Comica CVM-VM20 Multi-Functional Super Cardioid Condenser Shotgun Microphone Review – Top Gun
Pros — Superb sound; extra features; complete accessory kit; easy to use; value.
Cons — Non-serviceable battery.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Comica CVM-VM20 is a great-sounding shotgun microphone with useful features that works very well for my vlogging purposes. A personal favourite.
INTRODUCTION
I have been into vlogging since Q2 2020. My start was treacherous, but – since we are an audio blog – I have always favoured sound over images. My 2016 iPhone SE produces good video but unacceptable audio. A friend recommended a certain lavalier microphone, which was a step up. I then played with a few more lavaliers before I tried my first an on-camera microphone. The price range of my selection was $20-$100. I still could not produce a sound nearly as good as these YouTube influencers with their large mics in front of their mouths. But these microphones are expensive and they need an additional $200 device to supply them with 48 V “phantom power”. Sure, I could massage the thin sound of my lavaliers to some extent through specialized software, which would demand much work for every video. But, in my books, a sound has to be decent even raw in a live stream. So what to do?
Coincidentally, the opportunity of reviewing the Comica CVM-VM20 microphone came at the right moment. It was ranked in the top 10 microphones by the Microphone Geeks recently. This is surprising considering that their closest competition range from twice to ten times the price. Is the Comica CVM-VM20 a bargain?
If the Comica CVM-VM20 was good enough for pros, should it be good enough for a casual vlogger like me? The good thing about reviewing a microphone is that you can provide sound samples – nothing to sugar coat. So let’s find out how the Comica CVM-VM20 works for me.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Polar Pattern: super cardioid
- Frequency Response: 20 -20,000 Hz
- Low-Cut: 75Hz/150 Hz
- Sensitivity Range: -43 dBto -23 dB
- S/N: >75 dB
- Maximum SPL: >105 dB
- Output Form: 3,6 mm TRS
- Power: Li-ion battery 3.7 V 300 mac
- Size: 22 mm * 177 mm
- Net Weight: 84 g
- Operating Temperature: 0-50C
- Storage Temperature: -10C to 60 C
- Tested at: $129
- Product Page: Comica Professional Audio Equipment
- Purchase Link: PERGEAR
PHYSICAL THINGS
The Comica CVM-VM20 comes as a complete set with all required accessories: the actual mic with built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery, shock mount, foam cover and furry wind muff, TRS to TRRS cable (connecting to phones), TRS to TRS cable (connecting to a camera), USB-C to USB-A charge cable, and the obligatory paperwork. And the whole lots is nicely stowed in the large included, padded case. There is no charger included, but the Comica CVM-VM20 can be connected to any USB outlet.
The microphone’s body is made of metal; build and haptic are excellent.
HOW THE COMICA CVM-VM20 WORKS
The Comica CVM-VM20 microphone is a condenser microphone with a strongly directional super-cardioid polar pickup pattern. It is most sensitive to on-axis sounds (where the mic “points”) with null points at 127° and 233° and a rear lobe of sensitivity. This pattern has the shape of a heart (kardiá, Greek: heart). The “super” added to cardioid refers to that little tail behind the microphone that offer some extra sound intake from sources behind the microphone….for example useful when filming ahead while commenting from behind the camera.
FEATURES
Built-in Li-ion battery: supplies 60 hours of operation. An OLED display indicates battery level and when the Comica CVM-VM20 needs to be connected through its USB-C port to a USB outlet for charging – with the included cable.
Two-step low-cut button: cycles from flat through 75 and 150 Hz rolloff. The 150 Hz low cut filters out low-frequency ambient noise such as traffic, furnace, or air conditioning. The 75 Hz low cut essentially replaces the “pop filter” when speaking close to the microphone.
Gain knob: produces a variable gain from 1 to 10…which translates to a max. boost of 20 dB. The effect of the gain is demonstrated in my sound-sample video (below).
OPERATION
Easy. The Comica CVM-VM20 is mounted on a standard cold shoe or on a standard 1/4″-20 thread. It connects to a phone or camera with the included cables. No splitter or adapter required. Connect to your camera/phone, switch it on, decide on a low-cut filter (or not), set your gain…and you are recording.
SOUND
Equipment used: Comica CVM-V20 microphone, iPhone SE (first generation, 2016), Ulanzi video rig, amazon basics boom microphone stand with adapter.
I have used several lavalier and two cardioid pattern microphones before – and have never been satisfied with my YouTube sound. Some cut the bass off so that the sound is transparent and clear, but volume and body are lacking. Others do not have the upper extension that adds life to the sound. All of these microphones need lots of time-consuming post precessing to sound somewhat acceptable…but I still did not sound as strong and weighty as these groomed and curated YouTube tech salespeople.
This has changed with the Comica CVM-VM20. Even without processing (“live streams”), my voice is rich, full bodied, and weighty, yet crisp and lively – just like that of a radio host. There is good extension towards the upper and lower end and clarity is good, too.
I could also not detect any hiss or handling noise. Check out the sound samples below from outside and inside the house. I did not use any of the low-cut filters – and the foam cover instead of the wind muff. The sound is raw. In the outdoor part, the traffic noise of a nearby Calgary city highway and schoolchildren playing about 100-150 m away is picked up by the Comica CVM-VM20.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF THE COMICA CVM-VM20 MICROPHONE
Cardioid condenser shotgun microphones are used by the movie industry because of their directionality. The “super” added to the cardioid gives the person behind the camera (phone, DLR) a voice, too. The Comica CVM-VM20 can be used mounted on a camera/mobile phone or simply on a microphone stand for recording sounds from far and near. My videos and images in this article should give you some idea of the Comica CVM-VM20’s versatile uses.
I used the Comica CVM-VM20 for the Whizzer Kylin HE01 review below – in an untreated room – with no low-cut filter applied. It features minimal sound processing in iMovie: I pushed the “auto” button in the sound panel, and the software adjusted the sound minimally.
I shot the Earmen Sparrow video in the same room but applied the 75 dB low-cut filter. Sound was also adjusted to “auto” in iMovie.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The Comica CVM-VM20 comes as a very pleasant surprise to me – after having tried so many microphones. It has impressed me so much that I have used it for all my blogging and zoom activities since. It delivers the full and rich-bodied radio sound I always wanted. The Microphone Geeks were spot on with their ranking. For an amateur YouTuber like me, the Comica CVM-VM20 is the sonic endgame. Why pay more?
And if you want to hear more Comica CVM-VM20 sound in the future, please subscribe to my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/audioreviews…or simply get your own.
Until next time…keep on listening!
DISCLAIMER
The Comica CVM-VM20 was provided unsolicited by PERGEAR. I thank them for that.
You can get the Comica CVM-VM20 from PERGEAR.
Our generic standard disclaimer.
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