One of the major obstacles with vlogging is sound. Isolating the sound and having it record at high quality is a big deal. I strongly feel that we are far more inclined to stop watching something with bad audio than we are if the visuals are bad. We can put up with flickering pictures or low quality, low-resolution images for a lot longer than we can put up with bad audio. It seems Joby has done something to address this.
Superior quality on-camera vlogging microphone. That’s the tagline from the Joby website, and at just 80 grams, that’s quite a punchy statement. As of yesterday, February 29th, the Joby Wavo is available for £69.95 or $/€79.95. It’s designed specifically with vloggers in mind. Wavo is compact, portable and is constructed of some fairly decent materials.
The Wavo (JB01675-BWW) Super-Cardioid polar pattern mic forms a new product family together with the Wavo Mobile (JB01643-BWW) Cardioid mic. Let’s see the technicals, though. Those 80 grams (2.8 ounces) fit inside 9.3cm x 7.5cm x 7.1cm (3.6 x 2.9 x 2.8 inches.) It has a frequency response between 35Hz – 20KHz and a signal-to-noise ratio of 78db SPL (Decibel Sound Pressure Level) with a sensitivity of -38db. Wavo comes with a one-year warranty, and this microphone is made from ABS Plastic, Hytrel®, and Polyurethane.
The Wavo is for consumers, creators, podcasters, vloggers, and should combine well with mobile phones. Although it will work with DSLR’s and mirrorless cameras, Joby is stressing the point that it’s designed for vloggers. Joby says:
This powerful but lightweight microphone features an ABS body for durability and a Hytrel® Double Point Duo-Lyre® designed by Rycote team to isolate unwanted vibrations. High-quality capture with a wide frequency response range delivers superior quality sound recording.
Super-Cardioid polar pattern focuses on the vlogger’s voice, isolating it from the crowd or background noise. The base allows for attachment via locking cold shoe mount or ¼ 20 for added security. For purer sound clarity, the supplied foam windshield helps to remove any unwanted ambient distractions.
Supplied with both a cable for mobile phones (TRRS) and cameras (TRS) this is the Vlogger’s choice for their first quality microphone.
Joby Wavo on a mobile blogging rig (Credit: Vitec Group / Joby)
The Wavo consists of the materials Hytrel®, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PU (Polyurethane). The ABS body provides the product with durability. The Hytrel® Double Point Duo-Lyre® is a concept by a team within Rycote. The red dampener may look familiar, and that’s because Rycote is also associated with Røde. Like Joby, Rycote is also a member of the Vitec Group and provided the product with this engineered design to dampen, isolate or diminish unintended vibrations, knocks, or shakes.
This Hytrel® Thermoplastic Elastomer separates the microphone a little bit from the camera or support that holds it. This serves to prevent the transfer of any movement, handling noise or vibrations to the microphone. There’s also a foam shield to protect it from ambient background noise.
There’s a 1/4 20 mount, which is standard among tripod mounts. Combined with the ability to attach to cold/hot-shoe mounts, this allows for easy attachment to a camera or other items in the Gorillapod range. Joby suggests pairing the Wavo or the Wavo Mobile with the Gorillapod, Griptight Pro Telepod, or Handypod Mobile, also stating that the Wavo works with their entire range of stands.
Joining a market full of Vlogging microphones, the Joby Wavo and Wavo Mobile are available to buy now for $79.95 and $39.95 respectively.
What’s your favourite on-camera vlogging mic?
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