And if I need a TRRS to TRS adapter for this with the Canon EOS T5i, is there a brand you recommend?
You should NOT need an adapter. The microphone intelligently adapts itself for your camera.
Fun fact is that this microphone works with my Android better without batteries. This micro-chip inserted in cable somehow interfere with phone software. When batteries are in, recorded voice is very quiet, and noise is more likely to appear. Without batteries output level (gain) of recordings is way better.
Important: I'm sure that batteries are inserted correctly. Recorded tests audios are both from Deity microphone, none is from phone microphone
Thanks for sharing.
Hi I bought one but it doesn't sound anything like yours. I have tried both on PC and Samsung device.
Do you have any samples online I could hear? Where are you attaching the mic?
@@curtisjudd The lavalier is placed the same position as yours on 1:28. Here's a link uploaded on G Drive, you can play it online - drive.google.com/file/d/10eVeX8X1QzUW2LdtE4v82MyT55r-jrQc/view?usp=sharing
@@TechnoGenuine What did you record this with? M4A is a lossy format so it is possible that is a factor.
@@curtisjudd I am recording it with Lexis Audio Editor. Normally it's MP3 or WMA but because I exported, it saved as m4a. Do you think the battery could be the cause? I see the green light indicator when I plug it in but I am not sure. I am using Galaxy Note 9 running the latest update.
@@TechnoGenuine The battery is only for figuring out what the mic is connected to. You might want to contact DEITY support. There may be an issue here. Also, make sure the recording app has "external microphone" selected as the source. Not all apps on Android do that.
Question: I do product reviews, and I move around a bit just gesticulating and showing the product. Does the cable cause any noise during movement? I`ve had that problem with my Boye Lav which is the reason I never use it. I am currently running a Rode NTG2 through my Smartrig Preamp into my Canon T7i and it picks up too much room noise so I am thinking of going back to a Lav. Thanks as always for the quality content, and if you don`t answer don`t worry, at 111k I don`t expect you to read every comment :D
Hi German Survivalist, I haven't run into cable noise. But to be certain, it is helpful to tape a loop in the cable underneath your shirt so that if the end gets tugged, it will not transfer the sound to the microphone capsule.
Hi Curtis, so in the end did this work ok with the Rode Wireless go, GH5 and the BMPC4k? Also, have you ever tested the Purple Panda Lav mic, if so what do you think? It has good reviews on amazon compared to similar priced lavs. Thanks again for all your help :)
Hi Alex, it works with the BMPCC4K is you use RODE’s TRRS to TRS adapter. Works fine with the GH5. Haven’t tried the WIRELESS GO or the Purple Panda.
@@curtisjudd thanks Curtis. I just got my wireless Go, on testing j hear a very faint but high pitched whine when plugged directly into the GH5, but not into my zoom. It's a shame, but I don't think the unit is defective.
@@AlexDelfont Hmm, that's odd. In my WIRELESS GO review, I didn't hear a high pitched whine and that was recorded to GH5...I'm sorry for the trouble.
@@curtisjudd thanks I'll record it and send it to rode. Maybe I'll link you to it also
I'm really surprised to hear how it records.
Thanks for the review.
You’re welcome.
Great video! Thanks.
Thanks!
Curtis! Have you tried the Deity W.Lav? Is it the same capsule as the v.Lav? I'm looking for a lav for my Tascam-DR10C and I like Deity's sound so far.
Hi Jordan, I haven't had a chance to try the W.Lav yet. Will probably have a review here shortly after they start shipping in mass.
Sounds like a good mic and a good product, but is the $50 justifiable? Is it really that much better than a $12, $20, or even $30 Lavalier mic?
Hi George, I think it depends on the inexpensive mic we compare to. I'd look at features like the sound quality and voicing, the warranty, and whether the auto-config feature is something you need. I prefer this to relying on adapter cables which add complication and more places for the cable to pull out.
What are your top 3 wireless lavalier recommendations for a female speaker with a soft / medium loud voice? Thanks so much!
Depends on the budget. Mostly I work with pro grade gear so I don't have a lot of insight into the consumer options. But we did do a video a few years ago looking at affordable lavaliers: th-cam.com/video/CZKs1U1GA84/w-d-xo.html
I have a few questions about the mic. I just bought one and I was wondering if there was a way to lessen the amount of muffled sound that you hear when not talking. People might not notice it but it really gets on my nerves, and when I plug in the mic to my phone I have to unplug it to hear the audio is there any way to record audio and listen to it without having to unplug it and plug it back in?.
Hmm, not sure what you mean by muffled sound when not talking. Have any samples online?
Thank you so much, please What do I need to calmest this mic to an iPhone 11?
Just one of those lightning to 3.5mm adapters from Apple.
@@curtisjudd thank you sir
Has someone tried to use it on lumix G7? It does not appear on the list of compatibility devices
I haven't, but perhaps DEITY support can confirm?
Hi! How did you connect it to the iPhone? If you are using the lightning adapter, does that mean it can be connected to any kind of adapter for different devices? Thanks.
Yes, I used the 3.5mm to lightning adapter. It should work with most mobile devices and most modern laptops (made in the last 5 years).
Does this fit with the Rode Invisilav? If not, what are some budget alternatives that would?
No, it is too big. You might try good old-fashioned moleskin from your local drug store instead.
I’m new to the audio world and kind of just learning a lot. I’m trying to figure out what would be the best kind of mic for indoor interviews. There has been a lot of interviews where They have air conditioning, fans, or heaters which they don’t like turning off so I can get clean audio and I was wondering what kind of mic is good for minimizing those kinds of hums that are produced from those machines. Currently I’m just recording scratch audio then going afterwards and having them re record the audio in a quiet room to overlap over the bad audio. To me it seems like extra un needed work if I can just buy a microphone that will help minimize this problem. Thanks for any help! I appreciate it!
Can the mic be in the shot? If so, the best solution is dynamic microphones like Shure SM58 or SM7b or Samson Q2U. Lavalier microphones *might* be a little better than boom mics. If not, the production needs to make the decision on whether the extra re-recording effort is preferable to not turning off the HVAC.
@@curtisjudd thanks for your reply! It’s best if the mic isn’t in the shot. I’ve thought about lav mics but to my knowledge their pickup pattern seems to usually capture everything around it which has been my concern. Maybe I’m wrong on that. As I said I don’t know much. I’ve been looking into the deity s mic 2 because it seems to reject a lot of the noise from the sides. Thanks so much again for the reply! You’re a legend!
@@BransenPass It depends on where the HVAC sound is in the room. With an omni-directional lavalier, it become somewhat directional because it is worn on the body which blocks the sound behind the person wearing it. So if the HVAC sound is coming from behind the talent, it can work pretty well. There are a LOT of factors to choosing which will work best. If you decide to go with a boom mic, you might look for one with a more directional polar pattern than the S-Mic 2, perhaps something more like the RODE NTG5.
@@curtisjudd very helpful! Thank you so much!
Is it suitable..with smartphone?
Yes
So when u plugged it to ur blackmagic, deity couldn't recognize it? And u had to crank ur gain up?
And I don't think u can update its smart trrs jack in order for it to recognize blackmagic, no?
Hi Fernanda, no, the P4K has one of the most non-standard wiring designs out there. If you plug the V.Lav directly into the P4K it simply does not work because the P4K is sending plugin power to two pins (no other device I know of does this) Fitting a TRRS to TRS adapter on the V.Lav solves this problem and the two work together. The next problem is the quality of the 3.5mm input on the P4K. It does not supply a lot of clean gain so you have to crank it to 90+ to get a decent level and then you’re operating at the top of the mic input’s amplification range which is not clean. Just not a great combination. I wish it were better but I figure honesty is the best option for describing this to the audience here. It also helps the manufacturers improve their products if they’re willing to listen.
@@curtisjudd thanks Curtis, what would you say is a good lav match for the bmpc4k? I'm considering the vt500 but I'm still trying to work out how to get it wired to work with a gh5, rode wireless Go and bmpc4k. Getting a bit confused with all the wiring!
@@AlexDelfont Hi Alex, since the 3.5mm mic input isn't very good in my limited tests, I'd look for an XLR mic instead. The VT-506 might be a good choice for the Go and GH5: vt-switzerland.com/en/vt506-video
Nice graphics!! :)
Thanks Samtagri!
Just got a zoom h1n but the v.lav doesn't activate it self with the green indicator light. On my a7iii it works flawlessly. Do I have to change any settings on the zoom h1n? All the recordings I've done with this combination are completely unusable
I'm not sure - might be best to contact DEITY support. I know that their main guy there knows a lot about the ZOOM products so he should be able to help.
how do you get to have the mic so far from your mouth yet it's still so loud?
Like this: th-cam.com/video/lHNhxGojFRU/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
Thank you for the video! Also you got me laughing, because I had a misunderstanding. In the outdoor part you say something like "The RODE(!) is behind me!" and my first thought was: Why should he put a Rode Mic behind himself!? ;-D
😁
love the new graphics 😬
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I have aputure a.lav mics. I just broke one and need a replacement. Will the sound from this mic match the a.lav ok?
The sound of this is comparable. Not an exact match, but definitely a worthy upgrade.
I'm confused. It says the mic adapts using its batteries, once connected they "go to sleep". So does this mean it won't work with a Tascam DR-10x which does not supply plug-in or phantom power?
This microphone requires the recording device to supply plug-in power, 3-5V. If the DR-10X does not supply this, then it unfortunately will not work with this microphone.
@@curtisjudd Thanks for the quick response. Your answer was what I suspected ... but really hoped wasn't the case. I'm currently using Boya BY-M1's and really want an upgrade. Have had 50% losses this year do to cable shorts and switch failures.
I see a Curtis vid, I upvote.
Thanks Shaheed!
@@curtisjudd Are you doing to review the W.Lav Pro? Thanks for all the videos.
@@mrshaheedmalik Yes, I hope so!
Now the V.Lav is discontinued is there a new long-lead lav that can be recommended to clients that just works (without first needing to know what device they'll be plugging it into)?
Not that I’m familiar with.
😢 Could you recommend any 2m+ long lead lavs at a similar price point?
Cool! Best! Thanks!
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I use my iphone to record videos in empty houses with lots of reverb. no tripod, I just hold the phone with my hand.
which microphone do you recommend for me?
Saramonic SmartMic+, deity v.lav or the rode lavalier or something else?
which option will eliminate the reverb?
I believe they all have omni-directional polar patterns so they'll all perform about the same in terms of picking up reverb. I'd focus on the sound quality instead. I haven't used the Saramonic, but of the other two, I'd say it is a toss-up - either would be fine.
Nice intro! :-)
Thanks James!
Could you please review the Ulanzi AriMic Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone
Probably not, just because of time. Sorry about that.
Hey Curtis, have you tested the micbooster clubby EM272 yet?
I haven't, sorry about that.
@@curtisjudd No prob. I just thought you might, cause I saw your comment highlighted under a video where were quiet praised.
Kevin - Basic Filmmaker / 3 Lapel Mics comparred.
th-cam.com/video/A_gBxPCqEfw/w-d-xo.html
Does the quality of this mic outperform the aputure A.lav? I was disappointed with sound quality of Aputure A.Lav... so hoping this is much better quality but wanted your opinion on it.
Sounds pretty similar to my ears.
@@curtisjudd thanks for reply
Hello,
Does it work with android phones? Thank you in advance, great video
Yes.
@@curtisjudd Thank you!
how do you feel it compares to the JK MIC-J 044 Lavalier Lapel Clip On Omni-directional Condenser Microphone?
Similar in terms of audio quality but I like that I don’t need an adapter for the V.Lav to work with each device.
any recs for connecting to a Mac / PC, especially if they don't have mic inputs (newer Macbook pros)? is there a USB adapter that would work or an altogether different plug n' play lav?
Hmm, Good question, haven't tried to make it work with a computer which does not have a headset in/out port. But a headset usb to 3.5mm adapter should, in theory work.
@@curtisjudd Yes, I can confirm that the Diety V.Lav works with a Cable Creation USB C to 3.5 mm adapter.
will this mic work with gopro hero 7 black directly plug in or i have to get another connector to work ?
I don’t have Hero 7 but I believe it needs a microphone adapter.
@@curtisjudd Saramonic SR-XM1 works directly on gopro hero 7. Someone on youtube made a video and said if the jack of mic is TRS then it will work on gopro hero 7 directly. Is this V.Lav mic is TRS ?
(The letters TRS stand for Tip, Ring, and Sleeve,)
Hey, I bought the diety lavalier microphone and when I plug it into my android phone there is a constant fuzzy static noise that won't go away.
Is there an app or software I can use to fix this?
Hmm, sounds like there’s a problem with the mic or input on your phone probably best to try DEITY support.
Interesting how you compare the sound quality to the RODE mic, yet when you show the size comparison you exclude the RODE and show mics that cost 4-6 times that of the DEITY.
Deity seems to be a decent mic for the common guy.
Fair point. Thanks. For the record, that was not intentional.
Great review as always. Thank you. Any suggestions on black third party dead cats that would work with this? White stands out too much for what I plan to use it for.
Rycote makes a lavalier windjammer: bhpho.to/35g9Ndl
full disclosure - this is an affiliate link. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
@@curtisjudd Awesome. Thank you.
Is it better than Aspen Hq s? An upgrade to deity is a good idea or not?
I liked the sound of this better than the Aspen when I tested it a few years ago.
I've read and see some issues about the lack of RF Shielding with this lavalier ¿what about it? I mainly want to use it with iphone 6 plus and iMac.
Yes, true of 99.9% of sub $100 lavalier microphones.
How can make it work with Fuji X-T3?
Not sure as I don’t have an XT3 on hand to test it.
Hey hey, great review!
I just purchased two of them, and i was wondering...
i'm trying to connect them both to my zoom h4n in the XLR inputs.
I tried both using a 1/4" to 3.5" adapter and also deitys D-XLR 3.5mm to XLR Adapter
in both cases the lavaliere wouldn't work:/
Is there a workaround? how can i can i connect two lavaliere to the same audio recorders?
thanks in advance!
Hi Aviad Fux, these lavalier microphones need plugin power (3-5V) but the XLR inputs on the H4n provide phantom power at 48V. The Deity XLR adapter should work if you turn on phantom power for the XLR input on the H4n Pro. The adapter should also adapt the voltage needed. Best wishes!
@@curtisjudd worked perfectly!
thank you for your answer.
whats the difference between 24v and 48v?
@@aseta A very few microphones can operate with 24V but most need 48V. I would leave it set to 48V
@@curtisjudd great, thank you!
Hello, does is create some kind of hum noise when the camera is attached to a power supply? I have problem with lumix and fuji while the camera attached with power chord. Only few does not create the problem, where on battery everything is fine.
is this product also related to Aputure? Because the mic itself and the V.lav name compared to Aputure A.lav make me think about this, and I have problem wìith Aputure A.lav in fact, don't want to have same kind fo trouble with this..
Hello nerd Mike, I haven't specifically tested this but I would suggest you contact the camera manufacturers support to see what they can do to help. Also, yes, Aputure and Deity are the same company, different brands.
@@curtisjudd mic looks identical in fact 😬 let's see
@@nerdMike The A.Lav and V.Lav which I reviewed are not the same thing. I actually liked the sound of the A.Lav better. Nevertheless, if you're not getting the results you need, you may be best off just returning as soon as possible. I'm guessing this is going to be an issue with most cheap lavaliers when using with consumer grade cameras while powered via AC adapter.
Wait... why do you need the adapter for the camera, I thought the point was it determined the input it's connected to....
Depends on the camera. Every manufacturer does it differently. It’s a sad state of affairs.