RØDE has announced the Lavalier II. RØDE is stating that the Lavalier II is a premium lavalier microphone that is ideal for demanding audio and video applications. It features a new low-profile design and better sound quality.
Key features of LAVALIER II
- Premium lavalier microphone for high-quality audio capture in broadcast, filmmaking, and content creation applications
- Low-profile design and ultra-compact mounting clip – incredibly discreet and easy to conceal
- Broadcast-grade sound quality with flat frequency response and omnidirectional polar pattern
- 3.5mm TRS locking connector
- Premium accessory kit – includes a pop filter, mini furry windshield, mounting clip, colored ID rings, and zip case
Low-profile Design
RØDE Lavalier II RØDELink Lavalier
One of my gripes with the original RØDELink Lavalier microphone was that the microphone capsule was very large and it was a pain to conceal it. It was also hard to make it work with industry-standard third-party accessories.
The new Lavalier II features a much better low-profile design. RØDE claims that it uses new capsule technology and a unique form factor. I am not sure that the form factor is unique.
There have been plenty of lavalier microphones in the past that feature a very similar design and form factor, such as the Lectrosonics M152/5P Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone.
According to RØDE, this new form factor allows users to place the microphone flush against clothing and other mounting surfaces. The potential issue I see is that because the actual capsule is located on the side and not on the top, concealing the microphone will probably mean that you end up covering the capsule. The Lavalier II also has a new mounting clip that is a lot smaller than the original, as well as a flat cable.
I am not sure why they insist on putting a very visible RØDE logo on the mic clip. There is absolutely no need to do this. Most professionals I know would not use a clip with a big branded logo on it.
Better sound quality
The Lavalier II is claimed to deliver broadcast-grade sound suitable for a range of recording applications. It has a very flat frequency response with low noise performance. It utilizes an omnidirectional polar pattern which is very common for lavalier microphones.
Can be used with a wide variety of devices
The Lavalier II can be used with a wide variety of audio devices, including the RØDE Wireless GO II and the newly released AI-Micro. It features a 3.5mm locking connector for use with professional wireless microphone systems.
Premium Accessory Kit
The Lavalier II comes with a premium accessory kit. This includes a high-quality pop filter and mini furry windshield. There is also a compact mounting clip (which includes easy cable management slots), and a set of colored identification rings for keeping track of microphones in multi-camera situations.