Rode VideoMic Pro

Being a photographer, I don't generally get into the sound side of things. However, when I was "volunteered" at the last minute to do some video work, things got kinda out of hand when it went from an informal "concept video" to full blown commercial grade production.Now for DSLR shooters, and anyone doing hobbyist/enthusiast videos, the Rode Videomic Pro is an outstanding choice for the money. Ok, so you're not going to get ultra-low noise floors of high end microphones, any interference-free balanced XLR connection, nor are you going to get stereo with this thing by itself. However if you accept these limitations, and use it with a little skill and thought, you can get a broadcast-quality, directional microphone that will wildly surpass any camera's in-built ... MoreBeing a photographer, I don't generally get into the sound side of things. However, when I was "volunteered" at the last minute to do some video work, things got kinda out of hand when it went from an informal "concept video" to full blown commercial grade production.Now for DSLR shooters, and anyone doing hobbyist/enthusiast videos, the Rode Videomic Pro is an outstanding choice for the money. Ok, so you're not going to get ultra-low noise floors of high end microphones, any interference-free balanced XLR connection, nor are you going to get stereo with this thing by itself. However if you accept these limitations, and use it with a little skill and thought, you can get a broadcast-quality, directional microphone that will wildly surpass any camera's in-built microphone, and in some situations, work far better than lavalier/lapel microphones.The directionality of the microphone is very good for the size and price point. However, like all "shotgun" condenser's off-axis sound "pick up" goes up as sound frequency decreases. I wouldn't say that this microphone is particularly narrow focussed, and as such gives some forgiveness to minor movement with subjects and targeting/proximity mistakes of beginners alike. However, thoughtful placement can make substantial improvements in the end result.Obviously, I can attach the Videomic Pro to many DSLR, mirrorless and even compact cameras, provided that they have a mic input, and a hot shoe to mount the microphone. This is how it was designed to work and it works very well. You can absolutely get some great sound from it that way, but if you're using the camera to record the sound, you might not be getting the best sound possible from it.. So I generally use it another way....I prefer to use it with a handheld field recorder, like a Zoom H1n and Sony RX100 compact camera (the camera does NOT have mic input, hence the field recorder) on a custom tripod-mounted bracket to run as a B-roll footage, B-roll audio AND main sound backup rig.So for instance.. if I'm shooting a cooking class, (as I was) I'd have the main rig focused on the demonstrator, and the Videomic Pro/Sony rig pointing at the food, getting a backup of the voice audio, some sizzle of the pans, and stirring noises if needed. Always great to get those close shots that depict the details that the primary rig can only describe.When used this way, I can put the entire B-roll rig just out of my primary rig's shot, zoom in with the zoom lens and merge it all in post as needed.Honestly, for less demanding roles, the Videomic Pro is an excellent microphone, and would work really well for beginners, hobbyists, YouTube content creators, vloggers, and even some commercial content creation. Honestly, serious pros would probably opt for a more capable microphone or perhaps several if they find themselves recording audio in a variety of situations.

Great Shotgun Mic!

I ordered the miraculous Sony shotgun mic and then ordered this as a backup. I ended up having to use it for a wedding job when I left the Sony behind at home by accident. It worked beautifully. The sound was clear and crisp. It could pick up what I wanted and leave the distracting ambient noise out. A great purchase. It also works with my Sony A6600, whereas the Sony mic doesn't. For the price you just can't go wrong.

Mic fine, packaging insane

Packaging insanely difficult. Both my wife and I tried to open the nearly indestructible plastic container the mic was enclosed in. Couldn't get the two halves apart. Tried the usual calm approach to separate at the seam without success. Then tried scissors without luck, finally resorted to knives. The plastic is so hard and tough it was even very difficult to get a sharp knife in. After much stabbing and cutting attempts the two halves finally separated. It was a difficult AND hazardous experience. The mic works fine but it will always be the unpackaging experience that I will remember. Come on, guys. It shouldn't be the hard!

Shockingly good value with a couple downsides

Ive been using these mics for 95% of my outdoor and 50% of my indoor recording since 2013. I cant say enough good about them, audio quality, clarity, superb. Biggest downside is the cable being built in. My firat one didnt die, but the cable evebtually failed after 9 years of heavy use. I replaced it with another of these mics, and now yet another - I have 2 of these in perfect working order that are now used on virtually every shoot, and the original with the bad cable kept in storage. Second biggest issue with these mics is the suspnsion. On one of my camera rigs I have to mount these mics upside down, and they are always coming out of the suspension. They pop out of it now and then when upright, as well. These mics are, however, shockingly water resistant. I have ... MoreIve been using these mics for 95% of my outdoor and 50% of my indoor recording since 2013. I cant say enough good about them, audio quality, clarity, superb. Biggest downside is the cable being built in. My firat one didnt die, but the cable evebtually failed after 9 years of heavy use. I replaced it with another of these mics, and now yet another - I have 2 of these in perfect working order that are now used on virtually every shoot, and the original with the bad cable kept in storage. Second biggest issue with these mics is the suspnsion. On one of my camera rigs I have to mount these mics upside down, and they are always coming out of the suspension. They pop out of it now and then when upright, as well. These mics are, however, shockingly water resistant. I have done several shoots in all day downpours. Shoots where everyone elses mics had failed, become water logged, or shorted, these mics have surprised me and made it through each of those shoots without any issues.

[Rewarded Review] A wonderful stereo microphone, if you're lucky

Rode dropped the ball on the QA for these microphones. If you look at B&H or Amazon reviews, there are quite a few people running into issues. I normally pay no mind, but when I purchased mine, it arrived with one audio channel busted too. I disassembled it, found a bad soldering job, and put it back together, and had no issues since.If you don't get a lemon, it's a fantastic stereo microphone. The audio is crisp, it picks up sound from a good distance, and with a windscreen, it can handle windy conditions flawlessly. It's in all likelihood the nicest stereo microphone in this price range.Some folks complained about the microphone picking up camera movement noise. I noticed that in one of my video sessions and was dumbfounded, but I soon found the clulprit. The ... MoreRode dropped the ball on the QA for these microphones. If you look at B&H or Amazon reviews, there are quite a few people running into issues. I normally pay no mind, but when I purchased mine, it arrived with one audio channel busted too. I disassembled it, found a bad soldering job, and put it back together, and had no issues since.If you don't get a lemon, it's a fantastic stereo microphone. The audio is crisp, it picks up sound from a good distance, and with a windscreen, it can handle windy conditions flawlessly. It's in all likelihood the nicest stereo microphone in this price range.Some folks complained about the microphone picking up camera movement noise. I noticed that in one of my video sessions and was dumbfounded, but I soon found the clulprit. The audio cable is supposed to be routed to a notch on the bottom of the micrphone; if you accidentally pull it out, it will flop around and might keep hitting the body of the microphone. The cable seats firmly, so I don't think it's a design flaw, just something to be aware of.For best quality, you'd want to switch to the +20 dB position on the microphone and then set low manual (!) gain on the camera.

[Rewarded Review] BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL

I haven't even plugged it in yet and I'm upset.1) As I gently lifted the mic out of its box one of the tiny black switches on the back fell off - and it just won't stay on.2) There were no instructions included so, I wondered, how do I insert a battery? Seeing the small screw on the back I figured that was the answer. WRONG! On removing that I discovered all I did was expose the circuitry. And now the rear plate won't fit back properly and is held onto the body with tape!3) I triple checked the packaging for instructions and eventually resorted to YouTube where a non-Rode video by phonesandmore gave a quick lesson.For 200 bucks is it too much to expect a simple diagram that shows how to insert a battery? Judging by the comments on the YouTube clip I'm not ... MoreI haven't even plugged it in yet and I'm upset.1) As I gently lifted the mic out of its box one of the tiny black switches on the back fell off - and it just won't stay on.2) There were no instructions included so, I wondered, how do I insert a battery? Seeing the small screw on the back I figured that was the answer. WRONG! On removing that I discovered all I did was expose the circuitry. And now the rear plate won't fit back properly and is held onto the body with tape!3) I triple checked the packaging for instructions and eventually resorted to YouTube where a non-Rode video by phonesandmore gave a quick lesson.For 200 bucks is it too much to expect a simple diagram that shows how to insert a battery? Judging by the comments on the YouTube clip I'm not the only who had trouble figuring this out.

[Rewarded Review] Great for its intended use

Sound quality on this is 10/10. It's lightweight, and compact enough to fit in your camera bag. The -10 and +20 dB gain options are clutch as well for noisy environments or a distant subject. The only downsides, as I see them, are (1) the lack of internal battery, (2) the necessity of the on/off switch, and (3) the very short 3.5 mm cord.(1) Needing to charge and carry spare 9V batteries is a pain, especially as this is the only device in my kit that uses them. An internal battery with USB-C charging port (OR drawing from the camera's internal battery via hot shoe) would have been ideal for my purposes.(2) The on/off switch is a great battery-saver, but it can also result in a recording with no audio if you forget to put it on & don't have the audio meters ... MoreSound quality on this is 10/10. It's lightweight, and compact enough to fit in your camera bag. The -10 and +20 dB gain options are clutch as well for noisy environments or a distant subject. The only downsides, as I see them, are (1) the lack of internal battery, (2) the necessity of the on/off switch, and (3) the very short 3.5 mm cord.(1) Needing to charge and carry spare 9V batteries is a pain, especially as this is the only device in my kit that uses them. An internal battery with USB-C charging port (OR drawing from the camera's internal battery via hot shoe) would have been ideal for my purposes.(2) The on/off switch is a great battery-saver, but it can also result in a recording with no audio if you forget to put it on & don't have the audio meters displayed visibly while your subject is talking. Risky.(3) The cord makes sense for being plugged directly into the camera, which I think is its primary intended use. However, I'd have liked if Rde had included a 5'-10' extension cord to use this on a boom arm. You can buy the TRS extension cable, which I will now do, but it would have been more convenient if the mic had been delivered with 2 lengths of cable (direct camera attachment + boom attachment) that could be swapped into the device with a detachable input port.All of this is to say: if you're a vlogger, YouTuber, or amateur studio film maker that desires high quality, lightweight audio plugged directly onto your camera, then this is a solid bet. To be honest, most of my complaints would have been resolved by actually DOWNgrading to one of the more entry level models with no switches or battery (e.g., the VideoMicro or VideoMic GO), but nevertheless I don't regret this purchase at all :)

[Rewarded Review] Great microphone for camera

great microphone, the better one is Rode video mic pro premium that will capture both low decibels and high decibels. this one only captures middle and high decibels. The audio quality was very good for a shotgun microphone after i tested the audio footage.

[Rewarded Review] Needs updating

After using Rode's VideoMic NTG, I'm really missing some of those newer features in this model. I'd love to see Rode update this mic with USB charging, USB sound output, a mini jack instead of the built-in cable, auto on and off with camera, and better isolation from handling noise.However, there are not a lot of other options in this field and the sound quality is very good for the price. It creates a very immersive sound scene.Would I buy it again? Probably, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open for other options.

clean, on-camera audio of personnel interviews (digital SLR)

This is an omni-directional condenser microphone ideally suited for capturing people speaking without picking up sounds from the surrounding environment. It has a built-in 20db amplifier providing vocal sensitivity without adding noise. The microphone is light-weight, suspended to mitigate vibration, and is powered from a 9v battery. The mic mounts to the camera hot shoe. Having previously used a Rde stereo mic -- a great product with impressive stereo range and sensitivity -- I was surprised to find my interview recordings had an added hiss. Removing the noise layer itself was problematic, but there stereo mic was also picking up too much unwanted sounds from our office. I learned that many digital SLR cameras' built-in microphone amplifiers add a layer of noise ... MoreThis is an omni-directional condenser microphone ideally suited for capturing people speaking without picking up sounds from the surrounding environment. It has a built-in 20db amplifier providing vocal sensitivity without adding noise. The microphone is light-weight, suspended to mitigate vibration, and is powered from a 9v battery. The mic mounts to the camera hot shoe. Having previously used a Rde stereo mic -- a great product with impressive stereo range and sensitivity -- I was surprised to find my interview recordings had an added hiss. Removing the noise layer itself was problematic, but there stereo mic was also picking up too much unwanted sounds from our office. I learned that many digital SLR cameras' built-in microphone amplifiers add a layer of noise detrimental to the audio capture. Audio is not the camera's first purpose, and the audio circuitry simply isn't up to the task. Using the VidMic Pro I could minimize the camera's own amp, and using the 20DB amplifier on the mic, obtained all the needed amplification without a layer of noise. Ambient sounds were also avoided. Rather than add a separate on-camera amplifier, the Vidmic Pro was an affordable and ideal solution. We captured clean interviews of personnel in a busy environment.