As more people around the world start finding streaming their ideas, skills and opinions lucrative, companies like Sony are pivoting towards this new big opportunity for technology to plug the gaps. After a series of cameras aimed at this segment, Sony has now launched the Sony ECM-S1 wireless streaming microphone for the large segment ranging from small podcasters like me to big YouTube influencers.
The Sony ECM-S1 has been designed for ease of use. And this is something I really loved about the microphone. It is compact and stylish enough to be shown on camera if needed, but even beyond that it is practical and that is what matters more for the target segment here.
The lightweight and compact microphone comes with an adjustable stand as well as a wireless receiver to add to your camera if that is how you want to use this. Up front, there are power and mute buttons as well as LEDs to tell you if the voice is being recorded and the camera link is connected. On the side, there is a volume dial and another that adjusts your headphone input.
On the back, you can select the noise-cut filter that removes unwanted buzzes and hums from your stream. There is also a toggle that lets you switch from uni-directional to omni-directional and stereo depending on what kind of recording or streaming you are doing. Connecting is so simple that I just had to switch the USB-C cable of my regular podcast microphone to the ECM-S1 and I was set.
Sony ECM-S1: Ease of use
I usually record my podcasts via Zoom given that most people I speak to are spread across India and the world. With my latest recordings, I used the Sony ECM-S1 plugged into my Mac. There is hardly anything to be done, still, I loved how the stand lets you smoothly adjust the angle of the mic. Also, the LEDs are a great help as it tell you right away if your recording is working fine. I have had times when this realisation sunk in too late.
Since I was recording alone, I chose the uni-directional option with a noise cutter on to suppress the buzz of the fan in the room. Usually, I switch the fan off during podcast recording and have to sweat it out for an hour or so, especially in peak summers.
For another recording, I had to be in the office; this is where the portability of the ECM-S1 makes it really easy to carry in your backpack. In fact, really pressed for time to start the recording I realised that I could set up the mic and start recording with my MacBook Pro in just about a minute.
Sony ECM-S1: Audio quality
Despite this hurried recording setup, I was impressed by how good the audio quality was. In fact, there is no noise at all in the entire recording other than the sharpness of my voice. And since I am someone who stammers once in a while, the pop guard ensured this does not end up being a pop in the audio also.
Again, the LED indicator gives you a good idea of how strong or weak your voice is. This is important for someone like me as I have a habit of moving around a bit while on the podcast. The LED gave me a sense of whether I was moving too far away from the mic. And I could also adjust it to increase the input volume.
I did not have a camera handy to check out the wireless aspect, but given that Sony is a top camera maker you can rest assured that they have this base covered. However, you can also use the receiver along with your PC or smartphone, connecting it to the device via a USB-C cable.
Sony ECM-S1: Should you buy?
Yes, if you are someone who needs a microphone for a range of uses from streaming to recording video on location. However, if your use case, like mine, is for a microphone that is not moving around and can be connected to a PC with a cable all the time, then the Sony ECM-S1 might be a bit of an overkill.
At Rs 34,990, the Sony ECM-S1 Wireless Streaming Microphone is without doubt the most versatile mic I have used. It is cutting edge not just because it covers all bases for a streaming environment, but also because it makes technology easy and accessible, understanding that a lot of its users will be regular people taking a leap of faith.
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First uploaded on: 31-03-2024 at 11:03 IST
