RØDELink Performer Wireless Handheld Microphone Kit
Sometimes I shoot live events. In my case that is mostly corporate conference meetings. In these cases, sometimes a wireless lavalier is the best option but in others, we don’t have time to get the lavalier microphone in place and a handheld wireless mic is a better option. RODE has just introduced their new RODELink wireless handheld microphone kit which fits this niche for me quite nicely. In this overview I cover my initial impressions as well as the features of the kit. In short: RODE has added an affordable, high quality option to their RODELink wireless system!
Thanks to RODE for providing the Performer kit for this review. They have not paid me beyond providing the mic and all of the opinions shared here are my own.
The RODELink Performer kit is slated to start shipping in mid October 2017.
Links to Gear Discussed and used to shoot this review:
RODELink Performer Handheld Wireless Microphone Kit
RODELink Filmmaker Wireless Lavalier Kit
My review of the RØDELink Filmmaker kit:
RODELink Newsshooter Wireless Reporter’s Microphone Kit
Aputure COB120t (used to light light me in the talking head shots)
FalconEyes CLL-1600TDX (used as the background light in the talking head portions of this video. This thing is HUGE)
FalconEyes RX-18TD (used as a rim light bounced off of foam core in the talking head portions of this video)
Aputure COB120d (used to light the product shots)
Sound Devices 633 Audio Recorder
Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro Cinema Camera
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
RODE VideoMic Pro+ Overview
RODE just updated their very popular RODE VideoMic Pro to the VideoMic Pro+ here in late summer 2017. The new version of the camera-top shotgun microphone includes several new features which make it a very worthwhile upgrade or option for those looking for a simple way to improve their sound quality.
In this episode we have a closer look at the new features and provide comparison sound clips from the older VideoMic Pro and the new Pro+.
Remember that to get the very best sound out of your microphone, you really need to get it off of your camera and boom it over the person speaking like this:
Also, if you do use the new safety track feature on the RODE VideoMic Pro+, this is how you use that safety track in post when the main track clips and distorts to save your audio:
Links to Gear Discussed and Used to Record This Session:
RODE VideoMic Pro+
Adapter Cable to use the VideoMic Pro+ with a smartphone (RODE SC7)
(Note smartphones have a mono mic input so the safety track feature will not work with smartphones)
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 Zoom Lens
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
6 Affordable Lavalier Microphones Compared
One of the least expensive ways to improve the quality of your video is to use a microphone that you can get close to your talent/actors. Here are six affordable lavalier microphones that will help. We chose an assortment to work with your smartphone, DSLR or interchangeable lens cameras, your laptop or PC, or even GoPro action cameras.
Links to Gear Discussed and Used to Record This Session:
Dutch Kings Lavalier Microphone (For smartphones or GoPro)
Aputure A.lav EZ (for smartphones)
RODE smartLav+ (for smartphones)
Aputure A.lav (for smartphones, cameras, and PCs with headset inputs)
Comica Dual Head Lavalier Microphone (for recording 2 people into smartphones, cameras, PCs, or GoPros)
Sony ECM-CS3 Stereo Lavalier Microphone (for cameras)
RODE SC3 Adapter (If your microphone has a TRRS plug - 3 colored rings on the plug - and you want to use if for your camera or audio recorder, use this adapter)
RODE SC4 Adapter (If your microphone has a TRS plug - 2 colored rings on the plug - and you want to use it for your smartphone or PC with a headset input, use this adapter)
Panasonic GH5 Camera
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
Upcoming Reviews: Panasonic GH5 XLR Audio Adapter, Sanken CSS-50 Stereo Shotgun Microphone, RODE iXLR & Reporter
We've got some new gear in for testing and review. First on the list is the new Panasonic DMW-XLR1 audio adapter for the new GH5. This allows you to record two XLR microphones to your GH5. Panasonic seem to have taken the feedback they received on the interface for the GH4. Evidently the feature people most wanted was the XLR inputs and they were very turned off by the fact that the GH4's interface needed to be powered either by an AC adapter or a big 14V battery like a Sony V-Lock. This time, the interface connects to the top of the camera via its hotshoe and is powered by the camera. That's good and bad. I cannot keep my GH5 in its Varavon Zeus Uni cage when I need to use this. But it is also good as it is a much more compact and lightweight solution than the previous GH4 interface. We'll put it to the test to see how it sounds...
B&H was kind enough to send over a Sanken CSS-50 stereo shotgun microphone for testing. Sanken is a rather interesting company and their tagline is "World's most innovative microphone company." It has three different modes: Mono, stereo, and wide stereo. So far I'm impressed and expect to hear this one along with my test results and impressions soon as well.
This year at the National Association of Broadcaster's show I'm planning to do some interviews with manufacturers at various booths on the floor but wanted to keep the recording rig very light. So, our plan A is to use my iPhone 7+, RODE iXLR microphone adapter, and the RODE Reporter microphone. This will be the ideal solution because post/editing will be pretty straightforward with no need to sync. But I need to do a little more testing to be sure everything works as planned. And I'm not sure how well the iPhone will do in the NAB lighting. So our backup plan is to use the GH5, either with the Panasonic audio adapter, or record audio separately with the RODE iXLR and Reporter. I'll be interested to see if we can pull this off with plan A.
RODE Stereo VideoMic Pro: Redesigned for 2016
RODE first shipped their Stereo VideoMic Pro in 2012. Now in 2016, they have updated the Stereo VideoMic Pro with the Rycote Lyre suspension system, redesigned the microphone capsules, updated the cable with kevlar reinforcement, increased the density of the foam wind cover, and added RF shielding. Let's have a listen and discuss when you might choose the Stereo VideoMic Pro vs the mono VideoMic Pro.
RODE was kind enough to send us the Stereo VideoMic Pro for review. Full disclosure: This microphone was given to me for this review, I did not purchase it with my money. I was not paid to do this review.
RODE Stereo VideoMic Pro with Rycote Suspension - Better for recording ambience
RODE (mono) VideoMic Pro with Rycote Suspension - Better for recording dialogue
Three Lavalier Microphones for your Mobile Phone
Need to record better audio to your smartphone or even record video with better sound on your mobile? We’ve reviewed several lavalier microphones over the last few years and in this episode we’ll let you hear three of them back to back to help you decide which may be best for your projects. Each of them are well under $100 USD and two of the are well under $40 USD so there’s an option for any budget. You can get surprisingly good sound, even with a $20 USD microphone.
We’ll have a listen to the GORA Lavalier, the Aputure A.lav, and the RODE smartLav+. I personally prefer the RODE for the great sound quality and robust build quality, but the GORA also sounds really good, despite its lesser build quality. The Aputure A.lav wins as the most versatile as it can record, out of the box, to your phone, your camera, or your camcorder.
Each of these mics can be a great option.
Also, I'm finding the Rycote Undercovers to be a nice way to mount lavalier microphones and avoid clothing noise. We'll take a closer look at those in an upcoming episode.
Black Friday Deal: Tascam DR-60DmkII & RODE NTG2
One last gear nerd black Friday notice and we're moving back to other things: B&H has a deal on the Tascam DR-60DmkII recorder with the RODE NTG2 Shotgun Microphone for $379 USD. Normally they'd cost over $450 separately.
I've used this combination many times in my corporate jobs with great results. If you're just getting started, this is probably the best deal I've seen on a solid shotgun and recorder combination.
My review of the Tascam recorder:
https://youtu.be/TRoIMPHS91U
And my really old review of the RODE NTG2 shotgun microphone:
https://youtu.be/GlQ32DwdpEw
RØDE VideoMic Pro Black Friday Pricing $179
Another amazing deal for those into audio: B&H has the new version (2015) of the RODE VideoMic Pro accessory shoe shotgun microphone for only $179 USD. Normally they go for $250. I was quite impressed with the sound they capture back when we reviewed it earlier this year. And while this is not my first choice for capturing dialogue since I prefer to get the mic closer to the talent, this is great for run-n-gun type shooting.
https://youtu.be/B_esjF1KtVw
Also, you can get it closer to your talent. I have used RODE's RODELink wireless system to boom the VideoMic Pro in close to an interviewee:
https://youtu.be/CONhcUiyIXg
RODE VideoMic Me: Better Sound for Smartphone Video
If you need better sound for your smartphone videos, RODE has an interesting “mini shotgun” mic that might be a good choice. At $59 USD, the VideoMic Me plugs directly into the headphone jack on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device and is held in place with a very simple adjustable clip so that it works with nearly any device. If you’re shooting outdoors, it also comes with a furry cover to prevent wind from messing with your audio recording. Great little microphone if smartphone video recording is your thing!
RODE's New Audio Gear at IBC 2015
Of the new products RODE announced today at IBC, the two that are most intriguing to me are the i-XLR and RODELink News Shooter kit. I haven't seen prices on any of these yet.
The i-XLR looks like a pretty nice way to record with an XLR based microphone into an iPhone or iPad. Depending on how well its preamp and analogue to digital converter work, it may be a nice, low-cost choice for someone that is just getting started and don't have a big budget for an XLR based audio recorder. Not sure whether it can provide phantom power so that would limit it to dynamic and self-powered microphones but that's often what you're using when in a reporting situation. But it should work with something like the NTG4+ or NTG2.
The RODELink News Shooter looks even more interesting to me. The obvious use for this is on a reporter's handheld microphone. And that's great, but it can also be used on a Shotgun or boom microphone as well - it supplies 48v phantom power. That's an interesting scenario. It can also still be used with a lavalier microphone and...it can be powered by two AA or a Sony NP-F style battery! Nice work RODE! You guys are cranking out some interesting gear for the film and sound enthusiast crowd!
The carbon fiber Boom Pole Pro looks interesting as well. It is not internally cabled off the shelf but evidently you can remove the top cap and cable internally yourself. Though I'm not sure on two things: 1) if you put a straight cable inside the pole, you'll run in to potential noise when cuing the pole between actors as the cable slaps against the inside of the pole and 2) Not sure where the cable exits on the bottom of the pole. Do you just remove the bottom cap? In any case, will be interesting to see this up close.
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