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Lavalier gear

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Find a soft space.

Places with soft surfaces near the mic will minimize echo.

Keep it close.

The closer the mic to the audio source, the better your sound.

Check your levels.

Set your audio levels to peak between -12 and -6 if you can.

$15

BOYA BY-M1 lav mic

This affordable mic will give you a major upgrade from the mics built into your camera.

You can use it with any camera that has a mic port (even your phone!) for a seamless, sync-free setup.

Hands down the best value for a first mic purchase.

$199

Tascam DR-10L with external recorder

If you want an all-in-one kit that'll let you move around, this is your ticket.

The recorder's small enough to fit in your pocket, and its auto-leveling feature means you can set it and forget it.

$278

RØDE Wireless GO with lav mic

This lets you wirelessly transmit your mic's audio to a receiver that plugs into your camera.

That means your high-quality lav audio gets recorded right to your camera's video files, so there's no syncing needed.

This mic system can also be used without a lav mic if you're OK with a bulkier look.

$3

Nexcare Medical tape

This clear medical tape is easy to tear and easy to remove. It's cheap, too. What more could you ask for?

$22

Rycote stickies

Make sure your lav mic stays put with these double-sided stickies. They're not the cheapest solution, but you get what you pay for.

$59

3.5mm RØDE VideoMicro

People rave about the sound quality that RØDE's entry-level shot gun captures.

With a deadcat wind cover and a 2-year warranty included, you just can't go wrong with this budget-friendly mic.

$249

RØDE VideoMic NTG Hybrid 3.5mm + USB

This feature-packed hybrid mic lets you record straight into your camera or a computer.

Even comes with RØDE's famous 10-year warranty.

Be sure to grab a deadcat if you plan to record out in the wind.

$699

XLR RØDE NTG-3

You'll never want to use another mic after hearing the crisp audio this shot gun records. The 10-year warranty means you won't need to.

Don't forget you'll need a shock mount and an XLR recorder.

You also might want a deadcat if you'll be recording outdoors or a blimp for extra-windy conditions.

$99

RØDE XLR Podmic

Pair an XLR audio recorder with this podcast mic for rich, broadcast-quality vocals. And background noise? #CantRelate

Comes with a 2-year extended warranty.

$99

RØDE NT-USB mini

Save some coins by using your computer as a recorder! This USB mic makes it possible. You can even capture audio straight in Premiere.

With excellent sound quality and a 2-year warranty, the only thing you might need is a taller stand.

$59

On-Stage boom arm

Ever since we clamped this arm to our desk, it's been a breeze to record voiceovers with our timeline.

It's the most affordable articulating arm you'll find with this bulid quality, and it even has a built-in XLR cable if you need.

$12

Auray table-top mic stand

Make sure your mic is in its sweet spot with this table-top stand. It's got a lightweight aesthetic, but is heavy enough to keeps things sturdy.

$129

Tascam DR-10X XLR recorder

This small-but-mighty recorder can handle your XLR cable with no problem. It's the perfect entry-level option.

$250

Zoom H4N Pro
XLR recorder

If you want to invest in an XLR recorder that'll grow with you, this one's a beast for the price.

It's got two XLR inputs, a 3.5mm input and the ability to record multiple tracks at once.

There's a reason the H4N line has been going strong for over 10 years.

$25

Zoom H4N Pro power cord

This AC adapter is a must if you're getting the Zoom H4N Pro!

Buying all those AA batteries can add up quickly, so this thing pays for itself in no time.

$199

Tascam DR-10L 3.5mm recorder with lav mic

This little recorder is easy to hide, has plenty of settings and comes with a quality lav mic.

If you plan on only using 3.5mm mics, this is a great recorder for your kit.

Free-ish

Your phone

Got a phone? Of course you do. So why not use it as an audio recorder?

Hold it a few inches from your mouth for a sweet voiceover, or plug in the BOYA lav mic we recommend for a quality bump.

Free-ish

Your computer

Most newer computers have a headphone jack that doubles as a 3.5mm mic input, letting you use the BOYA lav mic we recommend.

Or if you prefer a podcast mic, this RØDE one will plug right into your USB port.

$49

RØDE Micro boompole

Don't let the name fool you. This "micro" boompole extends to over 6 feet — more than we've ever needed.

$160

Impact C-stand

Good luck finding a better deal on a C-stand. It's heavy, but that's a good thing when you're trusting it to hold equipment above your (or your client's) head.

$25

Auray boom pole holder

It does the job. Every. Single. Time. #1 seller on B&H for a reason.

$18

Impact grip head

Another #1 seller on B&H.

This clamp goes on top of your C-stand, where it grips onto your boom pole holder — or just about anything else, thanks to its easy-to-adjust design.

$69

Rycote shock mount

Attach this to the end of your boom pole, slide your shotgun mic into it, and keep nearby vibration noise out of your precious audio recordings.

$7-13

Amazon Basics 3.5MM extension cable

If you're going with a 3.5mm shot gun mic as an all-around utility player, you'll probably want this extension cord.

Comes in 6, 12 or 24 feet.

$20

Kopul 20' XLR cable

We've had this 20-foot XLR cable for years and it's always met our needs, but you can go shorter or longer if you want.

$39

RØDE WS11 small deadcat

This fuzzy friend is the perfect fit for the VideoMic NTG shotgun we recommend above.

$59

RØDE WS7 large deadcat

This deadcat is as serious as the NTG3 shotgun mic that it pairs with. It even has a rubber base to prevent wind from coming in from behind.

$290

RØDE shotgun blimp

OK, this is the ultimate wind protection device for the NTG3 shotgun mic. It even comes with a dead wombat. (That's the technical term, of course.) Need I say more?

$5

Luosh lavalier foam covers

If you're looking for a little extra wind protection for the Tascam DR-10L lav we recommend, you can pop one of these foam covers over the top of the built-in wind screen.

Going with the $15 BOYA lav mic instead? Skip these. It already comes with a foam cover.

$10

eBoot lavalier furry covers

For the times when you need serious wind protection on a lavalier microphone, but you don't care how stupid your subject looks, these'll do the trick.