Sennheiser XS Lav USB C with wind pad | Source: Divya Kala Bhavani

In the foreseeable future, with the disruptive practice of working at home, convenient gadgets such as ring lights, laptop stands and laptop desks are now a solid demand. For multimedia-oriented work or interests, audio gadgets are also important—especially responsive microphones, which are valuable in meetings, interviews, and creation of voice-over content.

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In addition, we cannot always ask our family or roommates to "keep a low profile" all day long. The soundproofing of the room may not meet all your audio needs, and a decent microphone will support you. But with so many products on the market, it is difficult to determine what you might need without knowing all the important specifications for making a great microphone.

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Matching the microphone to the environment in which you will use it and the device in which you will use it is key. For example, recording sound, outdoor shooting and environmental noise, music recording, etc.

Therefore, when Sennheiser launches their XS Lav USB C, it must be thoroughly tested.

I am glad that this microphone does not require an adapter because it can be directly plugged into my M1 MacBook, iPad Pro and Android devices. Don't worry, XS Lav also provides AUX format with lower cost. Because of its smallest size, the shape itself is very attractive; it has only one thread, not too thick or too thin, but very strong and not easily tangled. The kit also comes with a sturdy clip that can be removed.

Sennheiser XS Lav USB C clipped to shirt | Source: Divya Kala Bhavani

Since the diameter of the microphone is 10.5 mm, if you are shooting, it will not be so bulky and will not invade your picture. It certainly meets the ever-increasing demand for plug-and-play: who still has time to wait for the driver to be installed?

Through the specifications, I am very happy that the XS Lav USB C has an omnidirectional pickup mode, which means that no matter where you place the microphone on your body (ideally from the neck to the lower chest area, or even your wrist), it The sensitivity field picks up your voice with the same intensity. This makes the microphone itself a supercardioid microphone, allowing more sounds to be picked up in the 180-degree range, while rejecting more sounds from the 90 or 270-degree range. The frequency response range of the microphone is 70 to 18,000 Hz, which is the industry standard for vocal microphones.

But you can't just rely on specifications. Because the microphone is essentially a transducer that converts mechanical wave energy (sound waves) into electrical energy, its performance also depends on its structure; the type of metal or plastic used. For lavalier microphones, the external plastic can make the product as lightweight as possible, but the internal parts-where the magic happens-and the clip are usually made of aluminum alloy.

Sennheiser XS Lav USB C microphone close-up | Source: Divya Kala Bhavani

I compared the performance of the XS Lav USB C with the performance of another microphone I own, and recorded without a microphone, all of which were recorded in a uniform environment (in a soundproof room during the day) , Some ongoing outdoor construction). I first recorded a video without a microphone with my DSLR camera-needless to say-there was a lot of interference, and I could hardly hear my own voice during playback.

Next, I plugged the XS Lav USB C into my DSLR using the adapter I had on hand, and the result was a significant improvement. The audio has discernible levels; although there are buildings near me, the foreground gives priority to my voice, while background noise, such as the occasional explosives, is almost inaudible. Then I compared it with my Rode Smart Lavalier Plus, which is a bit more expensive than Sennheiser (7,100 rupees), and the audio is not much different, which makes Sennheiser's price of 5,190 rupees, a wise choice.

When I later used XS Lav USB C to record in a thunderstorm, I connected the wind pad (supplied with the device), and my audio again remained prioritized and very clear.

Sennheiser XS Lav USB C, clip, wind cushion and drawstring bag | Source: Divya Kala Bhavani

Post-production reveals finer control over the audio, which I prefer. In the video interviews I conducted, I only increased the volume by 16 decibels. Compared with the laptop microphone, if I was recording, I usually increased the volume by 30 decibels in the later stage.

Although the cable length is two meters, it would be nice to see Sennheiser microphones with extension cables, which are quickly becoming the standard even for the lowest cost microphone kits. In fact, extension cords are usually an important determinant of microphone selection. I also want the microphone to have a fur windsock, even if it does have a wind cushion. Fur windsock can further eliminate stronger background noise, just like other people nearby are playing loud music, or even an air conditioner or big fan in the same room.

But these fine-grained requirements are not absolutely necessary, because it really depends on your use case.

Of course, you can't help but expect that XS Lav USB C can match studio-quality recordings-a lavalier microphone rarely does it. But it does eliminate background noise very well while maintaining clarity. It is light and comes with a great sturdy wire, and the best part is that the kit comes with a drawstring bag, so you can safely carry the microphone with you and keep it dust-free.

Sennheiser XS Lav USB C is priced at Rs 5,190 and is a must-have product for content creation or meeting needs. Its AUX equivalent product XS Lav Mobile (TRRS) is priced at Rs 4,490, and it will certainly reach a similar level.

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Printable version | December 16, 2021 1:48:12 PM | https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/gadgets/sennheiser-xs-lav-usb-c-microphone-india-affordable -best-audio/article35937422.ece

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