Budget-Friendly Binaural In-Ear Microphones

If you are looking for an affordable way to protect your binaural in-ear microphones from wind, I hope you find this video helpful.
Roland CS-10EM Binaural Microphones - geni.us/ftusrolandcs10em
Rycote Over Covers Black - geni.us/ftusrycoteovercovers
(please compare prices because on Amazon the price is too high)
geni.us/FTUSZOOMH1N
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OUR GEAR ↓
FIELD RECORDING DEVICES
Sound Devices MixPre 6ii - geni.us/sounddevicesmixpre6ii
Tascam Portacapture X8 - geni.us/ftustascamx8
Zoom H1n - geni.us/FTUSZOOMH1N
Zoom F3 - geni.us/ftuszoomf3
Zoom F6 Field Recorder/Mixer - geni.us/FTUSZOOMF6
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MICROPHONES ↓
VR AMBISONIC MICROPHONE
Rode SoundField NT-SF1 - geni.us/ftusrodentsf1
SCHOEPS RYCOTE DMS KIT
Schoeps CCM4 LG cardioid microphone - geni.us/schoepsccm4lg
Schoeps CCM8 LG Figure 8 - geni.us/ftusschoepsccm8lg
Rycote Cyclone DMS Kit 1 - geni.us/ftusrycotedmskit1
Rycote Cyclone Wind Cover Small - geni.us/ftuscyclonewindcover
SENNHEISER ORTF & STEREO KIT
Sennheiser MKH 8040 2X - geni.us/FTUSmkh8040
Bubblebee Industrie Windjammer for MKH 8040 - geni.us/ftuswindkiller
Cinela Albert ORTF
OMNIDIRECTIONAL BINAURAL MICROPHONES FOR STEALTH & WALKING
DPA 4560 binaural headset microphone - geni.us/ftusdpa4560
DPA DAD6001BC Micro Dot to XLRM Adapter -geni.us/ftusdad6001
DPA 4060 ( stealth with Lowepro bag) - geni.us/FTUSDPA4060
Roland CS 10 EM ( used with Zoom H1n) geni.us/ftusrolandcs10em
Rycote Windjammer DPA 4060 - geni.us/ftusrycotedpa
Rycote Overcovers - geni.us/ftusrycoteovercovers
STEREO XY MICROPHONE & WIND PROTECTION
Audio Technica 4025 (amazing mic) - geni.us/at4025
Audio Technica 8022 (cheaper option) - geni.us/ftusat8022
Rycote BBG 21 mm AT 4025/8022 - geni.us/ftusbbg
Rycote BBG Windjammer AT 4025/8022 - geni.us/ftuswindjammer
OTHER WIND PROTECTION
Rycote Windjammer for Zoom H1n - geni.us/ftusrycotezh1n
Rycote Cover & Foam Zoom H1n - geni.us/ftusrycoteh1n
Rycote Rain Cover - geni.us/ftusraincover
Sennheiser MKZ 440 for MKE 440 - geni.us/ftusmzh440
TASCAM X8 Gutman Windprotection - geni.us/ftusgutmann
Zoom WSU Cover Zoom H1n - geni.us/zoomwssu
UNDERWATER HYDROPHONES
Ambient ASF1 MK2 - geni.us/ftusambientasf1mk2
Ambient ASF2 MK2 - geni.us/FTUSAMBIENTASF2MKii
AFFORDABLE CONTACT MICROPHONES
Contact Mic XLR Adapter - geni.us/ftusxlr3pinmaletoqifem
Dilwe Contact Mic - geni.us/ftuscliponpickup
Flanger FA 01-geni.us/ftusflangerfa01
Korg CM 300 - geni.us/ftuskorgcm300
AKG C411pp - geni.us/FTUSAKGC411pp
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HEADPHONES
Audio Technica ATH MX30 - geni.us/ftusATHM30
Shure SRH840A - geni.us/ftussrh840a
Sony MDR 7506 - geni.us/ftussonymdr
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POWER SUPPLY ZOOM F6, TASCAM X8, ZOOM H1N & SD MIXPRE 6ii
Anker Power Core 26K MixPre - geni.us/ftusanker26k
Watson 4400mAh for F6 - geni.us/ftuswatson
Panasonic Eneloop AA for F6/X8 - geni.us/ftuspanasonicaa
Panasonic Eneloop AAA Zoom H1n - geni.us/ftuspanasonicaaa
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AUDIO BAGS
Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 - geni.us/FTUSLOWEPRO450
K-Tek Stingray MixPro Mix Pre6ii - geni.us/ftusktekmixpre
K-Tek Stingray Zoom F6 geni.us/FTUSKTEKF6BAG
Orca OR-270 MixPro Mix Pre6ii - geni.us/ftusorcamixpre
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USEFUL EXTRAS
Manfrotto Carbon Nanopole - geni.us/ManfrottoNanoCarbon
Manfrotto Aluminum Nanopole - geni.us/ftusnanopole
Mogami Gold XLR Cable - geni.us/ftusmogamigold
Rycote quick-release - geni.us/RycotePCSBC
Peak Design Travel Tripod - geni.us/ftuspdtripod
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CAMERA GEAR
Leica Q2 - geni.us/ftusleicaq2
Ricoh GRiiiX - geni.us/ftusricohgr3x
Sony A7iv - geni.us/ftussonya7iv
Sony 16-35mm 2.8 GM - geni.us/ftusgmaster1635
Sennheiser MKE 440 - geni.us/ftusmke440
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We get a tiny percentage on your purchases as an Amazon, B&H, and Loopmasters associate. If you decide to buy something, we receive a small compensation that allows us to continue making videos and recording sounds for you all over the world.
Thanks,
Libby and Marcel

[@Utopian-Fish]

Just found your channel, new to sound recording, loving your enthusiasm and excitement - it's infectious - i'm in :)

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you so much!

[@Bryanegreenlee]

I appreciate your tutorials and video journals of your experience! I bought the Roland SC-10EM Binaural microphone headset and I picked up the AMEBO Binaural Headset as well two days ago from Amazon. I plan to add this amazing audio experience in my video recordings because of your product explainers and experience! Keep the videos coming! Blessings!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Great to hear!

[@TheBoneyardReviews]

Which ones did you end up liking better?

[@xanperia]

Nice video! My old Sony Z2 came with binaural headphones - these were good too. I might search them and see if they're still any good.

[@fernandoloizides]

Thank you for your easy to follow and very insightful (well made) tutorials. I have just started learning about Binaural recording and my question is... Can you skip the Zoom H1 recorder and just record on a laptop with the headphones or is the recorder required? I only need to record inside a studio and not outside. Thank you

[@markreevessleepvideos7152]

Perfect timing Marcel - rain season coming soon and I need these for my Roland's, I also ordered a Rycote windjammer for my H1n at the same time through your link. If it's tried and tested by you - I can't go wrong. Looking forward to the POV video, take care.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

They are great in mild wind situations but not in storms ;) for sure better than nothing!

[@markreevessleepvideos7152]

@@FreeToUseSounds storms? - I'm not that crazy! 🤣🤣

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@markreevessleepvideos7152 hahaha

[@CamsCampbell]

I got the Rolands and the Rycote covers this week and used too much glue on one of the mics, so now it feeds back. Very frustrating. Is it easier to fit the Rycote covers on the OKM IIs?

[@young-hoongihl3301]

Thanks for the video. What should I do if a lot of fur falls out from the Rycote Fur Cover attached to the Roland CS-10EM?

[@Promikes]

and what do you think of them compares to Soundmans? and what the difference between solo and studio? okm ii dont get it... and why you need A3 amplifier if you lets say use Tascam X8 or Zoom H6 (with PP)

[@ArseniusSutandio]

Hi Marcel, how to connect Roland CS-10EM to Zoom H8? I use Rode VXLR+ for the adapter, but the result is different..

[@vitalis]

can you use the Roland CS-10EM to record to an iphone instead of buying a dedicated device?

[@amplifire8378]

Hey, can i use Rolland directly to Smartphone to record sound?

[@WalkingArchive]

I’m using it for my channel, great mics

[@VijayKumawatx]

Now this is something i was looking, now i can start my journey

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Good luck

[@MiniTrashCreations]

How about using a set of cheap open back headphones with the driver removed and lining the inside of the earcup with the dead cat/windscreen material to line up with the in ear microphones? So you just look like your wearing wired headphones instead of looking like there's fur growing out of your ears?!?

[@keinpodcast4053]

Danke für den tollen Tipp. Erst letzten Montag war ich wieder mit dem H1n und den Roland Mikros in der Stadt und hätte fast schon wieder einen Schaumstoffwindschutz verloren. Die Overcovers bestelle ich mir sofort - zumal sie sicher besser vor Wind schützen als die Schaumstoffteilchen. Die Kabel befestige ich immer mit zwei kleinen Krokodilklemmen am Hemdkragen, das funktioniert auch ganz gut. Viele Grüße aus Tübingen an dich und Libby :)

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Ja dieser Schaumstoffwindschutz ist echt nicht so dolle. Mit den Overcovers geht das besser. Du kannst dir auch mal die Rycote DPA lavalier windjammers anschauen. Die sind etwas dicker. Aus Tuebingen? Ich hatte vor langer Zeit mal in Ofterdingen Fussball gespielt :)

[@keinpodcast4053]

@@FreeToUseSounds Das ist ja lustig, ich wohne seit einigen Jahren in Mössingen, bin aber in Tübingen geboren :) Danke für den Tipp mit den DPA windjammern.

[@drstew1]

Great video thanks. I didn’t buy the Zoom, i ended up buying Olympus LS-12 excellent recording. Both Jacks earphone and mic plugged in so i could hear with Roland CS. Here in the UK these mics are available…

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thanks for sharing!

[@imrin4059]

How to connect that

[@michaeldeak1660]

Mal wieder ein tolles Video! Die Rolands sind bestellt.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Danke Dir! Da hast Du aber Glueck gehabt. Die werden glaube ich gar nicht mehr hergestellt.

[@michaeldeak1660]

Gibts jedenfalls gerade auf Amazon.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@michaeldeak1660 Oh super!

[@gubunken]

I dropped my newH1n from 1 meter height. But I don't use it very much before so I dont have sample sound of this gear to compare. How do I know if my h1n have malfunction problem or reduced sound quality? Still newbie .

[@gubunken]

And, how the durability of H1n so far for your experience?

[@patriciapaints]

Hi! Where can I find a video/audio example using this amazing setup?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Check out the POV street photography video we did in Denver. Libby is using it and we create a street photography and sounds video.

[@MsPixieChel]

Hello, loving your vids. Just to ask for advice about the roland mic. When I plug it in zoom h1n, it produce a loud sound that almost blew my ear drums😅 Is it something to do with the volume and gain level?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Yes, you've encountered feedback, which occurs when the output of an audio system is looped back into its input. If you try to increase the volume in such a situation, it often results in a loud, piercing sound. Please be mindful of this as it can potentially damage your hearing if it's too loud.

[@TheSnufking]

It's a shame that there really isn't a big market for these. The Roland is discontinued and Soundman OKM are around 20-years-old. I've seen some people do DIY in-ear binaural microphones with lavaliers, but they don't have monitoring. Would you be interested in creating your own DIY in-ear binaural microphone setup and making a video about it?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi, Yes there aren't so many out there. DPA is a great headset but without monitoring. Hmm interesting thought.

[@kirkenelli]

Thanks for the videos and the sounds. Do you have a way for people who bought your collection to search for specific files? If there were instructions for that, I missed them. Thanks!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi Nathan, I do have a data sheet but I don't have a system to search for specific sounds. I have all my recordings on Dropbox too and you can find them with the search function. If you are a DP user I can sync you the files.

[@kirkenelli]

@@FreeToUseSounds a data sheet would be good enough. Is it on the site where the files are stored? I don’t think I have nearly enough Dropbox storage for all of those files but maybe I should upgrade haha.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@kirkenelli yes each country has its own sheet

[@cryptotrader2779]

Cool. I have the Rolands. Have you ever tried using them in the same way as a Clippy or Lom Usi Micro ? I always wondered what they'd sound like used in that way. By the way, I loved the Pump Jack recordings. Really cool, especially the Geofon.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Haha some old videos (tea cups & coin spinning) I used them as a stereo set up. That was fun!

[@cryptotrader2779]

@@FreeToUseSounds Cool Going now to check it out. Thanks Marcel. I keep forgetting to try them like that. I'll do it this weekend.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Cool 😎

[@todayrelax7719]

Thank you for nice video 📹😊

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you for watching!

[@filmingjapan4k]

Thanks for the video. How much more wind protection does this method offer over the default foam ones?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Well, it works much better than the foams. The foams are pretty much useless. But don't expect to go out in a storm. We just uploaded a new POV video with that set. You can get a feel for it.

[@filmingjapan4k]

@@FreeToUseSounds I see, thank you. But going out in storms is exactly what I do for my channel haha I watched your POV video and it doesn't seem like there is any breeze, and I'm not sure if it sounds more muffled? What sample rate/resolution/gain/filters did you record with on your H1n? Cheers

[@filmingjapan4k]

@@FreeToUseSounds Since I make walk-around videos similar to Nomadic Ambience. Could you give me your recommendation for a run and gun stereo mic that can be mounted to camera or gimbal. Wind protection and low handling noise is very important, I find my H1n pick up too much handling noise even with a shock mount. Ideally not too heavy as well. Thanks

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@filmingjapan4k Yeah the you need something like the Soundman Ear Muffs if you want that to have in ear. Yeah it wasn't that windy but I also cleaned out a part in post. Not much though. I noticed the tinny sounding noise and that came from the feedback. Monitoring and recording isn't a good idea. If you raise the gain you create a feedback. I could hear that later. I record 9624 and the gain is always dynamic to the situation and changes. On the H1n I normally keep it around 5. Its not a recorder I use a lot since I have the F6, the MixPre 6ii and the H8. Next time I use the H8 with omnis.

[@timauswal]

That's os great I was looking for good and not expansive binaural microphones and that's perfect didn't find the wind protection you have suggested I took windprotection for lavalier mic hope it will work fine :D

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi Tim. I have the wind protection included in the description or you mean its not available in your area?

[@timauswal]

@@FreeToUseSounds Yes i saw the link but sold out or not available :/

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@timauswal Ah shoot. Maybe reach out to Rycote directly. Maybe they have some or can do it. They are very responsive.

[@timauswal]

@@FreeToUseSounds I'll try with the windprotections i've found i'm think it will be fine if not i'll see with Rycote yes :) Thanks a lot

[@timauswal]

I'll you if it works haha

[@user-on5fw8xd2u]

Very nice video! I went ahead and bought the h1n and Roland microphone earbuds. I did a whole bunch of tests on it and it sounded pretty good. I plan to upgrade from the h1n though but when I looked at the h4n pro and h5 and h6, none of these seemed to have the Red LineIn input for the roland microphone jack. Is there a better sounding recorder that I could use for walking and recording with my rolands that you can recommend? I will have a small backpack that I will walk with for field recording so size might not matter as much. Thanks for the great review on this combo pairing! Can't wait to get into more field recording!

[@user-on5fw8xd2u]

This is not as important, but if there is a recorder that can use the roland binaural mics while field recording, but then can do unidirectional recording for outdoor impromptu interviews that would be nice to have it all in one device so my bag would be less heavy. Is there anything like this that you know of? Thanks very much!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Well yes you can find something like this. The Roland can be plugged into the XY microphone. Check out the polar pattern of the attachable microphones that are available for the H6. Maybe that could work

[@Eestieluseneses]

Hi, great videos. Got my info about roland cs10em here and also bought these. Now I am waiting for a zoom f3 that I ordered and dont know how good can I connect them? Any suggestions? Need a y splitter for 3.5mm and 2x rode vxlr adapters?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Ohhh! Not sure if that works. I have to look really quick but does the VXLR downsize the phantom power? If it runs the 24 or 48V through it, the Rolands are done for. Without pp, it wouldn’t work as well. Thats really an overkill set to get that work.

[@Eestieluseneses]

@@FreeToUseSounds The VXLR+ converts phantom power to plug-in power according to specs. I was expecting with F3 , for this price , that I would not have to use fancy adapters :) Since having no experience with xlr connectors before.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@Eestieluseneses Yeah the F3 has no 3.5 jack with plugin power. That would have been great as a feature.

[@alexander_mils]

Quick question regarding audio levels during recording. At a volume setting of 30-32, everything sounds perfect. However, when I increase the volume to better hear ambient noises, the audio in the right ear starts to resemble the muffled quality of sound coming from inside a balloon. Also, at lower settings like 8-9, there's an overwhelming amount of noise and distortion, as if the microphone is being dropped amidst loud screaming. That's normal or my Roland is ☠?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi Alexander! Are you recording and monitoring at the same time? If yes, this could be the feedback.

[@alexander_mils]

@@FreeToUseSounds Hi, yes, I am recording and monitoring at the same time.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

​@@alexander_mils Oh yes, that could be the problem and also dangerous for your hearing if you do that. What you could do now would be to use other headphones and just place the microphones anywhere to record ambience. Maybe there's traffic or whatever right in front of you. Adjust the gain with the volume and see if the problem persists.

[@alexander_mils]

@@FreeToUseSounds Yes, that's for sure. The only problem i have now i want to record the video while i walking down the street, so i guess in this situation maybe to zip tie Roland to some big headphones like Audio-Technica and leave it like that, it will loook strange but who cares 🤣 Or I don't have to use monitor at all and see how it goes.

[@Happy12240]

So no need to put windshield over the zoom H1N?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Not if you use the binaural microphones.

[@UNSCPILOT]

It's funny, I was just searching for a stereo mics for my H1n, these might fit the bill perfectly

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Glad the video could help!

[@VOByRobbins]

Thanks marcel, I just got the Roland on Amazon, as well as the sennheiser Ambeo headset (was 300, now $65 on amazon! to try, but I ordered the overcover kit from Rycote thanks to your video--- you rock as always, looking forward to Libby's video! Cheers, Michael

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Wow! What a deal! The Ambeo are nice but only work on the IPhone if I’m correct?

[@matthewgavette7281]

@@FreeToUseSounds Yes, only iphone unfortunately.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@matthewgavette7281 too bad :(

[@TheBoneyardReviews]

Did you find one to be better than the other? I tried the Ambeo for car reviews but they clipped

[@gyulahajdu2798]

I can confirm, these rolands were best buy.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Yeah! For sure. On our channel we only want to showcase things that we use and would suggest to others! :)

[@bernard8ulrich]

Hi Marcel, Thanks for this nice video. For information at Thomann Europe Roland WPM-10 Wear Pro (only Mic/ no Headphone in ear for monitoring) + have to cut proprietary USB Mini plug intended for GoPro and replace by a 3"5 Jack with meticulous soldering . I use it on my Sony A7C, Zoom H1, Mixpre 6ii ( Aux Inputs) . This Device is currently available because for older GoPro....and Thomann wants to get rid of his stock so super pricing 9,90€ . But needs soldering skill.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

That’s cool! How do you do that with the voltage?

[@bernard8ulrich]

@@FreeToUseSounds Mic inputs with JacK 3"5 are generally Plug-In-Power. This means that 3V is provided for electret capsules. Just solder Ground, White Wire, Red Wide to Stereo Jack pins and input circuits of Zoom H1, Sony A7xxx or MixPre 6ii will do their job.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@bernard8ulrich wow now I know why it didn’t work with a 3,5 female to 3,5 female trs adapter. I try to connect them with a coupler and the 3,5 to 2XLR cable which I used for the Soma Ether.

[@I.C.Landscape]

can you use this with a gopro 8?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

I don’t think so because it doesn’t have a 3,5 jack. Maybe there is an adapter.

[@waveboi93]

Can connect them directly to my dslr?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Did you check the plugin power on your DSLR camera?

[@_rimo]

Are the Rolands better than the sennheiser ambeo?

[@mikesmiscellaneousmovingim453]

The biggest problem I experience with the Sennheiser Ambeo is getting them to fit in my ears as the ear hooks are not adjustable and too small for my clearly oversized ears which pulls the buds out of the ear canal! I just purchased these Roland ones and have managed to get a great and secure fit with the largest of the supplied tips attached.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

I never listened to the Sennheiser AMBEO or used them myself but you can also look into the DPA which are more pricey but have a great way of fitting the microphones into the ear. There is also another brand I discovered on Amazon called “Sound Professionals”. They look interesting.

[@timelapsescapes]

Hi Marcel will this work with the Tascam X8???

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi Frank, in order to use it, you'll need an adapter cable. You can plug it into the exchangeable microphone port on the top. There is a video on KZbin that covers using the Tascam X8 with binaural microphones that might be helpful.

[@timelapsescapes]

@@FreeToUseSounds Thank you for getting back to me. I think in this case a I will go with the SonicPresence SP15 PRO On-Ear XLR Binaural Microphone. I hate taking things off and have the possibility of loosing it. Cheers

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@timelapsescapes You could also look into the Sounds Professional. The Sonic look like they are in front of the ear.

[@timelapsescapes]

@@FreeToUseSounds Hi Marcel, It looks like I will be get the DPA 4560 binaural headset microphone. I had a look at the SonicPresence SP15 PRO and it had problems with the wind. Marcel how are the DPA 4560 binaural headset microphone in the wind you did not mention any thing about that.

[@hingedelephant]

Pro tip - Make certain there isn’t any excess Super Glue before sticking them in your ear. 😁

[@dalemettee1147]

Instead, I'd just use the over ear phones that I've used for years. Not only is great sound capture but can help keep your ears warm at the same time. hehe

[@FreeToUseSounds]

He He :)

[@mariocomeq1961]

The soundman are goog material quality, but you have to pay ii.I bought two pairs of chines binaural mic (50 Euros) but in a few days were brocken. ¿reason? Cable material veery bada, althought the sound was not so bad. I wrote the producer. He was very nice, he answered me asking what happened and ask me send it back, but I didntì asnwered him. simply I decided not to boy any more that kind of products. I prefer to buy in a second had, but something known.

[@caleykelly]

Those Roland's are a great way to get into binaural, but boy are they noisy!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Yes they are great but I don’t think they are to noisy. I don’t crank them up.

[@caleykelly]

@@FreeToUseSounds Depends what you're recording I suppose. I found for getting ambient sounds in the sub-60db range to be unusable.