RØDE - VideoMicro II

I'm baaaack!!! Okay, so it turned out to be quite hard to piece together a rig \*exactly\* like mine above. As I mentioned earlier, this was assembled from random bits and pieces from a lifelong career and hobby in photo & video. So that is the bad news, which is actually some **good** news… I have found an alternative that bypasses all the shenanigans (clamps/adapters/doohickeys) and just allows you to put the mic directly ON the tripod. Bonus: It’s also cheaper than the initial *rebuild* of my setup I had put together. 3\* Pieces will give you the same functionality as mine. 1. Tripod 2. Shotgun Mic 3. Audio adapter for your phone if it does not have a headphone jack \*4. Audio Cord Splitter (dedicated mic/headphone) This is not essential, but allows you to monitor the mic input with headphones. I often don't do this, but it is a fun thing to do. NOT Sponsored by B&H, but they've treated me well over the years, so they get the links. Shop local if you can! :) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **1. Small Rig Beauty Pod 1.5K Flexible Mini Tripod @ $25** [https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1665641-REG/smallrig\_3446\_beautypod\_1\_5k\_flexible\_mini.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1665641-REG/smallrig_3446_beautypod_1_5k_flexible_mini.html) **2.** \*Bad news #2\* My mic is a bit of overkill IMO: Rode Video Mic Pro @ $230 + $40 for the deadcat (fuzzy). I would recommend a smaller, more portable version that includes the fuzzy wind protection.  **Rode Video Micro II @ $80** [https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1738295-REG/rode\_vmicroii\_videomicro\_ii\_ultracompact\_camera\_mount.html/accessories](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1738295-REG/rode_vmicroii_videomicro_ii_ultracompact_camera_mount.html/accessories) I am a fan of Rode gear, very robust and high quality. That said, microphones are fairly delicate tools, so try to treat them with care.  **3. Phone audio adapter (TRRS) for your specific model of phone:** Lightning or USB-C options linked below, choose based on your phone’s charging port. \~$15 [https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1561511-REG/saramonic\_sr\_c2002\_apple\_lightning\_connector.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1561511-REG/saramonic_sr_c2002_apple_lightning_connector.html) \-or- [https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1580724-REG/comica\_audio\_cvm\_spx\_uc\_3\_5mm\_trrs\_usb\_c\_audio.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1580724-REG/comica_audio_cvm_spx_uc_3_5mm_trrs_usb_c_audio.html) **\*Optional** **4. StarTech Headset Output Splitter for Dedicated Mic & Headphone Plugs @ $7**  [https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1571226-REG/startech\_muyhsmffadw\_3\_5mm\_male\_to\_headphone.html](https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1571226-REG/startech_muyhsmffadw_3_5mm_male_to_headphone.html) This is all untested, but based on my knowledge and experience should work great for this purpose. Should you choose another style/brand of microphone I would look for one that is listed as a "Shotgun Mic" and has a very directional pattern. This should be listed in the description somewhere. For assembly... The tripod has a slot on the side called a "cold shoe" you will place the base of the mic into that slot and screw down the locking ring. from there its a matter of daisy chaining the cord and adapter to your phone which will be placed in the included phone mount on the tripod screw. \*If you choose to incorporate the splitter, put it between the audio out from the mic, and before the phone adapter. Plug in a set of earbuds and you now have a method to monitor what the microphone is picking up. I recommend using just one ear to begin with, as this can be slightly disorienting at first. Best of luck! Report back if you go ahead with the build! Happy birding!

I use the Rode MIC II for IRL Gym Streams and other YouTube content, works fantastic and has good range

Funny you share that video! I actually made a little wind cover for mine that's very similar (obviously it's not great in those gale force winds on a ridgeline though!). What I like about mine is that it's black and it blends in nicely. But his seems to be designed a little better... might have to try it. here's mine: [https://imgur.com/a/5gVjO0u](https://imgur.com/a/5gVjO0u) One for REALLY windy days, and one for everyday use. For the rest of the time I'm using the Rode Videomicro ii. It still looks awkwardly large on the camera but it does yield better results. Although the more I use the camera the more I'm tempted to just trust the internal mics. Hoping they put a tiny bit more effort into the audio on the s9ii

If Røde Video Micro II represents your budget, i don’t think there is reason to obsess about choice. Just remember to get the “dead cat” as well because the foam will not help much against the wind. Be warned that no great sound comes from recording with an on-camera microphone. 

All cameras have bad preamps and recording directly to them gives sup-par results. Only you can decide the levels of your standard. The RØDE mics are not bad - the camera's preamp is. Zoom H4n was a good choice 10 years ago. A contemporary suggestion would be a Tascam X6 if you want build in microphones like the Zoom H4n. If you want to add your own mics; Zoom F3 or Tascam FR-AV2 are good options.

Thank you so much for this. I've just ordered the following: *[Tripod: Neewer micro tripod TS006](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0CB7XZFGS?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image) *[Microphone: RØDE VideoMicro II](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0BM8HQL6L?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image) I already had a converter USB-C to audio jack. I'm really excited to try it out.

I have the VideoMic II (not VideoMic Go II), which is mono, and I record on a R6 Mkii. When I open the clip in DaVinci I see two channels and the the signals sometimes seem slightly different, but apparently that's due to processing or noise. It's mono (on two channels).

If you insist on 3.5mm, Sennheiser MKE 600 is the best but takes 1x AA battery. Still preferable to Rode Videomic NTG, etc., with built in rechargeables. For batteryless, I would go with the Videomicro or VideoMic GO II (if you also want a USB mic) for grab and go event stuff and EQ to your taste. It will be smaller with wider cardioid pattern but fine for documentary. But getting the Sony XLR module or, say, a Zoom F3, will open up many more XLR choices from the cheap and good AT 875R to rugged RF-bias options like NTG5 or NTG3.

Depends... Rode Broadcaster in studio (into RCP and MacBook with Hindenburg) Shure SM48 in field if more than 2 mics needed (into Podtrak P4) Rode Micro in field with 2 or fewer mics needed into iPhone (short distances) Rode Wireless Pro with 2 or fewer mics needed into iPhone or MacBook (longer distances)

Glad I bought the R0DE system. Sheesh.

Imo the sound quality of the Røde Mics is way better than DJI.