Mini Cardioid Lavalier Microph

by Audio-Technica

Product Details

• Item Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002RL8TS0
• Item model number: AT831B
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #38 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Microphones > Wireless Microphones > Lapel Microphones
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 16, 2004

Product Description

For years this condenser microphone has been one of the top choices in the industry for lavalier microphones and can be found installed in many of the top wireless lavalier systems as well.  It also can serve as an acoustic guitar mic mounted in the sound hole. The cardioid pickup pattern ensures the best possible pickup directly in front of the microphone while minimizing external noise, thus resulting in minimal feedback.  The microphone comes with a tie/collar clip and terminates to a power module with battery.  In place of the battery, the microphone can also be powered by 48 volt phantom power. Features: Clip-on lavalier mic also excels in acoustic guitar applications Provides crisp, full-sounding voice and instrument pickup Operates on battery or phantom power 6' (1.8 m) cable permanently attached between microphone and power module   Specifications: Element: Condenser Polar Pattern: Cardioid Frequency Response: 40 - 20,000 Hz Open Circuit Sensitivity: PHANTOM: -44 dB (6.3 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa; BATTERY: -45 dB (5.6 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa Impedance: PHANTOM: 200 ohms; BATTERY: 270 ohms Maximum Input Sound Level: PHANTOM: 135 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.; BATTERY: 121 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D. Signal to Noise Rati 65 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa Dynamic Range (Typical): PHANTOM: 106 dB, 1 kHz at Max. SPL; BATTERY: 92 dB, 1 kHz at Max. SPL Phantom Power Requirements: 9 - 52V, 2 mA typical Battery T...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, May 29, 2010

By 

Video Services Of Va (Virginia Beach, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mini Cardioid Lavalier Microph (Electronics)

For me this was an upgrade from the cheap ATR lapel mic. I heard these mics when helping another guy with his setup. I was blown away at how clear the voice is. I put them on my agenda to purchase as soon as the funds became available. I recently used these at an airshow with WW2 planes in the background. A very loud background. They worked perfectly to isolate the subject and reject the planes. In fact, I prepared for that and recorded a second audio source so that I could blend in the perfect level of engine noise to the background. I didnt want it too quiet with only the subjects being heard. I needed to have the viewer feel they were at the airport.
These mics are outstanding. Its not really a drawback but it is extra time to hook everything up. And you will have to have a method of getting an xlr source into your video camera. However you get that done will be worth it. These mics are worth every penny. The next step is around 800 and is not necessary for the semi-pro.
I just cant over how rich these sound. They are not tinty at all and have great bass. They are just a great step up from the cheap lavs that everyone starts out with. Combined with an HD vid cam, my videos are now completely professional sounding and looking.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice sound. Was more than I needed., July 7, 2009

By 

D. Fichtner (American in Seoul, SK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Length:: 0:33 Mins

I uploaded a random audio file of me rambling on my 831b mic, which I'm calling mic 2 here. Sounds very good, and I enjoyed the professional storage case with accessories. You won't be disappointed with this microphone.

If you are like me, however, and just want it for voice, it might be a bit of overkill compared to the next model down in the series. It adds a bit more in the low range than the slightly cheaper Pro-70 made by the same company, but in all honesty, when low-cut mode is on, they sound the same to me. This mic is supposed to have a bit more of a cardioid build to it, however.

I don't play guitar, but I can tell this would be a very decent guitar lav.

I use this with my Zoom H4, and it sounds very nice. I look forward to putting it through its paces a bit more. If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably have saved money and purchased the Pro70, which is the next model down in the series: Mini Cardioid Condenser Lavalier/instrument Microphone. Instruments would likely sound better on the 831b. I haven't tried that yet, but I can pretty much tell.