Rode VideoMic Go II Review - The Ultimate Comparison Video 

*** Note - There was an error in my Maximum SPL list, The Deity D3 has a maximum SPL of 130 db

I love how much DETAIL you put into this one. It was definitely worth it repeating “this is the rode video mic 2” again and again. Thank you for doing these in-depth reviews! 🙌

1. RODE VIDEOMIC GO 2 2. BOYA 1:15 RODE 1:32 3. DEITY D4 MINI 1:44 RODE 3:00 4. RODE VIDEOMICRO 3:25 RODE 4:25 5. 7RYMS 4:34 RODE 5:35 6. DEITY D4 DUO 5:50 RODE 6:35 7. Senn MKE 200 6:55 RODE 7:51 8. DEITY V MIC D3 8:00 RODE 9:00 9. DEITY D3 PRO 9:15 RODE 10:14 10. Senn MKE 400 10:48

Outstanding work, Mark, thank you for such a detailed, comprehensive and honest review of the RØDE Video Mic Go II. It’s a tough call to decide which I prefer but it’s so great to hear all these samples next to each other. You got yourself another subscriber. 👍

Best comparative review of small on-camera mics I've seen (and heard 🙂). Thanks for putting it together. Just ordered the Rode VideoMic Go II.

Hi Mark, Thank you so much for putting this comparison review together. The audio samples you've provided are by far the best I've watched/listened to comparing the Videomic Go II with other mics I have been considering. The waterfall test is one of the most demanding "real world" scenarios I can imagine myself in while shooting and has solidified my decision that the Go II is the right choice for the work I do. I already own the Videomic NTG. It would have been nice to hear it side by side the Go II to get a feel for how similar, or not, they could be. But, the D3 Pro is (IMHO) the next best mic to the NTG so you've filled that gap too. I'm sure (as you said) it was daunting to record the repetitive clips of the Go II but the audio pallet refreshers are SO crucial and appreciated. You really have provided the best on camera shotgun mic comparison video I've ever seen. Thank you! - Dennis PS: Rinse and repeat this video's structure staring the other mics in this lineup and you'll have an easily searchable encyclopedia of on camera mic content available for the YT masses to binge watch!

The most thorough mic test video ever! Really appreciate you doing this!

This video was VERY helpful. Exactly what I needed. I imagine this took FIVEever to make, but I want you to know I really appreciate all your effort. Thank you!!!

Thank you for the awesome review! I liked your "baseline" inclusions every time, really refreshes the memory.

Thanks for that great review. Loved to see the comparison next to the waterfall.

One word "BRILLIANT!" Thankyou for using your time, money and resources to do this video. You deserve many more subscribers. New SUB!

Mark, thank you for this video. A wonderful comparison of many current microphones. At 25:39 you mention the max SPL of the Deity D3 as 114 dB. This is the dynamic range. The max SPL is 130 dB.

Nice work and a great reference video with all the samples. The MKE 400 was impressive and the all the Deity mics did well along with the Rode. Rode has a good base response. I was not expecting much from the 7RYMS, but it sounded good. Now days it's difficult to go wrong with any mic. Just need to find the right one for your voice and purpose. Great job Mark!

Love this video. And I was surprised to learn about the deity duo. I record sports and during pregame speeches for example, I can focus on the person speaking but also get good player/crowd chants as well. Awesome review

Respect! It's the review I was looking for. Thanks for having aaaaall the samples + the repetition.

This is the best VideoMic comparison I have ever seen! Thank you for your excellent work, Mark! It’s really good and I love it! ❤

The Style how you test the Mics is perfect. Always get back to the reviewed Mic because of "Audio Memory" is the BEST way to compare for us. Thank you for this!

I appreciate the in depth review and great comparisons!

Phenomenal job with this comparison. Exactly the type of review I was looking for.

Such a good video! The reason I liked it so much is that you took all the mics outside, which is super useful for me as I want a small budget mic mostly for outside. (I'm thinking the deity D4 mini!)

Awesome mark, a LOT of work went into this one I can tell. Your production is looking awesome!

That was simply the best in all categories of comparison. Thank you for this, my Rode VideoMic Go II arrives today!

Daaamn so so so freaking good video. Ultimately the best and most detailed mic comparison for this category. You rock bro! 💪🔥 All the best and just keep doing it. Once again thanks a lot for this incredible review/comparison and so much effort that you've put into making it. It has been so helpful. Awesome! All the love from Serbia ❤💪😁🔥

I've been watching this sort of reviews for at least ten years, and you have such a personal air around your presentation that it's something of a relief whenever I drop by. Keep doing this fine work, and good health to you and your family, Mark! P. S. It's remarkable how different these mics sound indoors and outdoors. The trick with the waterfall is a gem. Somehow Rode manages to stay consistent. Maybe due to my age, but I do miss a bit of openness in higher registers; on the other hand, the sound of two Sennheisers misses a body, lower end. I still don't know which one to get, the new DJI Mic 2 is too expensive and rather mediocre sounding, but o-ho so practical. Information overload? Not AT ALL! In the end, I would just include the neck-to-neck comparison of the two best of the contenders.

Incredible video!!! So many thanks! I think the sound of the MKE 400 is slightly better, but i'm deciding for the Go II for the price and PC functionalities! Thank you so much for the effort

By just seeing the thumbnail and description, I immediately liked the video, because I could imagine how much work went into this…it is very appreciated. I got a comica mic but was having static/humming issues, so I’ve been checking to look at other options before my 30 day return window lol Side note: lol if someone had to take a shot every time you said “rode videomic go ii” lol

Great review. I was really hoping for outdoor sounds and no talking. Birds, water flowing, etc... I have the MKE-440 and the Deity D3 Pro and a beat-up outdated Rode Pro. Wanting something smaller for my long hikes the little Go ll sounds pretty good along with the MKE-400.

Probably the best comparison video I've seen! Thank you. I'm leaning toward the Deity D4-Mini; yes it's a bit brighter than the others and lacks a bit of bass response, but great value.

Thank you so much for this video and all the comments! I'm picking a mic for my RU-vid channel, and your advice is very helpful!:)

Thank you so much for this video, it was exactly what I needed. I just ordered the Rode Videomicro II.

Great comparison, made very competently and clearly, thanks!

Enormous! Best review ever! Thank you! I only wish to see Comica CVM-VM10 II here, but still great review!

Thanx man... this is the review ive been waiting for.... exact and precise...

Thanks Mark - great comparison video!

Hardest working reviewer I've seen in awhile. Thanks for this.

I just got the Diety D4 Mini and I haven't even taken it out of the box. I love your content and this makes me more confident about my decision.

Insane depth you went into I sure do appreciate it!!

You crushed this video. Ty. I feel like I want the Deity Duo. But am not totally sure yet. I like the usbc functionality for VO.

Solid and great comparison! I own the RODE VideoMic GO II and am really surprised to see some other cheaper alternatives that sound as great as the RODE! (E.g. DEITY V-MIC D3 PRO)

Another hidden expense for the Rode VideoMic GO II are the cables needed to use with smartphones. For iPhones you need the SC-15 cable or the SC-16 cable for Android phones. Also, I have a newer MacBook Pro which only has USB-C ports so a USB-C to USB-C cable is necessary. Fortunately for me I already had those cables when I purchased the mic. The SC-15 is $25 and the SC-16 is $15. Great review and thanks for putting the SPL issue in perspective!

Which mic would he best for outdoor interview using the mic on an iphone? Plz recommend one. I use boya wired dual mic but not happy with frequent disconnect and inaudible voice outdoors. Plz advise if rhode videomic go2 would be good or deity d4 duo for outdoor shoots where i will be behind the canera and will interview the subject in front

Kudos! Thank you for the review this would be my first mic

This video is very helpful in comparing all the microphones. It is very informative and easy to understand. The detailed explanation of each microphone will help other photographers and videographers. This channel is highly recommended. Worth sharing

Great comparison. The best on YT hands down.

Awesome video! I wonder where the Deity V-Mic D4 will stand again the Rode Video Mic GO II

I just posted my first video using the Rode Videomic Go II. It took me a while to get the computer settings right in windows as well as Davinci Resolve, but once done it sounded amazing. I like the sound character and features of the Sennheiser Profile better but the rode is more versatile as it is useful on camera, outside. One note, I had to get an adapter for the 5/8" mount as my mini tripod is 1/4"-20. Thanks for the work showing the sound comparisons.

Studied a lot of videos and many of yours. Now I'm down for Rode Videomicro for podcasting with iphone. Thank you for you huge work!

Thank you for your time….this is how a comparison it’s made….deeply and to the point..great job and new subscriber

man, very well done review my compliments really! I don't know why but through my pretty expensive sound bar with subwoofer I can't hear any difference at all if not for the first Sennheiser listened that feel a little metallic

Thanks for taking the time to show us the comparisons, especially for novices like myself. Saves making the wrong purchase.

Wow so much effort in one review. Loved it. I have the video micro go and it sounds good but needs to be processed in post. I will sell it and buy the go 2. Thank you so much.

Love this video so much detail very much appreciated seriously don’t need to look at any other video all I needed to know and be content with my decision and witch ones I want to buy I currently have the deity d4 mini & the wireless go II really basically all I need but still thinking bout getting a shotgun mic for the computer as well even though I can also use the wireless rode to but deity is definitely a low cost excellent value sounds great as well

Just refreshing your audio palate. Great video thank you!

Very helpful - thank you! I appreciate all the sound samples, and especially the reference voice in between. Saves a lot of back-and-forth skipping! One suggestion for improvement on upcoming videos, if you‘re open for it: In order to give music-making RU-vidrs or Vloggers a better comparison of frequency spectrums, it would be really good to play (or have someone else play) an organic instrument such as a guitar, simply strumming the same chords or so. Otherwise, we might find your voice sounds great on mic x or y, but knowing the absolute sonics requires a more „known“ sonic source. Some mics make guitars sound far too bright and brittle, others overaccentuate the bass or mids. Such a sound sample reveals these things immediately. Best to use a well-known guitar for the purpose, e.g. a Martin dreadnaught. By the way, the lowish SPL on the Rode Go II might be a deal-breaker for those occasionally playing an instrument or singing, for some loud peaks are nearly guaranteed with such signals.

Great Video!! Keep it going

The waterfalll idea was a great idea!

What can I say, outstanding and very helpful!

Wow great review!

incredible work! wow...what mic has the ability to change from direction to ominidirectional? I would use it with my sony fx-30 and during wedding receptions I would like to record audio that comes from all direction and not just from the front. I have the Rode Micro and is great . Thanks

It’s totally true that is comes done somewhat to personal preference. I love the sound samples of the 7ryms but feel like for other ppl it kinda goes under the radar 😅😊

Thank you for such an informative video. I am a content creator and looking to upgrade my set up. I normally create tutorials standing around 50cm to a metre away from the my phone, would all of these mics (the rode video micro and the deity v-mic d4 mini specifically) be ok with picking up sound from this distance? I debated a lapel mic but unfortunately I move a lot in these tutorials so don't think it wouldn't work so well. Thanks!

Wow great work!

Great job on this video. Must have been tiring to record so much so thanks!!!!

to cover 3.5mm or any USB ports on tubular microphones, try (silicone) bicycle handle bar tubes. there are those that are about 1 inch in width, and come in a variety of colours. they may very well fit over the ports.

The best mic review / comparison on youtube

Awesome video. Can you suggest best but not very costly microphone on camera for wildlife videos?

GREAT WORK! thank you

Thanks for a very useful series of comparisons. They all sound good and I think it would take long term use to select a favorite. To my ear the D3-Pro offered a more linear, wider band, more detail sound than the GO II which sounded formatted with emphasis and thickness to the lower mids and rolled off highs. Given they both run about $140 it seems you prefer the GO II. Thanks again.

You have done such a great job. You deserve a Nobel Prize for this :)

thank you for this review

Wow this is an amazing in depth review! I just picked up the videomic go II and have been watching videos to learn more about it. I downloaded the Røde softwares and I’ve been having so much fun with it! One thing to note though, from my testing so far, the only cable that will let this mic work on an iPhone currently is the sc15 cable from Røde. I’ve tried several different MFi cables with it connected to my iPhone and nothing. It works great on my computer and on my iPad. But not my iPhone. So I went ahead and ordered two of those sc15 cables since they’re hard to come by. Thought that would be some good info!

Especially when rolling a video clip and noticing your audio is clipping, I wish all the mics had the stepless volume adjustments!

Great comparison! Tons of useful knowledge!! Curious...I use a RX100 VII and a A7 IV...what seems to be the sweet spot for you on the audio level on the camera for the Rode Video Micro and the new VideoMic Go II? I appreciate it!

VERY GOOD VIDEO !!

great idea wih repetitive reference mic, very comprehencive, thanks!

Thanks for the excellent review. IMO the Rode Videomic Go II sounds too bass heavy, to a point of being unnatural. From reading and viewing other reviews of the Deity mics, they don't reject RF noise. Some people have even stated the Deity mics are unusable in RF noise rich environments, like NYC.

That was excellent Mark, thank you! I think the Deity Duo is the only one with the interview setting possibility, but are there other mics that can record a voice behind and in front of the camera?

What would you recommend for outdoor filming with gunfire going on, of interview and instructional (from standing in front of camera) content along with a wireless lapel to go with it (which would be on body of main subject)?

Thanks for the video, great comparison. What camera were the mics plugged into for the tests? I don't think you mentioned it in the video and I've found the camera preamps make a big difference. I tried the Rode Videomic Go II with my 100D and it had a lot of hiss

nice and good details i will go to buy a rode videomic go II

Awesome!

Honestly I love the MKE 400, I'm really considering purchasing it

Thank you, bril! 💖 How can I use the R. Videomic Go2 with a cam, which doesn't have mic in (GX80)?

Which would you recommend for small concerts?

I just bought the videomicro from rode, and using with my smartphone s21 ultra, but the sound look like "close sound" and actually i took a video with and without the mic and without the mic seems better!! Maybe i need some app to eq the sound of the videomicro in post, do u know any to recommend?? Thx and great video helps me a lot for the choice

A bit of information overload, especially when you went outside 🙂 Which is the best for capturing all around ambient noise ? I want to hear sound from the sides (and maybe even the back).

Mark, have you reviewed the Comica VM20? I've heard it knocks socks off rivals for the £130 price. ...but does it have a port for headphone monitoring?

Thank you so much for this video and intense samples! I'm really considering switching from Deity D3 to D4 mini duo or the Rode Videomic GO II. I'll be using it as a hybrid of vlogging and talking head videos, and did a bit of research. I saw some people say the Deity D4 mini duo have issues for outdoor wind rejection. what would you recommend between the 2?

MKE 200 left out from the Noise Rejection Test In my testing and use the MKE 200 has the highest level of noise rejection at the Rear. MKE 400 is a complete beast, built-in Wind Noise Reduction ( Mini Blimp ) as a base of operation. And they also come with the Furry Windscreens. Also if you need a serious level of noise rejection form the Side and Back, with the Back being Priority go with MKE 200. One of the most thorough mic comparison test i've seen, Great detail and depth. For Outdoors Use i would recommend MKE200 and MKE400

What about the comica VM10 PRO Camera Microphone Dual-Mode USB? It looks like it has the same features as VideoMic 2. Also, I'm wondering if I can adjust the sound live, to add more base to my voice, during recording on my Samsung Ultra (Android)?

Rode Video Mic Go II.....This is how it sooounnnnds. I love the breakdown of various microphones.

Which would you recommend for filming DJs in nightclubs & festivals?

Is it better to use this mic only if doing talking parts for a video or a lav mic?

The Deity D4 Duo is so handy. I can have a lav mic on someone when following them with a camera - and if someone says something (besides the talent) it's still picked up on the Deity. Two seperate channels - so handy. And sounds arguably better than the Rode IMHO

Hey props to the insane testing. One question: Which mic (only the plug in power ones) has the highest gain out of the box? I want to avoid the camera preamp as much as possible without having to care about mic battery. Thanks!

Mic I just replaced my mobile phone. It’s just over two years old . My idea was to incorporate the replacement new phone into my filming . I have been doing photography of years but only just started filming . Now sound is a weak point but I thought may be I could use the phones instead of a laptop to record my sound. While out side !Phones after all are built to work with sound. So if you could con-cider this idea and explain how best to record via connecting a mic to my iPhone 15 pro and my android retired phone. This may well be a good idea . I purchased Hohem mics that connect to my iPhone . But I know very little about sound and other than using a voice recording app on the phone that i down load . You are a man with connections so is it possible to rig up a mobile phone to a mic directly and edit the recording ? I can using the Hohem but I was thinking my rode could it be hooked up ? If not why not it may only need a little ingenuity and then the phone is going to help us all second hand phones are cheap ish and must have by nature a good sound quality. Cheers for sharing your stuff . Also Do you know why the 10 mm auto foucs loawa has not been released I use a z7 2 and z8 camera system by the way . So has u know what I could use to record on my phone . But I retired am 70 and enjoy creating . Really I walk miles in a day learning CapCut to edit and light room to edit. Question on lightroom the new bokeh adjuster I think it changes the way I edit now . F4 is no longer a limiter do you agree ?

Is it worse in the USB mode? Like is the sound quality with mics in general worse, when its in usb?

Just noting Movo makes a tiny shotgun Mike at similar price point as the Boya, but it's actually more sensitive, about 2db louder and sounds richer than even the original Rode Videomicro. So if you guys want a budget yet sensitive ghost powered mini shotgun mic, go for the Movo, I have the Rode and if I didn't have or if it one day breaks then I'll definitely go for the Movo if I need a mini mic 😎👍

great review , what about using this with a smartphone the Rode or would you choose another one for the phone

My rode Videomic go ii has some serious feedback issues when using a phone nearby or leaning my headphones too close to it. It also does not work with my iPhone even though I have a usb-c to lightning cable. Very disappointing