Whether you record in your bedroom or in a studio, a good podcasting microphone can really set you apart from the crowd. In many cases, people think that the larger the mic, the better the quality. While large desk mics might come with bigger capsules and condensers, modern audio processing technology has made recording with smaller microphones easier than ever. The Movo UM700 and Movo Smartphone Podcasting Bundle are both great places to start for solo- or interview-style podcasts. And say goodbye to disappointing sound. This universal video shotgun microphone significantly improves your audio quality whether you use it with a standard smartphone or the highest-quality DSLR. BATTERY-FREE DESIGN: Microphone draws power directly from your phone or camera. Compatible with any recording device with a 3.5mm TRS or 3.5mm TRRS port While silent movies were all the rage a century ago, thanks to technology filmmakers and filmgoers alike understand just how important sound is for film and TV. And the best way to make sure that even the most amateur film looks top quality is by recording it with the best audio possible. The Movo VXR10 microphone helps creators do just that. One thing about recording outside of the sterile environment of a studio is that you get to capture the richness of the world. A downside to that, though, is that your recordings can often be muddied with unnecessary noise or clutter. As a shotgun microphone, the VXR10 helps you avoid this through focused recording.

In the past, Movo’s lav mics were mediocre at best, but they’ve improved a great deal, and they really made a difference. My test results were extremely close to the quality I got from both the Rode Wireless Go II and the DJI Mic when using the same Rode lav mics. Crocodile or alligator clips are used to easily attach the mics to clothing. They can also be attached with tape. Lav mics can be taped to clothing such as a shirt or cap, to the person’s skin, or even hidden in people’s hair.Livestreaming - The VXR10 is also great for livestreaming - here we show how to set that up with your smartphone.

Vloggers, filmmakers, and videographers of all kinds love it. Whether you’re making a short film or shooting your latest vlog on Venice Beach, the VXR10 will deliver clean, crisp audio, every time. But, as every auteur knows, visuals aren’t the only thing that’s important for the film. Sound plays an important part in enhancing the art form and engaging the viewers. It’s an important mood maker in film, often used to highlight tension or emotion in scenes. The buttons and knobs on the UM700 are virtually the same as the ones on the Yeti, as are the directional pattern modes — stereo, cardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional. I like the mute button feature on the UM700 better than the one on the Yeti, as the UM700 clearly shows when the mute button is and is not being used. The indicator light turns red when it is being used. I never liked the perpetually red mute button with the Yeti, as a blinking indicator means that the mute function is operative. The charging case has a 3,000mAh capacity battery and takes about four hours to fully recharge when plugged into a laptop or 2 hours when plugged into a wall charger. I found it recharged faster when I used a fast charging device like Anker’s Nano II USB-C charger. It reached a full charge in about 2 hours when I did that. Also, my Chargeasap Flash Pro has a fast-charging option and charged the case fully within two hours, further stretching how long I could record audio while filming. Bravo on battery life, Movo, ya done good, kids. Bottom LineOne thing that’s clear when comparing the two mics is that the UM700 aspired to be a sleeker incarnation of the Blue Yeti. It accomplishes that task, as it is slightly lighter (just over a pound less) and takes up a little less space. Keep in mind, the mic/stand combo may be slightly clunky on your desk. I’ve generally learned to allot the space for a mic and stand in my modest podcast setup. While the little things are impressive, the entire body of work is nice as well. The UM700 has a nice metal finish and is decidedly sturdy. I would describe the moving parts of the mic and stand as “snug”— even when I put the USB cable in my MacBook, it was decidedly secure. Yep — the mic has a snug and sturdy feel, but not stiff. This implies craftsmanship, and again, attention to detail.

A long, barrel-like mic that’s designed for pinpointing the sound coming from a single direction, shotgun microphones are a staple on film sets. The longer, supercardioid shotgun mics—like the Movo VXR40 —are designed to be mounted on boom poles so you can get it up close to the actors without having to move the camera in closer. If you’re on a budget or trying to keep your setup light, smaller shotgun mics like the Movo VXR10 or Movo VXR3031 are capable of capturing dynamic audio with little to no interference depending on the range. Ready to attach directly to your DSLR or mirrorless camera’s 3.5mm audio input, on-camera mics help capture the sound happening right in front of the camera. The most popular on-camera mic—and probably the most familiar—is the shotgun-style mic. But you can use handheld or lavalier style microphones depending on the type of content you’re trying to capture. Find the best lavalier microphone to suit your needs in our wide range of options below, and get helpful tips and information for using your lav mics. Lavalier microphones, or lav mics, are tiny mics that you have probably heard called a number of different names, including lapel mics, body mics or collar mics. Each of these names was derived from places where you can clip these small, powerful devices. Ultimately, lav mics are great for TV and public appearances and are commonly used during interviews or for recording film audio. Vloggers and podcasters enjoy using them, too.Overall the UM700 performed adequately from start to finish, but did it sound better than the Blue Yeti? Unfortunately for Movo, not quite. I felt that recordings made with the Yeti required less pre- and post-production editing to sound their best, which in turn makes it more of a true plug-play-production mic than the UM700. Movo UM700 review: Verdict As much as I enjoyed the experience of opening up the box, the Movo UM700’s real value would ultimately be determined by sound quality. I began by putting the mic to the test in an episode of my podcast. The plug-and-play components worked perfectly, and Garageband recognized the mic without installing software. As a piece of hardware, the Movo VSM-7 is very good. It's a tad heavy, perhaps, so you'll need a decent boom arm or mic stand for it, but it has everything you need to get going and it feels like a quality product. But how does it sound?