What's a good lavalier mic to use with the Kodak Zi8?

...And does anyone know what kind Frank Kern used for the list control sales video and Jeff Walker for his recent launch vids?

Franks sounded incredibly good...crisp, clear...

A couple important points:

1) Higher-end video cameras let you adjust the audio sensitivity internally (you can turn the audio input up/down), not sure if you can with the Zi8, but that would solve your audio level problem.

2) Treat the audio input jack on ANY camcorder very gently when plugging into it, they can break easily. If the plug attachment is kind of heavy, use tape to take the weight off the plug.

3) Even if you're only recording audio on one side, most video editing programs allow you to "merge" the audio into a mono channel, which fixes that problem.

4) The 1st lavaliere you bought costs about $20, I've tested it and it's not bad for the price. I'm picky about audio, and after researching options, bought this Audio-Technica AT899 (around $199)

Amazon.com: Audio-Technica AT899 - Wireless microphone:...

...which goes to an XLR-type regular mic cable. So you need this adapter if you want to run it into a 3.5mm plug like on a camcorder.

Amazon.com: HOSA RT. ANGLE 3.5mm (M) - XLR(F), (wired for stereo mics.), 1 ft.: Musical...

If you want to drive yourself crazy, check out the audio A/B tests on this page
Audio In Close Up - Which Lavalier Should I Use?"
...They're all pretty expensive lavalieres, though. It's pretty easy to pick up a ground buzz on lavaliere mics, that's why I like having the XLR mic cable, because it's shielded.

Hope that helps... The quality of lavalieres really varies, and of course where you position them can affect a lot too. Check on the things about for raising the volume level, and hopefully with the right adapters you'll find something that works for you.

PS -About getting top-quality sound: The Sanken Cos-11 is the industry standard for lavalieres, they run $400+, but more importantly, for top-quality sound you edit the audio, EQ it, reduce noise levels, etc, and capture the audio with higher quality audio gear than what comes with a basic camcorder. Working at sounding incrementally better gets much more expensive and time consuming, so you have to figure out where you want to stop.

You can adjust the mic gain inthe settings menu on the Zi-8. I have been using the same wired lav that you have with what I think are good results. I have been replicating the mono audio in Vegas for sterio when I am using only one lav.

To use to lavs I am using a Azden passive mixer. that has 2 mono in, 1 stereo in and stereo out. You can also use it to adjust the levels of the two mics if the speakers are at different volumes.

Kevin

Here is an example of a video done with it.

After listening to the video again, the audio was a little hot and should have been turned down.

The video also shows the passive mixer from Azden.

Welcome to Facebook

Kevin

The Y-adapter may work, because it would be similar to what I am doing with the passive mixer. Worth a shot, and a lot cheaper.

Kevin

I would recommend that you go to EBay and do a search there. You will find lots of the mics that you want. Find one that looks good then go to Google and do a search on it. Hope that this helps.

What are the basic requirements (specs) that are REQUIRED if I want a lav mic for a kodak zi8? In other words, how can I be (at least) sure the cords/jacks will fit, etc. I'm talking about basic specs to look for.

Also, what's a low-end price range I should expect to pay?

And any specific recommendations?

Please advise.

Thanks.