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This video compares the two mics using a simple bench test. The Rode smartLav+ lavalier microphone is an improved version of the original smartLav. How much better is it, and are there improvements to the noise floor level that many have commented on?

The original RODE smartLav mic is a good lavalier mic but it does have the disadvantage of having a high noise floor. By comparing the original and the new smartLav+ we should be able to find out if it is worth spending a little more money and getting the improved version.

Comparing the two mikes it is obvious that there is not a lot of difference.  They both have the same clips and windscreens, the cables are similar and the retaining clip is the same. One thing that is very different is the color of the plug. RODE have chosen to color code their plugs that are a tip ring ring sleeve configuration and make them gray in color.  The male and female plugs and sockets will now be gray so that it is easy to identify the style of connection.

The major difference is that the mic capsule is now of broadcast quality. So the quality of audio will be significantly improved.  This will make a good mic into a great mic if it works out to be the improvement that RODE would like us to believe. The box contains or the same material as the previous model.

What’s in the box

How did the test go?

Putting the mics to the test using the RODE Rec app for a recorder should give us a good measurement of if the background noise has improved at all with the new model.

To do this I have set up each mic for a recording using the same parameters. As you can see from the screenshot there is a considerable difference between the two mics.

There is no doubt at all that the RODE smartLav-Plus lavalier mic is a real improvement over it’s predecessor and is definitely worth the little extra money.  For under $100 the microphone is a great option for those that just want to plug their mic into a smartphone without the need for adapters.  The mike can be used with DSLR cameras but you would have to use the adapter to plug it into a tip ring sleeve socket on the camera.

Where do I connect the speaker? Would you like to know which terminals are used to connect a constant voltage 70/ 100 volt speaker to the back of a PA amplifier, then this audio tips is just for you.

There are so many terminals on the back of an amplifier it can be very confusing. Check out this simple audio tip on how to connect your speakers together so they are in phase to each other, and then see how to connect your cable to the right terminals on the amplifier.

70/ 100 volt Speakers

Connecting 70/ 100 volt speakers to a amplifier is not as simple as it may seem.  Like most installations there are a lot of variables.  How many speakers are being used and at what setting they are connected to make a big difference to the load that is on the amplifier.  Once you have been able to calculate that the total load on the system is within the limitations of the amplifier you should be right to connect it all up.

Identify which one of the conductors is the common terminal.  This is usually identified as the wire with a trace. As you can see from the illustration.  You must check that when the speaker is being connected to the cable the trace is connected to the black/ negative terminal on the speaker.

Select the 70 or the 100 volt terminals on the back of the amplifier and be sure to connect the trace wire to the COM terminal. This will ensure that all of the system is wired the same.

Be sure to tighten the terminals so that you are unable to tug the conductors out. Inspect the connection to make sure that there are not any stray strands of wire sticking out of the terminal. This can cause a short circuit that will overload the system.

Now that you have connected the speaker cables screw on the plastic cover to protect the terminals.  The voltage can be dangerous when the amplifier is being driven hard.