In a world where social media and video content creation play an everyday role in everybody’s life, it is only natural that more and more people are willing to choose a career path in this ever-expanding field.
Speaking of social media and video content, the YouTube platform, for example, is full of Internet megastar sensations, commonly referred to as YouTubers.
These individuals often have millions of followers and subscribers, making them very influential people for today’s youth.
Being such, they, of course, earn quite a lot of money each year (just another reason for the aforementioned increased job role popularity).
But YouTubers, Vloggers, video content creators, and other such professions, require good gear in order to produce high-quality content, apart from creativity and humor.
The camera is the number one item they need, and, arguably, the number two item should be a good microphone.
There are lots of great microphones out there on the market, but one has grabbed our attention as an increasingly popular choice. That one is Rode’s VideoMic Go microphone.
Bearing that in mind, we present you the Rode VideoMic Go review, just in case you might be interested in buying one.
What we like:
- The Rode VideoMic Go is a top-of-the-range directional microphone that works with the iPhone, so you can record crisp audio on the go.
- The device is compact, which makes it a great complimentary accessory for your smartphone, since you don’t want to have to lug around a heavy microphone to capture your audio.
- The compact size of the microphone also makes it a lightweight option, which means it’s easy to carry around and travel with.
- Due to the integrated Rycote Lyreshock mount, you should find that your audio is free from bumps and vibrations that could interfere with it.
- The microphone doesn’t require batteries to operate, and is very simple to use without complicated settings which makes it ideal for the beginner.
What we don’t like:
- Some previous customers have reported issues with interference such as static noise, which can make outdoor audio tricky.
Summary
The Rode VideoMic Go is an excellent compact directional microphone that you can use with your smartphone or camera to pick up crisp audio.
Why Should You Trust Rode?
If you’re an audiophile or you’re already familiar with the Rode brand, you’ll know that it’s behind some of the best high-quality microphones on the market today.
The name is frequently mentioned alongside the likes of the big-hitters in the industry such as Sennheiser and Audio-Technica.
Operating out of Australia, Rode is one of the most well-known and well-respected microphone manufacturers. The brand produces quality at an affordable price, and there’s no denying that most of its microphones are fit for professional use.
What’s more, Rode isn’t a brand that likes to stay in its lane, as it is constantly innovating and developing new ranges of microphones for different purposes. Some of the most prominent lines of microphones include the NT1-A, the NTF-3, and the Procaster, all of which moved microphone technology in the right direction and shone above the competition.
The Rode HQ is based in Sydney, where the brand has three huge warehouses which span over 110,000 square feet. This is in addition to the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant that boasts more than $60 million dollar’s worth of machinery and is run by a crack team of engineering and robotics experts.
Founded in 1990, the company has taken great strides over the years and has reached the point at which it is today, selling to 117 countries worldwide and earning its reputation as one of the best microphone brands out there.
What Is the VideoMic Go?
Rode VideoMic Go is a compact and lightweight camera microphone that delivers superior sound quality – crisp, clear, directional sound, with incredible ease of use. Weighing just 74 grams, this shotgun microphone does not add weight to your camera and makes it ideal for manual recording with HDSLR cameras, camcorders, and audio recorders.
Thanks to its structure, this microphone neutralizes the sound coming from the side and slightly from the back, while the front absorbs the incoming audio signal with great precision.
The Rycote Lyre shock mount suspension is integrated and will protect the microphone from various vibrations and trembles that may cause sound problems. The built-in holder and foam perfectly neutralize vibrations when moving, for example from gusts of wind. In comparison to the traditional solutions, the Lyre mount suspension is constructed as a thermoplastic single piece, and will not break in normal use, no matter the cost. A great force is needed to damage this beauty.
The Rode VideoMic Go microphone does not need additional batteries to operate, it is powered by a 3.5″ in-line plug connector that plugs into the microphone input on the camera. This microphone can work up to 70 hours without stopping thanks to a 9V battery, so you will never miss a good shot.
Features
- Microphone type: Line Gradient
- Electronics: JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer
- Capsule: 0.5″
- Orientation: Supercardioid
- Frequency range: from 100Hz to 16kHz
- Max SPL: 120dBSPL
- Sensitivity: -35.0dB re 1 Volt / Pascal (17.80mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz
- Signal to noise ratio: 34dBA
- Weight: 74g
- Dimensions: 79x73x167mm
- Output: 3.5mm mini-jack
Compatibility
Please note that the Rode VideoMic Go microphone does not work with cameras that do not support a 3.5” microphone input. This microphone is compatible with most notably Nikon D4, D600, D800, D3200, D5100, D5200, D7100, P7800, Coolpix A, Nikon1 V2. It is also compatible with Canon T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5i, 60D, 70D, 7D, 6D, 5D Mk II, and 5D Mk III (and many more).
Additional Info
- In addition to the product’s light weight, the size, as mentioned above, is quite compact, making this microphone about half the size of the regular VideoMic. Both of these features can prove quite handy when using smaller cameras. And it consequently looks quite nice as well.
- While performing the outdoor testing, noise cancellation and voice recognition have been proven to be simply magnificent. The voice is so clear, perfect for video blogging. The only issue that may hinder the speaker’s voice quality captured is the distance. Moving further than 3 or 4 feet away from the camera will prove to be too far for the VideoMic Go to perfectly register the sound.
- While on the subject, although perfect noise protection from both sides is achieved, the back protection is quite debatable. Even though the company presents the perfect noise cancellation from the back, this is not the case. If the camera, along with the microphone, is moved away from the body (which in this case serves as wind protection) the wind howling will be heard, and badly. This was, unfortunately, overseen during the testing, as the company’s CEO has admitted. Be that as it may, this problem has not passed unnoticed, and the company did make an effort to improve the microphone in the newer production process.
- When the ‘fire alarm’ battery finally dies, and in case you don’t have a spare one, using the camera power is a quite useful feature. Be that as it may, this little stunt will significantly draw the battery away from your camera, making it quite less useful for a longer recording duration. So be sure to have an extra 9V battery in your backpack if you want to record for long.
Who is the VideoMic Go For?
The VideoMic Go is for every aspiring filmmaker on a tight budget who values crisp audio.
As an affordable directional microphone, the VideoMic Go is one of the best options for capturing high-quality audio at a fraction of the price of the premium devices.
It’s a microphone for those who don’t want to give too much energy to audio, since it’s so easy to use and the setup is intuitive.
It’s also for the travelling filmmaker who is tired of lugging around heavy or bulky microphones whenever they need smooth audio on the go.
The Evidence
The Rode VideoMic Go is a top-rated directional microphone, but you shouldn’t just take our word for it, here’s what Amazon customers have to say about the audio recording device:
‘I run this microphone on a Canon M50 camera and its a good in all ways except the sound quality is less than I expected for a $100 microphone.’
This Amazon user connects the microphone to their compact camera, and enjoys the versatility of the microphone and its features. The one criticism they had is that the audio quality could be better for the price point, in their view.
‘This is a good ideal size and performance for those who are on a budget but want a good Mic.’
The next user is thrilled with the compact size of the Rode VideoMic Go and loves that it’s a high-quality budget microphone. That’s an important point to consider, although the microphone is budget-friendly, it offers premium performance and audio quality according to many previous customers.
‘This one is, however, a bit more sensitive than the cheaper ones and you’ll need to adjust your input levels so you don’t distort.’
Just to prove that we aren’t only presenting the good reviews, one user claims that the microphone is more sensitive than others in its price range. As a result, you might have to go in and tinker with the settings to make sure you get the best results and don’t have too much distortion or outside interference.
‘I have to say I’m very impressed with the rode mic. Though it is a little pricey, it’s very lightweight, has a Sleek design, and has it just an incredible sound quality!’
With this review, you can see that the user believes that the microphone is on the pricey side compared to the competition, but for what it offers it isn’t a bad deal at all.
‘Many YouTube vloggers have had this mic because of its incredible audio and noise cancellation quality.’
Lastly, we have this interest insight from one Amazon user who claims that the Rode VideoMic Go could be an excellent choice for YouTube vloggers. This is good to know if you’re an aspiring content creator or if you have plans to shoot any kind of video.
Alternative Options
To give you an idea of what else is out there, so you can see if the Rode VideoMic Go is the right microphone for you, here are some top alternative options:
Rode NTG5
It should be no surprise to discover that Rode competes with itself in the stakes for the best directional microphone, given how prolific the company is in the audio space.
The Rode NTG5 is about four times the price of the VideoMic Go, which rules it out as a budget option, but what you get for the extra money is a lot.
This microphone offers up studio-level audio, and it’s even weather resistant so getting caught out in bad weather shouldn’t rain on your parade.
It’s an exceptionally easy microphone to handle and capture audio with, plus it comes with a handful of top accessories such as a pistol grip, windshield, and more.
Audio-Technica AT897
Another established brand in the microphone space is Audio-Technica.
The Audio-Technica AT897 directional microphone is a peculiar pen shape, which lies in contrast with Rode’s larger, fluffed-out microphone designs.
This pen-shaped microphone is so compact you could put it in the top pocket of your shirt, and it can be easily mounted onto a camera.
While it may seem premium in price compared to the VideoMic Pro, the AT897 from Audio-Technica still punches above its price range delivering superior sound.
Sennheiser MKH-416
The Senneheiser MKH-416 is a top microphone that also goes for the pen-shaped design.
This is the most expensive directional microphone of the three listed here, at nearly double the price of the Audio-Technica and Rode devices.
For this extra investment, you will get a portable microphone that is well-renowned worldwide in the filmmaking community.
The cardioid sound pattern helps you hone in on individual sounds, and there are no reflection issues due to the matte-black finish of the mic.
Related: Best Vlogging Microphone
Free Quiz: Find Your Ideal Gear Setup in 1 Minute or Less 📷
Rode VideoMic Go Review
Final Verdict
Should you buy this microphone?
The answer is – definitely yes!
It’s small, it’s light, looks good, works almost impeccably, fantastic sound quality goes with lots of cameras, great battery life, in-line power for alternative energy, and, what wasn’t mentioned earlier – the price is more than affordable!
To be honest, it is quite a bang for the buck deal.
Also, you can check out various market sources and find occasional discounts.
Beware of these two issues:
- Poor back noise protection (which can be neutralized by your body position),
- The front sound quality will be reduced if moving away from the sound source.
Related: Best Vlogging Microphone
A Final Word From Run Gun Shoot
All in all, this is a great microphone worthy of your recording adventures.
If pursuing a career in video content creation, you will be quite pleased with VideoMic Go, especially if being a beginner and looking for a good and affordable price.
Did you find our Rode VideoMic Go review useful?
If so, please leave a comment below!
