A great audio recording option for any photographers or video professionals.
I’m always on the lookout for good, quality gear to add to my ‘go bag.’ One thing I’ve learned after shooting interviews and being asked to record quick videos at events is that you can’t underestimate the value of a nice wireless lavalier system. For me, an ideal kit is one that I can just toss into my equipment bag without adding a lot of extra weight. Enter the Movo WMX-1 Wireless Lavalier Microphone System.
DETAILS
The Movo WMX-1 Wireless Lavalier Microphone System is a universal microphone system that can be used with most DSLRs and even some smartphones. The lavalier microphone is omnidirectional in order to provide uniform frequency response. It’s also designed to minimize environmental noises. The transmitter allows you to record audio up to 200 feet away from the receiver using a 2.4GHz spectrum. Both transmitter and the receiver are powered by two AAA batteries (not included) for up to 6 hours of operation. Movo included a windscreen and lapel clip for use with the lavalier microphone.
SPECS
- System Specs
- RF Modulation: GFSK
- Frequency Band: 2.4GHz
- Frequency Response: 35Hz-14 KHz+/-3 dB
- Signal to Noise Ratio: 84dB
- Audio input connector: 3.5mm TRS
- Distortion: 0.5% (-60 dBV, 1 kHz input)
- Power supply: Two AAA batteries (up to 6 hours of run-time)
- Transmitter/Receiver Dimensions (each): 1.8″ x 2.8″ x 1.4″ (45 x 70 x 35mm)
- Weight (each): 47g (1.7 oz) without batteries
- Lavalier Mic Specs
- Polar pattern: Omni-directional
- Frequency Range: 35Hz ~ 18 KHz
- Signal / Noise：74dB SPL
- Sensitivity: -30dB +/-3dB / 0dB=1V/Pa, 1 kHz
- Connector: 3.5mm TRS
- Cable Length: 1.2m (4’)
- In The Box
- 1 receiver and up to 2 transmitters
- Lavalier microphone, windscreen, lapel clip
- Belt clips and shoe mount
- Cables for cameras and smartphones
- Hardshell storage case
USER EXPERIENCE
I firmly believe that having equipment that is available for those ‘just in case’ moments is very necessary. But, as my fiancé likes to say, “More isn’t better. Sometimes it’s just more.” She picked that up from one of her favorite movies, Sabrina, and in this case, it makes perfect sense. With a lavalier system, I don’t necessarily want a set-up that costs and arm and a leg and can be used with an entire cast of characters. I just want something that works well, is lightweight, and affordable. This set fits that definition.
First, the set costs $129 (at the time of publishing this article). It’s affordable and you get a lot in the kit for what you pay. I was really impressed with the quality of the parts of the system and thought it was a very cost-effective option for a wireless microphone system. Even though there are a lot of parts included, the system is incredibly lightweight. The entire system only weighs 10.7 ounces, which is only 2 ounces more than an iPhone 11 Pro Max. Even though it comes with a hardshell case, the kit is very portable and easy to toss into my camera backpack. Finally, how does it work? It’s actually very easy to operate. Once you have placed batteries into both the transmitter and the receiver and flip them on, you have to link them together. Then, you plug the microphone into the transmitter and the receiver into your camera. I plugged these into a Canon 5D Mark IV for testing and it worked flawlessly.
Aside from a quick connection check, I also did a soundcheck while sitting next to the camera and then I got up and walked away from the receiver. I left my camera with the receiver plugged in on my desk and walked into a separate room. I would say I was approximately 15-20 feet away from the receiver with a wall in between and everything I said was recorded crystal clear. Since I was walking while talking I thought the microphone might pick up a lot of environmental noise like my jacket rustling or my footsteps. The only thing I was able to hear aside from my voice was a loud creak of a floorboard as I walked back and forth. There were a couple of people in a room that was probably another 20 feet away from where I was recorded and the microphone didn’t pick them up or the background noise from their room. For such a budget-friendly system, I felt like it performs just as well as some professional-level lavalier systems that cost 2 or 3 times more than the Movo system.
CONCLUSION
Because it is so cost-effective and it works like a pro, I think that every photographer should carry this system with them. It comes in quite handy and since it’s universal, it pairs with everything. The only criticism I truly have is that there is no display on the receiver so that you can see what the volume is set to and that you have to use AAA batteries rather than the units be rechargeable. Aside from that, it’s a great set.
