Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 at DVinfo.net

Jeff Harper · February 24th, 2011, 09:15 AM

I'm probably the last one to find out about this microphone, but I wanted to share this information with anyone that needs a shotgun mic for the GH2, or any DSLR type cam. I ordered mine yesterday, and I'm excited about the small form factor and the more attractive/efficient mounting system.

Rode VideoMic Pro

at B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/744768-REG/Rode_VIDEOMIC_PRO_VideoMic_Pro_Compact_Shotgun.html
Rode site:

RØDE Microphones - VideoMic Pro

Jim Forrest · February 24th, 2011, 11:30 AM

You will need an adaptor going from the 3.5mm Output Plug to the GH2 .2.5 mm jack.

Jeff Harper · February 24th, 2011, 11:40 AM

Thanks for the heads up Jim. I got one from Radio Shack for $3.99. Not good quality, but should work for now.

Jon Braeley · February 24th, 2011, 04:08 PM

I run the new Video Mic Pro on my GH2.

The radioshack adapter will not work - actually it will give you mono - one right or left track but not both.

You will need a stereo 3.5 to 2.5 adapter - Hosa for example, is the most popular.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/488047-REG/Hosa_Technology_GMP_467_GMP_467_Right_Angle.html

Jeff Harper · February 24th, 2011, 04:27 PM

Jon, that is VERY important information, thank you. I'm on the hunt for one now.

Jeff Harper · February 24th, 2011, 05:00 PM

Jon, my adapter is working fine with my videomic, perfect, both channels. Are you still pretty certain it won't work with the pro? I'm hoping it requires the same plug as my videomic. My newer mic arrives tomorrow, and if it doesn't work there is a local audio house that will likely have something I can use.

William Hohauser · February 24th, 2011, 08:13 PM

This is what I purchased and it works great.

Sennheiser MKE 400

Sennheiser USA - Camera Microphone - Camcorder Microphone - MKE 400 - Directional shot gun Microphone - Professional Audio

After buying a 3.5 to 2.5 adapter at Radio Shack, of course. I also made a short wire adapter using a right angle 2.5 plug I found at Radio Shack but that was a soldering nightmare. It works however.

Jeff Harper · February 24th, 2011, 09:38 PM

William, if you're interested, here's a video of a comparison of the older videomic, and your Sennheiser, along with a Sony tossed in. You may have already seen/heard it. The little Sony was surprisingly good for it's size, but of course it was at close range, which gave it a bit of help, as from a distance it would be relatively poor compared to the other two, I'm guessing.

Field video mic: Rode VideoMic vs. Sennheiser MKE 400?

I had looked into the Sennheiser, but I already had a videomic, and was pleased with it. The newer Rode Videomic pro is supposedly improved over the original, and is much smaller, so I went with it.

Your Sennheiser is extremely popular also, and it well liked for it's small form factor, which came along before the Videomic Pro, so I can see why you chose it. It does seem to be a little light on the lower end, but otherwise seems pretty good. But is is pricey!

Jon Braeley · February 25th, 2011, 06:55 AM

I tried a 3.5 to 2.5 adapter from radioshack and could not get stereo both tracks to record. I was then told this adapter is for cellphones only and mono. Now it may be that radioshack sell more than one type of adapter and do sell a stereo version.

However, for $3.50 it is not a big deal to order one that you know is stereo.

Jeff Harper · February 25th, 2011, 08:00 AM

Jon, I still appreciate your attempt to warn me, details like that can be crucial.

Jeff Harper · February 25th, 2011, 09:38 AM

The original Videomic was good, but had a couple of issues. When moving the camera, it tended to make noises that would end up on the video. I just didn't like the way it flopped around.

Also it tended to be a bit on the noisy side, but for $140, the quality was unbeatable. I don't know of any in that price range that were as good.

The Videomic Pro, on the other hand is perfect, absolutely quiet, much improved, with a +20 setting that I will find very useful.

It is a slick little piece of equipment, superb sound, super small, looks very nice on the camera.

On the other hand, it feels very delicate to handle, which I don't care for, but overall it is very nice.

It is more sensitive as well, I might add. Lastly, they are sending a deadcat for registering on their website, which is a super nice deal.

Brian Luce · February 25th, 2011, 10:59 AM

I use the Senn ME66, which has it's own 48v power, I've always wondered if these Rodes work on a fishpole. It looks like they're built exclusively for a hot shoe mount. That'd be a major limitation.

William Hohauser · February 25th, 2011, 12:20 PM

The only reason I went with the Sennheiser was the forward bulk of the Rode mike which would have intruded on the wide angle shots on another small form HD camera (JVC) I use the Sennheiser with also. On the GH2 I'm not sure that would be a problem as the mike is mounted higher from the lens.

The low ends are very good for me. In fact the GH2 records more of the low-ends than my other small HD camera.

The Sennheiser can be purchased for quite a bit cheaper than the MSRP on Sennheiser's web site. That said I would have gone with the Rode if I had purchased the GH2 first.

Jeff Harper · February 25th, 2011, 12:26 PM

At any rate they are both fine mics, and I'm just happy to have a smaller mic, my older Rode was much too large of a contraption for the tiny GH2.

Jeff Harper · February 26th, 2011, 10:47 AM

Brian, Rode has a full line of accesories for their mics, including cables, boom poles, etc.

February 24th, 2011, 09:15 AM	#1
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 I'm probably the last one to find out about this microphone, but I wanted to share this information with anyone that needs a shotgun mic for the GH2, or any DSLR type cam. I ordered mine yesterday, and I'm excited about the small form factor and the more attractive/efficient mounting system. Rode VideoMic Pro at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/744768-REG/Rode_VIDEOMIC_PRO_VideoMic_Pro_Compact_Shotgun.html Rode site: RØDE Microphones - VideoMic Pro __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

February 24th, 2011, 11:30 AM	#2
Jim Forrest Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 368	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 You will need an adaptor going from the 3.5mm Output Plug to the GH2 .2.5 mm jack.

February 24th, 2011, 11:40 AM	#3
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 Thanks for the heads up Jim. I got one from Radio Shack for $3.99. Not good quality, but should work for now. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

February 24th, 2011, 04:08 PM	#4
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 I run the new Video Mic Pro on my GH2. The radioshack adapter will not work - actually it will give you mono - one right or left track but not both. You will need a stereo 3.5 to 2.5 adapter - Hosa for example, is the most popular. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/488047-REG/Hosa_Technology_GMP_467_GMP_467_Right_Angle.html

February 24th, 2011, 04:27 PM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 Jon, that is VERY important information, thank you. I'm on the hunt for one now. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

February 24th, 2011, 05:00 PM	#6
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 Jon, my adapter is working fine with my videomic, perfect, both channels. Are you still pretty certain it won't work with the pro? I'm hoping it requires the same plug as my videomic. My newer mic arrives tomorrow, and if it doesn't work there is a local audio house that will likely have something I can use. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described." Last edited by Jeff Harper; February 24th, 2011 at 09:39 PM.

February 24th, 2011, 08:13 PM	#7
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 This is what I purchased and it works great. Sennheiser MKE 400 Sennheiser USA - Camera Microphone - Camcorder Microphone - MKE 400 - Directional shot gun Microphone - Professional Audio After buying a 3.5 to 2.5 adapter at Radio Shack, of course. I also made a short wire adapter using a right angle 2.5 plug I found at Radio Shack but that was a soldering nightmare. It works however. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

February 24th, 2011, 09:38 PM	#8
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 William, if you're interested, here's a video of a comparison of the older videomic, and your Sennheiser, along with a Sony tossed in. You may have already seen/heard it. The little Sony was surprisingly good for it's size, but of course it was at close range, which gave it a bit of help, as from a distance it would be relatively poor compared to the other two, I'm guessing. Field video mic: Rode VideoMic vs. Sennheiser MKE 400? I had looked into the Sennheiser, but I already had a videomic, and was pleased with it. The newer Rode Videomic pro is supposedly improved over the original, and is much smaller, so I went with it. Your Sennheiser is extremely popular also, and it well liked for it's small form factor, which came along before the Videomic Pro, so I can see why you chose it. It does seem to be a little light on the lower end, but otherwise seems pretty good. But is is pricey! __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

February 25th, 2011, 06:55 AM	#9
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 I tried a 3.5 to 2.5 adapter from radioshack and could not get stereo both tracks to record. I was then told this adapter is for cellphones only and mono. Now it may be that radioshack sell more than one type of adapter and do sell a stereo version. However, for $3.50 it is not a big deal to order one that you know is stereo.

February 25th, 2011, 08:00 AM	#10
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 Jon, I still appreciate your attempt to warn me, details like that can be crucial. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

February 25th, 2011, 09:38 AM	#11
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Videomic Pro arrived, very nice The original Videomic was good, but had a couple of issues. When moving the camera, it tended to make noises that would end up on the video. I just didn't like the way it flopped around. Also it tended to be a bit on the noisy side, but for $140, the quality was unbeatable. I don't know of any in that price range that were as good. The Videomic Pro, on the other hand is perfect, absolutely quiet, much improved, with a +20 setting that I will find very useful. It is a slick little piece of equipment, superb sound, super small, looks very nice on the camera. On the other hand, it feels very delicate to handle, which I don't care for, but overall it is very nice. It is more sensitive as well, I might add. Lastly, they are sending a deadcat for registering on their website, which is a super nice deal. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

February 25th, 2011, 10:59 AM	#12
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 I use the Senn ME66, which has it's own 48v power, I've always wondered if these Rodes work on a fishpole. It looks like they're built exclusively for a hot shoe mount. That'd be a major limitation.

February 25th, 2011, 12:20 PM	#13
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 The only reason I went with the Sennheiser was the forward bulk of the Rode mike which would have intruded on the wide angle shots on another small form HD camera (JVC) I use the Sennheiser with also. On the GH2 I'm not sure that would be a problem as the mike is mounted higher from the lens. The low ends are very good for me. In fact the GH2 records more of the low-ends than my other small HD camera. The Sennheiser can be purchased for quite a bit cheaper than the MSRP on Sennheiser's web site. That said I would have gone with the Rode if I had purchased the GH2 first. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

February 25th, 2011, 12:26 PM	#14
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 At any rate they are both fine mics, and I'm just happy to have a smaller mic, my older Rode was much too large of a contraption for the tiny GH2. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

February 26th, 2011, 10:47 AM	#15
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Videomic Pro for GH1/GH2 Brian, Rode has a full line of accesories for their mics, including cables, boom poles, etc. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."