VideoMicro II Ultra-Compact On-Camera Shotgun Microphone for Recording Audio with a Camera or Mobile Device

There is a minefield of information to digest when it comes to microphones. There are so many different types to consider, and so many different versions of those types it can be hard to know even where to begin. If you're doing recordings in a static environment, perhaps from a desk at home, you're more than likely going to be wanting a condensing microphone and many people will point you towards a product by Blue Yeti. I certainly would as they're superb. If you want your recordings to be mobile, or your subject is going to be far from the camera, a microphone mounted to the talker in the form of a lavalier mike will be the way to go. However, if you want a microphone that you can mount directly to your DSLR camera and have the versatility of both studio and mobile work, an On-camera microphone such as this VideoMicro by Rode is ideal. Rode, if you're not familiar with them, are one of the best manufacturers of microphones in the business. They're based in Australia and manufacture a number of highly regarded On-camera and lavalier products. You just need to decide which one is right for you. There are four or five On-camera mikes that they manufacture which you might consider, from this baby of the range VideoMicro up to the VideoMic Pro+. Each step will bring added features, at added cost, but the VideoMicro is the best selling On-camera mike on Amazon for a reason. It offers excellent sound quality for a relatively modest outlay. You get a compact microphone along with a furry "dead cat" wind supresser, and a detachable TRS cable to connect from the microphone to your DSLR. The microphone attached to the hot shoe of your DSLR camera, and tightend using a dial to get make it stable. When connected the TRS cable can be snapped into slots in the dial which braces the microphone to the camera and prevents wobbling. The sound quality of the microphone is really good, certainly a vast improvement over the in-built microphone in my Nikon D5300 camera. The sound of me doing my pieces to camera is really quite impressive. Being at the bottom end of the Rode range you might expect comprimises, and while the audio gain isn't as impressive as the top end of the range, you're only paying a fraction of the price and you're still getting a very good mike. A word on that, when you connect it to your camera you'll need to go into your menu settings and adjust the gains of the microphone to properly calibrate it. There's instruction in the box for how to do this, and plenty of tutorials online. The TRS cable provided is designed to plug the microphone into your DSLR's mic/aux-in port. Note that this is a different type of connection to the port you'd find on a smart phone. Phones usually use a TRRS port which despite the similar name isn't the same thing. If you look at a connector you'll see a ring on it. That's the "R" of TRS (Tip/Ring/Sleeve). A TRRS connector has two rings (Tip/Ring/Ring/Sleeve). You can buy converters to change a TRS cable to a TRRS, or Rode will sell you a different cable, a TRS to TRRS cable, which will allow you to connect this microphone to your smart phone. Anyway, I've been using mine now for about two months and I've been very impressed with the performance. While I could have spent more money on better ones in the Rode range I've been perfectly happy with the product and highly recommend it.

I recently got my hands on the RØDE VideoMicro Compact On-camera Directional Microphone, and I must admit, it left me quite impressed. As an avid filmmaker, I needed a reliable microphone that could capture crisp and clear audio while being compatible with my GoPro 10. Let me share my experience with this fantastic device that enhanced my filmmaking endeavors. Sound Quality That Exceeds Expectations: One of the most remarkable features of the RØDE VideoMicro is its exceptional sound quality. It captures audio with an impressive level of clarity and richness, providing a significant improvement over the built-in microphone of the GoPro 10. Whether recording in loud or quiet environments, this microphone brings out the finest details in audio, making every video cinematic and professional. Directional Design Perfect for Filmmaking: The VideoMicro's directional pickup pattern is another standout feature. The microphone captures sound primarily from the front while minimizing background noise, ensuring that the main subject's audio is the focus. This proves to be incredibly useful when shooting in noisy environments, allowing for clear dialogue and immersive storytelling without any unwanted distractions. Compact and Convenient: Designed to be mounted on a camera or camcorder, the VideoMicro's size is compact and lightweight. This makes it an ideal companion for my GoPro 10, as it doesn't add any significant bulk or weight to my setup. I appreciate that it doesn't compromise mobility, providing convenience during extensive filming sessions or when on the move. Durable Construction: Built to withstand the challenges of on-the-go filmmaking, the RØDE VideoMicro boasts a sturdy and durable construction. The microphone is encased in a rugged metal body, offering longevity and protection against accidental bumps or drops. I feel confident that this microphone will withstand the rigors of my filmmaking adventures, ensuring it will continue to deliver stellar audio quality for years to come. Easy Setup and Versatile Compatibility: Setting up the VideoMicro is as simple as plugging it into the GoPro 10's external microphone port. Its universal 3.5mm TRS connector makes it compatible with a wide range of devices, including various cameras, smartphones, and even laptops. This versatility allows me to seamlessly switch between different filmmaking equipment without any hassle, ensuring I never miss an opportunity to capture incredible audio. Conclusion: The RØDE VideoMicro Compact On-camera Directional Microphone has indeed enhanced my GoPro 10 filmmaking experience. Its outstanding sound quality, compact design, easy setup, and durable construction make it a fantastic investment for any filmmaker seeking professional audio results. Whether you're recording dialogue, interviews, or ambient sounds, this microphone delivers exceptional performance. Trust me, you won't be disappointed by the amazing audio improvement the VideoMicro brings to your movies.

I've bought this mic for my note 8 since I'm going on holiday soon and decided to pick this up. Just to clarify some things; It records mono not stereo Mounts onto a hot shoe or cold shoe mount Requires the SC7 patch cable (~£10) to work with mobiles (the cable included only works for TRS to TRS) Audio Quality Thankfully, they've included the windshield because without it, the audio picks up quite a lot of windy noise. Indoor use without the windshield is okay, but for conveniences sake you may as well keep it on. The windshield does an excellent job at keeping the wind out and softening loud breaths when you speak into the mic. I don't pick up any 'hiss' as other people have complained about, but I do get some noticeable background noise. I've found that cleaning it up using Audacity makes the mic sound extremely high quality. Mic Design The mic feels very high quality with its full metal body. There are no complaints from me about the mic design. Mount Design The main problem I have with the product is actually to do with the Rycote Lyre Mount. Since the mic is only fixed on it at one point, the mic is able to rock forward and backward quite noticeably when you are moving about (i.e. walking). This is extremely noticeable on the audio, meaning it is more aimed towards stationary vlogging and filming (thus defeating the point of making it compact and easy to travel with). Using a different mount or using a gimbals should solve this, but falls heavily outside my budget (Rycote mounts are ~£50 and gimbals are ~£100). Also, the plastic of the mount feels very cheap and susceptible to snapping at any point. You do get 2 years warranty on this though, so I will see if it is needed at all. Overall, this mic is definitely worth the money. It falls within the budget microphone price while delivering premium microphone quality (especially after editing audio in post). Pick this up if you're looking for a compact budget mic!

Honestly such a fantastic microphone for multiple use cases. I primarily use it with my Sony A7 for professional video shoots, but it also works as a brilliant voice over or streaming microphone. Give the flexibility you have with this microphone and all of the fantastic features like duel channel audio (life saver) I’d say it’s worth every penny. The battery is also very good, and setup only takes a few seconds.

I am a wedding and small commercial photographer and videographer and bought the Rode mic to use with my Panasonic FZ1000 cameras. The inbuilt microphones in many video cameras and dslr cameras used for video are limited in quality and pickup. They are also subject to handling and mechanical noise in addition to varying wind noise interference. I have a number of mics for various recording situations, but something to sit on the camera for run and gun filming with good audio is what I was looking for after a few disappointments The Rode has a very effective flexible mount which attaches to the camera hot shoe, or can be attached to a stand or pole if required. This virtually eliminates all noise from camera handling and mechanical noise.The pick up pattern is front heavy which helps reduce sounds from the side, so better for audio from where you are pointing the camera. The mic comes with a short coiled connecting lead which plugs into the rear end of the mic and the mic input of the camera. No XLR here, just a standard 3mm mic connector. There is also an included foam wind protector which has the Rode logo printed on both sides. The foam type of wind protector is ok in light breezes, but for anything stronger I always use a Rycote dead cat instead. That applies to any mic I use for outside windy conditions. For an unpowered external mic, I find that the Rode gives a good output level and no noticeable noise with a wide dynamic range pickup. It is also very light, which belies the quality that I have found from it, which is great for close and general ambient sound. The only negatives I have found is that if you are using a dslr camera, the mic will extend far enough behind the hotshoe to be annoying if you are using the viewfinder rather than a screen. I'm also not a great fan of the red and black finish, but the mic does add a professional look to the camera. I've found sound performance to cost to be superior to many mics in the same price range and some costing considerably more. I have also backed up my review by now buying a second one for my other FZ1000. Roger

By now you'll have noticed that the built in recording function on your camera or device sounds terrible and you're looking to improve the quality of you're production. The biggest appeal of this model is the fact that it has no battery. You simply plug it into your recording device (camcorder, dslr etc.) and your ready to go hence the name. There are advantages and disadvantages to this but it's up to you what you're after. For me it's been an awesome addition to my home setup so i'm not fussed. With that said here are some of the pros and cons. PROs: -The mic itself is very light, has a sleek design and can fit into your back pocket. -It comes with a lengthy 3.5mm jack which you can connect direct to your dslr and it'll start working. -The mic is attached to a shock absorption stand that reduces noise and vibrations and can be attached direct to a hot shoe mount. -The sound quality pre-processing is great for the price and has a decent frequency response range with background noise. CONs: -The design of the mic means it protrudes at the back so its not level with camera. Wouldn't say it's a big deal but if you're looking through the view finder odds are its going to bonk you on the forehead. -Has no built-in pre-amp, battery or high pass filter, hence why you can get interference, noise and the sound quality is slightly lower at the same level as more advanced rode models. -You have to purchase an SC7 cable if you want to use with an iphone or android phone. - Can get interference if dslr wifi is on so switch it off before use. Overall i'm pretty satisfied with the mic it's been with me for a while and I've always had it connected to one of my cameras or phone recording content even after getting better mics. I'm aware of some complaints about hisses, clicks and interference but to summarise all of those issues are the result of the camera or lens and it's internal settings. Simply switching to manual mode get's rid of all those problems. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone getting started.

I already have a videomicro which is slightly cheaper than this one and I was hoping for a slightly tighter pick up pattern with more of a 'shotgun' feel than the videomicro. In that respect, the videomic Go does provide slightly more front focus which is great for on camera audio which isn't always the best. Sensitivity seems to be fine and noise levels ok. Not brilliant but I think slightly lower than the videomicro, but there is a problem with this mic that really should have been addressed at the design stage. While I can understand that Ride are trying to keep prices low for their customers, it is very puzzling why they put this out with a plastic body and unbalanced lead. The result of this is that it is very efficient at picking up electrical noises. For instance, if I use this in the house, it picks up the wifi router in random areas. It is also sensitive to plugs. Mobile phones need to be turned off. That is quite worrying since if you are out and about with your camera, filming without a headphone which is often the case when say, you're on holiday, you won't know whether you've captured these random buzzes and noises until you see the footage. So I kind of don't trust this microphone and if I'm honest, it has made me wary of the pro which I was considering. Doing the same tests with the micro shows that probably, because it has a metal body, it isn't prone to these noises. The downside is that the pickup is slightly less tight but at least what you get from it is proper audio. It makes me wonder why Rode have two microphones on sale at similar prices and what the purpose of this is. In my opinion, the micro is better and cheaper. At least you won't discover these awful electrical noises when you get home. I would have paid a little more had this problem been overcome by Rode since I'm sure that a metal body would fix it. The mic itself is absolutely fine but the random nature of these noises makes it just a bit dodgy using it inside buildings or anywhere near a phone.

The RØDE VideoMicro Compact On-camera Directional Microphone has been a game-changer for my content creation (YouTube_. Whether I’m shooting vlogs, interviews, or outdoor footage, this mic consistently delivers crisp and clear audio. For the price, the RØDE VideoMicro is one of the best investments I’ve made in my gear. It's perfect for filmmakers, vloggers, and content creators who need a reliable, high-quality microphone without breaking the bank. If you're looking for an affordable, compact microphone that delivers professional audio, this is it!