The Rode Video Micro - Unboxing & Real-Time Audio Test -

Why the Rode VideoMicro is the Perfect Mic for Quick Fire Content Creation
In the fast-paced world of content creation, having the right tools can make all the difference. Whether you're a vlogger, a journalist, or a social media influencer, capturing high-quality audio on the go is crucial. Enter the Rode VideoMicro, a compact and versatile microphone that has become a favorite among creators for quick-fire content. Here’s why the Rode VideoMicro is the perfect mic for your rapid content creation needs.
Compact and Lightweight Design
One of the standout features of the Rode VideoMicro is its compact and lightweight design. Weighing just 42 grams (1.5 oz), this microphone is easy to carry and can be effortlessly mounted on your camera or smartphone. Its small size means it won't add bulk to your gear, making it ideal for creators who are always on the move. Whether you're shooting in a crowded city or hiking up a mountain, the VideoMicro won't weigh you down.
High-Quality Audio Capture
Despite its small size, the Rode VideoMicro delivers impressive audio quality. It features a cardioid condenser microphone capsule that focuses on capturing sound from in front of the mic while minimizing background noise. This directional pickup pattern is perfect for vloggers and interviewers who need to isolate their voice from ambient sounds. The result is clear, crisp audio that enhances the overall quality of your content.
Plug-and-Play Simplicity
Time is of the essence for quick-fire content creation, and the Rode VideoMicro excels in its simplicity. This mic is completely plug-and-play, meaning you don’t need batteries or complicated setups to get started. Just plug it into your camera or smartphone using the included TRS or TRRS cable, and you’re ready to go. This hassle-free setup allows you to focus on your content rather than fumbling with technical details.
Durability and Build Quality
The Rode VideoMicro is built to withstand the rigors of everyday use. Its rugged metal construction ensures durability, making it a reliable companion for outdoor shoots and travel. Additionally, the microphone comes with a high-quality Rycote Lyre shock mount, which reduces handling noise and vibrations, ensuring your recordings are smooth and professional.
Versatility Across Devices
Another reason the Rode VideoMicro stands out is its versatility. It’s compatible with a wide range of devices, including DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, smartphones, and even action cameras. This flexibility means you can use it across different platforms, adapting to various shooting scenarios without needing multiple microphones. The included TRS to TRRS cable makes it easy to switch between cameras and mobile devices, providing consistent audio quality regardless of your recording equipment.
Affordable Price Point
For creators on a budget, the Rode VideoMicro offers exceptional value. It delivers professional-grade audio quality at a fraction of the cost of other high-end microphones. This affordability makes it accessible to a wide range of content creators, from beginners to seasoned professionals, without compromising on quality.
Accessories for Enhanced Performance
The Rode VideoMicro comes with several useful accessories that enhance its performance. The included furry windshield (known as a deadcat) is particularly valuable for outdoor shooting, as it effectively reduces wind noise. This ensures your recordings remain clear even in challenging weather conditions. Additionally, the shock mount minimizes handling noise, allowing for smoother audio capture.
In the realm of quick-fire content creation, the Rode VideoMicro is a standout choice for several reasons. Its compact and lightweight design, high-quality audio capture, plug-and-play simplicity, durability, versatility, affordability, and useful accessories make it an ideal microphone for creators who need to produce high-quality content on the go. Whether you're a vlogger, a journalist, or a social media influencer, the Rode VideoMicro will elevate your audio quality and streamline your content creation process. Invest in this microphone, and experience the difference it makes in your recordings.
#rodevideomicro #rodemic #rodemicrophone

[@Ulrich.Bierwisch]

I used this microphone with the GH5 for 5 years. It is pretty good for the price and especially outside with some wind or if you touch and handle the camera much better than the internal mic. For me (traveling on the bike) it is a bit high so I tried other comparable microphones.
The Sennheiser MKE200 is very nice and much smaller. The shock-absorber is internal and the form factor is Ideal for my use case but it didn't survived the first longer journey on the bike. The actual mic is a very small part in the housing of the camera that is just attached to the cables and the vibrations have kind of damaged something and it produced a lot of noise when moved.
I now have the VideoMicro-II. This is also smaller and the shock absorber looks more stable and is compacter than on the VideoMicro. I don't think this is relevant for your use case.

[@robertdavidson7242]

I think the Rode mic was much better than the Camera Mic.

[@wolfganghnida-eichenlaub2537]

It is really difficult to decide, which one is better. You should use it from a larger distance and with the dead cat outside, than you will probably hear a big difference. I bought this micro in 2019 and use it for music performances outside. The problem is, I had to buy an extra cable with a 2 mm plug, that fits to my GX8. It was no problem but it was not cheap. Unfortunately Panasonic uses 2 mm sockets. The GX9 has not micro input, so I use (very rarely) my H1n for audio. I dislike this solution, because you have an extra audio file and have to bring this together with the video in post production. I think the rode micro is better than the original pana micro (DMW-M51), which needs a AAA battery to work. The rode has an excellent rubber cushioning to the camery body.

[@TheRealMarxz]

the problem with the short shotgun style mics like this is that they are far less efficient at rejecting off axis noise than longer ones (that's a physics thing with off axis noice canceling its self out via out of phase waveform interference - as a sound is let in via the slots/holes further up the tube the more out of phase noise is applied against itself ).
And another problem is that cheaper ones, even from quality manufacturers like Rode, is they have a relatively high noise floor (self noise)- as such "using them at a distance" is exactly what they are not made for as the further away you get the weaker your subject's audio is and the lower the subject to back ground noise and subject to self noise ratios are, even using shotguns in the feild the boom operator, even with a multi thousand dollar shotgun mic, wants to get them as close as possible to the subject (s) without getting the mic in the frame. - you can use a numeber of the wireless transmitters such as Rode's own ME and GOII as they have plugin power which will power mics like the Video Micro (and have the receiver plugged in to your camera)
I've used this with my Rode and Audio-Technica 3~5 volt plugin powered mics (I'm hoping to experiment with a DJI MIC2 as the transmitter will record 32bit float independant of the signal recored to the camera via the receiver so in worse case situations the blown out signal in the camera can be dubbed over with the DJI's 32 bit float which should work better than my Zoom's "rescue track" which is just standard audio recorded a few DB lower than the normal track)

[@jackoneil3933]

Cool Grant, I used to do a bit of news gathering with Lumix cameras and used the Rode Video Micro but found it not quite directional enough and a bit low on gain with the Gx8. Based on a video review, I tried the the original Saramonic Vmic Mini (the one with no switches). It's sort of a knockoff the Rode Video Micro but has more low frequency response, more gain and the capsule seems more directional, and the mount is more compact. Less than a meter away the Rode has a more open and natural sound but beyond a meter and in noisy environments prefer the Saramonic, I see them now for about $29. I've tried other mini shotguns and for something to put in a travel bag I like it.
Saramonic Vmic Mini samples
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I've tried a lot of shotguns for news gathering, and my favorite for run and gun interviews, studio and boom pole interviews is the Sennheiser ME67 LONG Shotgun mic with the K7 Capsule, I plug it directly into a camera, a Tascam DR10X, or SennheiserEW100 XLR wireless kit. It's 18" or 45cm so a bit cumbersome but for 20+ years has never let me down. Much more directional than an ME66 or Rode Shotgun mics
I also like the Zoom H1 and H1N with a mini Dead Cat for low noise environments, and for run n' gun I sometimes have the Saramonic and H1 on a rig and plug the Saramonic or Video Micro into the camera and use the H1 for stereo and B-roll. With the LX100 that has no mic input I'll but the H1 and Saramonic on an L-handle , plug some earphones into the H1 for stereo recording and for interviews plug the mini shotgun into the H1 All that LX100 rig fits in a small bag or a couple of jacket pockets.
I usually carry a Tascam DR 10L with a lav mic if I have time to mic someone.