Azden High-performance (SMX-10) Stereo Condenser Microphone

by Azden

Product Features

• 7 inch Long, Dual Unidirectional Electret-Condenser Microphone
• Records High-Quality Stereo Directly
• Built-In Cable With 3.5Mm Stereo Mini Plug
• Powered By A Single Aaa Battery
• Includes Foam Windscreen & Shock-Mount Microphone Holder
• Ability to record directly in stereo Dual uni-directional electret condensor microphone Built-in cable with 3.5mm plug
• Ability to record directly in stereo Dual uni-directional electret condensor microphone Built-in cable with 3.5mm plug.
• Uses one AAA battery Includes windscreen and camera shoe-mount

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 3 x 2.6 inches ; 5.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000GE403I
• Item model number: SMX-10
• Batteries: 1 AAA batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #9 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Microphones > Condenser Microphones

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Perfect for use with smaller, high-end camcorder, the Azden SMX-10 compact shotgun microphone records in stereo and is powered by a single AAA battery that provides up to 400 hours of continuous use. This dual uni-directional, electret-condensor mic measures 7 inches long with a 0.7-inch diameter, and it weighs just 1.83 ounces (without battery).

It includes a permanently attached coiled cable coming out the back that plugs into 1/8-inch (3.5mm) jacks. Other features include a foam windscreen, lo-cut switch to minimize rumble and wind noise, and camera hot-shoe mount.

Specifications

• Type: Stereo electret condenser
• Frequency response: 100-18,000Hz
• Sensitivity: -40dB @1kHz (1V/Pa)
• Output impedance: 1.5 k ohm @ 1kHz
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 60dB (1kHz @ 1Pa)
• Dynamic range: 66dB
• Power supply: 1.5V DC; AAA size battery (not included)
• Max. SPL: 100dB
• Battery current drain: 0.5mA
• Battery life: 400 hours with Alkaline battery
• Weight w/o battery: 1.83 ounces
• Dimensions: 7-inch length, 0.7-inch diameter
• Output cable: Permanently attached with 3.5mm plug

What's in the Box
SMX-10 microphone (with attached cable), hot-shoe mic holder, foam windscreen

Product Description

Now you can record in stereo directly with Azden's SMX-10. The 177 mm long, dual uni-directional, electret-condensor mic is powered by a single "AAA" battery (not included) and features a built-in cable with a 3.5 mm stereo mini-plug. Comes with a windscreen and camera hot-shoe mount.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great external mic for the Canon HV30, May 20, 2008

By 

Cosmo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Azden High-performance (SMX-10) Stereo Condenser Microphone (Electronics)

I've had the mic for two weeks now and I'm using it w/a Canon HV30 and a NRG 59111 bracket. In quiet shooting situations, the mic will pick up a lot of motor noise if mounted directly to the camera; this is normal. The bracket suspends the mic about 5" above the camera and motor noise pickup is eliminated. The supplied windscreen does a pretty good job. I would prefer if there was a "power on" LED to serve as a reminder to shut the mic off but that would just draw power too. I understand the rationale behind not having one, but want one anyway. The mic cord is NOT detachable as shown in the picture. Maybe newer versions are, but the one I received does not detach. The shockmount is not that great. The upper/lower parts of the mount are connected by hard rubber squares. So, it's not really "shock mounted" but more of a "dampened mounted." Some handling noise/tapping the camera will be picked up by the mic. This is due to the "not really a shockmount" shockmount.

That said, I'm very happy with it. Note: This is not a shotgun mic, so don't expect to pickup conversation-level sound from 30 feet away. This mic is a true stereo mic and outputs two distinct L/R channel. This mic beats the pants off the stock in-camera mics in every way. There is much more clarity as compared to the stock mic. The best way to describe it is that with the stock mics, all the sounds are "mixed together and indistinct." Whereas with the SMX-10 each sound "stands out from all the others." Frequency response is also better with the SMX-10; I find there is a lot more high-end frequency information in recordings made with it vs. stock.

The mic is very light, not too long (doesn't hang over the front of the camera) and the cord is of the coiled variety so it doesn't hang all over the place. It's designed very well. Body is all-aluminum and very solid feeling. Switches are recessed into the body of the mic, so it would be very difficult to accidently slide them one way or the other. There really isn't anything else in it's price range that is better. Another option/very popular video mic is the Rode Stereo Videomic, but it is literally 2x the price and twice the size. I took a chance with the SMX-10 and am very happy with my purchase.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good addition to My Canon HV20, November 1, 2007

By 

GregG (Marlton, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Azden High-performance (SMX-10) Stereo Condenser Microphone (Electronics)

This has been a really nice addition to my Canon HV20 camcorder. I like it because it provides far superior sound than the built in mic on the HV20 and it is not too bulky. I can leave it attached to my camcorder and still fit the entire rig in a relatively small camera bag (Tamrac Velocity 7x). I did not rate it a 5 because of the shockmount that it comes with is not the greatest. I substituted the Rode SM3 shockmount, which works much better. I highly recommend this combination. It has added a new dimension to my videos and my rig still remains highly portable.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works Good Area Volume!, November 19, 2007

By 

Misty - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Azden High-performance (SMX-10) Stereo Condenser Microphone (Electronics)

I bought this mic half-heartedly. It might possibly be complete junk, or might possibly be one of my greatest buys. And sure enough. It was a great buy. This mic is very very good for what I plan to use it for. I, sadly, have yet to test it out on a camcorder, but I have used it plugged into my computer and receive, nothing below, AMAZING sound quality from this mic. It has a very wide area pick up also, which I was very surprised with for its price. I am not sure about how it reacts to picking up DV Tape sound or that stuff, because I use it on a boom pole. This is a great item and well worth it if your on a budget for filming or voice over. The VO is pretty awsome with this thing. There is no noticeable white noise and the actually QUALITY of the recordings are just clear and normal. There is nothing that makes it sound like it couldn't be from a professional studio. Made my day. Great buy for the price!