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
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 Pro with Lyre Suspension and Redesigned Capsule
We had posted this overview of the new RODE VideoMic Pro a few months back but had to pull it because RODE found an issue with the electronics a couple of days after release and recalled it. (Full disclosure: RODE sent me the mike for evaluation. They do not pay me and I retain the right to express my opinion.)
They've got the issue resolved and it is now available online.
Overall, I really like having this in my kit. I'm not a huge fan of using a shotgun mike mounted on top of my camera or rig but there are a few cases where it makes sense. Filming my daughter's marching band in the summer parade this year was one case where it made sense and worked well.
But I also find that this mic works great boomed just above your talent using the RODE VC1 extension cable. In fact, this is how my friend Dave Dugdale shoots 85% of his videos for YouTube (with the older version of the mike). I also like the sound of the new mike. Rich low end when you've got it boomed in close (less than 90cm) . Very neutral when farther away.
If you're wondering whether to get the older version of the mic or spend the extra $40 for the new version, I'd go with the new. You'll have a lot fewer issues with the lyre suspension system in terms of isolating the mike from handling noise and you won't lose and have to repair those pesky rubber bands.
Battery life seems really good as well. I'm still on the original 9v battery and have probably clocked about 8 - 10 hours of use.
New RODE VideoMic Pro 2015: Overview and Demo
I will start by saying that I am not a fan of on-camera mics, even things like cold-shoe mount shotgun mics. There are two problems with using shotgun mics on the camera: 1) The camera is almost never close enough to the talent for a short shotgun mic to get a good dialogue recording without picking up lots of ambience. If that's the sound you want, then this is fine, but usually we're looking to eliminate most of the ambient sound and noise. 2) the mic is pointed not only at the talent, but at all the other sound and noise behind the talent or reflecting off the wall behind the talent. That's not quite as big a deal, but still a problem if you're trying to get just the dialogue.
However, cold-shoe mount mics can be used closer to your talent. And the newly redesigned (2015) RODE VideoMic Pro with Rycote Lyre shockmount is a fine candidate for this. In this episode I demonstrate the difference between using it on camera and using it boomed within 40 - 60cm of your talent.
But of course, you have to find a way to get the mic connected to your camera if you're operating 6 feet away from it. And my favorite options are these:
RODE VC1 (10 foot extension cable). This is the least expensive option and simply allows you to run the cable from just over your talent to your camera. Works great if you're still within about 6 feet of your talent. Runs for around $10 USD.
Zoom H1 or Tascam DR-05 Audio Field Recorders. I have the H1 but if I were buying today, I'd go for the Tascam because of its slightly better build quality. These allow you to connect the mic directly to the audio recorder. These are so light weight that you can just put them up on a stationary boom in studio, or combine it with the VC1 extension cable. The advantage with this approach is that these recorders will almost certainly record higher quality sound than 99% of cameras. On the downside, if you really want to look at it that way, you will have to sync the sound to the video when you edit in Premiere, Final Cut, or which ever editing app you use. It is super simple and worth the 10 seconds of extra work from my point of view.
Then, of course, there's the issue of how to boom the mic. This is a little more complicated but here's a reasonably affordable way to boom the VideoMic Pro if your talent will be sitting in one place.
Just another option to consider for capturing quality sound for your film and video projects.
Re-designed RODE Video Mic Pro
In 2010, RODE introduced their Original Video VideoMic Pro, a cold shoe mount small shotgun microphone. According to today's press release, this is their best selling microphone. That's interesting, I would have expected the NT1A large diaphragm condenser to be their best seller among the beginning home music recording crowd.
One problem with the original Video Mic Pro was the isolation mounting. It essentially used rubber bands that worked decently, but had a tendency to fall off or break over time. And, they weren't the best at isolating the mic from camera or boom movement.
Earlier today, RODE announced an updated version of the VideoMic Pro with Rycote Lyre with two new headline features: a redesigned capsule, and a new Rycote suspension system.
Now those of you that know me, know that I'm not a huge fan of mounting a shotgun mic on top of my camera. That technique has its place, but I rarely do it because it doesn't sound all that great for two reasons: 1) it is usually too far from the talent and 2) it also picks up whatever happens to be behind the talent (and that can include audio reflections off a wall if that's what is behind the talent).
However, like I said, there are cases when you don't have any other choice. When I met up with Dave Dugdale at NAB this year, I saw that he was shooting with his Video Mic Pro on his Sony A7s. Totally get it. He didn't have a lot of other options since he was trying to stay light for a full day of walking around the show floor and the audio quality expected from this setup was good enough for what he was doing. Totally legitimate.
However, in cases where you're shooting at a location where it would be practical, I like to take that mic off the camera and boom it over the talent. This solves both problems: The mic is now much closer (within 40 - 60cm of the talent) and it is pointed down so it only captures the talent and not everything behind them. I showed this in one of my older episodes and will do it again in one of my upcoming episodes.
In that light, RODE was kind enough to send me an evaluation copy of the new Video Mic Pro a while back so that I could evaluation it. Frankly, I've only spent a few minutes with it so far because I've been busy working with the RODELink system, but I'm hoping to have a closer look at it in the next few weeks here.
The new mic is just a tiny bit larger than the original and the foam windscreen is larger so the original dead cat furry cover won't work with the new mic. But I would hazard a guess that RODE will have a new version of the dead cat available before too long.
Let me know if there are any specific questions you'd like answered about this mic and we'll be sure to cover that in the episode.
