The Rode VideoMic Pro Microphone is a true shotgun microphone designed for use with camcorders, DSLR cameras and portable audio recorders as a source of primary and reference audio. At the heart of the VideoMic Pro is an all-new 1/2" condenser capsule that provides broadcast-quality audio via a 3.5mm minijack connector (outputting the mono signal to both left and right channels) with an incredibly low self-noise of just 14db. A super-cardioid polar pattern ensures that surrounding audio is minimised, and your recording is focused on the subject in front of the camera.
As you’d expect from the Røde VideoMic Pro-R, this has the greatest frequency range of all the models, covering frequencies from 40Hz-20kHz (compare that to 100Hz-16kHz for the VideoMic Go and 100Hz-20kHz for the VideoMicro – although whether you’ll really notice a difference during use is down to your ears).
The Pro-R differs from the other two because, instead of drawing its power from your camera, it’s powered using a 9V battery. This means it’s not going to drain your device – a significant consideration if you’re shooting long videos. A fully-charged 9V battery is claimed to give you as much as 70 hours of use. Thanks to all that extra power, the Pro-R offers a pre-amp, which means you can control the level using one of three positions, picking up more detail in quieter situations. There’s also a two-step high pass filter to dampen low-frequency sounds like traffic noise.
Background noise is less of a problem as it uses the super cardioid polar pattern like the Go. It also comes with a Rycote suspension system, similar to the one used in the Go, so is less likely to pick up vibrations from your camera.
At 85g, it’s the heaviest of the three mics (just) and it’s also the largest – not that any of them will be weighing you down much. And just in case you have any doubts about the build quality, the VideoMic Pro-R comes with a 10-year warranty.
The integrated Rycote® Lyre® based shock mounting system separates the VideoMic Pro capsule and electronics from its mount, providing isolation from external physical factors that may cause unwanted rumble and vibrations in the microphone. Constructed from a single piece of hard-wearing thermoplastic, the Lyre® provides superior acoustic suspension to traditional elastic solutions, and will never wear out, sag or snap.
Easily accessible on the rear face of the microphone are the power, filter and level controls. In addition to the microphone's native 40Hz-20kHz response a selectable high-pass filter at 80Hz is available, which will prevent low end noise such as air conditioners and traffic from being recorded.
Below these controls are the level settings, which attenuate or boost the recorded level as required. The -10dB level attenuation (or PAD) is ideal for recording loud sound sources, such as live music, motorsport, or interviews where the subject is very close to the camera. The +20dB level boost is designed for use with DSLR cameras, allowing the user to reduce the camera's preamp level (or mic-input level), effectively reducing the amount of noise generated by the camera's comparatively low quality audio circuitry.
The microphone uses a standard sized shoe mount for on camera use, and features a 3/8" thread in the base of the mount for easy boom pole mounting.
The VideoMic pro is battery powered, and provides over 70 hours recording from a single 9V battery.
Features
- Rycote® Lyre® shock mounting onboard
- All-new capsule with lower noise and higher sensitivity
- Broadcast recording quality condenser microphone
- Compact form factor (150mm/6” length)
- Ultra lightweight (85g/3oz)
- 9V battery powered - over 70 hours use (alkaline)
- Integrated shock mounting
- Integrated foam windscreen
- 3.5mm stereo mini-jack output (dual mono)
- Two step High Pass Filter (flat, 80Hz)
- Three position level control (-10dB, 0, +20dB)
- Camera shoe mount with 3/8” thread for easy boompole mounting
