SmallRig Forevala W60: Taking on the Wireless Microphone System

Introducing the newest member of the SmallRig microphone lineup: the Forevala W60 Wireless Microphone System. Sporting two transmitters with omnidirectional microphones and an ultra-compact receiver, this 2.4 GHz system easily integrates into your DSLR or smartphone filming setup to deliver audio up to 328' without obstructions. The Forevala W60 is SmallRig’s take on the ever-popular 2-person wireless systems that have taken over the run-and-gun audio market. Products like the RØDE GO II and the Saramonic Blink 900 B2 have become popular with the self-made content creators, providing quality audio solutions in intuitive, works-right-out-of-the-box configurations. Likewise, the Forevala W60 is just that—the ultimate podcast, vlog, interview, on-the-go tool for clean audio in the form of a single, teeny-tiny system.

Setting it Up

When I say teeny-tiny, I mean teeny-tiny. The receiver measures 2.4 x 1.8 x 0.8" and each transmitter is a mere 2.2 x 1.5 x 0.7", giving new meaning to “ultracompact.” Better yet, all the antennas are internal. This means that the transmitters have a barely-there feel to make your subjects more at ease in front of the camera. Both transmitters are equipped with a magnetic clip on the back panel so you can easily place the transmitter on someone’s lapel. Built into the transmitter is an omnidirectional microphone for a wide pick-up pattern.

The receiver can slide onto a cold-shoe mount with its back clip for integration with your DSLR camera or smartphone gimbal. Included with the system is one TRS to TRS cable and one TRS to TRRS cable to record audio to your device of choice. Bright, clear LCD screens on each component clearly display signal status and battery level, among other settings. Their plug-and-play configuration means automatic connection via the 2.4 GHz signal.

Nuts and Bolts

I’m not going to lie—when this was dropped off at my desk with the instruction to play around with it, I was thrilled. I mean, look at how cute these things are! A clean, magnetic case holds, as well as charges the components, when plugged into a power bank via a USB Type-C port or an outlet with a USB Type-A adapter. All the pieces feature a few buttons for a slim profile. Turning everything on was a simple task, but when it came to adjusting more advanced settings, it took me a second to figure it out.

Pressing the receiver’s power button once switches the mode from stereo to mono and doing so on one of the transmitters switches between the muted and unmuted modes. Silver dials at the top of the receiver adjust the gain of each transmitter independently from 0 to 10 dB. You can hold a small, circular button below the power button on each transmitter to reset the system connection or press once to engage the 200 Hz low-cut filter.

Adapt and Overcome

When I first turned on the transmitters in my cubicle, it was clear their omnidirectional condenser mics were sensitive to subtle sounds like the opening and closing of the back clip and the tapping of the onboard buttons. On top of that, they had no issue picking up the drone of the office air conditioning above my head. Turning on the low-cut filter was a great way to mitigate the effects of that low hum and helped clean up the audio quality. If you want better control over your audio pick-up pattern, a 3.5mm input allows you to insert a lavalier. Two fuzzy windscreens come with the system to reduce wind interference, if needed.

Monitoring your audio is essential to making sure everything is in proper working order while you record. The receiver’s 3.5mm headphone jack is designed for this purpose, allowing you to hear the effects of your gain adjustments. With a run time of 8 hours and a charge time of 1 hour, your production won’t be slowed because of a dead battery.

In Conclusion

If you’re looking for a wireless system primed and ready for production, the Forevala W60 is for you. It gives you everything you need to capture solid audio without the fuss of a complicated interface or setup. Simply turn everything on, plug it into your recording device, and begin.

Are you excited for SmallRig to join the wireless system game? Share your thoughts in the Comments section, below.