CVM VM 10 II Mini Shotgun Mic by Comica
Opening
I’ve reviewed several mini shotgun mics on this channel and I always start out with a brief overview of why you might want to use one of these little mics as opposed to some other solution. Since some of you are new to this, let me do that again. Skip forward if you’re already knowledgeable about the why’s of these audio tools.
The primary reasons to use a mini shotgun mic on your camera is to isolate your mic from the camera’s own sounds and to employ a better quality mic than the little pin hole mic that’s on the many cameras. DSLR cameras and others with motorized autofocus lenses produce a buzz while focusing that your camera’s mic will likely pick up. That is certainly the case with my Nikon. Mounting a mic on the hotshoe adapter on top of the camera provides enough isolation that the motor noise is not picked up.
As to the second point, even an inexpensive mini shotgun mic is likely of better quality and have better sound gathering capabilities than your camera’s pin hole mic. Even with my Sony Handicam that has a large quality mic built in, I find the sound pickup pattern of a mini shotgun mic does better at reducing sounds from behind me than the omnidirectional mic on the camera.
CVM VM 10 II Comparisons
First, the Comica VS 08 smartphone mic, the VM 10 and the VM 10 II have what appear to be identical microphones with the same specifications. The primary difference in these packages are the mounting systems.
The VS 08 has a build in 3.5 mm plug to plug into the smartphone directly. The VM 10 and VM 10 II both have wires that connect the mic to the camera or smartphone.
Second, the VM 10 and VM 10 II use different mic isolation mounts. The VM 10 used a lyre mount and the VM 10 II uses a sideways V style mount for support. This mount makes it a miniature version of Comica’s V-30 Pro shotgun without the V-30s onboard power.
The other difference is the VM 10 came with a neoprene case that gave it some protection. The VM 10 II doesn’t come with any case or bag. The upside to cases is they provide some protection to the mic and keep the pieces together in your kit bag. The downside to cases is they can take a lot of extra room, especially if everything you carry has its own case.
For me, a better solution is going to lay out my various small mics and find an Amazon Basics case that will fit several of my mics at the same time. That will provide protection while not filling up my bag with several small cases and trying to remember what’s in what case.
One other thing I like about the new isolation mount is that it’s narrow so the mic and mount can be stored together while connected. I was always worried that I’d break the lyre mount on the VM 10 when prying it off the mic once mounted. In fact, the VM 10 II mic comes with the mount attached, though it is removable.
CVM VM 10 II Audio Samples
I’ve included several audio samples in the full video review of this nice little shotgun mic. I’ve also included a bit of an explanation on why you might want to use a mini shotgun mic as opposed to some other mic. Spoiler — it has to do with using the right tool for the right job.
CVM VM 10 II Assessment
Like the earlier VM 10 version, the Comica CVM VM 10 II is a super little shotgun mic that provides good value for the cost. When paired with a smallish camera, it’s “away from the camera” mounting and cardioid sound pick up pattern make this a great mic for ambient sound capture and dialog when you can place the mic close to the speaker.
