Rode VideoMic Pro: Quick fix for the flimsy rubber/cradle at DVinfo.net

Mike Kobal · September 30th, 2011, 10:31 AM

Hey guys,
thought I should share this, it screwed up one of my shoots.
Rode dudes, if you read this, fire the guy who designed the videomic pro and the one who approved it to go into production!
Here is a quick fix to prevent the rubber thingies to come off the corners
Rode VideoMic Pro: Flimsyness Quick fix: Part one Mike Kobal
cheers,
Mike

Colin McDonald · September 30th, 2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

the flimsy cable (no solution yet, working on it)...

My understanding was that it is actually a high tech high performance cable. I am not aware of reports of large numbers of cable failures. Just being thin does not necessarily make it flimsy.

Quote:

and the rubber suspended cradle design.

There have been two main suggestions made already here in dvinfo for those who are worried about the suspension:

1 Use some superglue to hold the bands on
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ml#post1607462

2 Replace the supplied mount with a Rycote lyre
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ml#post1632909
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ml#post1665793

Allan Black · September 30th, 2011, 05:59 PM

[Colins quote] My understanding was that it is actually a high tech high performance cable. I am not aware of reports of large numbers of cable failures. Just being thin does not necessarily make it flimsy [Unquote]

You've got it Col. Because Rode knew this thin mic cable was extremely important to the success of the VMP, they went to great lengths to make sure it would work to their satisfaction.

Apart from the necessary sound quality, with a thin cable one of the tests is 'bending, twisting and straining' many many times more than in normal use. The outer cable coverings play a huge part of course.

As a result the first thousand VideomicPros have external mic cable manufactured by Mogami, while Rode worked on theirs.

If you want to look it up, as a major cable manufacturer Mogami actually publish the results of their bend/twist/strain tests.

Rodes quality small brass 3.5mm connector is another feature, there are quite a few brass compositions available and the cheaper ones will corrode faster, just like the brass plate on the front of a building.

You'd know this .. before you insert any brass connector into a recorder, give it a twist/wipe to remove any dust and about twice a year, give it a wipe once over with a tiny spot of Brasso to remove the start of any corrosion.

Cheers.

D.J. Ammons · September 30th, 2011, 06:01 PM

I am going to try one of the solutions because while I absolutely love my old Rode Videomic I have been reluctant to use my newer Videomic Pro because those rubber isolation bands pop off if you say "boo". Very poor design and my first disappointment with something made by Rode.

September 30th, 2011, 10:31 AM	#1
Mike Kobal Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 89	Rode VideoMic Pro: Quick fix for the flimsy rubber/cradle Hey guys, thought I should share this, it screwed up one of my shoots. Rode dudes, if you read this, fire the guy who designed the videomic pro and the one who approved it to go into production! Here is a quick fix to prevent the rubber thingies to come off the corners Rode VideoMic Pro: Flimsyness Quick fix: Part one Mike Kobal cheers, Mike

September 30th, 2011, 05:59 PM	#3
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,930	Re: Rode VideoMic Pro: Quick fix for the flimsy rubber/cradle [Colins quote] My understanding was that it is actually a high tech high performance cable. I am not aware of reports of large numbers of cable failures. Just being thin does not necessarily make it flimsy [Unquote] You've got it Col. Because Rode knew this thin mic cable was extremely important to the success of the VMP, they went to great lengths to make sure it would work to their satisfaction. Apart from the necessary sound quality, with a thin cable one of the tests is 'bending, twisting and straining' many many times more than in normal use. The outer cable coverings play a huge part of course. As a result the first thousand VideomicPros have external mic cable manufactured by Mogami, while Rode worked on theirs. If you want to look it up, as a major cable manufacturer Mogami actually publish the results of their bend/twist/strain tests. Rodes quality small brass 3.5mm connector is another feature, there are quite a few brass compositions available and the cheaper ones will corrode faster, just like the brass plate on the front of a building. You'd know this .. before you insert any brass connector into a recorder, give it a twist/wipe to remove any dust and about twice a year, give it a wipe once over with a tiny spot of Brasso to remove the start of any corrosion. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

September 30th, 2011, 06:01 PM	#4
D.J. Ammons Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 506	Re: Rode VideoMic Pro: Quick fix for the flimsy rubber/cradle I am going to try one of the solutions because while I absolutely love my old Rode Videomic I have been reluctant to use my newer Videomic Pro because those rubber isolation bands pop off if you say "boo". Very poor design and my first disappointment with something made by Rode.