Godox IVM-S3 review

The GODOX IVM-S3 stands out as a versatile on-camera microphone, particularly appealing in the current trend towards wireless setups. While wireless is ideal for professional scenarios, vlogging or capturing impromptu interviews, a simple plug-in mic like the IVM-S3 remains highly versatile.

This microphone features dual cardioid directivity mics, extending like antennas from the main body, becoming even more distinct with the fluffy wind jammers attached. The antenna design allows quick adjustment of the audio pickup scope. If you’re interviewing someone in a busy room, bring the antennas together to focus on audio directly in front of the mic. For broader audio capture, spread the antennas.

Additional features include a rear-mounted mic for capturing sound from behind the device, which is useful for interviews or recording your voice when not in front of the camera. The IVM-S3 also boasts a low-pass filter, built-in battery, onboard recording onto a MicroSD card (not supplied), gain control, and a standard 3.5mm audio jack with TRS to TRS or TRS to TRRS connectivity for cameras or mobile devices.

A small screen on top displays audio levels for both channels, battery life, and recording status, enhancing user convenience and control.

The GODOX IVM-S3, with its full plastic build, exudes a high-quality feel, complemented by a black and silver finish that lends the unit a discreet and stylish appearance. Before mounting the microphone onto the camera via a cold shoe mount, its internal battery needs charging, and a MicroSD card must be inserted for onboard recording. This allows for simultaneous recording onboard and audio output to the camera.

The battery charges via a USB Type-C input, which is compatible with any standard charger. During testing, I connected the unit to the BLUETTI AC60 to keep it fully charged. Once fully charged, the microphone can last for an entire day’s shoot, with Godox quoting 12-15 hours of use, depending on the situation.

The recording is activated with a single button press, saving files onto the MicroSD card, which, once inserted, is promptly recognized by the unit. I used a LEXAR MicroSD card formatted as EXFAT, and it functioned flawlessly.

After charging and card insertion, the unit easily attaches to the camera’s hotshoe and secures it tightly. Its lightweight design exerts no noticeable pressure on the camera. Connection to the camera is through a single cable from the side of the unit into the camera’s mic input. The camera should automatically detect the microphone.

A quick test near the mic, such as a couple of finger clicks, will confirm audio capture. You can adjust the gain using the large dial at the back, monitor audio through headphones, and activate the low pass filter with a press of the power button. The rear mic is enabled with the middle button.

All settings and statuses are conveniently displayed on the small, feature-packed screen.

The Godox IVM-S3 Stereo On-camera Microphone presents itself as a dynamic and adaptable audio device ideal for various recording situations. Its standout capability lies in its adjustable sound-picking range, spanning from a focused 0° to a wide 180° bidirectional coverage. This feature enables precise audio capture, from direct dialogue to ambient sounds.

The microphone’s 1-10 step-less gain knob for nuanced audio level adjustments, coupled with a one-click Low Cut feature, ensures clarity in sound quality across diverse environments. The IVM-S3’s broad compatibility, including a universal cold shoe mount, shock mount, furry windscreens, and both TRS and TRRS cables, enhances its versatility for use with different devices.

Its robust build and thoughtful design include a lithium battery with up to 12 hours of recording time, ensuring reliability for long shoots. The Type-C charging input and its compact size add to its practicality and ease of use in various recording setups.

The GODOX IVM-S3 is incredibly quick to set up, and I used it for several projects over a month-long test period. The main uses were direct-to-camera presentations, group interviews, a music gig, and a play.

In all situations, the standout feature was the speed of setup and use. Simply plug it in, switch it on, check levels, set the antenna to the required position, and then focus on the camera. The ability to adjust the input gain with the large dial and quickly switch the low-pass filter on and off adds to the ultimate ease of use.

As a standard on-camera mic system, there’s little to fault in all scenarios. The ability to adjust the spread of the antenna maximizes the audio capture, and monitoring through headphones is convenient. Once set, I found that I didn’t need to think about the unit again until editing.

Digging deeper into use and performance, several areas are worth more in-depth coverage. The first is the adjustable Sound-Picking Range. Essentially, this involves adjusting the antennas, which hinge from the main unit to adjust the audio capture field. Bringing the antennas together forms a directional cardioid mic. While it’s not quite a shotgun mic, it closely focuses on the audio in front, helping to isolate surrounding noise.

Opening the antennas increases the scope of the audio collection, giving plenty of options in various scenarios. The onboard gain adjustment balances vocals against background noise.

Background noise is always an issue, and the IVM-S3’s single-option low-cut filter reduces consistent background rumbles like air conditioning and traffic while maintaining rich vocal audio. It’s a decent balance, although not as advanced as some alternatives that remove all noise below 150Hz.

The audio quality from the mic is excellent. When used in close range with the mics together, it performs similarly to a mid-range shotgun mic, though it picks up a bit more ambient noise due to the cardioid design.

As the mics move to the second position, conversations in interview situations are well captured within a two-meter range, balancing depth and clarity. Spreading the mics to the widest position captures audio from all around, and turning on the rear mic allows overlaying your vocals for a good mix and balance.

This mic is a one-design-fits-all approach to audio recording, and I like it a lot. Its plug-and-play simplicity captures high-quality audio that most users will be more than happy with.

Capturing great audio can be tricky, with a bewildering array of tips, tricks, and equipment options. For beginners, distinguishing between different types of microphones and their uses can be challenging.

The GODOX IVM-S3 simplifies audio capture. This on-camera external microphone enables close-range vlogging, interviews, ambient sound collection, and adaptation to various recording scenarios.

Its good audio quality, combined with built-in recording and direct camera connection, offers a broad scope for project audio recording. Standout features make the GODOX IVM-S3 appealing for both beginners and pros. Beginners can easily plug in and start recording. Position the mics together for solo pieces and widen them to 60° for duos or 90° for groups. For conversational involvement, switch on the rear mic for simplicity. Pros will find it ideal for a B-roll or as a secondary camera solution, offering an easy selection of audio focus range.

The GODOX IVM-S3 stands out as a neat, simple microphone solution that is likely to be a go-to choice for frequent use.