Rode VideoMic + XLR as good as an XLR mic? at DVinfo.net

Evan C. King · September 6th, 2005, 05:36 AM

If I was to get a rode videomic and get the xlr adapter for it would this make it as good as an xlr mic for booming?

Basically I don't understand if there are any benefits to having a mike that is xlr vs turning a mini plug into xlr.

The two setups I'm debating over is:
Rode Videomic + XLR adapter plug + XLR cable + boompole
or
Azden SGM-1X + XLR cable + boompole

and with an xlr adapter plug I can't figure out what would make a "true" xlr mic better can anyone help me decide which I should do?

Dennis Wood · September 6th, 2005, 07:04 AM

Using the Rode VM with a passive XLR adapter will not provide the benefits of a balanced XLR mic. However, a few folks have boomed this mic with an unshielded cable with no reported interference. I'd try it with just a 3.5mm extension cable. Your mileage may vary.

Evan C. King · September 6th, 2005, 02:02 PM

My camera (dvx100a) has xlr inputs that I want to use, but I was wondering if the videomic is better than the sgm-1x, if it is I'd have to use the xlr adapter for it(plus xlr cables can be boomed way better than 3.5mm cables) and I need to know if it's just better to go with the azden sgm-1x.
The videomic seems like a better overall mic but unfortunately isn't xlr so I don't know what to do.

Guy Bruner · September 6th, 2005, 04:22 PM

I don't know about the Azdens but, if I were substituting another mic for the Videomic, I would pick either the AT897 or the RODE NTG-1 or 2. These mics all sound very similar.

Evan C. King · September 6th, 2005, 07:52 PM

If I had the money for an at897 I would do it no questions asked, but I don't. What I wanna do is get the videomic + XLR adapter or the azden sgm-1x(both are the same price which is why I'm comparing them)
And then when necessary rent an MHK 416 for outdoors and scenes that require a much better mic.

What do you guys think of that?

Steve House · September 7th, 2005, 01:28 PM

It's not at all clear why you want to use an XLR connected cable with the Rode mic. The Rode's output is a 3.5mm mini unbalanced. You can make a short adapter cable with an in-line female mini jack wired to an XLR so you can use a boom with an XLR cable going to the camera but doing so doesn't give you any benefits. Using the adapter unbalances the entire assembly and electrically it will act like a regular unbalanced cable with a mini jack at one end and a mini plug at the other. True, the XLR extension cable has two conductors plus shield instead of just one but the adapter means the 2nd conductor, normally used for the signal "cold" in an XLR cable, remains unused for all practical purposes. So you're going to the expense without deriving any benefit. The benefits of XLR and balanced cables requires more than just the wire - it also requires the proper balancing electronics at both ends and that means more than just the type of connector you use.

Guy Cochran · September 7th, 2005, 02:37 PM

I just tried a test:

RODE Videomic w/ RODE VXLR 1/8" to XLR adapter $149+$19.99 = $168.99
Audio Technica AT-835B = $249 (street price)

Both fed into a mixer with 20' XLR cables - no distortion, hum or buzz on either - very clean. The Audio Technica sounded brighter in the highs and clearer initially, but totally lacked mid bass. The RODE VideoMic sounded warmer and fuller and contained detail in the mid-bass as well as punchier in the lows. I could EQ the Videomic to sound better than the AT-835b by just turning up the highs a tad. I could not get much mid back with EQ on the AT. It simply wasn't there.
The levels of the Videomic were much hotter, which means less work for a camera's noisy pre-amps if you're in the field and not using a mixer. I had to pump up the gain on the AT side to get it to equal the Videomic for the A/B comparisons.

RODE Videomic advantage:

1) Built in shock mount, camera mountable
2) Inexpensive windsock available for a reasonable $59
3) Inexpensive boom pole available for a reasonable $99
4) Extremely lightweight
5) $100 less expensive than AT-835b

Note : I sell both of these mics and am a big AT fan, but this one is no contest in terms of value.

2nd Note, our AT-835b is 3+ years old and has been used on over 50 projects. But always well cared for. The Videomic is essentially brand new.

3rd Note, did not use phantom power on the AT, it was self powered by its internal AA battery.

4th Note, Although both mics have a bass roll-off feature, it was not enabled on either mic.

http://www.dvcreators.net/products/videomic.html

Cheers,

Guy

Evan C. King · September 9th, 2005, 01:36 AM

That's excellent Guy! That's what the problem was, sorry if I wasn't clear to everyone else.

The problem was I thought the videomic sounded better than the azden sgm-1x but the videomic wasn't xlr which I need for booming work and to go into my dvx. I was unsure if using a miniplug mic that was adapted to xlr was good enough or if I should just go with the azden but Guy Cochran has just proved that it is plenty good enough with no hum or distortion, this is great news to me!

Thanks for that comparison Guy!

Ramdas Lamb · October 8th, 2005, 02:49 PM

Guy,

Your comparison of the two mics is great. Have you ever compared the Rode Videomic with the Audio Technica Pro24? Any idea on which is better? I will be recording conversation as well as some music.

Thanx,

Guy Cochran · October 9th, 2005, 09:51 PM

Hi Ramdas,

I haven't tried the Pro24, but from the specs I don't think it's even in the same league as the Rode Videomic. If you have a minute and a hi speed connection, listen to the interview with RODE's CEO on this page http://rodemic.com/?pagename=Products&product=VideoMic

Ty Ford · October 12th, 2005, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramdas Lamb

Guy,

Your comparison of the two mics is great. Have you ever compared the Rode Videomic with the Audio Technica Pro24? Any idea on which is better? I will be recording conversation as well as some music.

Thanx,

I have. The Rode wins.

Ty Ford

September 6th, 2005, 05:36 AM	#1
Evan C. King Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 532	Rode VideoMic + XLR as good as an XLR mic? If I was to get a rode videomic and get the xlr adapter for it would this make it as good as an xlr mic for booming? Basically I don't understand if there are any benefits to having a mike that is xlr vs turning a mini plug into xlr. The two setups I'm debating over is: Rode Videomic + XLR adapter plug + XLR cable + boompole or Azden SGM-1X + XLR cable + boompole and with an xlr adapter plug I can't figure out what would make a "true" xlr mic better can anyone help me decide which I should do?

September 7th, 2005, 02:37 PM	#7
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	I just tried a test: RODE Videomic w/ RODE VXLR 1/8" to XLR adapter $149+$19.99 = $168.99 Audio Technica AT-835B = $249 (street price) Both fed into a mixer with 20' XLR cables - no distortion, hum or buzz on either - very clean. The Audio Technica sounded brighter in the highs and clearer initially, but totally lacked mid bass. The RODE VideoMic sounded warmer and fuller and contained detail in the mid-bass as well as punchier in the lows. I could EQ the Videomic to sound better than the AT-835b by just turning up the highs a tad. I could not get much mid back with EQ on the AT. It simply wasn't there. The levels of the Videomic were much hotter, which means less work for a camera's noisy pre-amps if you're in the field and not using a mixer. I had to pump up the gain on the AT side to get it to equal the Videomic for the A/B comparisons. RODE Videomic advantage: 1) Built in shock mount, camera mountable 2) Inexpensive windsock available for a reasonable $59 3) Inexpensive boom pole available for a reasonable $99 4) Extremely lightweight 5) $100 less expensive than AT-835b Note : I sell both of these mics and am a big AT fan, but this one is no contest in terms of value. 2nd Note, our AT-835b is 3+ years old and has been used on over 50 projects. But always well cared for. The Videomic is essentially brand new. 3rd Note, did not use phantom power on the AT, it was self powered by its internal AA battery. 4th Note, Although both mics have a bass roll-off feature, it was not enabled on either mic. http://www.dvcreators.net/products/videomic.html Cheers, Guy __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

October 8th, 2005, 02:49 PM	#9
Ramdas Lamb Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 30	Videomic vs. Pro24 Guy, Your comparison of the two mics is great. Have you ever compared the Rode Videomic with the Audio Technica Pro24? Any idea on which is better? I will be recording conversation as well as some music. Thanx, __________________ rd

October 9th, 2005, 09:51 PM	#10
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	Hi Ramdas, I haven't tried the Pro24, but from the specs I don't think it's even in the same league as the Rode Videomic. If you have a minute and a hi speed connection, listen to the interview with RODE's CEO on this page http://rodemic.com/?pagename=Products&product=VideoMic __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

September 6th, 2005, 07:04 AM	#2
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Using the Rode VM with a passive XLR adapter will not provide the benefits of a balanced XLR mic. However, a few folks have boomed this mic with an unshielded cable with no reported interference. I'd try it with just a 3.5mm extension cable. Your mileage may vary.

September 6th, 2005, 02:02 PM	#3
Evan C. King Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 532	My camera (dvx100a) has xlr inputs that I want to use, but I was wondering if the videomic is better than the sgm-1x, if it is I'd have to use the xlr adapter for it(plus xlr cables can be boomed way better than 3.5mm cables) and I need to know if it's just better to go with the azden sgm-1x. The videomic seems like a better overall mic but unfortunately isn't xlr so I don't know what to do.

September 6th, 2005, 04:22 PM	#4
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	I don't know about the Azdens but, if I were substituting another mic for the Videomic, I would pick either the AT897 or the RODE NTG-1 or 2. These mics all sound very similar.

September 6th, 2005, 07:52 PM	#5
Evan C. King Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 532	If I had the money for an at897 I would do it no questions asked, but I don't. What I wanna do is get the videomic + XLR adapter or the azden sgm-1x(both are the same price which is why I'm comparing them) And then when necessary rent an MHK 416 for outdoors and scenes that require a much better mic. What do you guys think of that?

September 7th, 2005, 01:28 PM	#6
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	It's not at all clear why you want to use an XLR connected cable with the Rode mic. The Rode's output is a 3.5mm mini unbalanced. You can make a short adapter cable with an in-line female mini jack wired to an XLR so you can use a boom with an XLR cable going to the camera but doing so doesn't give you any benefits. Using the adapter unbalances the entire assembly and electrically it will act like a regular unbalanced cable with a mini jack at one end and a mini plug at the other. True, the XLR extension cable has two conductors plus shield instead of just one but the adapter means the 2nd conductor, normally used for the signal "cold" in an XLR cable, remains unused for all practical purposes. So you're going to the expense without deriving any benefit. The benefits of XLR and balanced cables requires more than just the wire - it also requires the proper balancing electronics at both ends and that means more than just the type of connector you use.

September 9th, 2005, 01:36 AM	#8
Evan C. King Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 532	That's excellent Guy! That's what the problem was, sorry if I wasn't clear to everyone else. The problem was I thought the videomic sounded better than the azden sgm-1x but the videomic wasn't xlr which I need for booming work and to go into my dvx. I was unsure if using a miniplug mic that was adapted to xlr was good enough or if I should just go with the azden but Guy Cochran has just proved that it is plenty good enough with no hum or distortion, this is great news to me! Thanks for that comparison Guy!