Rode VideoMic Frustration at DVinfo.net

Chris Harding · May 19th, 2010, 08:15 PM

Hi All

I think I have now bought shares in the silicone suspension band industry ..mainly the ones that suspend the Rode VideoMic!! Seriously they last maybe a month at the best then they break!!

I am sorely tempted to position the centre arm and drill a 3mm hole right thru the rings and shaft and put in a piece of 3mm threaded rod to make things permanent!!! You are busy shooting when suddenly you hear "clunk, clunk" which it the mic bumping against the support because another two bands have broken!! Very annoying and it doesn't make the soundtrack sound good anyway!!

Anyone got a better method that won't fail after a short time??? I was maybe thinking about some little springs instead of the rubber??? or should I just fix it once and for all I know you might get some transmitted noise but that's better than the mic knocking on the support cos the bands have yet again broken

Give me some great ideas???

Chris

Battle Vaughan · May 19th, 2010, 09:19 PM

I have successfully used standard neoprene "O" rings to replace suspension bands, available at any hardware or auto parts store. Bands get tired after a while, but I've never experienced them breaking as you describe. Is there something going on with the mike --- anything sharp rubbing on the bands?

Chris Harding · May 19th, 2010, 10:20 PM

Hi Battle

Thanks..no the mounts are in good condition..it's just that the Rode rings don't last..I tried some faucet o-rings which didn't break but they are too "fat" so if you bump the mic, they fly off in all directions!!! I'll look for some neoprene rings at an auto shop that are thin enough to stay in place!!

Chris

Andy Wilkinson · May 20th, 2010, 03:17 AM

I don't have problems with my rings breaking, at all (had the VM for 3-4 years too). Maybe I'm more careful or maybe Rode changed the material that's used on mine's O rings? Maybe you got a rogue batch of rings???

Easy solution for you regarding them flying off too. I just used a very tiny drop of Superglue on the mount at the point in the lugs where the bands grip - and now they never come off (I put the tiny blobs of glue on with a cocktail stick and then put the O rings back on). When they perish it'll still be easy to peel them off and replace them. Problem sorted.

Chris Harding · May 20th, 2010, 05:00 AM

Hi Andy

I have a RodeVM on each camera and the "rings" (actually rectangles) break on the corners fairly quickly!! The material is only 0.5mm thick or even less yet the fittings can accomodate at least 4 x that!!

I have found a local guy who specialises in seals and he has 10mm and 12mm Neoprene round rings with a 1.5mm material thickness. The o-rings that I was using (ex- tap fittings at the hardware store) worked well except they were a little too fat and kept flying off ..however the superglue idea is a great one!!

Thanks

Chris

May 19th, 2010, 08:15 PM	#1
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Rode VideoMic Frustration Hi All I think I have now bought shares in the silicone suspension band industry ..mainly the ones that suspend the Rode VideoMic!! Seriously they last maybe a month at the best then they break!! I am sorely tempted to position the centre arm and drill a 3mm hole right thru the rings and shaft and put in a piece of 3mm threaded rod to make things permanent!!! You are busy shooting when suddenly you hear "clunk, clunk" which it the mic bumping against the support because another two bands have broken!! Very annoying and it doesn't make the soundtrack sound good anyway!! Anyone got a better method that won't fail after a short time??? I was maybe thinking about some little springs instead of the rubber??? or should I just fix it once and for all I know you might get some transmitted noise but that's better than the mic knocking on the support cos the bands have yet again broken Give me some great ideas??? Chris

May 20th, 2010, 03:17 AM	#4
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Rode VideoMic O Ring Fixing Solution I don't have problems with my rings breaking, at all (had the VM for 3-4 years too). Maybe I'm more careful or maybe Rode changed the material that's used on mine's O rings? Maybe you got a rogue batch of rings??? Easy solution for you regarding them flying off too. I just used a very tiny drop of Superglue on the mount at the point in the lugs where the bands grip - and now they never come off (I put the tiny blobs of glue on with a cocktail stick and then put the O rings back on). When they perish it'll still be easy to peel them off and replace them. Problem sorted. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

May 19th, 2010, 09:19 PM	#2
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	I have successfully used standard neoprene "O" rings to replace suspension bands, available at any hardware or auto parts store. Bands get tired after a while, but I've never experienced them breaking as you describe. Is there something going on with the mike --- anything sharp rubbing on the bands?

May 19th, 2010, 10:20 PM	#3
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Hi Battle Thanks..no the mounts are in good condition..it's just that the Rode rings don't last..I tried some faucet o-rings which didn't break but they are too "fat" so if you bump the mic, they fly off in all directions!!! I'll look for some neoprene rings at an auto shop that are thin enough to stay in place!! Chris

May 20th, 2010, 05:00 AM	#5
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Hi Andy I have a RodeVM on each camera and the "rings" (actually rectangles) break on the corners fairly quickly!! The material is only 0.5mm thick or even less yet the fittings can accomodate at least 4 x that!! I have found a local guy who specialises in seals and he has 10mm and 12mm Neoprene round rings with a 1.5mm material thickness. The o-rings that I was using (ex- tap fittings at the hardware store) worked well except they were a little too fat and kept flying off ..however the superglue idea is a great one!! Thanks Chris