Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone
The Rode Stereo VideoMic delivers true stereo X/Y recording in a compact, camera mountable microphone. The Stereo VideoMic accurately captures stereo ambiance while exhibiting excellent off-axis rejection and signal-to-noise ratio. The small, light weight profile allows quick and unobtrusive mounting on DV and HDV cameras without appearing in the frame.
The shock-mount is attached to the microphone and a versatile shoe mount allows the entire microphone to be mounted to a hot-shoe on a camcorder, boom pole or stand. Replaceable rubber O-rings suspend the microphone on the shock-mount and protect against noise due to movement and handling. A coiled cable terminates to a stereo TRS 1/8" (3.5mm) mini output connection. The Rode Stereo VideoMic is powered with a standard 9 Volt battery. The Stereo VideoMic is an excellent choice for weddings, Electronic News Gathering (ENG), interviews and more.
- Stereo X/Y Recording
- The Rode Stereo VideoMic features true X/Y stereo pick up for accurate ambiance reproduction. Excellent off-axis rejection minimizes residual noise.
- -10dB Pad
- The Stereo VideoMic features a -10dB Pad switch for enhanced headroom and minimal distortion.
- Camera and Boom Pole Mountable
- The versatile shoe mount allows the microphone to be mounted to camcorders, stands or boom poles.
- Integrated Shock-Mount
- The Stereo VideoMic features a permanently attached shock mount with a camera mounting shoe underneath. The shock mount features replaceable rubber o-rings that protect against noise caused by abrupt movement and shock.
- High Pass Filter Switch
- A high-pass filter switch eliminates room ambiance and noise below 80Hz. This results in improved intelligibility while recording around machinery, wind or close proximity.
- Internal Power
- The condenser element is powered with a standard 9-volt battery.
| Transducer | Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Supercardioid |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz Selectable HPF @ 80Hz / 12dB /octave |
| Dynamic Range (Typical) | 115dB (per IEC651) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 79dB (A-weighted per IEC651) |
| Maximum Input Sound Level | 130dB (@ 1kHz. 1% THD into 1 ohm load) |
| Power Requirements | 9 Volt DC Alkaline |
| Output Impedance | 200 ohms |
| Output Connectors |
Stereo mini jack - 1/8" (3.5mm)
Right Channel - Ring |
| Pad | -10dB |
| Low Frequency Roll-Off | 80Hz / 12dB octave |
| Dimensions | 6.85 x 3.93 x 2.51" (172 x 100 x 64mm) (Length x Height x Diameter) |
| Weight | 11.64 oz (330g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 86 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
95%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Great sound quality (42)
- Lightweight (41)
- Easy to use (37)
- Durable (35)
- Simple use (32)
Cons
- Heavy (5)
- Noisy (4)
Best Uses
- Professional (27)
- Shooting indoors (17)
- Shooting outdoors (15)
- Home movies (14)
- Productivity (12)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Tech savvy (48), Gearhead (14), Aspiring film maker (9), Film professional (6), Parent (6)
- Primary use:
- Personal (26), Business (24)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (16)
Most Liked Positive Review
Small Priced Mic Can Take Big Hits
Let me start off by saying that I have examples of this mics performance in a very loud and very active live band setting.
Youtube username is:
bluefishswims
There you w...Read complete review
Let me start off by saying that I have examples of this mics performance in a very loud and very active live band setting.
Youtube username is:
bluefishswims
There you will find 10 examples of this mic in action. :) The ten videos are the ones with the acronym "DATH" in the titles.
Hope that helps.
Now, onto the review....
I've read a lot of reviews and seen a lot of reviews in which people put down the mics performance indoors by saying that it doesn't pick up their voices all too well and picks up too much surrounding noise. Well, that's what this mic is meant to do; it's meant to pick up surrounding noise, which is why it's a "Stereo" mic.
So, ambient sound and surrounding noise is what the SVM picks up best and if that's what you're looking for then this does that perfectly both indoors and outdoors.
If you're trying to use this as a shotgun mic for interviews outside or for interviews inside then you will be disappointed because you will hear the A/C turning on, the hum of the television, and just every other noise alongside your voice. Your voice will not be isolated.
This mic is not meant to isolate noise, it's meant to take in all noise.
That out of the way, it performs Great if you're using it for Live Bands, big events, choir concerts, etc. It allows you to relive the entire "Live Show" experience to the fullest with Full Sound and just very clear audio.
Just be sure to keep it pointed at the source though because it is a very directional mic. If you move it around then you'll hear the sounds shifting to your left and right ears and, as with any other mic, whatever is in front of it is loudest.
It's great for vacations if you want something that is better than the built in mic on your camera. This is one that you can trust not to get distorted if any unexpected noises come into play.
All-in-all it's a great buy and if there're enough sounds going on in the recording (as in a live band setting) then you'll hear no distortion, hissing, or buzzing. But when there's very little going on and you're just recording ambiance in an empty room then yes, there is some hissing and noise.
The only other accessory I bought was an extension for it along with a boom pole.
I use this mounted on top of my Canon Vixia HV30 and with the boom pole. works great.
I plan on buying an extra shotgun mic just to have the best of both worlds (stereo and shotgun).
The shotgun mic i'm going to get will probably be the Rode NTG-2.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Not For 5D Mark II in Quiet Environments
I bought this because it seemed on paper the best solution for the Canon 5D Mark II.
I am no expert on sound, but from what I have read, the mic doe...Read complete review
I bought this because it seemed on paper the best solution for the Canon 5D Mark II.
I am no expert on sound, but from what I have read, the mic doesn't have sufficient amplification, which results in the 5D increasing the gain to compensate. This results in a low level hissing sound.
I tested the mic with the TV on a normal volume and the hissing sound basically makes the audio unusable, even when using the high-pass filter. I didn't test in a louder environment, such on the street.
The sound out of the mic is great, but the lack of preamp, and flaw in the autogain of the 5D means it is not the ideal solution.
I am going to try the Zoom H4n, which isn't as an elegant solution as this, and quite a bit more expensive, but will give more flexibility and hopefully better audio.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 86 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Interface With Camcorder
- Quality Construction
- Quality stereo sound
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Shooting Indoors
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
This mic produces excellent quality stereo sound. It has a very solid body. The size is a little larger than I expected and a little heavier, but still a great product.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Great sensitivity
- Quality Construction
- Rich sound
Cons
- No preamp
- Not so good for DSLR
Best Uses
- Live shows
- Replacement
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
I use this mic with Canon Rebel t2i (EOS 550d) to record live classic concerts. You can find examples of the live organ concerts recordings (EOS 550d+StereoVideoMic) at http://youtube.com/organmsu. The only problem is the noise, which canon preamp generates. Still, the sound is very deep and rich, so is the sensitivity. For me, the quality is sufficient for youtube, besides that there's little choice - external preamp+MagicLantern is not an option for me, too much bother. Things which are not so great it captures every noise from the sides (as it's not directional), so you have to stand as close as possible.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Interface With Camcorder
- Improves Performance
- Lightweight
- Quality Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Shooting Indoors
- Shooting Outdoors
- Travel
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
I use this on my Nikon D7000 and it works great directly into the camera. I also use it by plugging it directly into my Zoom H1 line in input. Either way is great.
Outside, throw on the dead kitten that comes with it and your ready to go.
I've only had it a couple of weeks now and so far can't find anything wrong with it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by SpiderWayne
Rode Stereo Video Mic mounted on Nikon D7000
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Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Interface With Camcorder
- Quality Construction
Cons
- No Performance Improvement
Best Uses
- Home Movies
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
This Mic has excellent performance and low noise; however, I purchased it to use with my Nikon D7000 and discovered the Nikon external mic pre-amp input stage is too noisy for an external mic connection. I initially tested the mic with an Apogee Duet 2 with Wave Lab 7 and found the mic to be very low noise with excellent stereo performance. The Nikon D7000 internal mic has very little noise; however, connecting a high quality external mic is not an option due to it's poor external mic input noise performance.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Interface With Camcorder
- Improves Performance
- Lightweight
- Quality Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Shooting Indoors
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
Works awesome in my video interviews. The dead kitten should be worn at all times because it cancels out mostly all unwanted noise. I say "mostly" because if you're on a bus, ummm... you're gonna hear it in the background. I love the mic, its a great upgrade from the VideoMic! I've used it sidestage to record live bands and it gets some clear stuff, just depends on how "heavy/hardcore" the band is.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Performance
- Quality Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Shooting Indoors
- Shooting Outdoors
- Travel
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
So far I am very happy with this mic. I am using it with Panasonic HDC-TM900 camcorder and there is only one small problem. When installed with Windbreaker - there is interference in max zoom position. Solved this with installing hot shoe extension - this lifted the mic a bit and no more problems.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Performance
- Quality Construction
Cons
- Heavy if in the hot shoe
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Live music recording
- Shooting Indoors
- Shooting Outdoors
- Travel
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
For recording a concert, it's perfect. For a train going by, it's perfect. But for a river rolling bye, it is no better than the on-camera mic because directional sensitivity means little in that case. Great at a party too.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Performance
- Quality Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Shooting Indoors
- Shooting Outdoors
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
I have used the stereo Rode VideoMic to tape an indoor musical production. The sound is clear and doesn't appear to have much distortion. I am pleased with how it works. The camera prompts you to make sure you turn on the external microphone. One does need an adaptor to make it work.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Flimsy Design
Best Uses
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
I used this attached to a 5d Mark II at a concert. Within 3 hours of usage, the mount was loose and getting worse. The connection point is aluminum, and not engineered for an active environment.
It's too bad too, as the mic itself was great. I just need it to handle the same level of activity as my 580 flash has taken over the past years without difficulty.
I returned it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Performance
- Quality Construction
Cons
- Not light weight
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Music
- Shooting Indoors
- Upgrade
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
I use this to record audio of live music concerts, not The Rolling Stones but rather music school (of rock). I use a Canon 5D mark 2 HDSLR camera, and
purchased this based on other reviews that commented on it's effectiveness in such settings and it fully lived up to my expectations. It is solidly built with aluminum frame - feels like a "pro" piece of kit. It is somewhat expensive, however quality of audio picked up by the mic, and construction quality seem to be in line with price. It is not a light weight mic, other mics may be, but this one is 1960s era weight. It feels like something that could take a hit and not be damaged. Overall this mic is of solid construction but more importantly delivers high quality audio recording capability to an HDSLR camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Interface With Camcorder
- Improves Performance
- Lightweight
- Quality Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Shooting Indoors
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
superb sound quality
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Improves Performance
- Long battery life
- Quality Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Upgrade
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
use this with panasonic HMC40 for recording live music.
nice clear mic with good dynamic range. used it outdoors during band practice, inside a gym, and indoors in a home. none of these are acoustically ideal, but the rode mic performed well given the situation.
i like the 9V battery because i can carry some spares and not worry about running out of juice.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Interface With Camcorder
- Improves Performance
- Quality Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Replacement
- Upgrade
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
I bought this mic to aid in capturing videos of my wife's bands live performances, and I must say, I think it was a good decision. It caused me to spend a little more than I wanted to for the whole camcorder package, but the results are sounding very good so far. I've tried capturing videos in the past, and the bottleneck has always been the audio quality. The small, built-in mics on today's cameras are too easily overpowered by the audio levels at live rock music shows, but the combo of this mic with a camera that has the ability to attenuate the incoming audio signal worked out beautifully! the mic, itself, also has a high-pass filter option, that helps attenuate low frequency sounds, and there is also a -10dB attenuation switch that helped bring the audio into a range that could be recorded with good quality. The only negative thing I can say is that, with a wind screen attached, the wind screen is somewhat visible in wide angle shots, but this is probably more to do with the mounting setup on the camera than the mic itself. I would definitely recommend this mic to someone looking to record stereo sound at live music performances.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
It has great sound quality for it's price. And a good sound range. Couldn't complain about it.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Interface With Camcorder
- Improves Performance
- Quality Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
Works well with DSLR and isolation is a plus. DSLR is a different animal from a shoulder mount camera and isolating the mic helps immensely. You will need to purchase a screw in hot shoe mount.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Audio quality
- Improves Performance
- Lightweight
Cons
- Non-detachable cable
Best Uses
- DSLR
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
Even with cameras with no audio level controls (like the Canon 7D), this mic manages to deliver amazing sound quality. The size and weight are minimal, the shock mount is excellent. My only minor quibble is the non-detachable audio cable, which is the only weak link in an otherwise rugged design. While it's no substitute for shotgun or lav mics close to subject, it at least gives usable audio as backup and to sync double system audio much more easily.
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Movies
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
Worked fine but wasn't suitable for our camera. [...]
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Interface With Camcorder
- Improves Performance
- Lightweight
- Quality Construction
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
I use this product mainly on Reception footages on weddings. It will filter loud music and no more audio clipping for my video camera sound recording.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Great Sound Quality
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
This little mic is super easy to use, very light, mounts easily onto your hot shoe and records great stereo sound. I use it for my Canon 5D Mark II, and since built0in mic is horrible, I needed to buy something more powerful. RODE solved all my sound issues and I am very happy with the purchase!
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Great Sound Quality
Cons
- High Hiss
- Noisy
Best Uses
- Indipendant FIlms
- Professional
Comments about Rode Stereo VideoMic Camera-Mounted Stereo Microphone:
This mic is very good.It is easy to use and can make you look and sound more professional. However the hiss and the noise takes away the hype.
This mic is great and looks awesome!
- Primary use:
- Business
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Wind Protection
- Price: $24.99
Stands & Support
- Price: $34.95
Shock Mounts
- Price: $5.99
What's in the Box
- Dead Kitten WindMuff
- 3.5mm (1/8") Stereo Cable
- Suspension Shock Mount
- Accessory Shoe
- 3/8" Thread Adaptor
- 10 Year Warranty
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