Rode Microphones Stereo VideoMic On Camera Microphone
Now videographers can use true ‘studio’ stereo recording techniques in the field with ease. The X/Y configuration enables the Stereo Video Mic to capture the true ambience of the recording space, while still offering a high level of rear rejection and low noise. Fitted with a shoe mount, the StereoVideoMic has the same low noise circuit design as the best selling VideoMic. The StereoVideoMic offers 9V battery operation, an LED battery status indicator, high pass filter switch, and a -10dB pad switch which allows for the mic to be used on most cameras with perfect level control. You can also use the StereoVideoMic as a remote mic on a stand, or a RDE boom pole (optional), which truly makes this versatile product well suited for all video applications including Electronic News Gathering (ENG), Weddings, Sports Events & Interviews.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Great Sound, Great Company
I have a Canon HG10 High Definition camera that I use for recording my small kids and family events. The camera’s built-in sound was just poor. With my default mic, the targets could barely be heard, and whenever the cameraman spoke the sound was overly pronounced. So I researched many mics over months and decided on this one.
The sound is superb, but you have to make sure you know what you are working with. Different mics are better for different situations. I am not an expert but here are the rules of thumb I have picked up.
*Super-Cartoid Stereo Mic*
The Rode Stereo mic is a “Super Cartoid Stereo Mic”. It yields high-quality sound at a close range, less than 8 feet or closer is best . It emphasizes sound in front, and de-emphasizes sound from behind (i.e. the cameraman) It does not do well at long range.
*Shotgun mics*
Shotgun mics (i.e. Rode VideoMic directional Video Condenser w/microphone) on the other hand do well at isolating sound at long ranges. However, the sound will never be as good as a well-placed Supercartoid stereo mic. Those are good for football games and such.
*Bonus*
It also comes with a Dead-cat wind guard, and it works great! Even in very gusty wind no sound is made from the wind.
*Tips for good sound*
For absolutely super quality sound with ANY mic you must get really close! Just think of those boom mic guys who hold the mic right inches over the actors heads! You have several options.
1- Stand as close as possible
2 – Buy a wide-angle lense for your camera (Canon WD-H43 0.7x Wide Angle Converter for HV20 & HV30 Camcorders). I did this and it makes a huge difference. The lense allows you to get much closer to the subject and the sound is super.
3 – Buy an extension cable and mini-tripod. This is only practical in some situations, but is not expensive. I did this when I wanted to film thanksgiving dinner. I placed the mic close to the table, just out of shot. I placed the camera far away, and then ran a 15′ cable between the mic and camera. I got a great shot and top-notch sound.
4 – Buy a boom pole (Rode Mini Boompole Microphone Boom Pole) and have a friend hold it over the subject’s head when filming. This is not practical since I do not own a boom pole and I do not have any friends. But Rode does sell a boom pole for this mic that requires no adapters.
*Warranty*
My 4-year old accidentally knocked the mic off a table and broke a small aluminum part. I contacted Rode and was amazed at how incredibly kind, accommodating, and prompt they were in helping me out.
Be sure to register your mic to get a 10-year warranty!
5 Stars Concert sound? No Problem!
I’ve been using this Rode mic to make archival videos of concerts for the last 3 years and it is awesome. Clear, transparent and the next best thing to being there. Great sound at a reasonable price seems to be the Rode mission statement. I wish the camera man(me)was as good as the mic!
1 Star too soft no vol control no indicator light
I just got it a day ago. I couldn’t get any sound from the thing until I discovered there was sound, but was so soft that it was below human hearing. if it weren’t for the KM video player, I would never had heard my cursing! I bought it b/c of a reviewer that said he used it with his Canon Mrk II DSLR, which is what I have. What a loss! The manual says “indicator light” and I don’t have one. There’s no in-camera volume control, nor is there any on the camera or in the documentation. I’ll just have to resell this bastid and maybe buy some “dummy” signs to hang around my neck.
5 Stars Top Product
Jeremy Libertor (another reviewer) said it all. I fully concur.
I’m using the microphone on a Canon 5D Mark II with great success. I highly recommend this unit if you want quality and have the $$$. Yes, there are less expensive units around but you get what you pay for. And the included ‘dead-cat” does a nice job killing wind noises as well.
UPDATE: May 1st – I used the Canon 5D Mark II and the Rode to video the Union Pacific’s Steam Locomotive (844) when it visited hear. Theyre was a light breeze at the time. A steam locomotive, at times 4 feet away from the mic, is the acid test. Every sound, from quiet hisses of small steam escapes to full throated steam locomovive whistle blasts, were recorded perfectly with the Rode.
Later, down the track, the 844 passed by me at 60 or so MPH and I got broadcast quality locomotive sounds from about 1000 feet away and as it passed my location 8 feet from the camera/mic. Perfect sound again. I now highly recommend this microphone. No wind noises just great audio.
5 Stars An exceptional stereo microphone
I bought a Canon 5D Mark II with the understanding that at some point, I’d like to take amazing HD footage. Awesome footage is made or ruined with sound quality, and I looked at multiple reviews online and at sites [...] and others, and the Rode Stereo VideoMic got good reviews for a “starter” microphone.
Being a photography buff, I figured that this would be good enough for me to get started with. I’m amazed at the sound quality and range that I get with the microphone. With the onboard mic from the 5D, I’d sometimes catch myself breathing heavily (which sucks to have good footage ruined by that.) With the Rode mic, it’s gone. The mic fits into the Canon’s hotshoe and plugs in just fine. The Rode mic also includes the awesomely named Dead Kitten, to block wind noise (Canon’s internal microphone is pretty good at picking it up.) I’m really surprised at how much it blocks. While shooting friends goofing off outdoors over the weekend, I got to shoot video with my point and shoot and the 5D + Rode rig. The point/shoot picked up more wind noise than my friends and the Rode mic didn’t pick up any of the wind.
I haven’t gotten a chance to do anything indepth, such as use Magic Lantern for the 5D Mark II so I can do things like manual gain control, look at on-screen audio and things of that nature. I bought this because I wanted a good stereo microphone without having aspirations of making the next big feature at Sundance. The fact that I can put the microphone on a boom pole and have it work well is just an added bonus (but then I’d have to bribe friends to hold it for me since I only have so many hands!)
I’m happy with it, and I generally dislike most electronics. That says a lot.
