Rode VideoMic
Hi all,
I'm looking at two audio options. Recording audio separately with a Zoom mic and syncing in premiere.
-or-
This:
http://rodemic.com/microphone.php?product=VideoMic
Which would be the best option as they're both near the same cost?
Thanks for the input.
Well, depending what you plan to record with both, it can be one over the other...
Shorts, Live Events...
Also, what camera/camcorder will you use? If it's a DSLR with AGC, then I'd rather use the Zoom recorder and sync in post. But in many ways, you'd need a good mic with the Zoom: both should be the best option.
Yeah, I take it you're looking at the h1?
I might consider the h2 over the h1.
but we really need more information on your set up/other gear and planned uses.
I'm not a pro by any means but I use a Canon HV20 and nothing else.
I was actually looking at used Zoom H4's which I can get for as low as 200 bucks.
I film mostly street scenes with traffic. I would like better sound than the on board mic though with a little more wind resistance.
If you're using hv20, it breaks down like this(for me at least)
Rode is a great mic to do what you're asking(produce better than on-board audio)
Zoom will take a bit more work(i.e sync in post) and is a bit more versatile, but in the end is a separate recorder, not an all in one self contained solution.
You'd still want a lav eventually, and probably a shotgun to eliminate traffic noise and such.
If you're trying to keep your set up minimal I'd go with the rode, and maybe a cheap lav while you're at it?
thanks for the reply
I always thought the lavalier mic is only for voice recording. For what I intend to shoot when would i use that and when would I use the zoom?
Are they good for dynamic range?
It really depends what you're doing on the street.
I approached my advice like this.
Traffic is always going to be really loud. If you're trying to get dialogue out there, that's going to be hard to cut out the traffic.
A shotgun mic, with a selective pick up pattern, can help this a lot, but some will still be in there.
Lavalier mic come in different pick up patterns and would require you to pin one on each actor essentially, but if it's 9 inches from the dudes mouth, it'll come through being that it's closer than a shotgun can get.
Zoom recorders are great, as a baseline audio solution. They can record on their own pretty well, although it will pick up everything(i.e LOUD traffic), but you can also plug a shotgun or lavalier into the zoom and use that.
The videomic isn't a true shotgun, so it will pick up all noise, but will be an improvement over the on board mic.
for wind resistance stuff, get a deadcat for whatever mic you get.
The H1 sounds better than the H2 IMHO.
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
cool thanks for the insight.
One final question. I noticed the Rode mic is mono. Will this make a big difference over the on board stereo mic?
I like the "expanded" sound of stereo in my videos.
You could use only the VideoMic directly in the HV and it would work well. Having an external recorder will give you more quality for sure, and the H4 will be the best option (provides phantom power over other models). Syncing the sound then is quite easy, as long as you use a clapper of just clap in your hands to "peak" the sound before the recording. Then you sync the peak with the image and you're done.Originally Posted by zzw1983
I see. Well I'll try the mic alone first. Thanks for the info.
With the HV, it should be plenty enough. What will be the final delivery format? Web = more than enough due to the compression. DVD, up to DD 5.1 @ 448kbps it's good enough.
Then unless you'll say it'll be on bluray with lossless audio track, then you'll want an external recorder to get a good 16 or 24bits/48khz.
DVD quality is fine with me! My final videos usually wind up no bigger than 4.5GB anyway. Blueray would be overkill.
Yeah, DVD audio bitrate allow up to 1536kbps (PCM stereo) and up to the same bitrate in multi-channel audio (DTS 5.1) or 448kbps (Dolby Digital 5.1).
Bluray is nice for HD video, and you can always use non-lossless audio like the allowed Dolby/DTS/PCM tracks.
Having that said, the RØDE videomic would give decent results plugged directly into the HV, and it would be simpler without the syncing process from an external recorder in post.
Do they have DVD players that will play the HD video file? I normally save as mpg. (mpeg-2) rather than authoring as a dvd. Converting from cineform.
No only Bluray players can play HD video, on bluray disc or on DVDs.
That being said, you can compress your video and it can be really sharp and great. Here's an example:
If you have a Mac with FCP you can burn HD DVD. They'll only play on a Mac or in a BD player though.
If your projects aren't to big, you can always render out a .mov or .avi and burn them to a DVD. They won't play on a set top DVD payer though.
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
Deadcat (or similar) doesn't work as effectively for the ZoomH1 or H2 as it does for individual mics. The mics on the H1 are incredibly sensitive to the slightest breeze resulting in a horrible "roar" that renders voice inaudible.
I did field prototype testing for thewindcutter.com as they tried windmuff's for the H1 and ultimately worked up to what they call the WindJacket which on the ZoomH1 using it's built in mics is the best solution short of a "blimp". The final design was so successful they have developed versions for other popular audio recorders, I have one for the ZoomH1 and I sent them my H2 to fit and test the same design on that one, when it came back to me it arrived "warmly clad" in a WindJacket for the ZoomH2.
www.thewindcutter.com
Bruce Foreman
I am a reforming videomaking addict
Ohh sweet deal Bif
Does anyone know where I can get a deadcat in Toronto then?
Try Henry's.
They have this one at Henry's, it's way overpriced and may not yield the results you want, go with the windcutter people mentioned above, they really know their stuff and they are much cheaper even after shipping.
(the "StormChaser" model is worth the extra few bucks too)
Regarding the Video Mic - having had both the VideoMic and the VideoMic Pro, I strongly suggest the Pro -
It really evolved and solved all the annoyances of the VideoMic -
Check out our review here: http://intajmahalli.com/rode-videomic-pro-review/ (just mid-way for the tests with Magic Lantern)
Maybe SPAM???
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