I unbox my latest delivery from Amazon with a quick review.
I heard all these nightmare stories of the internal mic and the AGC on the 7D, but I am not hearing terrible audio coming out of my T2i.
So far the Rode Videomic seems like a pretty good microphone for use with the T2i camera. In this video I am only sitting about 3 feet from the microphone.
It sounds slightly ‘nasally’ which mostly likely means it has a hump in the frequency response at around 800Hz and some of the highs over 5kHz are dropping off a little too fast. But I have not looked at the frequency response as it compares to really flat microphones. I will look at this later. (I was an audio engineer for 15 years)
It also appears that this mic makes the AGC automatic gain control on the camera worse for picking up noises compared to the internal mic (at least in this video).
Two questions I have now are, how do I mount this thing to a microphone stand if I want to remote it close to the talent and what type of carry case do I need to not mess up the shock mount? Suggestions?
Good job on the video. I can tell you setup some good lighting too. The sound wasn’t better in quality, but it did sound more focused to the subject. I think it makes enough of a difference to use it for static interview stuff. I gave up on trying to record audio (for real projects) on these DSLR’s after I used a Zoom H4n. As a previous Audio Engineer, which Portable Audio Recorder do you carry?
-Emm
Emm, I don’t own one right now. But I am thinking about something like an attachment for my iphone.
Dave – how do you like your camera overall? Should I get one?
Mark,
For $800 and what this thing can do, yes you should get one.
But remember it has a steep learning curve compared to a camcorder.
Really curious how much the external mic effects (lessens?) the noise if you were to autofocus during shooting, as compared with the internal mic.
Seriously considering the t2i for my first SLR in the next month or two.
@ckeegan It depends also if you are using IS as well. Also it depends if you are remoting the mic off the hotshoe which is something I like to do.
As another audio engineer, I hear a great improvement when you added the mic. Slap-back was reduced from the room and it was more focused, which is what it should do. But I’d have to hit it with some transients to know how the internal gain control on the camera works with the Rhode. I’d say, for $150 bucks, not bad. Thanks for buying one for a test run. :>)
Dave, so camera IS and autofocus (well, manual) ring noise is not eliminated if this mic is mounted on the hotshoe? I like to use the 550d + 50/1.8 a lot, but the focus ring noise on that lens is very noticeable. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
@James, I guess it depends on what you want to do. I purchased an extension cord from Rode to remote the microphone closer to the talent which has worked nicely.
I think I missed it, but how did you experience the Rode mounted on the hotshoe and its effect when using IS and autofocus? I have been looking at this mic to get around the noise from the lens in auto but am very interested in your opinion. Great site!
@Gary, I just got the IS lens before I did this video, but I am sure I can try that for you in a future video.
I’m sure that a test with the Rode on the hotshoe will be of interest to many using an IS lens. thanks.
Hi Dave,
I’m planning to buy a mic for my 550D, but I’m not sure if I would be satisfied with the quality of the “RODE videomic” (mono only). What do you think of the “Rode Stereo VideoMic”? Should I give it a try or wait for the “Zoom H1″? I think you can read (and rate) the datasheets better than me
By the way, I made a new timelapse test which is much better than the 1st one. The cheap controllers do their job really nice.
Cheers,
jonni
Hey Dave,
Is there a “VU” setting on the T2i, or can the RODE be unboxed, plugged in, mounted, and ready to shoot?
David