Rode Lavalier II Review / Test

Today I review the Rode Lavalier II which is Rode's more recent Lav release. It offers a good build quality and a ton of great accessories. The noise is 27dBa but for a Lav, that's not the worst. The sound when used on the collar or on your chest can be kind of muddy and low detail compared to the competition, but if you get the mic away from your body so the front of the mic faces your mouth you can get a bit more top end into your recording.

Buy the Rode Lavalier II (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/lavii
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/lavii
B&H Photo: https://www.thomannmusic.com/rode_lavalier_ii.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Input: Canon 90d
Computer Level: ~30%
Boosted in Post: +5dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
Freq Response : 20Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity -38dB
Noise: 27dBA
Max SPL: 106dB (1%), 120dB (10% THD)
Power Required: Plug-in Power

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:21 - What’s in the Box
00:39 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:07 - Specifications
01:15 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:36 - Plosive Test
01:53 - Lav Mic Position Tests
03:08 - Background Noise Test 
03:21 - Untreated Room Test
03:39 - Windscreen Test
04:19 - Camera Internal Mic Comparison
05:01 - Different Room Tests
05:54 - High Pass Filter Tests
04:41 - Camera Mic Input Demo
06:56 - Smart Phone Demo
07:19 - Laptop Input Demo
07:41 - USB Soundcard Demo
08:01 - Lav Mic Audio Interface Demo
08:20 - Portable Record Demo
08:36 - XLR Interface Demo
09:21 - Shure MVL Comparison
09:41 - Rode Lavalier Go Comparison
10:08 - Sennheiser ME2 Comparison
10:32 - Countryman B6 Comparison
11:02 - Sanken Cos 11D Comparison
11:30 - Shure TL48 Comparison
12:02 - Neumann U87 Comparison
12:34 - Pros & Cons
14:15 - Overall Thoughts
15:31 - Recommendation

Bandrew Scott

Bandrew Scott is the founder and host of the youtube channel Podcastage, where he posts reviews of audio gear, and shares tips and tricks to improve the audio of your Podcast, YouTube Channel, or Live Stream.

He also founded the Geeks Rising podcast network, which is home to amazing education, wellness, and pop culture podcasts such as Tourette’s Podcast, Sunshine & Powercuts, and On The Subject.

Bandrew also runs his own show titled the Bandrew Says Podcast. On this show he analyzes the latest news to determine how it affects the content creation ecosystem, and shares that to help creates remain aware of how the platform they use is changing.