Rode Videomic camcorder shotgun microphone
Product Description
The RØDE VideoMic is a professional grade shotgun microphone. Based on the latest ‘Film industry’ technology, the VideoMic is designed specifically for use with high quality Digital Video Cameras.The microphone exhibits low noise and an unusually wide bandwidth for its size. It is ultra lightweight, yet rugged due to it’s ABS construction. The VideoMic is powered by a standard 9V battery and offers a Low Battery LED status indicator and a switchable high pass filter to reduce unwanted low frequency rumble.The VideoMic attaches to any Camcorder that has the standard camera-shoe fitting and utilizes a stereo mini jack for audio output.Features* Studio recording quality* Condenser microphone* 9V battery powered* Integrated shock mounting* Two step High-Pass Filter – Flat or 80Hz* Three step PAD – 0, -10, -20dB* Rugged reinforced ABS construction* Windshield included* 3.5mm mini-jack output* Integrated cold shoe mount, 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch thread
- Lightweight highly directional condenser microphone
- Attaches to the camera via the Hot Shoe
- Handling noise is reduced via use of a rubber suspension mount
- A foam windscreen effectively suppresses wind noise when recording outdoors
I have owned and used this microphone for well over a year now in various situations – for a church wedding, whilst travelling in New Zealand and recording home footage of groups, baby shots etc. In all situations, it has performed well. Sound quality is very good indeed. I recorded a clip of champagne being poured into a glass for a wedding, and the noise when listened to through headphones was exceptionally clear and full without an excess of background hiss. Battery life is very long indeed. My reservations are only these – whilst you exclude any mechanical noise from the camcorder, and to some degree wind noise by the addition of the mic cover, it is possible to pick up vibration knocking noise as you move about recording, if you are not careful to hold it with care. The suspension rubbers are also quite fragile, and can break if you are not careful. 4 replacements are supplied. I have so far needed to use only one, though I have has 3 breakages – with a careful hand, pair of tweezers and a tube of superglue, I was able to stick the others back together. Beware that this mic is only mono, so you will have the same audio track in both channels. However, a lot of stereo mics have barely any separation anyway, so is this really a major drawback? For me, no. If you are looking for a mid-range mic, this model is definitely worth the money. It’s relatively small, light, robust and compact, and the sound quality is generally excellent. Would I buy it again? Yes.
Rating: 4 / 5
Yes a very good product, I’ve had this for some years now and had no problems with it. I would say though it is a very sensitive microphone and if you not careful you will get interference from the camera itself.
I would recommend to anyone after good and clear sound.
Thanks
Ian
Rating: 5 / 5
This is an excellent product, does exactly what is says on the box!
I bought it to go on top of a Canon HV-30 camcorder and the results are really good.
I’d certainly recommend it.
Rating: 5 / 5
I wanted better quality sound for my Sony HandyCam HDR-XR520VE and an external mic is the way to achieve this. There’s limited options to adjust volume gain on my camcorder and I was concerned if the mic would work ok with it – it works perfectly though not tested it at demanding locations like live concerts yet. You can adjust the mic to make it less sensitive if its too loud for your camcorder. So far I’ve used mine with the camcorder on low record volume and the mic on maximum sensitivity setting.
I have the Rode Videomic and the Sennheiser MKE 400 and have done some very careful comparisons. Without any doubt the Rode Videomic has a better response range – especially at the lower end. Sound is much fuller with the Rode than with the Sennheiser – very noticeably so – a much richer sound. If you look at the specs – especially the frequency response chart – you’ll notice the Rode is head and shoulders above the Sennheiser.
However the Sennheiser is a definite improvement over the built in camcorder mic.
So given the Rode is better soundwise it should be a no brainer choosing that over the Sennheiser? Well the problem is the Rode is massive compared to my camcorder – whereas the Sennheiser is much, much smaller and more portable and looks less silly on top of the camcorder. Also makes it easier to carry around and less bulky when using the camcorder.
So bit of a dilemma – sound quality vs convenience of small size!
The other minor issue is with the Rode adjusting sound sensitivity involves removing the battery and fiddling with the miniscule switches inside the battery compartment using the end of pen. Its not something you’d want to do in the middle of recording a live concert that’s for sure! With the Sennheiser it’s a simple switch on the outside and easy to access. However the Videomic has 3 sensitivity levels – the Sennheiser has just the one.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is an excellent mic for the money very good polished sound and you even get 10 years waranty when you register online.I have 2 Pannasonic mini dv 3ccd camcorders and this mic fits nicely.
If you want good sound don’t buy cheap rubbish buy Rode.
Rating: 5 / 5