Some further thoughts having actually got to the end. I think one possibly significant advantage is the high spl value that the Rode device can handle. I suspect this is close to the best on any such device. Secondly, a general comment about the intelligent gain feature. I suspect that the gain setting in the app affects a stage before the auto part of the gain. So when you set the game to low, the automatic gain following it is not having to work so hard to avoid clipping. Therefore, you would notice its operation somewhat less. The high setting is driving the auto section much harder and so you might notice the compression when you listen afterwards. Once again, a great review. Thanks!
Saved the Lark M2 on my Amazon :) Funny how you made this video as I was beginning to think of doing vlog style things. I appreciate your reviews as always!
Fantastic review. Thank you. It was a little hard to tell but was the wireless mic ro cutting out when you had your back turned at 50 m? Or just the Lark M2
They both cut out when I turned around at 50m, but the Wireless Micro was a tad more stable - it seemed to reconnect after a second or two where the Lark M2 just kept breaking up. At 100m both broke up about the same when I turned around.
@@semiprotech Thank you for clarifying that for me! I have a Rode Wireless Go II set but I want a system that wont be dangling off of my phone like I've dealt with for the last year and a half. I just bought a Lark M2, but I'm very curious about the Rode Micro.
@@semiprotech I can’t imagine a real shoot where a person wearing a working lavalier microphone would need to move even 50 meters away from the camera, let alone turn their back to it. Therefore, I don’t understand the practical purpose of such tests. What difference does it make whether the microphones can maintain the signal at 50, 100, or 200 meters? They are typically used at distances of a few meters, maybe 10-20 meters from the camera. Otherwise, you’d end up with just sound in the frame without the person.
Great review. While I prefer the sound of the Lark M2, the Rode is an overall better buy for smartphone and PC users given Split Recording, High SPL, Secure and easily installed wind muffs, Autogain that works. I actually wouldn't mind buying both the Rode and Lark for different use cases.
Thanks for this excellent review/overview. I've watched a bunch of reviews of this mic and this is the first one I felt the need to say "thank you". Question: If you or a friend/colleague have an Insta360 X4, can you test to see if the Rode Wireless Micro can be plugged directly into the X4's USB-C port and work? I've tried that with other wireless mics and it doesn't work for me. I find I need to use the X4 adapter to provide power to the mics' receive and then (if the receiver has the feature) transmit audio to the X4 using a short 3.5mm audio patch cable. Thanks
i have a hollyland lark m2. works well. Thinking of 'upgrading' to the Rode Wireless Pro. but not sure how much of an upgrade it is. A cool video to do would be Rode Wireless Pro vs Rode Wireless Pro using the Lavs that are included. Can't really find a video on youtube on that. Like many people i'm in non-acoustically treated room. Lark M2 works fine. But curious if the Rode WP with Lav would make things sound better. I'll note you nailed it with the noise cancellation function on Lark M2. it's not really usable. Make everything sound very hallow. Only time i've used it successfully was in a small factory where there was one persistent machine that the Lark as able to cancel out. but otherwise never use that function. Again, great video. No chance i buy a Rode Micro given already have the Lark M2. But still investigating Rode Wireless Pro as an option.
Yeah at this point, I’m leaning towards the Lark M2 for all the things you mentioned. I don’t see myself using both mics while using my iPhone to vlog, so stereo over usb-c isn’t a dealbreaker, and I’d rather have a receiver I can use with my mirrorless cameras if/when I use them (which is where I would want stereo sound anyway). Plus the Black Friday sale price on the combo kit is a steal; $153CAD vs $199CAD for the Rode Wireless Micro. Thanks for the comparison video!
I have been watching reviews looking to get a microphone just to note on their website the lark m2 is $110 USD for the combo version and $90 for individual lightning or usb-C for black Friday. I am so on the fence about either one I may just purchase both. If I had one I am leaning lark because of the $90 price point. Great review
👌👌👌 Thank you! The anecdotal information you mention here is so useful. Information like - the fact that the recording app could force a mono recording even if you've chosen stereo. - the apps you use: black magic camera app or the Audio Hijack multiple mic recording app for MacOS.
Hi...can you kindly compare this to the Hollyland Mark 2, I am a big fan of Rode but Hollyland certainly offers a reasonable and practical combo version with very good quality audio. Rode should really introduce a combo version for both the android and lightning version!
Wow!!! Head and shoulders better than any other Micro review I've seen (a lot of them). You cover far more than the others, compare with direct competitors as well as pro kit. I have a Fulaim X5 which I love but I think the Micro gives better audio. Like the Micro it's location affects the audio response (no one else talks about that). Best 6" in front of your mouth which is naff! I use it under my T shirt with the windmuff on. Congratulations. I'm subscribing!!!
I'm now hoping you'll review the DJI Mini. So far, A huge disappointment. In every review I've seen the audio is nowhere as good as its direct rivals (Rode Micro, Godox Cube, Lark M2). Definitely need a direct comparison.
Some further thoughts having actually got to the end. I think one possibly significant advantage is the high spl value that the Rode device can handle. I suspect this is close to the best on any such device. Secondly, a general comment about the intelligent gain feature. I suspect that the gain setting in the app affects a stage before the auto part of the gain. So when you set the game to low, the automatic gain following it is not having to work so hard to avoid clipping. Therefore, you would notice its operation somewhat less. The high setting is driving the auto section much harder and so you might notice the compression when you listen afterwards. Once again, a great review. Thanks!
Great mic until the next week when DJI whipped them with the DJI mini
Saved the Lark M2 on my Amazon :) Funny how you made this video as I was beginning to think of doing vlog style things. I appreciate your reviews as always!
Fantastic review. Thank you. It was a little hard to tell but was the wireless mic ro cutting out when you had your back turned at 50 m? Or just the Lark M2
They both cut out when I turned around at 50m, but the Wireless Micro was a tad more stable - it seemed to reconnect after a second or two where the Lark M2 just kept breaking up. At 100m both broke up about the same when I turned around.
@@semiprotech Thank you for clarifying that for me! I have a Rode Wireless Go II set but I want a system that wont be dangling off of my phone like I've dealt with for the last year and a half. I just bought a Lark M2, but I'm very curious about the Rode Micro.
@@semiprotech I can’t imagine a real shoot where a person wearing a working lavalier microphone would need to move even 50 meters away from the camera, let alone turn their back to it. Therefore, I don’t understand the practical purpose of such tests. What difference does it make whether the microphones can maintain the signal at 50, 100, or 200 meters? They are typically used at distances of a few meters, maybe 10-20 meters from the camera. Otherwise, you’d end up with just sound in the frame without the person.
Great review. While I prefer the sound of the Lark M2, the Rode is an overall better buy for smartphone and PC users given Split Recording, High SPL, Secure and easily installed wind muffs, Autogain that works. I actually wouldn't mind buying both the Rode and Lark for different use cases.
Thanks for this excellent review/overview. I've watched a bunch of reviews of this mic and this is the first one I felt the need to say "thank you". Question: If you or a friend/colleague have an Insta360 X4, can you test to see if the Rode Wireless Micro can be plugged directly into the X4's USB-C port and work? I've tried that with other wireless mics and it doesn't work for me. I find I need to use the X4 adapter to provide power to the mics' receive and then (if the receiver has the feature) transmit audio to the X4 using a short 3.5mm audio patch cable. Thanks
i have a hollyland lark m2. works well. Thinking of 'upgrading' to the Rode Wireless Pro. but not sure how much of an upgrade it is. A cool video to do would be Rode Wireless Pro vs Rode Wireless Pro using the Lavs that are included. Can't really find a video on youtube on that. Like many people i'm in non-acoustically treated room. Lark M2 works fine. But curious if the Rode WP with Lav would make things sound better. I'll note you nailed it with the noise cancellation function on Lark M2. it's not really usable. Make everything sound very hallow. Only time i've used it successfully was in a small factory where there was one persistent machine that the Lark as able to cancel out. but otherwise never use that function.
Again, great video. No chance i buy a Rode Micro given already have the Lark M2. But still investigating Rode Wireless Pro as an option.
Yeah at this point, I’m leaning towards the Lark M2 for all the things you mentioned. I don’t see myself using both mics while using my iPhone to vlog, so stereo over usb-c isn’t a dealbreaker, and I’d rather have a receiver I can use with my mirrorless cameras if/when I use them (which is where I would want stereo sound anyway). Plus the Black Friday sale price on the combo kit is a steal; $153CAD vs $199CAD for the Rode Wireless Micro. Thanks for the comparison video!
I have been watching reviews looking to get a microphone just to note on their website the lark m2 is $110 USD for the combo version and $90 for individual lightning or usb-C for black Friday. I am so on the fence about either one I may just purchase both. If I had one I am leaning lark because of the $90 price point. Great review
👌👌👌 Thank you! The anecdotal information you mention here is so useful. Information like
- the fact that the recording app could force a mono recording even if you've chosen stereo.
- the apps you use: black magic camera app or the Audio Hijack multiple mic recording app for MacOS.
The dealbreaker 'stereo mode usb c' is not buy the Lark M2. Splended review :-)
Hi...can you kindly compare this to the Hollyland Mark 2, I am a big fan of Rode but Hollyland certainly offers a reasonable and practical combo version with very good quality audio. Rode should really introduce a combo version for both the android and lightning version!
A very thorough review, thanks. Lack of stereo rules out the Lark as far as I am concerned, regardless of any other factor.
Wow!!! Head and shoulders better than any other Micro review I've seen (a lot of them). You cover far more than the others, compare with direct competitors as well as pro kit.
I have a Fulaim X5 which I love but I think the Micro gives better audio. Like the Micro it's location affects the audio response (no one else talks about that). Best 6" in front of your mouth which is naff! I use it under my T shirt with the windmuff on.
Congratulations. I'm subscribing!!!
Thank you! Glad it was helpful.
@ I'm continuing to check mic reviews. I wish they all watched how you do it as they all fail in several ways!!!
I'm now hoping you'll review the DJI Mini. So far, A huge disappointment. In every review I've seen the audio is nowhere as good as its direct rivals (Rode Micro, Godox Cube, Lark M2). Definitely need a direct comparison.
Which sound did you like the most?
I guess i am going for Lark M2 combo now. Since i have pocket 3 with dji mic 2 mic.
This guy is super cute with the hat
Idk the sound quality seems to be not very good, lot of mids there, prob not for me and I stick to the Wireless Go II
The thing is, it’s not you who will be listening, most likely, so it doesn’t need to appeal to you, but to the average person.
Your video lighting is way under exposed. Doesnt even look like you have light on your face or any of the front of the desk.