We’re covering the Southside farmers market this Saturday and I need a durable, easy-to-teach setup for volunteers to grab clean vox pops so our neighbors are heard clearly. Has anyone used the Tascam DR-40X or Zoom H5 with simple lavs in windy spots, and is there a windscreen or mic combo under $300 you trust for quick turnarounds back at the station? We’re aiming to deploy the same kit at three community events a month without a steep learning curve.
For the windy Southside market Saturday, I’d lean H5 + Rode Lavalier Go with Rycote Overcovers (https://rycote.com/microphone-windshield-shock-mount/overcovers-advanced/) — hide the mic under a collar, flip on the H5’s 80 Hz low‑cut, and use backup record; wind on bare lavs drives me nuts. If you can pivot, an RE50 handheld into the H5 is cleaner in gusts and still teachable, and you can stay “under $300” for mic + wind cover. Do you want to stick with lavs or try a handheld for the vox pops?
I’d skip the lavs and go handheld: EV RE50B into the H5, low‑cut at 80 Hz, plus a Micover Reporter furry — easy to teach and the mic + wind cover stay under $300 while staying clean in gusts. @mariah_lee90 have you found lavs quiet enough at a busy market, or is handheld the safer bet?