Rode Videomic Experience at DVinfo.net

Ron Anderson · March 13th, 2007, 03:12 PM

Are any of you using a Rode Videomic on a Sony VX-2100? I just bought one and have noticed that it runs extremely hot and picks up every little noise the camera makes to include motor noise to the slightest hand movement. I have to turn down the record input to around 5 to 10 db and that is just not enought to get good audio. I would like to hear any of your experiences with this mic. Thanks.

Ron

Steve House · March 13th, 2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Anderson

Are any of you using a Rode Videomic on a Sony VX-2100? I just bought one and have noticed that it runs extremely hot and picks up every little noise the camera makes to include motor noise to the slightest hand movement. I have to turn down the record input to around 5 to 10 db and that is just not enought to get good audio. I would like to hear any of your experiences with this mic. Thanks.

Ron

Just another example of why camera-mounted mics are a method of last resort. It's nothing to do with the Rode mic per se - it's a good mic for the money. ANY mic mounted on the camera will exhibit the same behaviour. The solution is to get the mic off the camera and up close to the sound source where it belongs. The position of the camera to produce the best pictures is almost never the position of the mic that will record the best sound.

Jay Massengill · March 13th, 2007, 03:50 PM

I agree with Steve's comment 100%. For those times when camera mounted is the only practical solution, you should probably engage the Mic ATT switch. This won't change the differential between handling noise and the subject you want to record, but it will put your controls into a better part of their range and keep the mic from being so sensitive with this camera's mic input. Test it out and decide which works best for your situation if you can't use a better mic placement.

Stu Holmes · March 13th, 2007, 05:28 PM

By the way Ron (and everyone) the latest Rode Videomics have an (undocumented...) 2-level attentuator switch INSIDE the battery compartment. 0db, 10dB, 20dB of attentuation, switchable.

For some reason Rode haven't (last time i checked) put this in their manual.

I would have maybe 10dB engaged most of the time. Videomic is a hot mic.
For sure on camera either 10db or 20db.

Check inside the battery compartment....

Yossi Margolin · March 13th, 2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu Holmes

By the way Ron (and everyone) the latest Rode Videomics have an (undocumented...) 2-level attentuator switch INSIDE the battery compartment. 0db, 10dB, 20dB of attentuation, switchable.

For some reason Rode haven't (last time i checked) put this in their manual.

I would have maybe 10dB engaged most of the time. Videomic is a hot mic.
For sure on camera either 10db or 20db.

Check inside the battery compartment....

Could it be a feature that only newer Videomics have? I bought mine about a year and a half ago, and I can't find the attenuator switch.

Allan Black · March 14th, 2007, 12:12 AM

Correct, it's a revision to cope with the VMs hot output. The pads are inside the battery compartment as a kinda set and forget item plus it's the only place available on the mic. without a major redesign.

The Rode Videomic is now the world's biggest selling mic of its type.

Ron Anderson · March 14th, 2007, 12:58 AM

Unfortunately looks like I got old stock even though I just bought the mic. I don't see a 2-level attentuator switch inside. I really appreciate all your responses and it looks like I will just have to make do until I can get a good wireless system. I am creating a wedding highlight video this weekend to show at the reception, at least for this I can overlay music and all will be fine.
Thanks again.

Ron

Cliff Etzel · March 15th, 2007, 11:27 AM

I own a Rode VideoMic and have not only used it on camera, but am now in the process of looking to get a boom pole for it. In addition, I have used it to record audio narration in a portable sound booth with my laptop and it has worked quite well. I put the dead cat on it to help with sound quality and with some audio cleanup in Adobe Audition, the end results have been quite good.

I work as a one man production outfit so weight and quality are important to me since I'm doing all the work. I highly recommend it - it does pick up every little sound it seems, but for the money, it can't be beat in my opinion.

Allan Black · March 15th, 2007, 03:49 PM

Hi Cliff, Rode offer a good boom pole. What portable sound booth do you have? Did you make it or buy it? Thx.

Cliff Etzel · March 15th, 2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Black

Hi Cliff, Rode offer a good boom pole. What portable sound booth do you have? Did you make it or buy it? Thx.

I built my own portable sound booth out of wood and foam padding - made it big enough to put a small light in to read paper copy by - it isn't perfect, but it gets the job done.

I am looking at the Rode boom pole actually - wanted the cavision version but can't find it here in the states - Adorama seems to be the only ones carrying the cavision boom pole I want (model SGP315) and is out of stock currently with no date as to when they will be back in stock. Will probably just the the Rode boom even though it is about twice as heavy (Cavision boom is made from Glass composite as opposed to the Rode which is Aluminum)

Stu Holmes · March 16th, 2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliff Etzel

Will probably just the the Rode boom even though it is about twice as heavy

Rode now also do a Mini-boompole which is short (about 5-6feet) and lighter.

Cliff Etzel · March 16th, 2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu Holmes

Rode now also do a Mini-boompole which is short (about 5-6feet) and lighter.

Do you have a resource of where I can get it???

Bob Howard · March 18th, 2007, 04:22 PM

Without this thread I probably would have never noticed the 0, 10, 20 db switch in the battery compartment. Many thanks. Yes, mine has it.

Bob Thieda · March 19th, 2007, 05:45 PM

Me to Bob!
My Rode just arrived today and if I hadn't read this, I probably would have missed it.
Man those are tiny switches...

Bob T.

Guy Cochran · March 23rd, 2007, 12:22 PM

Here's a quick pic of the new Videomic models with the adjustable pad.

March 13th, 2007, 03:12 PM	#1
Ron Anderson Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Waipahu, Hawaii Posts: 45	Rode Videomic Experience Are any of you using a Rode Videomic on a Sony VX-2100? I just bought one and have noticed that it runs extremely hot and picks up every little noise the camera makes to include motor noise to the slightest hand movement. I have to turn down the record input to around 5 to 10 db and that is just not enought to get good audio. I would like to hear any of your experiences with this mic. Thanks. Ron

March 15th, 2007, 11:27 AM	#8
Cliff Etzel Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 325	I own a Rode VideoMic and have not only used it on camera, but am now in the process of looking to get a boom pole for it. In addition, I have used it to record audio narration in a portable sound booth with my laptop and it has worked quite well. I put the dead cat on it to help with sound quality and with some audio cleanup in Adobe Audition, the end results have been quite good. I work as a one man production outfit so weight and quality are important to me since I'm doing all the work. I highly recommend it - it does pick up every little sound it seems, but for the money, it can't be beat in my opinion. __________________ Cliff Etzel - Photographer Website \| Blog

March 18th, 2007, 04:22 PM	#13
Bob Howard New Boot Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 20	Videomic attenuation ... thanx Without this thread I probably would have never noticed the 0, 10, 20 db switch in the battery compartment. Many thanks. Yes, mine has it.

March 19th, 2007, 05:45 PM	#14
Bob Thieda Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 541	Me to Bob! My Rode just arrived today and if I hadn't read this, I probably would have missed it. Man those are tiny switches... Bob T. __________________ Bob T.

March 23rd, 2007, 12:22 PM	#15
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	Here's a quick pic of the new Videomic models with the adjustable pad. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

March 13th, 2007, 03:50 PM	#3
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	I agree with Steve's comment 100%. For those times when camera mounted is the only practical solution, you should probably engage the Mic ATT switch. This won't change the differential between handling noise and the subject you want to record, but it will put your controls into a better part of their range and keep the mic from being so sensitive with this camera's mic input. Test it out and decide which works best for your situation if you can't use a better mic placement.

March 13th, 2007, 05:28 PM	#4
Stu Holmes Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 844	By the way Ron (and everyone) the latest Rode Videomics have an (undocumented...) 2-level attentuator switch INSIDE the battery compartment. 0db, 10dB, 20dB of attentuation, switchable. For some reason Rode haven't (last time i checked) put this in their manual. I would have maybe 10dB engaged most of the time. Videomic is a hot mic. For sure on camera either 10db or 20db. Check inside the battery compartment....

March 14th, 2007, 12:12 AM	#6
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,928	Correct, it's a revision to cope with the VMs hot output. The pads are inside the battery compartment as a kinda set and forget item plus it's the only place available on the mic. without a major redesign. The Rode Videomic is now the world's biggest selling mic of its type.

March 14th, 2007, 12:58 AM	#7
Ron Anderson Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Waipahu, Hawaii Posts: 45	Unfortunately looks like I got old stock even though I just bought the mic. I don't see a 2-level attentuator switch inside. I really appreciate all your responses and it looks like I will just have to make do until I can get a good wireless system. I am creating a wedding highlight video this weekend to show at the reception, at least for this I can overlay music and all will be fine. Thanks again. Ron

March 15th, 2007, 03:49 PM	#9
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,928	Hi Cliff, Rode offer a good boom pole. What portable sound booth do you have? Did you make it or buy it? Thx.