Rode VideoMic?

HBlack

HBlack

Underage Member
I was planning on getting an NTG-1, but the thought of spending 100s less on a mic that (from what I've seen) has pretty good audio quality seems tempting.

Has anyone used one, or has any advice on it?

Also, I notice it only has a hot shoe mount. Is there any way to mount it on a boom pole?

The camera's a canon elura 90 by the way. As much as I'd love a nicer one, I don't think it's in the cards at the moment.
 
The rode video mic is decent. Yes you can just screw it into the boom pole. There are threads underneath the shoe mount. You need the cable extender in order to use it on a boom pole.
 
your cam does not have xlr, so the ntg 1 will not connect anyway. Also the ntg1 requires phantom power. If you need a mic that can be powered by an aa battery, you need the ntg2 anyway. You would need something like a beachtek xlr adapter to hook up a pro mic.

The video mic has a mini plug, so extending it to go on a boom will open you up to electrical interference due to the unbalanced connection. You can do it, but it is not really the right thing.

The optura also doesn't have level meters. That is not the best situation either.

I would get a...

Gitzo CF boom pole ($150-$275)
Rode sm3 shock mount ($50)
Rode NTG2
Sony 7506 Headphones ($100)
GOOD, Starquad XLR Cables (Remote Audio or somesuch)

and either a...

Beachtek DXA-2s
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/335809-REG/Beachtek_DXA2S_DXA_2S_Dual_XLR.html

or a

Zoom H4 recorder and two 2GB CF cards and NiMh Rechargable aa batteries.
Dry Erase Slate

and if at all possible a Sound Devices MixPre ($665)

That would still not really put you where you want to be, but you would have some gear to grow on.

Don't forget the DVX100a or b
 
I've got both mics, the ntg1 and the video mic, you can't go wrong with either.
For your set up the video mic will be fine. Neither has a pad so don't plan on doing any loud concert footage with them.


DDP
 
HBlack said:
I was planning on getting an NTG-1, but the thought of spending 100s less on a mic that (from what I've seen) has pretty good audio quality seems tempting. Has anyone used one, or has any advice on it?
Click to expand...

The mono VideoMic is pretty good for price, especially when you consider what it would cost you to setup to shoot with an NTG-1 / NTG-2 mic.

The VideoMic can be mounted on a pole using either the 1/4" or 3/8" sockets on the bottom of it, though I would strongly recommend using an XLR cable for the boom. You will need to pick-up a couple of small converters to use an XLR cable.

Rode VXLR - Mono Mini-Jack to XLR Converter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/387850-REG/Rode_VXLR_VXLR_Mini_Jack_to_XLR.html

Stereo 3.5mm Mini Male to 3-Pin XLR Female Cable - 1.5'
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/133646-REG/Comprehensive_XLRJ_MPS_18INEXF_EXF_Stereo_Mini_Male.html

...Also the new version of the Rode mono VideoMic has an attentuator switch in the battery compartment that enables you to choose between 0dB, -10 dB and -20 dB settings which might prove helpful getting the right volume level when shooting.

You might also consider buying the BeachTek DXA-2s instead of the Mini Male to 3-Pin XLR Female cable, which would give you more control over the levels and any hum that might be present with this setup.

:D
 
I'm a high school student with high expenses and a low cash flow. As such, I'm not going to be able to afford optimal sound equipment. '

I rented an AT815B, and I've been using that. The sound has been pretty bad in several of the shots because of humming and various other noise.. I assume it's because I don't have an XLR adapter, and I've been using an XLR to mini 3.5 cord. Is there any way to get decent sound out of this setup without getting an adapter?

I'm going to come up with a home depot boom pole in all likelihood.

Also, how would my sound be if I were to use a videomic along with a 9 foot extension? I know it's not the best, but I want to make the desperately needed jump from my on-camera mic without spending too much.





Could you reccomend a cheap setup that will work for now, that leaves room for expansion later? That would be best. I'd rather not spend much more than $300 if at all possible, I know I can get an NTG for $240.
 
What would be the point of converting it to XLR for the boom pole? The mic and my camera both use 3.5, so I don't see the sense in adapting it to XLR and then back again...

Oh, and something is terribly wrong with the headphone jack on my camera. When I plug them in it makes an horrific buzzing noise. Any advice on that, or is it an incurable hardware issue?
 
HBlack said:
I'm a high school student with high expenses and a low cash flow. As such, I'm not going to be able to afford optimal sound equipment.
Click to expand...

Rode Mono Video Mic : $150 at B&H
2 XLR Adapters ( see my previous post ) : $20 for both at B&H
25 ft Audio-Technica XLR Cable : $20 at B&H

Grand total of $190

...Or this instead:

Rode Mono Video Mic : $150 at B&H
Rode VXLR - Mono Mini-Jack to XLR Converter : $11 at B&H
Beachtek DXA-2S dual XLR Adapter : $180 at B&H
25 ft Audio-Technica XLR Cable : $20 at B&H

Grand total of $361

The BeachTek will give you a lot of options that a simple cable adapter won't.
( including killing cable hum, adjusting mic levels, and adding a second mic later on, etc... )


:D
 
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It couldn't hurt to try the ntg2 with a aa battery and a xlr to mini cable. There is a very good chnce you will get hum, but if you are able to listen (I don't know about your headphone jack), you can move the cable (or location) until it goes away. I would get the better mic as it will hold it's value much better than the videomic and you can add to your kit later.

When booming, get the mic 1'-2' away from the talent's mouth (above and slightly in front). Drop the mic into the shot and slowly raise it until it is just out of the shot.
 
Is there anything that will allow me to listen to the signal while bypassing the camera's mic jack altogether?

I'm thinking something along the lines of an adapter that has an XLR/3.5 in, as well as a 3.5 out and a mic jack. If such a thing exists it would be quite helpful.



Also, I'm using the AT815B for now with an XLR to 3.5 cable. Assuming I can't listen to the sound, can you give any tips towards avoiding buzz?
 
HBlack said:
What would be the point of converting it to XLR for the boom pole? The mic and my camera both use 3.5, so I don't see the sense in adapting it to XLR and then back again...
Click to expand...

XLR cables are "balanced" which means that you can use a long cable run with almost no signal loss, and no additional noise picked up.

An "unbalanced" cable ( like a 3.5mm one ) might sound ok at 10 feet, but will sound horrible beyond this length.

Also, you will be set up to use other pro audio gear by taking off the adapter for the VideoMic.

:D
 
no such adapter sorry.

That beachtek adapter may have a headhone jack.

Won't help much if you can't hear what the camera is actually recording though.

A mixer would solve that problem.

or...

If you could somehow get a feed from the camera's red and white rca ports.
 
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That seems like quite a lovely piece of equipment. It's a shame the price tag will keep me from getting it for quite some time though...



So, any tips on minimizing buzz in relation to cord/mic placement?
 
While XLR cables are "balanced" converting them to 3.5 is still an unbalanced signal. Converting 3.5 to XLR then back to 3.5 is kind of a waste of money. Getting a true balanced signal requires the use of an adapter such as the Beachtek.
 
I believe the Robe videomic only has unbalanced since it is designed as an on-camera mic. As bob said you can't make the signal balanced just by making it XLR, you need a balanced converter. To simplfy this you would want to step up to at least the Robe NTG1 or 2 and a Beachtek adapter as previously mentioned. That will get you a minimum for a boom pole set up.

That will get you a nice start that you can add to later. Getting the mic off the camera is that old 80/20 rule. The last 20 percent comes a lot harder and more expensive.

If the Elura has RCA outs you can should be able to use them to monitor the signal. Just get a RCA to stereo mini adapter from Radio Shack.

Good luck
 
bob15489 said:
While XLR cables are "balanced" converting them to 3.5 is still an unbalanced signal. Converting 3.5 to XLR then back to 3.5 is kind of a waste of money. Getting a true balanced signal requires the use of an adapter such as the Beachtek.
Click to expand...

...I own a VideoMic and can confirm that the 3.5mm adapter ---> XLR cable ---> 3.5mm adapter trick does indeed work quite well, a lot better than trying to run 25 feet of unbalanced cable.

Yes, using a BeachTek and going all XLR would be a better choice, but his budget ( $300 max ) is quite tight.
 
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