I bought my Rode video mic Pro 10 years ago. 1 year ago my wire got pulled and came out completely. I contacted Rode and asked what I can do... They asked me to send it in and they fixed it for me for free. For that alone I will never stop buying Rode whenever it is an option.
My VMP just died on me the other week after around 8 years, I suspect it's just the cable. Will have to see if they can help me out. Thanks for your post!!
Hey Caleb, definitely hear what you're saying about more bass on the RODE VMP. I suspect they voiced it that way because most people put it on their camera and their camera is often 5+ feet from the sound source. I suspect they were trying to compensate for the thinner sound you get when you move the microphone away from the sound source. I find the Azden to sound more natural when close mic'ed (within 12 inches) but rather thin when farther away. The Deity D-3 Pro sounds a little more mid-range focused which can sound right on the right voice, but not as good on mid-range heavy voices. Thanks for covering this. Always great to get your perspective!
I’ve only had my Deity D3 pro for about a week and my rode microphones are already looking at me sad because they know they’ll probably never get used again. Great video Caleb!
I have the just the Deity D3 and it's fantastic, I see no reason to go to Rode for an on camera shotgun mic unless I want to switch up to my Rode Micro or Rode Wireless Go
Personally, I think they all sound pretty fantastic. I'm happy with my Rode for now, but thanks for the video as I might look into other options in the future (mostly for the price difference)
Your tutorials are top notch, and guaranteed they help so many people save so much time and have much better experiences out in the field. Gotta give you huge props for what you're doing, man. Thank you so much.
I understand why most would be attracted to the Diety's sound with this close-to-source test. It's less boomy and has a bit more sparkle, but the reason that I think the Rode is best for event filmmakers is because the the recording distance is usually 5-8' indoors, with a very boxy sounding room. The Videomic pro naturally balances that out and would be better sounding in that common situation. Both could be Eq's to match though.
This is a great video and I really appreciate it. One request for the future: It's generally considered, at least with headphone amps, that higher volume changes our perception of the audio quality and characteristics. Especially on the NTG4 vs the Diety, would have appreciated a comparison of the two recorded at the same level. It's interesting that the Diety is louder, but obviously we'd all record the Rode at a higher setting too. That volume difference will likely impact our perception of the two mics. The Diety definitely sounded better, but I can't compare the two directly as we'd actually record with them. Great video, though. Always nice to see real comparisons between the perceived king and everyone else.
Professional audioguys says just opposite. Rode #1 and after that Deity. There’s many other features with audio that isn’t included in the video. Don’t make hasty decisions. Investigate. But still respect Caleb’s input!
Another great vid Caleb! As a professional producer and sound engineer I’ve been steering people clear of Rode mics for years. Their sound is way to stuffy and there’s no richness to the tonal curve. Personally I’m a big fan of Sennheiser. And a couple cheap on- camera options are the Comica and Takstar, both have richer sound than the Rode’s. Thanks again! Adam
Bought the Deity and returning the Deity, it doesn't work with my 3.5mm TRS extensions cables and I'm not replacing all my cables. Back to Rode because I'm not dealing with this nonsense.
Agreed on all, although I LOVE my Rode NTG-3 but super expensive compared to the Diety S-Mic 2 which is similar and way cheaper. Replacing the Rode VideoMicPro battery ALWAYS pisses me off. :) Love my Deity D3. VideoMicro for under $100 is awesome. Yeah, I'm done with the Rode Wireless - awesome for its time, but there are way better options out there now. Can't wait for the Deity wireless, they are totally kicking it, which doesn't surprise me as being an offshoot from Aputure. Thanks for the video!
You were one of the first to show off the deity vmic d3 pro. I bought mine just a little over two months ago because of you and a few people who talked highly about it. Thanks for this
I've really been enjoying the Sennheiser XSW-D system. However the XLR receiver came apart and ceases to work after a month of use. Thankfully B&H took care of it and exchanged it.
Hi Caleb, As always great video, man ! Rode is a great company. They revolutioned the entry-level market about things really important like microphones and other stuff... And they earned a lot of money for that and it's well deserved ! That said, I wanted to tell you that I'm a bit tired of video content creators that have nothing to say and copy/paste all that was already said a million times... So, THANK YOU to bring new stuff !!! Thank you to share new ideas with your points of view as a user, with new products that could help thousands of people ! Please, simply ignore the haters, without wasting your energy. Thanks for doing your job very well because every video you make is calm, well prepared, compact, cristal clear, inspiring and it's always a treat to watch ! You are my favourite tech video creator for these reasons ! Your video guides are awesome ! So again, Thanks for your good work ! Hope to meet and have a chat soon... Lazy people can't realize the efforts needed to produce such good content... ;-)
I religiously avoid stuff with builtin or proprietary batteries. Swapping batteries = instant recharge which at times I absolutely need for some of those really longer shoots. Builtin batteries = builtin expiry date for the hardware.
Aputure has really been taking the filmmaking scene by storm in the last years... speaking of 'storm', their lightstorm series lights are another great example of that! They're really stepping up the game in terms of high quality affordable price levels. Though... because of the increase in quality, the prices also take a bit of a hike. Wish there were still even cheaper gear to be had from them. Then again, we now see Chinese brands such as Yongnuo, Meike, Godox etc booming to fill that gap.
One point on mic comparisons. If you are comparing especially shotgun mics you should test them on some outdoor use, since in a studio or quiet room the difference isn't that big and you can controll everything so it doesn't really matter which mic you're using.
Oh Lord won't you buy me a Deity Microphone , my friends all have Rode's I want to make amends...... Great vid as always , my next mic will be a Deity, God knows I need one.
This is a great video! I'm a bit stuck in "choice paralysis" (so many choices that I don't make any). The sound comparisons here were great AND the links at the bottom of the video-- outstanding! Thanks for taking the time to do this!
The Rode VideoMic Pro+ has a flatter frequency response on the 40 - 100Hz range than the SMX-15. That's one of the most important spec (if not the most important) when in search of a new mic when sound quality is your number 1 priority. It's better to have a flat response across the full frequency range in an audio recording making it easier for you to sculpt the sound in post using mixing tools like an EQ for instance. Assuming that in your comment "you can add that easily but it's harder to remove" you are referring to the low-end, then I couldn't disagree more. It's better and easier to attenuate unwanted frequencies than to boost. By the way, the SMX-15 has a small boost around 20 - 50Hz which the VideoMic Pro+ doesn't.
I haven't read the 961 comments but it would be nice to have linked the MixPre-3 at the bottom of the microphone list since it was mentioned in this video. I love this vlog. Awesome audio, video, focus, lighting, edits, research, and dialog. Love the vintage Mac computer in the background. Nice work.
It's still a great microphone. If it wasn't, thousands of creators (both amateur and professional) wouldn't be using it. Don't worry so much about what you COULD have, and focus more on making awesome things with what you DO have :)
@@thepoliticalfederationofeq1216 You might wanna try an external audio recorder. DSLR's aren't cinema cameras so their audio pre-amps are...... Yeah... Also talking behind the mic is obvs not the direction the mic is built to pick-up sound from soo
@@thepoliticalfederationofeq1216 I watched the first bit of your video (great edit on the intro by the way) and I would recommend one of two things to improve your audio quality for your voice over: A- turn the Rode around on your camera so that your speaking into the front of of the mic. B- shoot your footage and record your voice over inside with some sound dampening material (thick blankets or foam mattresses work) around where your recording. To reduce the hiss, turn the dB to +20 on your mic and adjust the audio level on your camera to compensate (your maximum audio levels should be peaking at around +11dB). Also, push the "on" switch all the way to the right to enable the high pass filter, this will help eliminate low drones of distant vehicles, ceiling fans, etc. Hope this helped!
@Žan Stermecki You made an excellent choice! Rode mics rock. Do not forget you’re just listening to Caleb Pike’s taste, which doesn’t have to match yours. Enjoy your Rode Videomic Pro Plus!
Major note to beginners: 99.99% of people do not and can not hear the difference between a $30 mic and a $200 mic. This is because, unlike in this video, there is no side by side comparison. So if you’re new and/or don’t like spending money on very subtle differences (most people watch videos on their phones anyway) just get a cheaper mic like the Takstar SGC 598 or the Rode Video Micro or the Movo one in the video
In my opinion small diaphragm microphones do better indoors than a shotgun mic. Unless you have tons of acoustic treatment. Still not sure I'd use a shotgun mic close quarters.
I’m just a beginner looking for a microphone... I don’t know much about mics, but your video has helped me so much! You have a very nice and understandable way of explaining stuff! Absolutely amazing video!
@@JetLagRecords I don't know anything about the others, but I can wholeheartedly recommend the Deity. It sounds amazing outside. It doesn't come with a wind sock (the fuzzy one), but a little button on top helps make up for it (I can't remember the name for it... Attenuation maybe?). Anyway, I've been using it outside a lot, and it sounds awesome. A video I shot recently (it's not up yet), I was worried about the wind and a busy road nearby, but the dialog was crisp, and the wind wasn't an issue.
I think I've watched and rewatched this video about 5 times. So much information that I'm now using it as my general microphone reference as I build up my kit. Thank You!!
I agree that Rode is really bass heavy - I'm not fond of them. I think your videos are great. Thanks so much for not using autocue like so many others do. It makes their videos look like an advert on morning television, eyes scrolling left and right, while acting spontaneous.
Yeah dudes! Looking to up my audio game with a lav mic and mic for my Galaxy S8 Edge, and will plan to binge watch all your mic reviews. Thanks for putting this info out, helps us make better decisions to improve our own videos on our channel.
As much as I would love to geek out on audio gear - My Takstar SGC-598 is simply the perfect allround option. Perfect for ambient sound. Perfect as a backup track. Perfect as a sync track. Perfect as a close up option (e.g interviews). Holds its charge for ages with only one AA battery. I have it on +10 all the time and I dont need to worry about a bad camera preamp at all. For all scenarios where sound really matters, most people already have a dedicated option (shotgun off cam, lav, mixer output recording & more). But when you need a on camera audio solution and have no other option, the SGC-598 will be far more than enough for >90% of the people.
@@FlyByFrancis Well, its 30$. I dont think you can compare it to any other mic that has been tested here directly. BUT, look at this video:ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-p9rrr3l3yuA.html which clearly shows how well this microphone performs, not even just because of its price, but overall! I can really recommend it. On camera audio will be rather crap anyways, so this is a really good option. And with a long audio cable used close up to your talent/scene, the Takstar can really hold up with most of the more expensive options.
Quick question: 9:04 - if you can do that in post, why can't you do the same thing with the videomic pro? Also if you have very loud sound, you can't do the -10db in post. Also (2:56) bass can't be added if it doesn't exist but can easily be filtered either in the recorder or in post. Overall I kind of understand what you are trying to say but as you see, you have not chosen your words very well. Thanks for the video and for the other recommendations though!
Thank you so much for this comparison video! I've been hearing recommendations here and there for different models, but this video was easily the best at real world comparisons.
I've been using an Azden SMG-1X shotgun mic since 2011. In a comparison among 5 other shotgun mics at a meeting of our local Cleveland Indie Club my Azden was voted as the best sounding, while recording the same person on the same equipment, merely switching mics. With the Azden dead cat it does phenomenally in wind.
Guess this is a bit of an emotive subject, however I have to chip in. Firstly on the shoe mounted video mics. Pros have been paying $1k for Neumann mics and the Rode VideoMic Pro has beautiful broadcast sounding rich bass sound for a fraction of the price. You obviously hadn't noticed the switch on the back that rolls off the bass however, for situations when it is not needed! Duh. Also I have no issues using an EQ in post and contrary to Caleb's statement, I feel that removing something is always better than trying to add something that isn't there in the first place. And for price differences - really? Who cares about 100 bucks, when you spend over a thousand on camera & lenses and you are going to use it for years. Shotguns: Personally I've never been a fan of the NTG4/4+, however the NGT1/2 and NTG3 are outstanding. The Deity is a good alternative if you are after a thinner sound instead of accuracy. It's a personal thing. Regarding levels - my Zoom F8 has no problem turning up the gain by 10dB. I rather do that, if it gives me a clearer sound, than having a mic with built in inferior preamp. (I ma not inferring that the Deity is inferior, just sayin'). Wireless: The Rode FilmMaker wireless Lav kit, broke new ground in tech and ease of use, with WiFi digital transmission and ability to mute/unmute mic from the receiver and +/- 10/20dB gain/pads . The actual Rode Lavalier mic is outstanding. Recommending the Sennheiser for size, well I guess this video was made before the new Rode Wireless Go announcement... Service: I've had unbelievable good warranty service from Rode. Their warranty is 10 years! but really it is lifetime. They stand behind their products, unlike some brands that don't want to know you if you are1 day out of the warranty period! Conclusion: Choose wisely on what suits you. Rode is certainly not the only game in town, however if you have already invested in Rode, then don't switch just for the sake of it. You would have got prosumer (or pro) gear at a fair price that will probably serve you well for years. Concentrate instead on making good content. Sorry about the long post. :)
Totally agree with many of your points and EQ'ing done best is a subtractive process; not additive. Adding noise is what you do when you start adding. Call me a snob but there is a reason why expensive mics are expensive. That said, if you know what you are doing, you can make a decent mic sound great. Before you spend big dollars, learn gain staging to understand what you are doing first and foremost then you may learn why you want to get expensive mics and chances are you may find better use for that extra cash if you are primarily making videos and not audio recordings because what you have is cutting it for your needs.
The extra bass on the Rode sounds better on the iPhone 11 Pro speakers. The Deity d-3 sounds better on standard AirPods. Sound test within a sound test.
The Azden sounded the most natural to my ears. The diety still added some low end but not as much as the Rhode video mic pro. That said I’ll stick with my Rhode Micro which was recommended by you
What you want is a sensitive mic that pics up everything. Noise unfortunately is a by product of a mic that picks up a wide range of frequencies. The Rode for example would be a nightmare if you recorded in a location with a lot of low end noise. The others are cutting the low end because the human vocal range at least on location wouldn’t go that low.... you’re not trying to capture someone’s beautiful baritone. Noise cancellation can happen during editing if you set a noise gate and a good compressor. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do about the noise in the background while someone is talking. That’s where the skill of a good on-location sound recordist comes into play :)
Wow, the Azden, Rode, Deity comparison at about 6:25 ... amazing, Deity clearly more full and crisp. I've been on the cusp of buying a short on camera mic, very useful comparison. As to the NTG-4 vs. S-Mic-2, when I boosted the NTG-4 level 6db in Audacity, the loudness sounded the same, and the quality very similar, but the NTG-4 sounded a little thinner, with more room tone (probably because of the level boost). Excellent video Caleb. Yours is one of the most useful channels I follow. Keep up the good work.
I've had nothing but feedback on my two Rodelink systems. Not sure if it's just my units, but I'll be looking to change over to one of those new options you mentioned. Thanks Caleb!
Hi Caleb. I have several mics. You might call attention to the Azden SMX-30 ($249), which offers the same features as the SMX-15, but also includes a stereo capsule, so effectively you have either a mono shotgun or a stereo mic in one on-camera unit. Very clean, low-noise audio. My primary studio mic is the Azden SGM-250 Shotgun Microphone ($229), which can be operated with a built-in AA battery and 1/8" TRS plug or via XLR phantom power. Again, very clean and low-noise (especially with the phantom power option); also with a low-cut filter. For additional studio recording, I secured a Neewer 2-Pack Pencil Stick Condenser Microphones with Interchangeable Omni, Cardioid and Super Cardioid Capsules ($70), which, despite the low cost perform remarkably well, and with the different capsules giving you different ambient sound options. For a three-person recording, with or without video, I employ a Tascam DR-60D Mark II 4-Channel Portable Recorder ($175), with the Neewer mics with super-cardioid capsules in left and right channels via phantom power, and the Azden SGM-250 using AA-battery power to channels 3 & 4, so you have audio separation left, right, and center for each voice. Works great. My take-anywhere just-in-case on-camera mic is a tiny Takstar SGC-698 stereo mic ($38), which, though inexpensive, performs quite well. A bit noisier, but not bad, with decent sound reproduction. If I want compact mono on-camera recording, I have two Movo VXR10 mics ($40), again chosen because cheaper than the Rode micro, with much higher gain, which translates to lower noise. And for wireless, primarily for cost savings, I acquired two Audio-Technica Pro88W sets, which have been trouble-free for me. Bought both sets used, each with the superior MT830mW lavalier mic ($79 new - most sets come with a lower-quality lav mic), each for less than $100 for the set. For lavalier mics direct to camera or recording unit, I have a couple Aputure A.lav mics ($35), which again perform well at reasonable cost. While the Diety mics look attractive, I'm good for now.
@Chucky Love Totally Agree... DPA sounds more natural, but this was only compared with mention versions in the video... Have worked with DPA mic's a lot, and they are in their own league :)
I LOVE my Deity D3 Pro on my A7RIII, but if I should mention just a tiny con, it would be that the microphone doesn't turn itself on after it has been turned off for 15+ min. Then you have to remember to turn in on manually. Other than that, hands down the best mic I have ever owned!
I totally agree, the Deity is really going to make the other companies sweat. I've been blown away at the offerings and quality and they've been super great to interact with and are open to feedback. That's a great thing for all of us!
If you're dumping your Rode, I will recycle it for free, address in my channel page. In my opinion, being a former sound (music) engineer and producer, all that video specific audio gear is sub par with pro audio stuff (because of portability?), not to mention the limited codec choices and poor software encoding of audio in the leading video editors. I would stick with real mic manufacturers like Shure, Neumann, Audio Technika, Sennheiser or their cheap clones for the studio part at least where portability is secondary. The Azden enhances sibilance, all three need at least gate/EQ/compression in post unless you're happy with TV news anchor sound.
its just me or I can hear some noise starting with azden the most and rode almost no noise. I prefer deity because of clearness on the voice but Rode seems to eliminate that noise in between the speakers pauses. Using AT-M50X
I noticed the same thing. I'm listening with Audio Technica headphones with my volume up all the way. There's noticeable noise from Azden and Deity, and almost none from the Rode Mic.
@@lucashuston821 im still thinking of getting Deity just to try it out. At first when I got rode I thought my settings were off but its just a different sounding mic that I think I don't need
Yeh using San 660s and yeh I heard a ton of noise from the other mics. Not the mention in his video, I can hear a lot of air conditioning in the main video footage. The rode mic made all of that noise disappear. The bass is definitely a bit much, but I actually find that easier to turn down with a preamp as apposed to the difficulty of getting rid of noise.
