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Audio equipment company COMICA has recently introduced the CVM-VM30, a compact shotgun microphone that combines the features of a traditional on-camera super cardioid mic with those of a wireless audio transmission system. It retails for $189.
Chinese manufacturer COMICA specializes in the production of affordable audio solutions that usually come with a touch of innovation. My colleague Johnnie recently reviewed their Vimo C – a wireless microphone system with built-in noise reduction.
Now, the company claims that their newly-introduced CVM-VM30 – which, at first glance, might look similar to the affordable CVM-VM20 – is “the industry’s first shotgun microphone with an integrated wireless module”. Let’s take a closer look!
The COMICA CVM-VM30 kit actually consists of two devices, a compact on-camera shotgun microphone and a wireless receiver. The microphone can be connected to a camera or audio recorder in a traditional, wired, stand-alone configuration.
Additionally, the super cardioid condenser microphone has a built-in wireless module to communicate with the included receiver over the 2.4GHz frequency band. The system features an auto-pairing function and, according to COMICA, it has a maximum transmission range of 100m (Line-Of-Sight). What’s interesting is that the wired and wireless modes also work simultaneously.
For wired mode, the microphone offers both a 3.5mm analog jack as well as a USB-C digital output. In addition, it can automatically detect whether it’s being connected to a TRS or TRRS device. This means that the system is compatible with a wide range of devices, including cameras, smartphones, audio recorders, and computers.
Furthermore, the USB-C port can also act as a charging port for the built-in 350mAh battery, which should keep the mic running for about 50 hours in wired mode and 7 hours in wireless mode, according to COMICA. The microphone also has an Auto Power On/Off function to preserve battery life in wired mode.
Audio is processed at 48kHz/24 bit and gain can be adjusted using a dedicated dial on the back of the microphone. A built-in OLED screen on the mic and an IPS LCD screen on the receiver allow for real-time monitoring of signal status, gain level, and battery life.
The system offers a few useful functions such as a safety channel mode, which helps you prevent audio clipping, a 2-stage low-cut filter (75Hz and 150Hz), and a 10kHz high-frequency boost.
The COMICA CVM-VM30 is now available to pre-order from B&H. Its official retail price is set at $189. The kit includes the microphone, wireless receiver, shock hot-shoe mount, and high-density windshield.
For more information, please visit COMICA’s website here.
What do you think of the new COMICA CVM-VM30? Have you ever felt the need of having a hybrid shotgun microphone with integrated wireless audio capabilities? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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Francesco Andreola is a Milan-based filmmaker. He currently teaches the Video Technology class at the European Institute of Design (IED) in Milan. He works in the Camera Department as a camera operator and assistant.