RØDE PinMic REVIEW!

Here's the original Ricsonix Pin Mic http://www.atscomms.com/Sales/Products/Mics/Pin___Button_Mics/pin___button_mics.html

Here's how it sounded and looked in production http://krusteaz.com/brands/krusteaz/bread_tips/

For action sequences with lots of movement or talent with attire made of synthetics, the Pin Mic is a godsend. I've used one for years and am very happy to see RODE taking over. There is an interview with the inventor on the RODE site. We'll have these available in January in the DVeStore.
 
Yes Guy I remember a post you made a long time ago saying you wanted pin mics to be available. It's cool that Rode now has them, reformatted by the same guy for Rode. I'd like Rode to carry some of the camouflaged caps that look like pins or broaches. An American Flag is always good...
 
Chadfish said:
Yes Guy I remember a post you made a long time ago saying you wanted pin mics to be available. It's cool that Rode now has them, reformatted by the same guy for Rode. I'd like Rode to carry some of the camouflaged caps that look like pins or broaches. An American Flag is always good...
Click to expand...

That's the major difference between the original pin mic and the Rode version. I was slightly disappointed that the Rode has a front address mesh screen and its probably not possible to camouflage it with a pin or broach without affecting the sound. The original could even have a swatch of matching fabric double stick taped to the face to really be inconspicuous. It would seem the only way to disguise the new one is painting the mess. Still a very nice tool.
Bernie
 
Hey Chad-

I just got around to watching these videos now (Vimeo is blocked at my office, where I usually read dvxuser). You did a great job on these (I watched all of your lav related videos). Sound wise, overall I still think I like the COS11 the best, but the new Rode mics do sound nice. I have to agree with the others on the old PinMic. I thought it was really cool that you could put a shirt button on top of the mic, if you were so inclined. Who knows, maybe that capsule is an easily done future accessory that Rode can offer.

Keep up the butter supreme work!

Sam
 
Hey Thanks a lot Sam! Bummer about no Vimeo at work, but I guess you'd get nothing done if they let you have it! I may have to do another head to head just between the Rode lav and the COS11D. Sometimes I love the COS11D, and sometimes it has this bright frequency, almost like your whistling with mostly air. I don't know if it was my imagination, but that whistle tone seemed to leave when I took off the little Pop filter. It seems odd to make that much difference with the cap off. I also wonder if I changed the tone of my COS11D when I used a mini screwdriver to push it out of it's vampire clip(stupid) that was holding entirely too tight. The top mesh bent a little and I was bummed. But yes I think of that COS11 as a real high fi sound. I have been playing a lot with the Rode lavs, and I have no complaints. But I'm also glad I have that Sanken. More mics is better.... Always.
 
Sam Mallery said:
Hey Chad-
I have to agree with the others on the old PinMic. I thought it was really cool that you could put a shirt button on top of the mic, if you were so inclined. Who knows, maybe that capsule is an easily done future accessory that Rode can offer.
Click to expand...

Hi Sam,

We actually designed the RØDE PinMic so that the mesh head could have buttons, fabric etc attached to the top with minimal performance interference. Certainly no less performance than the original PinMic with the side-ported cap.

As Guy has suggested it's possible to remove the mesh screen using the supplied screwdriver, so you can experiment with different methods of camouflage but be mindful of the capsule dropping out.

Cheers,
Scott Emerton
Marketing & Communcations Manager
RØDE Microphones
 
That's good news Scott! It would be nice to see a camouflage attachment with Velcro that you could put your own cover on, like a button or a flag. Either way, the PinMic is pretty unassuming as it is, which I love.
 
Hiya Chad,
Totally love your vids. You add a great balance of humor and information. Well done.
Quick question:
Whats your view of a pinmic going into a Zoom 4n? I (like so many on here) shoot sync sound with a canon 7D, and would like to get your opinion on that.
Ross
 
Hey Ross.

Not sure how a PinMic/Lavalier would sound going straight into an H4N. See I would never do that. From an "audio for video" perspective, one MUST have a mixer/preamp to deliver the kind of work necessary while not slowing down the crew. With something like the Sound Devices MixPre, and even on the budget end - the JuicedLink, you plug the mic into the mixer and use that to put your signal level at the place where the H4N will love it the most. Gain is the name of the game. The MixPre has 60DB of the cleanest gain and lovely limiters to keep peaks in check. Without a mixer I can almost guarantee that a lav and many shotguns/hypers won't have enough gain to allow you to use the H4N properly, meaning at line level, which will cure any noise issues. At the moment all I have is a Sony D-50 to test a lav in, and that's not a fair fight.

One way to get an idea of how it may work is to find the specs of a mic you HAVE used in the H4N. Note the "sensitivity" level of that mic, and compare it to the PinMic. If the PinMic is less sensitive it will sound worse recorded straight into the H4N. You'll hear more noise. The key is not to let the mic dictate whether you get a good recording. A good mixer will put any mic in it's place. And by "good" I mean it adds gain. Beachteck mixers are just that, mixers. They are passive and add no gain. You get a bit of gain with the JuicedLink. and a lot with the MixPre.
 
So I finally finished my PinMic song/video! It's just for laughs really. I started a new thread for it, but also put the video in the first post on this thread too. Check it out!
 
Hi Chadfish and everyone else who can help.
I'm planning on using 2 sets of a rode pinmic direct to a Zoom H1 using manual sync with a clapper board (one for each person in a two person doco scene) and capturing guide track/atmos with top mounted NTG2 or use built in 5.1 mic in my little Panasonic TM350 camera - I'm doing everything on my own and will be syncing etc in post. I would appreciate any advice you have re this set up and recording settings etc. The hope is I get 2 clean tracks i can later mix in post and avoid the complications of interference and cost of wireless systems. All thoughts / advice welcomed!
 
You'll need 2 Rode XLR adapters to convert the phantom power into a voltage the PinMics need. The rest you just have to test to see what levels to use, because it's different for every situation. Testing: it just takes a few minutes.
 
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What video? I was just saying that testing only takes a few minutes. Nobody can answer a question about what settings to use, because it depends on the person talking and the placement of the mic. You wire someone up, you have them talk a bit louder than they will in the actual shot and adjust for that, then you'll catch everything without clipping.
 
Hi BG3. Chad, I think you misread it. BG3 wants to go straight PinMic to H1. My advice is to get the PinMics each connected to a Micon-2 (TRS plug), then plug them right into the H1 and off you go.
 
I find the PinMic a very useful tool when you need a diminutive mic that draws as little attention as possible to itself. It sounds pretty good too!
 
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