When it comes to filming those beautiful YouTube videos, there’s more to just having some 1080p HD or even 4K video quality. Many of those who make YouTube videos semi-pro or even professionally at times may forget about an entire half of the equation — what about the sound? Fortunately for us in this day and age, microphones for YouTube videos come at a pretty affordable price (depending on what you’re after). Since we’re mic experts, we wanted to cover the base for all YouTubers when it comes to elevating that sound quality for your videos.
What is a good cheap microphone for YouTube videos in India?
Price On Amazon 809 Rs
Just discovered the Boya M-1 lavalier microphone, which is an absolute bargain for smartphone or camera use. It’s about half the price of the Audio Technica ATR3350iS, and less than a third the price of the Rode Smartlav+.
It seems to be more solidly made and better designed than the ATR, with a more positive switch, and a more secure clip. The switch has a simple on-off button: on is for camera use, off is for phone use, so you don’t need a separate TRS-TRRS adapter. It has a really good output level: you could even use it on a table at a pinch, rather than clipping it to clothes. Like the ATR, it has a 6m long lead so your subject doesn’t need to be close to the camera. It comes with a (bulky) foam windshield which fits rather loosely.
The Boya (left) is quite a bit bigger than the little smartLav+, particularly with the windshield attached.
How does it compare? I think the sound is at least as good as the ATR3350 and the level is better. It’s not quite as good as the Rode microphone, though it is louder. Here’s a comparison test (iPhone microphone, smartLav+, ATR3350 and Boya BY-M1). I recorded all of these with the excellent (and free) Rode Reporter app.
The only major issue I had was the notorious iPhone 6/6S headphone socket problem, with the phone refusing to recognise the mic. I solved this by using a piece of tape to stop the metal base of the jack from making contact with the body of the iPhone. You could also use a TRRS extension lead. Also, the foam windshield (which I don’t use indoors) falls off easily.
Being able to use the same microphone for smartphone and camera has got to be useful. It’s so inexpensive that I’d recommend it to any smartphone filmmaker or mobile journalist on a budget, and it would also be good for education use.
Clip-on mic for smartphones, DSLR, Camcorders, audio recorders, PC etc.
Superb sound for presentations and video recording
Omni-directional condenser microphone
Low handling noise
Includes lapel clip, foam windscreen, 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter
Price On Amazon 809 Rs
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