Rode VideoMicro Review
Camera-mount Compact Microphone
- Mobile Journalist, Vlogger, Run & Gun
- For Cameras and Portable Recorders
- Runs on Plug-In Power
- Simple Operation with No Controls
- 3.5mm TRS Output Jack
- Detachable Coiled 3.5mm Cable
- Ultracompact and Ultralightweight
- Furry Windshield Minimizes Wind Noise
- Detachable Shoe/Pole Shockmount
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 440,527 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Rode VideoMicro. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Rode VideoMicro. For example, 85% of 256,580 users who have commented on the Value for money of the Rode VideoMicro have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 553 Reviews
Compact Solution
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
With the introduction of the latest GoPro Hero 4, it's 4K capabilities, and compact form factor, I now predominately use those to film. There are a few cons about using the GoPro cameras and one is definitely the sound quality from the built in microphones. I've been debating over which on camera mic to get teetering between the Rode VideoMic Pro and the Rode VideoMic Go, but with such a compact set up those mics would have defeated the purpose of compact shooting. With my subjects never being over 10 feet away from the cameras the Rode VideoMicro was the perfect solution. It cut out and toned down virtually all background noise and gave a nice clean sound for the subjects in front of the camera. For anyone using compact size video recorders like mirror-less cameras, this would be the perfect solution. Also, even with the widest setting (SuperView) and windshield installed, the Rode VideoMicro does not come into view when recording. With the included Rycote Lyre shock mount and Deadcat windshield, and metal construction, there are really no negatives to say for it's intended use. For situations where your subject might be further than 10 feet away, going with a powered boom mic would probably be better as this mic does not amplify sound. ... More
Utilitarian Bang for the Buck
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Dave on B&H Photo Video
People with far more technical background have already written about the VideoMicro, so my take on this will not be on technical aspects. I'm a stills shooter who has stumbled and bumbled my way into video. For me, one of the larger hurdles has been audio. I'm on a tight, hobby budget and every piece of gear has to be carefully selected. Moreover, I also want everything to fit into one bag. First I'll say this, no, it isn't a good as my Rode NTG2. If you're expecting that kind of performance at this price, then save your money and get something else. That being said, for me it isn't that far off the mark, and it can do some things that larger shotguns can't. For example, be in your camera bag all the time so you can set it up at nearly the drop of a hat. Since it doesn't need batteries and is small, it fills a great place in my audio/video toolkit. Maybe it is like an audio version of the Swiss utility knife. Useful in a lot of situations but not perfect. There can be a noise floor if you plug it directly into the camera, but for general use, that doesn't matter much of the time. For the times that it does I plug it into my Zoom H1 and even with both mounted on the camera, they are less obtrusive than my NTG2 in its shock mount. I've used it in Church settings to grab nice audio clips without looking like a documentary crew. At this price point, that alone might be enough value. But the deadcat that ships with it is quite good. I've gotten good audio with some pretty stiff wind gusting at 12-20 mph. If you are like me, a stills person who is learning audio I think this mic represents a unique value. Darn good audio, flexibility, and value. Combine that with the ease of taking it with you just about everywhere, and for me, this microphone was a natural choice. I have zero regrets with the purchase and love having a portable shotgun with me all of the time. ... More
Unreliable mic jack connectivity with iPhone 6S Plus
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Terence on B&H Photo Video
I have had a problem using this with the iPhone 6S Plus for video recording. I bought the special Rode connector plug for iPhone and all seemed well at first. The voice is captured clearly and the noise-floor is very low. Then I noticed sometimes I was getting crackling sounds and occasionally complete sound drop-outs when recording. This was unpredictable but of course catastrophic when it occurred and the recording was important. I thought the mic itself was about to give out. As it was under warranty I planned to send it in for repair/replacement (thanks B&H for your guidance in this). Then I noticed the problem was actually with the mic plug-jack connection. If I pulled only very slightly on the plug it would slide out a tiny fraction of an inch, but that was enough to produce all the problems I was getting. Basically the phone was flipping between external and internal mic inputs. Clearly the Rode mic plug does not provide a particularly reliable connection to the iPhone mic jack. Now I have to be very careful when recording video not to disturb the mic cord and continually need to check visually on the dBFS meter (I use the Mavis app) that I'm getting a good signal on the external input. Unfortunately there is no way to monitor audio input with headphones when using the Videomicro, which would provide the best confirmation of capturing good audio. Obviously this is not a workable situation and I have decided to go a a completely different route and now have on order the iRig Pro and a short shotgun mic (Audio Technica AT875). This way I bypass the iPhone audio jack completely and go in via the lightening connector. It also allows for headphone monitoring - a very reassuring prospect - and should also offer better sound quality (not that that was the prime issue) but most importantly a reliable audio signal. This is a more expensive audio solution, but worth it IMHO for doing any kind of serious work - and it is in that context that I can not recommend the mic. ... More
Excellent for the price
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I'm sure the Rode VideoMic Pro would perform noticeably better. However, for 1/4 the price of that mic, the VideoMicro is AWESOME. As with most new electronics, I couldn't wait to test it out. I was in my backyard trying to test this mic and getting frustrated with all the neighborhood noises. I did want some noises to see how well the mic worked, but the neighbor across the street was using a leaf blower... which was a little louder than I was hoping to deal with. I gave up and recorded a sample of my daughter telling a joke while he continued to use the blower, with this mic and using the on-camera mic. I was pleasantly surprised... this mic did a great job picking up my daughter's voice and rejecting the sound of the blower. I could still hear the blower (very faint), but I could hear her voice clearly over it. Not only is this mic cheaper, it comes with a dead cat in the box! This was actually the reason I picked this over the Go model. The day I tested this mic, the wind was gusting pretty good. I never heard any wind/mic noise. The small size and the fact that it doesn't need a battery make it easy to pack. If you need high quality audio and have the money, I'd recommend the Pro model. But if this is all you can afford at the moment, it's worth the cost to upgrade from the on-camera mic. ... More
Every pennies worth
Rode VideoMicro Compact Directional On-Camera Microphone
Reviewed by Shokengou on Guitar Center
Bought this mic for outdoor video work, helps with wind and really enhances dialog spoken outdoors with wind.
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Big Sound, Small Package!
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Chris on B&H Photo Video
I've worked really hard to get my filmmaking rig as small and portable as possible, so when this mic came out I knew I had to give it a shot. This thing is tiny, tiny, tiny! But the sound quality it delivers is HUGE. I bought the entire kit and found the boompole is virtually weightless, that's mind-blowing incredible. Since a lot of my filming is solo, I can hold this boompole all day with one hand and not get fatigued in the least. Otherwise, the mic mounts easily to the camera when I'm filming closer to the subject. This is a simple, elegant solution. If you're using it on the iPhone or iPod, though, make sure you pick up the SC7 cable (or SC4 for the boompole) so it can deliver the best possible results. And, if you wan to monitor with your headphones while using the iPhone or iPod, make sure you get the splitter SC6 too. Otherwise, it plugs directly into your camera with no additional cables. I absolutely love this mic! ... More
Outstanding - perfect for beginners!
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Pete on B&H Photo Video
Excellent product, well-built and packaged. Easy to use and to make adjustments as needed. I use this primarily in a daycare setting for video and for some interview-type projects - just right for the sounds. I am not a pro videographer or sound expert; the quality of sound is, to me, outstanding. This microphone offers the flexibility I need when a lavalier mic is not possible. I use this microphone with a Canon T3i; when I edit in PremierePro I do not hear any noise or interference. The windscreen works very well; it seems easy and sound seems a bit nicer than without, particularly indoors in large rooms with less than desirable acoustics (tile floors). I read many reviews and watched many comparison video reviews, all were helpful. However, for the simplicity this product suited me. In video comparisons, it was my opinion that this smaller microphone was superior to the next step Rode microphone and the pro version. I would definitely recommend this product. The B&H website had an excellent demo video which was also very helpful in the accurate representation of the performance. Ordering, shipping & overall B&H experience was (as always) just perfect. ... More
I would definitely buy this product again and again!
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Vince on B&H Photo Video
I'm a professional digital cinematographer/DP/director/producer. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working on Emmy and Telly Award Winning television productions, independent films, music videos and corporate/industrial projects. Crews I've worked with and I have stuck with certain brands because they've never failed to provide professional results. So, I'm very particular about the quality and performance of new gear... I bought this at the last minute to compliment a Sony FDR-X3000 action camera. Of course I read other customer reviews for reference. However, you never truly know that an untested device will meet your particular needs until you actually use it. Well, I have been pleasantly surprised to say the least! Yes, there are certainly more expensive microphones that will add even better quality audio. Nonetheless, for the price and the fly on the wall behind the scenes type of documentary I purchased it for.... WOW. It clearly picks up voices outdoors from a car length or more away. The included squirrel's tail wind noise suppressor does wonders! This is my first Rode product and I am completely enamored with it. Far exceeds my expectations!!! ... More
Good Quality, Compact, Affordable Microphone
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Jason on B&H Photo Video
First of all, I purchased this microphone to fit in my small shoulder bag. I already have a Videomic Pro with Lyre Suspension, but it's larger size means I have to take it in a backpack or larger bag. After first receiving the mic I did few quick, small tests on my Panasonic G7. Overall the microphone seems to have pretty good sound quality, a definite improvement over the G7's internal mic. Now when comparing it to the Videomic Pro, which is over double the price, there are some distinct differences. The pro noticeably has more bass and does a better job at not picking up the movements of my feet and button presses on the camera. But, it is also twice the size as the micro. Over all I think this will be a great option for someone who wants an affordable mic to boost the quality of their audio, or a compact mic to fit in a small camera bag. But, if you plan on using this mic for paid work I'd highly recommend you spend more on the Rode Videomic Pro for it's better sound isolation. One more quick note, the sound quality may not be as good on cameras with bad mic preamps like Canon and Nikon DSLR's. For these cameras it is a must to get a mic with some kind of boosting like the Rode Videomic Pro in order to circumvent the terrible preamps. ... More
Great mic!
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Jvmonks on B&H Photo Video
I purchased the Rode video micro because of the attractive price, Rode brand name, and the fact I use a mirrorless camera which is small in form, so the video micro's size is perfect. I've recently started filming at conventions, vlog style, so the built in camera Mic, as I found out the hard way, is terrible at capturing anything other than the roaring hiss of thousands of attendees. I am NOT disappointed with this purchase. The Rode video micro does an excellent job at capturing directional audio and blocking out atmospheric noise. Dialogue directly in front of the camera is nice and clear while limiting the sound from behind. No additional battery or on switch means I don't have to worry about forgetting to turn the Mic on. I can't say I noticed any excessive battery drain from my camera battery that would lead me to believe the Mic is drawing its fair share of power. For the price tag and size Rode put a lot in a small package. And I'm thankful for their effort. I am looking forward to finding out how Rode's higher end mics will further improve my content. ... More
YOU GOT MORE FOR THE MONEY YOU PAID; WITH THIS ITEM XD
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Cubetoys on B&H Photo Video
HI my name is Pedro I ve been into video and photography from quite a long time. I have use a lot of this rode Microphones over the years, and this one its a keeper. Its and excellent micro, for the money you paid receivd an item that could compete with the 100 or 150 solution of RODE to the video mic go for example. plus it comes with a wind cutter extra free of charge and the size my friends, it is so lite and so portable that you don t even notice that you are holding a microphone. besides this its a super strong solution it is little an extremely well made that you coul put it in a bag, with the video mic pro, de video mic go and this one, with all your stuff and clothes and it is very probable that the other 2 microphone are broken and thios tiny and compact design wistand a travel and a bad package bag, so it s the solution for the ones that are looking portability and a pro well made solution, it s extremly light and it coul be my best buy of this year for sure. hope you all find this item so good as i do and suit your need as it did for me. ... More
IN THE DIRECTION OF WHAT YOU HEAR
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Carl on B&H Photo Video
This Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone Kit for Smartphones is my second RODE Shotgun mic for the smartphone. I have moved to use a Gimbal when I shoot video with my Samsung S9 and my Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. Using my S9 I shot a completely outdoor wedding and reception and you could not tell the difference between that video and one that. was shot with one of my HD camcorders, the main difference was your back was not hurting from holding the HD cam on your shoulder or using a Steadicam rig. I use the Rode VideoMicro Compact mike kit connected to a DigitalFoto L bracket along with an on-camera light with temperature control. The Samsung Galaxie Note Edge comes into play with the phone placed Airplane Mode and a Lavalier mic plugged in using a Voice Recorder app. We placed the cell in the groom's inside coat pocket and the mic picked up every word the Bride and Groom said. When you use the Rode VideoMicro on camera kit be sure to order the mic that comes with the additional cable. Then when in the edit you just match the audio with the mouths and you're all set, do the same with the music in the reception matching beat for beat with the .MP3 and what the DJ was playing. Be sure to order the TRS to TRRS cable for the smartphone that's B&H # ROVIDEOMICPC and you will save a couple of bucks. ... More
Must-have for BMPCC!
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Joshua on B&H Photo Video
I bought this in prep for run-and-gun coverage of a music event at a small venue. I wasn't able to use my field mixer and normal XLR shotgun mic, so I went with this little guy. Works perfectly on the Pocket camera, just plug it in and adjust the gain. For the venue I had it at 35% and it never peaked. Even though it has a 3.5mm plug, the audio quality is stellar, with low noise and excellent pickup. You have to be fairly close to get useful dialog, and for this event it was a non-issue. I recorded three hours of footage with usable audio (on the Pocket, no less) with this little guy perched on top. It also has excellent rejection from the sides and rear and virtually no handling noise (that I could tell, using a shoulder rig). I'll be using this on every shoot if I don't run dual-system audio. ... More
Nice little mic
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Brother Ben on B&H Photo Video
I've just recently got into video production for this Youtube channel that I started, and i needed a mic to increase the quality of the sound. I chose this mic instead of the other Rode mics that i was looking at simply for price and size. I figured I'd give it a try, and If I need to buy something more expensive, then I'll go with the video mic pro down the road. I've only used this mic for one video (which took a day to shoot), so take what I say with a grain of salt. Pros: I like the size, the look, and the price. It fits well in my camera bag with my dslr, and looks great on the camera with the wind buffer. It sounds good, as well! Granted, it doesn't sound as great as the video mic pro, but for the price, its all good. Cons: The fact that this thing uses your cameras battery can be an issue. I only have one battery at the moment (I need to get another), and that day that I was shooting, my camera seemed to die quite a bit quicker than usual. Also, I noticed a bit of hiss with this mic. I think this can be corrected by changing the in camera audio settings. Like I said, I've only used it once and need to do some tweaking. Finally, you can still hear the camera focusing when you use this mic. This is a bummer. It must not be high enough off of the camera to avoid picking up that sound. ... More
Waste product, not worth the price
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Gopal on B&H Photo Video
I bought this to record my daughter's piano music since she cannot be onsite for the competition. After reading all the positive reviews, I thought it will be much better that built-in mic. But I am very disappointed with the audio quality, I do not find it better than the built-in mic. In some cases it was worse than the built-in mic. I tested numerous recordings on my Nikon D7000 and iPhone 7 with different settings and at varying distances setup on a tripod. None made it sound even marginally better. I had to even block the internal mic to confirm the sound was indeed picked up by the Rode mic. After few days, I listened to the pieces recorded with both Rode and built-in mic, I could not tell which ones were from Rode. Totally a waste product for the price, it is overpriced and not worth it. I even bought the TRS to TRRS cable after reading the reviews to record using my iPhone. The mic worked without using this extra cable and again no difference in sound quality with or without using this cable. In quite a few recordings, I hear few crackling sounds as well with or without windshield. No consistency in the quality of the sound. I do not see myself using it. I should had spent a little more and bought one that had a preamp. ... More
Better than you'd expect!
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Chad on B&H Photo Video
I have been using the Rode VideoMic Pro for years as my go-to on-camera mic. It sounds great and is portable and powerful. I decided to try the VideoMicro for less critical situations where I just want a good mic that doesn't require batteries. The VideoMicro runs off of most cameras' plug-in power. What surprised me is that the sound quality of this little microphone is really quite high. It's not quite as directional as the VideoMic Pro, but it still rejects a lot of unwanted sound from the sides and behind the mic, which is just what you want when walking around grabbing shots. It comes with a nice wind furry too, and that is an absolute must when you are outdoors. The sound is full bodied, and never comes off as thin sounding. There are no filters like a hi-pass or -10db cut, but that's what the VideoMic Pro is for. It's the perfect complement for my Panasonic GH5 camera, and I highly recommend this mic. ... More
Fragile Mic Shock mount
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Youngmin on B&H Photo Video
I meant to give this review several months ago, but I kept forgetting so here is my honest feedback. I bought this mic to improve my canon DSLR audio quality. It definitely improved my audio quality but I was very disappointed that the mic shock mount broke on both sides in the first week. I was only using it lightly, so it might have been a faulty product but I think the shock mount is way too fragile. And they don't sell the mount and mic separately, so you have to buy the whole set just to replace the shock mount. ... More
Great for vlogging
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Dave Vlogger on B&H Photo Video
I have a Sony A5100 which has no hotshoe or audio-in jack, so I bought this to plug into a Zoom H1. I use it for vlogging and general video use. Compared to both the onboard Sony camera mics and the Zoom H1, this has clearly better sound. The unit is solid metal construction, and sits snugly in the shock absorbing mount. With the dead cat on it does a good job blocking out wind noise. You have 2 options for mounting: slide it into a cold shoe, or it has a 3/8 screw in the bottom. I only have 1/4 screw on my rig, so I bought a 3/8 to 1/4 brass bushing converter, which screws into the bottom of the Rode, then it allows you to screw in a 1/4 screw from your tripod. Overall I'm really happy with the sound I get from this, it's great for vocal/VO while you're shooting video. And it's way smaller than other Rode mics, so if you're doing run and gun or just need portability, it's great. I can fit my Joby tripod, Sony a5100, Zoom H1, and this mic comfortably (but somewhat awkwardly) into my backpack. ... More
Great option for Osmo Mobile
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Daryl A. on B&H Photo Video
I really like this microphone because it is very compact and has great sound quality. I use it with my iPhone 6s and DJI Osmo Mobile using a RODE TRS to TRRS adapter. The Rycote shock mount sits on a cold shoe adapter using the DJI universal mount and with the extra few inches from the TRRS adapter the cord is the perfect length. The audio level is a bit low if you are not directly in front of the mic and within 1-2 feet away, but that is because the VideoMicro is rejecting noise from the environment. The built-in microphone on the iPhone is louder but picks up a lot of unwanted noise. The solution to this has been to boost the audio levels in post-production, but this is not always and option for casual users so keep in mind how much work you are willing to put in to get the cleanest audio. Very durable and quality built, I will definitely buy again and recommend to anyone who needs high quality audio in a compact-budget friendly form factor as long as they are willing to get close to the mic or boost audio in post. ... More
Good Mic, Mount Wobbles
Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Thomas on B&H Photo Video
First let me start out by saying I ordered this Mic at 6:15PM and recurved it next day by noon. That's incredible fast shipping! B&H is the absolute best store for your camera needs when it comes to price, customer service, and shipping. That being said, let get down to the Mic review. I sold my Rode Video Mic Pro to purchase this smaller mic. The build quality was better with the video pro mic (as expected) but I love the compact structure of the micro. I also love that I don't have to switch on the mic when using it. I can just turn my camera on, hit record, and I'm good to go. Also, I can take the mic out of the mount and even add a bigger cord so if I needed to I could use it as a mic to hold and interview people. That alone is worth the "downgrade" to me. If I had to pick just one thing I didn't like about the rode micro, it would be that mount. If you don't clip in the cord to the mounting screw, then it wobbles all around. I think if the mount was improved it would make it a better mic. All in all, I'm satisfied with my purchase. Hope this review helps someone out there. ... More
