Rode VideoMic

I just picked one of these along with a dead cat. First impressions is that it is a better Mic than the built-in but its not a $600 Mic by no means. It does have a little better front sensitivity than on the sides or rear.

Better freq response than the built-in. This can be a good and bad thing. It picks up the HVAC noises more than the built-in.

The Mic has two positions for mounting the cold shoe thingy. This allows you to 3 different mike placements. Center/Full forward/Full back.

The little rubber things can also be rotated so the Mic can be offset to the right even more that it is by default.

I have not used the Mic outdoors yet so I cant report on its wind shield performance. I did buy a Dead Cat shield and will try that as well.

About the Dead Cat shield. It must be made from real cat hair cause it sheads like one.

Probably the biggest down side is the face that when the Mic is attached to my camera I cant open or close the LCD. This means it must be in the open position before the Mic is attached. I think if I can get some sort of Shoe adapter to move the Mic to the right a couple of inches this will solve that problem.

$600... a little pricy!

I think I need to make something on my CNC machine to make it be able to have a mic and use the monitor at the same time. Let me know if you want one too :-P

You can use the monitor. You just have to open the monitor first. I have seen Shoe extenders that should work.

The Rode VideoMic cost me $159.95 as I purchased it with a optional Rode Handle/Adapter. This allows you to hold the Mic in your hand. The Dead Cat cost me $39.95.

First Tests.
http://www.vimeo.com/3087222

This is with the Dead Cat on and off. It does keep the noise rumble out. The winds were at about 15-20 Mph during this test.

Mike, do you have sitemail check yes in your preferences? I f not go in there and turn it on as I don't always answer questions in the forum.

Yet another Rode test
http://www.vimeo.com/3089955

In this test its of a far away fountain. Here I compare it to the built-in Mic.
http://www.vimeo.com/3127759

This one was of some ducks flying overhead. The Rode realy picks up outdoor sounds very well.

http://www.vimeo.com/3127836

When I hear dead cat, I want to see a dead cat. Nice tests.

The one of your computer room: do you have that dead cat on there in this shot, and if you did would it have helped?

The Dead cat only help to keep out the wind rumble. Most of the time I dont have it on indoors as the Foam filter is enough for any kind of turbulance you get indoors.