In this Azden SMX-10 microphone review, we’ll cover the key features, performance, pros, and cons of this compact and budget-friendly microphone.
Overview
The Azden SMX-10 is a shotgun microphone designed for capturing clear and professional audio in a compact and affordable package. It’s suitable for a variety of applications, from vlogging and interviews to filmmaking and outdoor recording.
Key Features
- Budget-Friendly: The SMX-10 offers excellent value for its price point.
- Compact Design: Its small size makes it highly portable and easy to handle.
- Directional Pickup: The shotgun design ensures focused audio capture.
- Battery-Free: No need for batteries or external power sources.
- Standard 3.5mm Connector: Compatible with a wide range of devices.
- Foam Windscreen: Reduces wind and handling noise for better sound quality.
Pros
- Affordability: It’s an ideal choice for those on a budget.
- Portability: The compact size is perfect for on-the-go recording.
- Excellent Directionality: It captures sound from the front while minimizing ambient noise.
- No Batteries Required: Forget about running out of power mid-recording.
- Wide Compatibility: Works with most cameras, camcorders, and audio recorders.
- Improved Sound Quality: The foam windscreen reduces unwanted noise.
Cons
- Limited Range: The SMX-10 may not be suitable for capturing distant sounds.
- No Gain Control: Lacks adjustable gain settings for fine-tuning audio.
- Build Quality: The build is primarily plastic, which may not be as durable as higher-end microphones.
- Sensitive to Wind: It might still pick up some wind noise in outdoor settings without additional wind protection.
Performance
The Azden SMX-10’s performance is quite impressive, considering its budget-friendly price. Its directional pickup pattern ensures that the audio source in front of the microphone is clear and distinct, while background noise is significantly reduced. This makes it a suitable choice for capturing interviews, vlogs, and scenes in controlled environments.
However, for more demanding outdoor scenarios, such as windy conditions, you might need additional wind protection or a blimp to prevent unwanted noise. It’s important to note that, due to its compact size and fixed pickup pattern, the SMX-10 may not be the best choice for recording audio from a distance.
Conclusion
In summary, the Azden SMX-10 offers an affordable and portable solution for capturing clear and focused audio. It’s an excellent choice for content creators on a budget who need a microphone for vlogging, interviews, or amateur filmmaking. While it may not excel in all situations, it provides excellent value for its price. Just keep in mind its limitations and consider additional accessories for outdoor recording.
Cosmo –
I’ve had the mic for two weeks now and I’m using it w/a Canon HV30 and a NRG 59111 bracket. In quiet shooting situations, the mic will pick up a lot of motor noise if mounted directly to the camera; this is normal. The bracket suspends the mic about 5″ above the camera and motor noise pickup is eliminated. The supplied windscreen does a pretty good job. I would prefer if there was a “power on” LED to serve as a reminder to shut the mic off but that would just draw power too. I understand the rationale behind not having one, but want one anyway. The mic cord is NOT detachable as shown in the picture. Maybe newer versions are, but the one I received does not detach. The shockmount is not that great. The upper/lower parts of the mount are connected by hard rubber squares. So, it’s not really “shock mounted” but more of a “dampened mounted.” Some handling noise/tapping the camera will be picked up by the mic. This is due to the “not really a shockmount” shockmount.That said, I’m very happy with it. Note: This is not a shotgun mic, so don’t expect to pickup conversation-level sound from 30 feet away. This mic is a true stereo mic and outputs two distinct L/R channel. This mic beats the pants off the stock in-camera mics in every way. There is much more clarity as compared to the stock mic. The best way to describe it is that with the stock mics, all the sounds are “mixed together and indistinct.” Whereas with the SMX-10 each sound “stands out from all the others.” Frequency response is also better with the SMX-10; I find there is a lot more high-end frequency information in recordings made with it vs. stock.The mic is very light, not too long (doesn’t hang over the front of the camera) and the cord is of the coiled variety so it doesn’t hang all over the place. It’s designed very well. Body is all-aluminum and very solid feeling. Switches are recessed into the body of the mic, so it would be very difficult to accidently slide them one way or the other. There really isn’t anything else in it’s price range that is better. Another option/very popular video mic is the Rode Stereo Videomic, but it is literally 2x the price and twice the size. I took a chance with the SMX-10 and am very happy with my purchase.
old squid –
I have been using this item with my Canon t2i bodies for video. The frequency response is good and not so good. The audio coverage is 100hz to 20 khz which is good for the upper frequencies, CDs are 20hz(or a bit lower) to 20khz, however it is non usable for recording a contra bassoon or string bass. It shines when recording ambient noises and conversation. The stereo is very good, sensitivity at -40dB okay, max sound pressure level at 100dB fine, but signal to noise ratio at 60dB merely useable. Dolby noise reduction runs in the 70 dB range while dbx noise reduction is over 110 db. I know a bit about sound having served in the USN for 20 years as a Sonar Technician where we lived, ate and slept sound. I reccomend this device for general use but if recording serious music is in your future spend quite a bit more. 26 Sept 2012Update: October 9 2012, Been using the item for a while and have tested the freq response using my downloaded sig gen and spectrum analyser and was quite generous with the db down points. The low end is as stated 100hz, which is not a real low frequency (download a free sig gen from the web and listen to a 100hz tone) and it seems that the stated high end of 20khz is a bit too high and 18khz seems more like it. The high is not too much of an issue for me but the low end is, however to record lower frequencies money will have to be spent. I researched for a better low end response and $200 is the least you will spend. Still all in all the microphone is good for general purpose use at an excellent price.
Junson Ming Chan –
I’m not sure if it’s my DSLR camera but no matter what I do, this microphone generates and amplifies a lot of that “hissing sound” common in DSLR cameras.The audio from the SMX-10 itself is actually decent but I had to buy a Fiio E3 to try to remove the “hissing” sound. The E3 DID NOT work for me despite many claims on youtube tutorials.I use a Nikon D3200.I spent about a week and found that I had to use an editing software to remove the hissing finally. In my case as a professional filmmaker, I used adobe premiere pro and then used the “Denoiser” filter/sound effects option to completely remove the hissing. What I was left with was *VERY CRISP* clear, audible audio by the SMX-10. It’s basically film quality audio. You can also use a free program like audacity to remove the hissing but if you’re serious about the business of entertainment, just buy the professional software and hardware. Don’t screw your audience out of quality. They can tell if you care about them or not through your work and apparent effort.So if you’re prepared to do extra work, this mic will get the job done but you need to use post-production editing software.If you have the money though, get the Rode NTG-2 microphone. It’s the best microphone apparently that gives film quality audio that is still 3.5mm. It’s also fairly priced at around $200-$240 on amazon.I’m planning to film a full length feature film to put in the Sundance Film Festival, so my standards *have* to be high. Hope this helps.
nick –
Pros and consI used my friends before purchasing one of my own, it worked excellent! The only thing I was dissapointed in was the packaging it came in! For the distance it traveled it could ould have been easily crushed, it came in a taped up bubble rap shipping bag! I Would have been more comfortable if it was in a cardboard box.
Amazon カスタマー –
値段相応カメラマイクより音質悪く音量も低いけどカメラ前方の音をひらえてます次はゼンハイザーかちゃんとしたマイク買いますw
Peter F. –
Five StarsWorks well with my Sony AX53 4k camcorder
Cyril EPSI –
Appareil HS 10 mois après l’achatLe micro n’est plus détecté par aucun appareil. Il est inutilisable après 4 utilisations sur 10 mois !
Vina Murad –
makes high pitched noiseit’s better than the built in mic but occasionally just makes a high pitched noise for no clear reason, can really ruin footage and hurt your ears so had i known that i would have gotten a different mic