RODE Videomic Pro

[Andy Wilkinson]

Well my SECOND free Rode deadcat for the VMP arrived today. No idea why I've been sent another one but I guess it'll do for when I loose the one that I got sent a few months ago!

[Colin McDonald]

Looking for ideas for what to use it for? :-)

[Taky Cheung]

in a windy day =)

[Craig Irving]

Has the free DeadCat promo expired? I've recently considered buying this mic for my DSLR.
I also have a Rycote INV-7 shockmount which I use for other mics, what is the benefit to using this with the VMP? Just so that it rests higher above the camera? Is it necessary? Does it work with any Invision mount or just a particular version INV model.

Thanks!
Craig

[Chad Johnson]

The Rycote Lyres are better at reducing rumble than the Rode rubber bands.

http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/wp-co.../02/rode-1.jpg

[Colin McDonald]

Chad - I'll give you an 8 out of ten for alliteration. How about

Reducing rumble - Rode rubber bands rank "reasonable": rather recommend Rycote's restraining receptacle.

[Chad Johnson]

Right! Your Ranking is roundly received, and rather right on the Rupee really.

[Geoffrey Cox]

Originally Posted by Chad Johnson

The Rycote Lyres are better at reducing rumble than the Rode rubber bands.

http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/wp-co.../02/rode-1.jpg

I have a question about this arrangement - I tried it but failed as the mic lead seems to be fixed to the bottom left corner of the suspension mount on the VMP so whilst one can detach the mount from the mic, one can't detach it from the mic lead so I'm struggling to so how the arrangement with the Rycote Lyre is practical. Am I missing something?

I also was disappointed by the amount of wind noise the Rode deadcat lets through compared to the Rode deadkitten I use on the SVM for example. I need a better solution. Does anyone know of a an on-camera blimp suitable for the VMP as I can't find anything apart from the Rode blimp which seems far too big?

[Andy Wilkinson]

There is a Rycote option - I think a picture (or at least a link) got posted earlier in this thread somewhere (or search online/the Rycote site). It sure is tricky "releasing" the tiny thin mic cable when you "de-mount" the mic from its Rode suspension to fit it in a Rycote Invision mount - but I have done it.

EDIT: Posted by me on 22nd April! Here you go....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rycote/...in/photostream

[Chad Johnson]

The cable is just wedged into a slot on the mic. It's pretty tight. Just finesse it out. Don't know of any "on camera blimps" This is not really a pro mic, so to get pro results you need a more traditional mic that fits traditional wind reduction options.

[Geoffrey Cox]

Thanks Chad and Andy, will try and release the cable but am always so wary when it seems one if forcing things!

Andy, found the Rycote furry. But how to tell if I'm not wasting my money!? It looks ver simlar but perhaps a bit less tight?

Rycote Mini Windjammer For Rode Video Mic Pro

[Chad Johnson]

There is a slot that holds the cable in place. I removed mine. Just don't yank it. It looks like it may be hard to put back in, but it will be fine. I haven't tried it, but I would guess the Rycote Wind Jammer does better than the Rode Furry. I have other Rycote stuff and it does a good job. Nothing is magic remember. And if the wind is still getting through with the wind jammer/dead kitten, that is the point you engage the low-cut filter, which will kill low rumble. In strong wind there may still be wind sound, but the audio will be much better and good enough to use. You can always further remove wind noise using iZotope RX if it's a narrative film or something.

[Martin Wiosna]

I'm in love with my VMP. the db switch on the mic is a life saver. Filmed a wedding with loud speakers within feet of the camera and after reducing the DB on the mic the sound came out perfect...

The NTG2 would (and was) totally overblown...

[Colin McDonald]

Originally Posted by Andy Wilkinson

And here is a quick picture of the Rode Videomic Pro with its Rode deadcat mounted on the Canon 7D (with a Canon 10-22mm lens on).

Photo at post #78 http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ml#post1642420

Andy, I should have looked a bit more carefully at your picture instead of making silly comments on it.
Had I done so, I might have noticed that the tag goes <on the top> and mine not have been on <upside down> since July. You even pointed out how it fits at the back.

Maybe I was subconsciously reassured by having the bald bit at the top instead of underneath in the shockmount where it's meant to go.

I should email Rode and tell them that they need to include step by step instructions so that thickos like me can fit it the right way up!

[Andy Wilkinson]

We all make mistakes! I agree that it is not immediately obvious which way it is meant to go on so tried it both ways and decided that the one in my pic was probably correct. Sure, Rode should have provided a clear picture of it on the VMP showing its correct fitting.

It could have been worse - someone somewhere has probably tried fitting it inside out...!

I will say that even with the deadcat correctly fitted on the VMP is only suitable for use in light breezes. The low cut filter sure helps a bit too. Still very pleased with mine overall. I even managed to change the battery in front of a client last week without looking a fool - I mastered the battery compartment cover some time ago :-)