The Sony ECM-44B Lavalier Microphone is am extremely common, sturdy, functional lavalier microphone that comes in on the lower end of the pricing scale. If you are looking for a high quality mic for video shoots, but are still budget-minded, the Sony ECM-44B is a good choice. Currently it sells for $179 at B&H Photo Supply.
The Sony EMC-44B is so common in certain circles of the professional video production world that you might get the impression that it’s the only mic of its kind but of course it isn’t. It’s popular because it does a fantastic job yet doesn’t break the bank. This is a lavalier microphone, which means it is a small mic that is clipped onto someone’s collar. Lavalier mics are good for video making because they essentially disappear in your shot.
Phantom Power does not involve ghosts!
One reason why the Sony ECM-44B is inexpensive is because it relies on one AA battery for power. Keeping it battery powered and not turning it into a *phantom powered mic helps keep the cost down. Using a AA is certainly not difficult or limiting in any way. One AA will last a very long time inside ther ECM-44B so you do not have to worry about a huge battery budget.
*(A phantom powered mic is one that draws it’s power from the camera it is plugged into.)
The SONY EMC-44B mic is very durable and provides clean sound; I’ve used them for years. Never had one break on me. If your battery power is weak, your audio signal will be too so it is important to always have head phones so you can listen to your sound as it is being recorded. In my experience, with regular use, the AA needs to be changed about once a month.
This shows the duel XLR inuts on a camera.
The EMC44b mic has an XLR connection so using it requires either a camera with an XLR connection or an XLR to Stereo Plug adapter. Please keep in mind that not all video cameras have inputs for microphones and the smaller ones that do have a stereo plug, not an XLR. If that is your situation, you can use an adapter cable that can be purchased at a store like Radio Shack or B&H Photo Supply.
An adapter cable like this can help you use an XLR microphone with a camera that just has a stero plug.
Here is a table with the Sony EMC-44B lavalier microphone specs.
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Transducer Electret Condenser Polar Pattern Omnidirectional Frequency Response 40Hz – 15kHz Dynamic Range (Typical) 90dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio 62dB, (@ 1kHz) Maximum Input Sound Level 122dB, (@ 1kHz, 1% THD) Power Requirements ‘AA’ Battery (1.5v DC)battery power only, does not accept phantom power Output Impedance 250 Ohms, (+/-20% (1kHz) Balanced) Output Connectors XLR-3M Type Pad None Low Frequency Roll-Off None Applications Radio, Television and Broadcast. Dimensions Microphone: 0.6 x 0.34″ (14.5 x 8.5mm) LxDiameter
Power Supply: 5 x 0.82″ (126.5 x 20mm) LxW
Cable: 10′ x 0.09″ (3m x 2.3mm) LxWWeight Microphone: 0.07 oz. (2.0 g)
Power supply: 4.2 oz. (119 g)
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