Rode VideoMic GO Lightweight Directional Shotgun Video Mic

REVIEW & INFO

Honest review and information

I have been using the Rode VideoMic GO Lightweight Directional Shotgun Video Mic for over a year now, and I must say that I am impressed with its performance. Now, reviewing this product can be a bit tricky given how subjective the audio recording can be. But, after using it in various conditions, I feel like I can give a good overview of the product.

First, the build quality of the Rode VideoMic GO is impressive. It features a sturdy plastic body that can withstand regular use without feeling flimsy or cheap. The integrated Rycote Lyre shock mount does a great job of isolating the microphone from the body, preventing any handling noise from ruining your recordings.

The mic's supercardioid pattern helps in capturing sound sources placed right in front of it while rejecting the surrounding noise. This makes it an ideal choice for vloggers, videographers, and content creators who want to capture clear audio on the go.

One of the best things about this microphone is its plug-and-play operation. Simply attach it to your camera's hot shoe mount and connect the 3.5mm jack to your camera's microphone port, and you are good to go! The microphone is powered by the camera, so there is no need to worry about batteries or any other power source. This is an excellent feature if you are on the go and need a reliable microphone that doesn't require any additional setup.

The microphone also comes with a windshield that does an excellent job of reducing wind noise when recording outdoors. However, it's worth noting that the windshield isn't the most effective when it comes to blocking strong wind. So, in windy conditions, you might face some challenges capturing clean audio.

In terms of audio quality, the Rode VideoMic GO performs exceptionally well. The microphone boasts a frequency response of 100Hz to 16kHz, which is adequate for capturing most speech and ambient sounds. The audio captured is crisp, clear, and well-balanced, although you do have to be cautious of the mic's sensitivity. If you use this mic indoors, you might end up capturing a certain amount of room noise, which might not be ideal for your audio recording.

Another thing that impressed me was the directional nature of the microphone. It does an excellent job of capturing sound sources in front of it while rejecting sounds coming from the sides and rear of the microphone. This makes it ideal for recording in noisy environments, where you want to capture audio without any background noise interfering with your recordings.

Despite its many positives, there are a few things that some users might consider as downsides to the Rode VideoMic GO. For instance, the microphone only features a 3.5mm output jack, which means you can't use it with XLR inputs without purchasing an adapter. Additionally, the microphone's supercardioid pattern may not be suitable for all types of recordings. For instance, if you want to record a distant sound source, the mic may not capture the audio as well since its pattern is primarily focused on rejects off-axis sounds.

Overall, I think the Rode VideoMic GO is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable, plug-and-play microphone for their DSLR or mirrorless camera. The microphone is lightweight, easy to use, and produces clear, crisp audio. It's also very affordable compared to other directional microphones in its class, making it an excellent investment for content creators who want to improve their audio quality.

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