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A**R
Inexpensive all-in-one audio kit for indoor interviews
The Comica CVM-D03 is a pretty straight-forward product. What you see is what you get. If you're interested in vastly improving your interview video sound quality but don't have a lot of coin, it may be just what you need. The things that I have used in the package include the preamp mixer, the lav mics, the trs cable, and the trs-to-trrs adaptor for smart phones. I have used the setup with my Nikon D5200 DSLR and my iPhone SE cell phone. My thoughts so far are:the cables are good quality and so far show no signs of intermittency;the lav mics are of perfectly acceptable quality. As is generally true with mics, you do need to subtract noise from the signal in post for optimal audio, but the noise in that signal seems pretty much in line with other mics;the lav cables are about fifteen feet long -- long enough to allow you plenty of freedom in where you set your camera, but also long enough to get tangled up with people and equipment if you are not mindful;the preamp can boost the signal from the mics by as much as 20 dB. I find that setting the gain about half way gives me distortion-free input that my camera can handle comfortably. The bad news here is that the gain does not get applied to the cell phone signal (which comes in through the mic channel of the trrs connector instead of from the L/R channels as with trs connectors) and, even on the trs connector systems like my camera, the two channels are not able to be adjusted separately. So you can't balance the two signals except by positioning the lavs closer or farther from each speaker. However, the mixer supports dual-channel output at the flick of a switch, so you can record each lav separately on the camera and match the two inputs for volume in post if necessary. BUT my SE does not support dual channel input (at least as far as I have been able to determine, and that seems consistent with its stereo-earbuds-with-a-monaural-mic use model for its trrs input. My D5200 takes the trs input directly and supports dual channel recording, so this system is easier to use with that device than with a cell phone in my experience.the mixer includes a headphone jack for monitoring the input up to that input stage, but I have not bothered to use it. I find the level indicators on the camera to be both easier and more reflective of what I will end up with on my footage. Nonetheless, if you prefer using headphones, the jack is there for you.When I use the Comica with my D5200, I find the belt clip provides a convenient way to support the mixer -- I attach it to my camera's strap and it remains securely within reach of the camera's input jack. All in all, I find a lot to like in this inexpensive but well-made package. If the channel gains were independently adjustable, I would probably have rated this product five stars at this price point. But, if you can live with the fiddling needed to accommodate that lack, this is a very decent product for the money.
D**S
Excellent Product
This Comica Dual.Lav-DO3 is pretty awesome 5 starsThe pictures show main box, then box and case, then everything that comes in the case. Yes all will fit into the case.Easy to use, has mono and stereo. Use mono for your interview's or podcast's. It has gain control so you can adjust for any crackling or pop sounds. So if you have YouTube or Podcast this product is for you.
K**N
Great product, great price
Great product for the price. Sounds great and works well recording through the type c connection on my phone.
K**N
Nice quality, works great.
Very good set for the price. Comes with case 2 mics and all cables.
C**R
Great for on site interviews.
Your browser does not support HTML5 video. The Comica Dual Lav is a welcome upgrade to the lavalier setup I’ve been using for a while now. Up until I got this kit I was using a cheap $10 button cell battery powered lav and an old M-Audio Audio Buddy that I found in a thrift store. Admittedly, the audio quality from that setup was actually quite decent, but it had a few flaws. Specifically, I could only use battery powered lavs (unless I used an additional power supply), and it needed to be plugged into the wall at all times. It’s not exactly ideal for recording on the go.The CVM-D03 solves the above issues, and even brings some additional features to the party. Basically, it fills the roles of both the mics’ power supply as well as acting as a preamp. Even better, the main unit is rechargeable. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left my mic on after recording only to come back and find the button cell battery dead. Now instead of running down to Dollar Tree for batteries (which have gone from 4 packs to 2 packs recently) or bulk ordering cheap ones online, I just need to pop the USB-C cable in and wait a little bit.As for how much the preamp actually boosts the mics’ audio, I’d say the effect is quite significant. I tested the included lavs (which sound great by the way) on my laptop, and without the preamp they were sensitive enough to clip when I had my mic volume in Audacity set at around 60%. After plugging in the preamp and cranking the gain dial to max, I ended up clipping if I had my mic volume in Audacity set above 6%. This is great, since increasing your mic volume PC side can introduce all kinds of additional noise to your recordings.The bonus features I mentioned earlier are the fact that the mics and audio out cable can be locked into their jacks, the audio can be output either in mono or stereo (yay for multitrack recording), and that the CVM-D03 allows you to monitor your audio in real time. Zero latency monitoring is hands down my favorite feature in any piece of recording gear, since it allows you to check your mic placement and listen for any weird noises. I’ve ruined many recordings early on by puffing on my lav thanks to poor placement. Now I just need to keep an ear open for my whistling nostril...Not a bad bundle at all, especially since it only costs about as much as what some other brands charge for a single audio jack powered lav.
R**H
Just stopped working!
Just stopped working for no reason after we charged it within a month. Really disappointed.
Trustpilot
4 days ago
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