Rode VideoMic Pro VMP Shotgun Microphone
Rode VideoMic Pro VMP Shotgun Microphone
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 List Price: $329.00 Sale Price: $210.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping 
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Product Description
The Rode VideoMic Pro compact design is ideal for use with HDSLR cameras, camcorders and audio recorders. Noise transference has been significantly reduced using both a revised, more elegant shock mounting system and a lightweight premium cable. The microphone has a broadcast-quality condenser capsule with a supercardioid pickup pattern to capture audio from the front, while minimizing pickup from the sides and rear. An integrated shockmount and foam windscreen minimize handling and wind noise to keep your recordings crystal clear. On the rear of the mic, you'll find a 3-way level control that offers -10dB, 0dB, and +20dB modes. There is also a 2-step high pass filter with 0 and 80Hz settings, letting you minimize the impact of low frequency hum, camera motor noise, and similar distractions. The mic has a standard camera shoe and a 3/8 inch threaded mount for easy attachment to cameras and boom poles. The 1/8 inch (3.5mm) plug is compatible with a wide variety of different cameras and audio devices. The VideoMic Pro operates for up to 70 hours on a single 9V battery, allowing you to work in the field without constant replacements.
Details
- Broadcast recording quality condenser microphone
- Compact design (only 150mm/6 inches length)
- Ultra lightweight (only 85g/3oz)
- 9 volt battery powered, with up to 70 hours battery life (alkaline)
- Integrated shock mounting
I’ve used the VideoMic Pro (stereo) for a few shoots. I attached it to a Panasonic HD-TM900K High-Def camcorder operated in 2D mode with no lens attachments. First impressions:
Upside
1. Gives the videographer much more creative control over the audio portion of the shoot. Compared to the on-board 5.1 mike array (including when it is set for front-stereo pick up only via the camcorder), the VideoMic rolls off to-the-side audio (e.g., comments by the camcorder operator or from a noisy background) much more effectively so the subject’s sounds are recorded crisply.
2. The gain/level control adjustments (-10dB, flat, + 20dB) coupled with the camcorder’s on-screen audio volume meter or using the real-time audio output and earphones greatly help with balancing far away and near-field subject audio so you can record more precisely.
3. The rubber shock and isolation mounts effectively remove extraneous camcorder sounds (by the way, this camcorder doesn’t have appreciable fan noise, contrary to a few negative comments about it).
4. It’s compact and doesn’t enter into the field of view of the camcorder even in its widest angle mode.
Downside
1. The camera’s special audio functions, such as changing the angle of response proportional to zoom, won’t work with the external mike, but the manual level settings help with this.
2. One more thing to stuff into the camera bag, but just get a bigger bag.
3. No case for the device, so get a ziploc bag to prevent damage or loss of the rubber bands during transport.
I haven’t tried the high-pass/low-cut filter for suppression of noise from fast wind, but using just the supplied foam wind shield (not a dead cat), preliminary tests with < 10 mph wind shows effectiveness.
Overall, this improves my confidence in the audio quality of the shoot.