Rode VideoMic Directional Shotgun Mic w/Mount
July 2nd, 2010 | 
Author: Rode VideoMic Directional Shotgun Mic w/Mount
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 List Price: $249.00 Sale Price: $141.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping 
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Product Description
The RODE 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 9 V 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.RODE VideoMic Shotgun Microphone FeaturesBroadcast and studio sound qualityRugged reinforced ABS constructionTwo step high-pass filter - flat or 80 HzIntergrated shock mount9 V battery operationCondenser transducerLow noise circuitryLow handling noiseIncludes windscreenIntegrated camera-shoe mount
Details
- Broadcast and studio sound quality
- Rugged reinforced ABS construction
- Two step high-pass filter - flat or 80 Hz
- Intergrated shock mount
- 9 V battery operation
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Tags: 8 Responses to “Rode VideoMic Directional Shotgun Mic w/Mount”
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Rating
I bought this mic and a Canon Vixia HF100 for my vacation to Maui and it was a fantastic pairing. The mic was very light, durable and so simple to use, even Mom could use it: the mic only has an ON/OFF switch. Apparently you can switch to 0db, -10db or -20db from inside the battery compartment. I haven’t tried this function yet.
The mic is powered by a 9v battery which is different than my other two mics (AT55 and Sennheiser ME66). I reckon it has pretty excellent battery life; I used it for 6 days off and on and didn’t have to replace the battery.
The one gripe is that I did break one of the proprietary rubber bands that holds the mic to the base (it’s for shock absorption and isolates the mic from camera). I had it in my bag for the 15 hrs that it took me to glide to HI and the pressure must have been too fantastic. I am buying a camera-specific backpack for future ventures.
The Rode has a normal shoe mount which works with my Canon Optura 30s. It didn’t work out of the box for my Vixia HF100. The Vixia has an advanced accessory shoe which is a proprietary Canon shoe that requires an adaptor Adorama Canon Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe to Universal Shoe Adapter (FLAT TYPE) – Black
The adapter wiggles but I wanted to use the Rode instead of the canon DM50 because if you want a mic, go to a mic company.
Rating
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1M50PPV7VB5CK Here we test the RODE Videomic against the traditional “expensive” solution. A BeachTek XLR adapter with a Sennheiser XLR based shotgun mic. Learn more about achieving high quality sound from Guy Cochran at DVcreators.net.
Rating
After a lot of research on a external mic for my HG10. I chose on the Rode VideoMic and like it, nice design and solid. It picks up clean sound and also picking up back ground noise. But I change the setting to
-10db to reduce back ground noise. Very pleased.
Update.. I did a 15 minutes video with the Rode VideoMic. The sound is clean and clear. Set it -10db and am very please with it. I have not try -20db setting but I ‘ll it at that.
Rating
I continue to be impressed with the quality of the VideoMic. I use it on a Canon HV20 and have been amazed at its clarity, range and power. The thing looks a small funky. The plastic shock mount wiggles around a lot and is permanently attached to the mic. It is very susceptable to handling noise, but mounts to the small camera well and delivers quality audio for a fraction of the cost of its larger brothers, which are rather awkward to use on a small camcorder. Rode has delivered on its goal of offering a fantastic mic for the small camera and in spite of its plastic parts and odd design, it is a fantastic tool.
Rating
After spending many days combing the internet and reading review after review I chose to give the RODE VideoMic Directional Camcorder Microphone a try. I wanted something that was excellent, light, somewhat small and inexpensive. I have a small mini dv camcorder that is only about 5 inches long and didn’t want a mic that would get in my viewfinder’s shots. The mic sticks out about 5 inches in front of my lens, but manages to stay out of my shots.
First let me comment on the sound. This small bugger picks up sounds very well. In a silent room I can be 40 yards away and still pick up the conversation. The quality is outstanding. The audio compared to the built-in mic in my camcorder is night and day. The Rode is so clear. The price is fantastic. I’m guessing the quality would compare to other mics in the $300 range.
My Rode came with a Dead Cat wind screen which resembles a cat’s tail. It really saved me some money! At first I didn’t use the Dead Cat, but then I ran into a small wind which interfered with gathering excellent audio. After using the Dead Cat, I always keep the wind screen on the mic. It does not interfere with the clarity of the audio and works incredibly well in breezy conditions. I will mention that I had to trim the hair on my wind screen because I could see the hair in my videos. After trimming the hair a bit, the wind screen is still effective and no more hair dangling in the top of my video screen.
The shock vibration design is cool and they even gave me extra rubber band thingies. This mic sits high off the camera and stays out of my shots. Since the mic is somewhat far away from the camcorder, I don’t pick up any camera humming noise that can happen with other mics that are too close to the camera. Even on my hotshoe, I don’t get any humming.
I wish I could say that I have used $300 mics and above, but I haven’t. I will say that you won’t be disappointed with this microphone. I’m a photojournalist by trade and I have begun to shoot video for our newspaper’s web publication. This mic is perfect for my needs.
If you buy it, don’t forget to turn off the mic. I accidently left mine on. There is no auto shutoff.
Rating
This is by far the best Microphone in it price range. I bought this unit after allot of looking around at other mics. This mic has the best sound range and features of a unit ten times its price. RODE provides all the specifications of the mic online and in the box. The input cable is quite durable compared to other mics, it runs on a simple nine volt and has an simple to know switch with lights. So many times have I left my ancient mic on in its case since there was no light to tell you it was left on? It also has built in noise and shakes dampeners that other mics lack. This is the kind of mic that can be taken anywhere and used on nearly any camcorder.
The mic looks quite impressive on top of my Cannon GL1 it makes people stop and look. I have been questioned which TV network I work for and where did I buy my equipment from. People reckon you spent a ton of cash on a high end mic when you did not. Even at the MSRP this mic is a darn excellent deal.
I use this mic every time I take footage with my Cannon GL1. I never have any hiss or disruption with it. It is a sold mic it survived a 10 foot drop camera and all on to a concrete floor. The only thing that broke on it was the rubber attachments. All I did was stretch them back on and the mic worked! If it had any other mic it would have popped the mic element.
RODE has built this unit to last it is well worth the buy. RODE backs up their products with excellent customer and tech support. A+++ BUY!
Rating
Bottom line: This microphone is worth every cent of its cost. It’s exceptional sound went me enough to write a review, something that I do rather infrequently.
This is a well-made, high quality audio microphone coming from the rich tradition of Rode studio microphones. I use this mic on my Canon HV20, and it brings the audio quality up to the rich vibrancy of the images that camcorder is capable of. It is a highly directional mic: while picking up sounds from the sides and back, it successfully pushes these peripheral sounds aside and brings what is being shot to the forefront. I shoot many documentary style videos, consistently trying to conduct interviews and pick up conversations in the midst of screaming children and blaring TV sets. This mic gives remarkable sound for the price and for any type of shooting in which it is not practical to have a more involved audio setup.
Anyone looking to improve the sound of their onboard camcorder mic should be greatly pleased with this buy, as well as anyone in the market for a decently priced directional mic.
Rating
The introduction in the owner’s manual states it perfectly. Rode said that when looking for a excellent camcorder microphone, they were either horrible pieces of junk or super expensive professional models and so they chose to design a mic for this purpose. This model strikes a perfect balance. The quality of this mic is brilliant. It is very sensitive and has excellent directional properties so it rejects noise to the side quite well. Although not meant for picking up sound from long distances it can do quite well from 20 feet away and maybe more.
The mount is attached to the mic so this is the only way you can use it and it is made to mount to the standard “shoe” that is on nearly all camcorders. It is a mono microphone but it has a stereo miniphone jack that plugs in the camcorder mic jack and feeds the audio into both channels. After trying several inferior microphones I was delighted to stumble upon this mic. It is a excellent value and an brilliant microphone for camcorders.