GH2 with Rode Videomic Pro

C

Cosimo Bullo

Veteran
I love the GH2, really do... but here's one more thing driving me crazy about the thing. With the Rode plugged in you can't adjust levels properly without actually recording. Otherwise the levels look really hot and are not an accurate representation of what will actually be getting laid down.

This is a similar problem to the histogram change after record is pressed (which doesn't seem to happen in mjpeg mode, by the way).

But at the end of the day it's about the image, and I continue to be blown away by what this little camera can do.
 
Hey can you record a little demo of the gH2 with the VMP?
I would love to see and hear the combo together at 0db and +20db
 
I own the GH2 and the VideoMic Pro, and I haven't noticed the issue you're talking about.

I don't really understand the problem you're having. Are you saying that the levels on the meters change when you start recording?
 
do you need an adapter?

do you need an adapter?

I was thinking about getting this mic. Does the Rode Video Mic plug into the GH2 without an adapter? I was looking at the jack on my GH2 thinking it was a 2.5mm jack, like on a cell phone, but from the specs, it looks like the Rode Video Mic is a standard mini 3.5mm jack.
 
cinemaduro said:
I was thinking about getting this mic. Does the Rode Video Mic plug into the GH2 without an adapter? I was looking at the jack on my GH2 thinking it was a 2.5mm jack, like on a cell phone, but from the specs, it looks like the Rode Video Mic is a standard mini 3.5mm jack.
Click to expand...

AFAIK an adapter is needed to go from the Videomic Pro's 3.5mm Jack to the 2.5mm input of the GH2.
Maybe something like this would work for you.
Its a stereo adapter so you will have both channels filled with audio even though the Videomic Pro is mono.
 
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Boncrek said:
AFAIK an adapter is needed to go from the Videomic Pro's 3.5mm Jack to the 2.5mm input of the GH2.
Maybe something like this would work for you.
Its a stereo adapter so you will have both channels filled with audio even though the Videomic Pro is mono.
Click to expand...

The VMP outputs stereo (dual mono) already. And yes you need a 3.5 -> 2.5 connector.
 
I have the Gh2 and the Rode Video Mic Pro. It's a pretty neat but I mostly plug my VMP into a H4n instead of the camera. But it's useful to capture NAT sound while the mic is on top of the camera.

Eventually I will get a NTG3 for the H4N and just use the VMP for the top of the camera.

No real issues yet, just the tiny cable worries me keep thinking it is going to snap one day and the rubberbands sometime pop off the shock mount.
 
Can someone please explain why is it better to work with this mic in mono, instead of stereo?

thanks
 
Because the vmp is directional and the onboard mic is much less so.

Not always "better," but sometimes more desireable. And its wonderfully small for its output.
 
adys said:
Can someone please explain why is it better to work with this mic in mono, instead of stereo?

thanks
Click to expand...

What do you plan to gain from working in stereo?
If you're listening to a single source like a an interviewee or even multiple dialogue* sources it still works best in mono.
Dialogue captured in stereo just sounds weird and is only really useful for natural non-talking elements like nature or passing cars on the road etc.
Thats why the majority of shotgun mics and xlr cables are all mono.

*You can always mix mono sources into a stereo field in post but its a lot more difficult (so im told) to the mix already-stereo tracks into a stereo field.
 
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mcbob said:
Because the vmp is directional and the onboard mic is much less so.

Not always "better," but sometimes more desireable. And its wonderfully small for its output.
Click to expand...

+1
Same thing mcbob said.
I should have pressed the "refresh" button before replying above lol
 
Cosimo Bullo said:
I love the GH2, really do... but here's one more thing driving me crazy about the thing. With the Rode plugged in you can't adjust levels properly without actually recording. Otherwise the levels look really hot and are not an accurate representation of what will actually be getting laid down.

This is a similar problem to the histogram change after record is pressed (which doesn't seem to happen in mjpeg mode, by the way).

But at the end of the day it's about the image, and I continue to be blown away by what this little camera can do.
Click to expand...

I have just come across this thread and think I may have an answer for you.

After running some tests with the GH2/14-140mm lens/Rode Video Mic Pro (Camera set to 1/Mic set to 0)

When I play a sine wave into the mic and adjust the level so it clips, as soon as I press record the meters drop. I suspect this is the AGC cutting in. It automatically drops to just below clipping. In Adobe Premier depending on the frequency it shows between -6 and -8 db. So that is fine.....

It appears that it is just a result of the GH2s AGC, it seems to act like a limiter.

Hope this helps

Martin
 
mshakeshaft said:
I have just come across this thread and think I may have an answer for you.

After running some tests with the GH2/14-140mm lens/Rode Video Mic Pro (Camera set to 1/Mic set to 0)

When I play a sine wave into the mic and adjust the level so it clips, as soon as I press record the meters drop. I suspect this is the AGC cutting in. It automatically drops to just below clipping. In Adobe Premier depending on the frequency it shows between -6 and -8 db. So that is fine.....

It appears that it is just a result of the GH2s AGC, it seems to act like a limiter.

Hope this helps

Martin
Click to expand...

Thank you, Martin!
 
jus curious if anyone has done a test of onboard mic for gh2 and the Rode Video Mic Pro? I would like to hear comparisons if anyone could do that?
 
I haven't done a test, but I have the Videomic Pro and I'd never use the onboard mic for anything.
The Pro is tons better.
 
Why does no one answer why the RVMP is better than the RSVM,everyone does not film interviews,what about filming birdsong and at fetes and fairs.
 
@ flinty. See Boncrek reply above. RVM(P) is directional sound recording and most applications in film making is just that, record a small area of sound. If you want to record ambient sound, get a stereo mic, however as mentioned, seems it is more effort to mix recorded stereo sound into stereo (changing L&R levels to your liking depending on what is happening of screen). Each mic has its application, none is better than the other except when you start applying your intended use of sound recording.

@ Lindquist I have done a test quite some time ago, tested sound of on camera GH2 mics, vs Rode Video Mic, vs Audio Technica ATR3350. Huge difference. The on-cam mics seems echo'y and distant compared to the RVM. The Lav sounds more closed off, much less ambient sounds. In one video, I talked at the cam from across the room. The on-boards sounds really far away and INCREDIBALLY amateur. The RVM gives you great audio, but you also get the ambient noise and echoes (cause I was across the room).

I don't have the video's anymore, but I need to do a test again within the next day or two to see what I'll use, will post you a link.
 
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