The VideoMic Pro Plus is the new addition to Rode Microphones range of shotgun mics
for video creators, but is this mic really for you when you consider the price, size,
feature-set and cable position?
Stick around and I will help you decide.
G'day, my name is Gary and your watching the channel that helps take the confusion out
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Do a general search on the internet for the "best external microphone for video" and you'll
find that the VideoMic Pro is one of the top go-to mics for video creators.
Since winning the International Design Awards in 2011 each new model that has been released
has had significant upgrades to improve on a good thing.
But what about this new model that Rode Microphones have sent me to review- the VideoMicPro Plus?
From what I have read there are some very sensible upgrades but also some some issues
that have generated a lot of comments among video reviewers- but more on that a little
**Build Quality** The build quality in my opinion has improved
over the last model in a number of ways.
The case materials and the suspension system are the same and the metal cold shoe fitting
is very robust and solid, but there are some obvious changes to the design of the case.
The battery compartment door for example is much easier to get into now and with the included
rechargeable battery it has almost eliminated the need to open it.
Another improvement to the build quality is the tactile buttons over slide switches which
now allow for the much-raved about auto on/off function.
These buttons are easy to use and feel positive to activate.
The supplied cable can now be replaced easily if it gets damaged and alternative cables
can be used to connect the mic to smartphones but for some, the cable socket is in a weird place.
I've got to agree that it is a totally random place if you are going to use it on a DSLR
Well that's how your going to use it. Isn't it!
Once you plug in your chosen lead the plug jacket sticks out the back and could poke you in the eye.
Is this a real issue? If you loose your eye it is!
The only time I can see this to be a problem is if I'm looking through your view finder to
video record and I never do that. Or you want to use the camera for still images without removing the mic.
I definitely would suggest fitting on your camera a separate bracket to mount your mic
If this is an issue and besides all this, Its been illustrated well by reviewers like Curtis Judd that placing
the mic on a boom closer to your talent results in a much better audio recording.
The foam windscreen has caused a lot of comments as well. It is a lot larger than the previous model
even though the microphone's interference tube is the same size as the previous model
If your someone who wants a microphone just to disappear then it will most likely be too big.
Wind noise is generated over the outer edge of the windscreen so doing
two things will reduce the risk of wind noise effecting your recording.
Making the cover more stream lined and increasing the distance from the outer edge to the mic capsule.
Maybe this is what Rode engineers were endeavouring to do.
In all my tests I only found a very slight improvement.
This new model has a different mic capsule
that has a wider frequency range down to 20Hz instead of 40Hz and this has obvious benefits
for lower frequencies and I definitely noticed a difference in the low end response as you
Now with digital switching there are a heap of feature upgrades
The Pro Plus now automatically switches
on and off with the camera eliminating the risk of forgetting to turn on the microphone
and loosing a video recording.
This auto on/off function can be deactivated and of course you can manually control the
power if you want to.
- The selected functions now have a more visual display.
The new model still maintains the power status light but the Pro Plus has a multi-color LED
that tell you much more information.
You have got a Blue, Green, Red and
and also the red will start flashing depending how much power you have left.
- With the assistance of a brightness sensor on the back of the mic these indicator LED's
adjust in intensity relative to ambient light.
- The high pass filter that is used to reduce the effects of low frequency noise is now
upgraded to include 150Hz as well as the 75Hz- ideal to reduce crowd noise and has the effect
of lifting out the voice frequencies.
- The -10dB cut and the +20dB boost is still available and with a little setup you can
even get a +10dB boost with the aid of a new feature called safety track.
Normally if an audio recording is distorted in some way by maybe a loud laugh or voice
you can't restore the recording easily.
But now you can select the safety track feature and divide your stereo channels into two mono
channels recording at different levels, one at +20 for example and the other at +10.
If a problem arises during the recording you can simply choose the second track and discard the first.
In practice the safety track feature is a real asset. This is a clip I was recording at the beach at Marcoola
on the Sunshine Coast and I was trying to test the mics ability to reject background noise
I inadvertently set the audio level too high on the camera
I couldn't see it properly because there was shine in the viewfinder.
As you can see it is over-driving the input.
And if I prioritize the input you can hear it for yourself.
It is a poor recording.
With the safety track feature I can now choose that second channel.
As you can hear from the recording it is a much cleaner recording
I have saved the recording just by activating the safety track feature.
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Let's have a listen and hear what it sound like when we take it outside and the microphone
is mounted on the camera.
To give you an idea of how the microphone sounds outside
I have brought the camera outside into the back garden
I've got the VideoMic Pro Plus setup on the Canon 80D.
I'm about 4 and a half feet or 120CM away from the camera speaking at a normal level.
I've now set the camera to the 75 Hz high pass filter.
You will hear a little bit of difference with the background noise.
With the VideoMic Pro Plus you have the option of a 150 Hz high pass filter
So a lot of that low end should now be removed.
And you should be able to hear my voice a little more clearly.
It gives the impression of being able to lift out the voice frequencies
You will probably be able to see from the second camera here that I have got a little ribbon
setup to give you an idea of how the mic windsock is able to reject that wind noise.
You will be able to hear for yourself what it is like.
That breeze is starting to pick up
I have currently got the mic set to the 150 Hz high pass filter
So a lot of that low end should be eliminated.
I've changed the mic over to the Sony RX10 and I notice straight away the
+20 dB boost on the VMP+ I have had to turn the input level on the camera down to setting number 1.
So the Sony cameras have a more sensitive input.
As you can see because I haven't got the flip around screen so you can see it.
I have set the mic up backwards. But I am still a meter of 3 feet away from the microphone.
I've got the microphone set to plus 20 dB boost and I have had to
set the camera down to 1 on the audio record level.
Because the sensitivity on the Sony camera is so much better.
It would be interesting to see if the input sensitivity on the Sony RX10 is enough without that 20 dB boost.
Looks like I am going to have to lift up the gain. Lift it to about 12
Come back to the distance away from the mic. About a meter away from it again.
It looks like I can get a similar level. I will just give it a bit more.
I wonder how much background noise there is?
You can probably hear my hot water system running in the background.
It gives you a better idea between the two cameras.
The audio quality of the Pro Plus is very
similar to the last model with the exception of the increased low end range, but for standard
dialogue you would be hard pressed to notice the difference.
The Pro Plus will have the advantage if your recording music.
Background hiss is very low.
The pre-amp is very good and this is were all of the VideoMic Pro series shines and
the Pro Plus is as good if not better.
Straight out of the box the mic is easy to
use and button selections on the back of the mic are intuitive and simple to operate.
A little time is needed to set up the mic but this is no fault of the mic.
You need to learn what selection is best suited for the recording environment and this comes
with experience but remember, these settings are locked in once they're set.
Considering the improvements yet again to mic capsule,
digital switching with the array of added features, extra option for filtering,
optional safe track feature,
and now an included Lithium ion battery it's understandable that there would
be an increase in price which is now RRP$299
In 2012 when the VideoMic Pro was first
released to market it was priced at $229US, the VideoMic Pro R with the rycote lyre suspension
system and an improved mic capsule and was$249 and this model,
the Pro Plus is priced at $299US.
Why the difference in price.
Two things could be happening here, either
Rode is ripping us off or you're getting more for your money.
The fact is you're getting more for your money.The VideoMic Pro Plus is good value for money
compared to the pricing of the previous models but the big question of course- Is it for you??
If you want the best VideoMic Pro then buy the pro Plus.
If you already have a VideoMic Pro R and you have a fluffy windsock to record in windy
conditions I would just stick with that until it breaks.
The audio quality is slightly better with the Pro Plus but you'll cope.
If the size of this new model is too large and you don't need the best then you can save
some money and buy the previous model, cause it's still praised as a great mic, just doesn't
have the extra options.
If you just want to improve on your camera audio but don't need the best then there are
a lot of other options available to you under $100.
I'll leave some links in the description for you to check out.
Don't forget to subscribe and check out the discussion in the comments section and if
you have some questions about this gear I will reply as quickly as I can because your
support is important to me.
Until next time, I'll catch you later.