I'm thinking on getting this mic (RODE VideoMic)since it's affordable and have good reviews. I'm just using it for shooting my kids and my nephews band. I'm just wondering if it will work with the Sony FX1? Thank's for the help.

I don't have the Videomic but I do have an FX1. It should work great, and the 1/8" connector means you won't have to go through any adaptors.

Thank's for the reply I really appreciate it.

Chad

I have a Rode Videomic and use it on my Sony 3CCD camera.
- it's a great mic, very sensitive, nice integral shock-mount, powered by PP3 9V battery (up to 100hours!) and you can get a wind-shield for it too from Rode (the Rode DeadCat).

As the Rode is so sensitive, you really will NEED a windshield or else your recordings will have quite a bit of windnoise on them. Unless you've got a fluffy windshield, almost any wind above about 5mph will produce low-frequency wind-noise. Rycote also produce a range of windshields too.

As far as sound quality the Videomic has "beaten" in some tests some Sennheiser mics costing 2 or 3 times as much. It's fairly directional sound too. If i want to do a voice-over whilst i'm recording (travel recording mainly) then i just reverse the mic on the camera mount so it's pointed at me, rather than at the landscape (or whatever) i'm filming. Perfect for occasional voice-overs of your travel footage!

Does anyone know if the Rode Videomic gets in the way of folding the FX-1 screen in and out?

By the way, the Rode Videomic sounds way better to my ears than my Sennheiser ME66. A friend and I did a three way test of a 415, the ME66 and the Rode VideoMic. We both liked the 415 the most, the VideoMic came in a closer second than we would have guessed, and the ME66 trailed way behind as a distant third. It was absolutely not the results we were expecting.

[QUOTE=Laurence Kingston]Does anyone know if the Rode Videomic gets in the way of folding the FX-1 screen in and out?



I didn't think about that. So I did some research and it looks very close. I do think that you can change the shoe around on the metal plate on the bottom and if thats the case it will work. I just ordered one from this merchant on ebay for 120.00 so I can't go wrong with this mic for that price. When I get it I will post back and give my own opinion on it with the FX1.

Does anyone know if the Rode Videomic gets in the way of folding the FX-1 screen in and out?

By the way, the Rode Videomic sounds way better to my ears than my Sennheiser ME66. A friend and I did a three way test of a 415, the ME66 and the Rode VideoMic. We both liked the 415 the most, the VideoMic came in a closer second than we would have guessed, and the ME66 trailed way behind as a distant third. It was absolutely not the results we were expecting.

Really? Better than the ME66? If that's true you just ssaved me a ton of money! How do you think it would do for booming work?

Laurence,
Did you do those test indoors or outdoors? It's well known that the ME66 does not do well with interiors. It's not designed to. Unless the Rode outperforms the ME66 and ME67 outdoors and the ME64 and the ME65 indoors (on a boom, in all instances), then it's impossible to say that the VideoMic is better than the whole K6 system. It does appear to be a great on-camera mic though, judging by all the reactions people have. I would be curious to know whether the Rode sounds better than the ME64 on-camera, which is what I've been using. What's a 415 by the way? Do you mean 416? (Sorry, not trying to be snotty. I've just never heard of a 415.)

Ah, just did a google search and Sennheiser did have an MKH 415 dating back to the '70s.

Well the Videomic has that high impedance 1/8" connector, so you can use a headphone extension cord. It also works well screwed on to the end of a cheap monopod from Best Buy:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6238715&type=product&id=1069300859536

I like this particular monopod because it's got a ball joint that lets you aim the microphone.

I don't know if I'd run much more than 20 feet with a high impedance setup like this (I use a ten foot headphone extension). It's a dirt cheap setup, and for the type of talking head interview I do it's more than adequate.

I have a ME66 and a Studio1 box (like a Beachtek except that it mounts on your belt) and this budget setup actually sounds better to my ears at least!

Ah, just did a google search and Sennheiser did have an MKH 415 dating back to the '70s.

Yeah the 415 is a predecessor to the excellent 416. It sounds like a 416, but was cheaper off eBay. My one complaint with it was that it is t-powered and seems to require quite a bit of power. When powered by a Sound Devices style Shure mixer, it required much fresher batteries than phantom powering my ME66. I'm not sure if this was because of the t-power to phantom adapter or if this vintage of microphone just requires more power. Boy does it sound good though!

[QUOTE=Laurence Kingston]Does anyone know if the Rode Videomic gets in the way of folding the FX-1 screen in and out?


I finally found a picture with the Rode and the FX1 and it looks like it clears the LCD.


Chet

You know, the four little nubs that keep the Videomic pointed straight ahead on the shoe mount broke off on mine. I called up Rode's tech support and they said they would send me the part at no charge. While we were talking I mentioned how much I would like to see a stereo version and a built-in 10db pad so that it would work with Sony cameras with AGC. He told me that a stereo VideoMic was in the works. He said they get lots of requests for a switchable pad, but he doesn't know if that will be added. In any case, a stereo VideoMic on an FX-1 would sure be sweet!

That always happens after I order something. After reading around in forums the feeling I got that it did not make much of a difference if it was stereo or Mono. Being that what is being recorded is in front of the mic and that track gets laid down on both tracks. AT first I didn't want to buy it because it was Mono but after reading I decided to buy it. I guess I can use it for awhile and sell it and get the stereo one. Thank's for the info

Chet

I have a Videomic and the only thing that is a bit annoying is that when putting on (& taking off) a windshield it is possible for the little black rubber bands that hold the mic onto the shockmount to Pling off without you noticing. I had this happen once and have to use a doubled-over normal rubber band instead. To stop it happening again, i simply applied a bit of glue to the 4 plastic posts so that the bands can't fly off anywhere.

Would be good if Rode supplied 2 or 3 spare rubber bands with the mic in case this happens.

I'm wondering are you able to use the Rode Mic and the onboard mic on the FX1 at the same time or is it just one or the other? Thank's all for the help it's much appreciated.

Chad, it's a one-or-the-other on the FX1. You don't have independent control there.

Chad, it's a one-or-the-other on the FX1. You don't have independent control there.


Thank's for th reply I appreciate it.

Just recieved the Mic today and it will clear the LCD if you don't put it in the slot all the way. Seem's to work pretty good have to test it when my kids get home. Thank's all for the replies.

I've been using this microphone for the past two months and have really enjoyed it. The only problem I have encountered is high distortion when videotaping a wedding reception and the dj's loudspeakers are blaring. I failed to check the "status" control and could have modulated the volume so make sure you do that when activating this microphone. I've just purchased an attenuating cable from Microphonemaddness.com to reduce some distortion so we'll see how that works. The major gripe I have about the microphone is due its unusual design, it extends considerably beyond the camcorder when affixed to the cold shoe attachment and many people have commented how "intimidating" the whole things look. I've been looking for a bracket to affix to the lcd screen so I can hang the microphone from there. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be interested. Other than the positioning of the mic on the FX-1, it's a great microphone!

Anthony Cipriano
apc52@cox.net

Anthony,
Try a flash bracket.

Anthony

The mounting point on the Rode Videomic itself can be adjusted forwards or backwards.
If you're finding that it extends too far forward, then just get a small cross-head screwdriver and on the metal plate that the rotary knob is attached to, you'll see that you can unscrew the knob and move it further forward.

I think there are 2 or 3 different positions for it. (In addition there's points for a tripod mount etc. too).

Final thing - the FX1 is a fairly "intimidating" looking beast anyway, so i don't think the Videomic makes much difference from that perspective !!