RODE VideoMic GO II Review (vs Rode NTG & VideoMicro, Deity DUO & V-Mic D3 Pro, Movo VXR10 Pro)

Today, I have the RØDE VideoMic GO II in the Audio Hotline Studio! This mic is very interesting, especially when it comes to content creators / KZbinrs. I may even say this could possibly be the best microphone for KZbinrs... I know I know, it's a bold statement, but I really think this microphone could work for a lot of people! I of course compare the sound of this microphone to a lot of other similar microphones. Here is a list of the mics included in the blind comparison:
Rode VideoMicro
Rode VideoMic NTG
Deity DUO
Deity V-Mic D3 Pro
Movo VXR10 Pro
Rode VideoMic GO II (duh)
(somewhat included: Saramonic VMic5)
Be sure to check out the tests and audio samples and see if this is right for you! Every person has different expectations of audio gear. If the features are what you need, and you like the sound, then it is right for you!
Thanks for watching the Audio Hotline! I'll see you Audio Nerds next time!
Videos Mentioned:
Ian Craig's Video: bit.ly/3pgS28b
Ian Craig's Video for Safety Track Fix: bit.ly/3K0Bzgt
RØDE NT-USB MINI Review: bit.ly/3hhbb5G
======TIMESTAMPS=======
Introduction / My New Recommendation?: 0:00 - 1:04
Blind Comparison Info (NTG): 1:04 - 1:26
Disclaimer… lol: 1:26 - 1:43
How I am Recording: 1:43 - 2:03
What Comes with the RØDE VideoMic GO II: 2:03 - 2:35
My Opinion of Accessories and Build: 2:35 - 3:46
RØDE VideoMic GO II Features: 3:46 - 4:08
My Opinion of Features: 4:08 - 4:52
VideoMic GO II Specs: 4:52 - 6:14
Mic Test Intro: 6:14 - 6:33
Proximity Effect Test: 6:33 - 6:49
Plosive Test: 6:49 - 7:08
Noise Rejection Tests: 7:08 - 7:28
Polar Pattern (White Noise Test): 7:28 - 7:42
Kitty Purr Test: 7:42 - 8:08
Distance Tests (Holding a kitty): 8:08 - 8:24
Vlog Tests (Sony ZV1 and iPhone): 8:24 - 9:05
Acoustic Guitar Test: 9:05 - 9:27
Untreated Room / iPhone USB Test (Rode Reporter and Central Demo): 9:27 - 11:43
Rode Connect Test / Demo: 11:43 - 13:18
Post Processing Test (RØDE CONNECT): 13:18 - 13:39
Blind Comparison Intro (list above in description): 13:39 - 14:04
Blind Comparison: 14:04 - 16:23
Blind Comparison Reveal: 16:23 - 17:35
Quick Summary, Intro into My Review: 17:35 - 17:57
My Opinion / Review of the Rode VideoMic GO II: 17:57 - 22:08
Cool Setup I am Using: 22:08 - 22:50
My Review / My Grade: 22:50 - 23:40
Thank you for watching!: 23:40 - 24:21
============
======PRODUCTS IN REVIEW======
**Affiliate Links Below**
Rode VideMic Go II Links:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/Ked9Ae
B&H: bhpho.to/3skKkvH
Amazon: amzn.to/3slMZp5
RODE iPhone Cable:
B&H: bhpho.to/3sj8A16
Rode VideoMic NTG:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/QOdeg6
B&H: bhpho.to/3M1ssOi
Amazon: amzn.to/3HpGxl0
Movo VXR10 Pro:
Amazon: amzn.to/3vfGLsA
Rode VideoMicro
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/a1G6kY
B&H: bhpho.to/3LWKSQh
Amazon: amzn.to/3vfyGUR
Deity Duo:
B&H: bhpho.to/3hzMEZL
Amazon: amzn.to/3ph2U5U
Deity V-Mic D3 Pro:
B&H: bhpho.to/33VctQE
Amazon: amzn.to/35b8a4f
==================
======Audio Hotline Info======
Join this channel to get access to perks:
kzbin.info/door/OKM-aTGJ5E5HtSCsn0D4TAjoin
Website: audiohotlinegear.com
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Instagram: audiohotline
MERCH: teespring.com/stores/audiohotline
==========
GEAR I USE TO MAKE MY VIDEOS (w/ affiliate links):
============VIDEO============
Canon EOS R5:
Amazon: amzn.to/3gNBfnG
B&H: bhpho.to/2JTS3xx
Sigma EF 20mm f/1.4:
Amazon: amzn.to/2KoXsMK
B&H: bhpho.to/3aeXG3V
Sigma EF 50mm f/1.4:
Amazon: amzn.to/2WllU4d
B&H: bhpho.to/3oRbXIi
Sigma EF 24mm f/1.4:
Amazon: amzn.to/2SPDdZZ
B&H:bhpho.to/3duayRY
Sigma EF 18-35mm f/1.8 (APS-C):
Amazon: amzn.to/2xLCYrH
B&H: bhpho.to/3bdE8d2
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L (MACRO):
Amazon: amzn.to/35KuXQs
B&H: bhpho.to/2WdcqJ3
Atomos Ninja V:
Amazon: amzn.to/2Ni79Ob
B&H: bhpho.to/36i2WhA
Aputure 120D MKii:
Amazon: amzn.to/2SE0wXg
B&H: bhpho.to/38pRTV2
Aputure Light Dome II:
Amazon: amzn.to/39kvKZJ
B&H: bhpho.to/2Gf1zWc
============AUDIO============
Hercules Mic Stand:
Amazon: amzn.to/2XaHnzK
B&H: bhpho.to/2Rz4SwS
Zoom F6:
Amazon: amzn.to/3oc6FqO
B&H: bhpho.to/3kTOUu1
Zoom H6:
Amazon: amzn.to/2MIoBdA
B&H: bhpho.to/2Rfc3LK
Apollo Twin Quad:
Amazon: amzn.to/2XfwPiU
B&H: bhpho.to/2NL8gnp
Mogami XLR:
Amazon: amzn.to/2NiXNSp
B&H: bhpho.to/2NJ5tLi
Monoprice XLR (Cheaper XLR Alternative):
Amazon: amzn.to/2RJBwvp

[@Mtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmt]

Such a great review! Thank you for the guitar test, I really was curious about how it'd fair with instrumentals

[@JohnScottB]

Really great review and comparison, thank you for putting this together. I have the original Movo VXR10 and was looking for a comparison between the new Rode Go II, the NTG and the Deity D3 Pro and you nailed them all for me! Amazing bang for the buck on that $99 Go II!

[@cine4st540]

Incredible work! Thanks for fantastic review!

[@Mike0193Azul]

Fantastic review and comparison very helpful

[@chadhosegood342]

Thank you so much for the Guitar test and for showing that this mic brings so much value as a USB mic. Just added it to my cart to record back up tracks along with my Zoom H6 for my future Hoss the Rhythmic Boss videos. Have a great day and you were crushing it on the entertainment meter too!

[@RomaFedorov]

Thanks for the in-depth review. I'm going for the Rode VideoMic GO II.

[@SamCambetis]

Great Review! Thank you!

[@hanglooserecluse]

Good job mate. I’m Two minutes in and your style has won me over as you say “you weren’t sent this mic”. Good review

[@nikolawesthemkg]

I watched 100 videos in the past month as I am saving money for a mic and I've watched 30+ rode ntg/go II pro and NO ONE mentioned cable thingy. Very useful. Great content boi! :)

[@Yann4444]

Really appreciate your video bro

[@chrisso1973]

The best review on this mic I’ve found. Absolutely sold. You so need a deal with RØDE!

[@AjmalShahaban]

This is the best review of the rode videomic go ii so far. Thank you for the effort.

[@arthur.edelmans]

I like the look of this microphone. It was this or the Deity D3 Pro and I ended up going for the Deity D3 Pro. Had I known it's also a USB mic, definitely would have gone for the go II. Great video!

[@enriquekahn9405]

$99 USB shotgun, it works with mobile devices and it's actually halfway decent? Holy shit, where was this when I shopping for my first mic?

[@sugarbait]

Great great video!

[@MiyaGamePlayz]

thank you! I've been looking for a good mic for my small gaming channel and I've been debating whether to get the q9u or the rode go II. I'll get the rode go II, thanks again!

[@MrPavelNYC]

Besides a great review that cat bit was priceless

[@deaafrizal]

great video! like it! 😍. but hey can i use 2 pieces of this mic connected directly to my PC using USB C and being able appears as 2 mic input on the rode connect software?

[@dfcx1]

Full points on the kitty purr test 😂 On my headphones, D > C > A > B > F > E so the RØDEs seem rather competitive in this round-up. The foam doesn't seem quite sufficient outdoors, the VideoMicro comes with a furry windscreen for half the price so that's something to consider. Is there an appreciable sound quality difference using this with an Apple Lightning to 3.5mm headphone adapter vs. a USB-C cable?

[@AshrafStudioEg]

Same for me D > C > A

[@calebfortune]

What are your go to audio sweetening/export settings in Premiere? I’ve gotten a really good output for pc and better speakers, but it hasn’t been sounding as well on mobile. This video was solid tho. I usually push for a -6 max db with any music between -27 to -20db.

[@SOCOMJOHN]

Best USB microphone for Podcasters? Thanks for reply! I currently use the fifine k658 dynamic microphone

[@dulcepaolagaminocampos8059]

Greeting from México, your videos have been very uselful. I love them ! ISorry, I have a question. I'm debating betweem this and the Deity V D4. I was about to buy this one but, the battery thing has me concerned. I take a lot of care of my laps battery, and I am wondering is this microphone will take power from it? Wich means it will be uncharging faster. Is this true? In that case, should I get the Deity cause it need a AAA battery? Thank you so much!

[@manutecpodcast]

Hi, I heard about MX 320A shotgun mic also doing good. I am not sure about it.

[@saleh3521]

What plugins and how did u edit your audio? Because this sounds better than other reviews. So what post editings things you added?

[@AudioHotline]

The only place I put in post processing is when it’s labeled in the test section or when I stated it. No offense to other reviewers, but since this is a “video” mic quite a few of the people that reviewed it are mostly “video” people, not audio people… a lot of them don’t know how, or take the time, to find a microphones sweet spot or the correct way to place and angle a mic to get the best sound. Knowing and testing the distance, placement, and angle can really optimize its performance.

[@FlorinBlaga]

What microphone do you recommend for events? Microphone for mirrorless that delivers a good sound in conditions of loud music!!!

[@sherbert23]

Can’t wait to see this against the new $99 deity v-mic d4

[@AshrafStudioEg]

Thank you! Also, there's a lot of hype about the Sennheiser MKE 400, it would be great if you have the ability to review it.

[@baljinderpanesar5739]

Great review. I got most of the information I was looking for, but there is one point that was not covered. How will this microphone perform with a device like Tascam Dr60, Zoom H5 or something like these? Or is this microphone not meant to be used with these recorders?

[@AudioHotline]

I actually did use the Zoom H6 recorder (most of the video) and the Tascam DR-10L (during the comparison) at different points in this video. I mention the Zoom H6 set up at about 1:47 in the video. On the H6 (which is just a beefier version of the H5) I used it with the "Line In" input and that would be the same case with pretty much every recorder. Anything with a "Line in" you'll be able to use with this mic flawlessly. On the H5, the "Line In" is actually on the right side of the stereo mic that comes with the H5. Then you just use the Gain knob from the stereo mic to control the gain of the mic that is attached through the "Line In" jack. I'd be happy to send you a short video showing you how to hook this up, let me know if that would be helpful!

[@baljinderpanesar5739]

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. May be I missed the bits when I saw the video. But you have clarified my point. I highly appreciate that. Thanks again and best wishes.

[@isahtl]

Can anyone please tell me which one is better in background noise canceling? NTG4 or Videomic Pro? Thanks a lot!

[@CreagenDow]

What were your settings with the iPhone in the untreated room test? Did you do any post-processing? I can’t seem to get rid of the self-noise while connected to an iPhone in an untreated room.

[@RAMsyaha7]

So, if i change the setting in rode central mobile (high pass filter or boost HF) but i use phone camera app for recording, the setting will still affect to the result?

[@juanpatriciodoyle4041]

Can I use it for online meetings without using earphones or the voices of my coworkers in the meeting will be captured by the mic?

[@rickonmic]

Can you hear the computer output through the headphone jack when in USB mode? If so, that would essentially make this an interface.

[@rodemic]

Hey Rick - you sure can!

[@rickonmic]

@@rodemic Thanks! That’s awesome!

[@AudioHotline]

If you want to hear a quick test of the Røde VideoMic GO II with the $29 Røde WS12 Windshield VS the provided foam windscreen vs no windscreen/windshield, I made a short that you can check out here: kzbin.info1pJ1V5KCCwQ?feature=share

[@AjmalShahaban]

Did you compare recording that to a zoom h1n vs to the computer? Or can you try do comment below? Thanks in advance

[@Losochill]

This dude is hilarious! His dry humor is top notch.. I wish I had the confidence and personality to do this on video. 😂 I always feel awkward and weird talking to a camera

[@AudioHotline]

Thank you! I really appreciate that. It took a long time for me to feel comfortable in front of the camera! For the first while, I was awkward and not being myself. It definitely takes a lot of practice and repetition. I still feel a little awkward at times, and my type of humor definitely isn't for everyone 😂but I can say I am at least able to just be myself now and not tense up when the camera is on. Definitely stick with it though! KZbin is a really fun place to meet a lot of other creators with similar interests! If you have any audio or content creation questions, you are welcome to hit me up! I am always down to talk about gear and KZbin! [e-mail]

[@Losochill]

@@AudioHotline You’re welcome! Know that when creators reply to us it’s meaningful. Much respect for that!

[@zogun]

Hi, the NTG works with Rode Connect?

[@AudioHotline]

Yes! It sure does!

[@aramisbetances572]

would you recomend this mic or the blue yeti nano bc I heard the nano has better specs but this mic is more versatile :v

[@AudioHotline]

I would actually say this has better specs, I would pick this for a quite a few people over the blue yeti nano. What exactly are you recording though?

[@aramisbetances572]

@@AudioHotline I want to record for videos, and commentary. :)

[@aramisbetances572]

@@AudioHotline so this mic is rlly better in terms of audio quality than the nano?

[@AudioHotline]

@@aramisbetances572 i mean, it kind of just comes down to preference. For me, I would absolutely take this over the Yeti nano. Some people may want the opposite, but I think this is a winner!

[@aramisbetances572]

@@AudioHotline my wallet thanks you lol

[@KryptonicHD]

Don't forget to turn notifications on :D

[@zogun]

Bronson, please help me choose a microphone for indoor dialogue in an untreated room. Most probably I will be using OBS to record. Rode Video Mic Go II vs Se Electronics Se7 Price wise about the same I'm using Zoom H5, Sony ZV1, Audio Technica M40x & some crappy led lights, thanks man!

[@AudioHotline]

Short answer: I would go with the sE7 with the H5! Long answer (haha): in an untreated room, you could POTENTIALLY run into some phase issues with the GO II that wouldn’t happen with the sE7. The sE7 doesn’t have the same interference tubes like the GO II, and other shotgun mics, which can cause phase issues in a recording. A lot of times shotgun mics are completely fine in untreated rooms, BUT I would hate to recommend the GO II and have you be the one that has an issue! Also… I would pick the sE7 over the GO II for this purpose in general, especially since you already have an H5 already! Hopefully this helps!!!

[@zogun]

@@AudioHotline Thanks a bunch for taking the time to answer me I think I'll go with the sE7 but not sure if I can get clean recording with the H5 & I dont have the Fethead Phantom I hope you can make a video to address this interference tubes issue to educate audio noobs like me Issues that is hard to understand, same thing like the headphone impedance Anyway, thanks again & stay healthy Bronson

[@AudioHotline]

@@zogun Hey! Just to clarify, you are talking about getting the sE7 right? Not the sE V7? Even though, I would recommend both of them… but one of your comments got me thinking. The sE7 would easily be powered by the H5 once you have phantom power on. It wouldn’t need a fethead, and actually it isn’t compatible with a fethead… the sE V7 is a dynamic mic, very similar name haha, and you can use a fethead with it! So I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page!

[@zogun]

@@AudioHotline yes im talking about the pencil SDC sE7 not the dynamic sE V7 which I have & its pretty good tho. Paired it with DM1 & works pretty well But the problem is, I mount it in front of me almost touching my laptop. It's blocking my laptop view & bouncing the audio like hell against the laptop, desk since its supercardiod & also i dont want to use big mic arm/stand So I need a shotgun or SDC. I asked Curtis Judd the same question & he suggest sE7 just like you Anyway, there's a Fethead for condenser mic; Fethead Phantom Thanks for replying, really appreciate it. Keep up the amazing work!

[@ShinuGeorge]

Glad you didn’t go for the “Blue Dead Cat” test

[@LaurieHallLJH]

I’m just here for the pickled peanutses

[@jasonw6993]

BLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU If he rubs the mic, he must love it!

[@johnheiser2604]

What versatility for the $$$$$ involved. Bargain.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

I’m signing up for that Kitty Only Fans Membership. I have many microphone make-out requests.

[@AudioHotline]

😻 I’ll send you your welcome basket! It’s a lotion that smells like tuna pate and a lock of Blue’s fur.

[@jcap8391]

@@AudioHotline how come no saramonic vmic 5 review? It sounds better than all of these

[@AudioHotline]

J Cap I have a review for it coming! I agree, it does sound better than all of them… but it should! It is quite a bit more expensive!

[@jcap8391]

@@AudioHotline I have the rode ntg and it sounds better than that imo. I hope more of these type of mics adapt usbc out soon

[@AudioHotline]

The NTG will definitely be in the blind comparison for the VMIC5 review. I would personally choose the NTG over the VMic5 also. The NTG’s usb and feature capabilities are really awesome and I like the gain dial rather than only a few gain options on the VMic5 (same goes for Rode VideoMic Pro+).

[@TEST-gh4zs]

Review at875r vs another shotgun microphone in same price 🔥

[@AudioHotline]

I definitely plan on doing a full review of the at875r! I have had that mic a long time!

[@TEST-gh4zs]

@@AudioHotline thanks brother

[@TEST-gh4zs]

@@AudioHotline i still waiting 😃

[@Fab99falco]

If you us a usb-c cable and a usb-c adapter on the iPhone it will work

[@AudioHotline]

Yes, I talk about and use that rode cable starting at 9:28

[@williguelpa6597]

Niiiiiiiiiice!! You desperately need Promo`SM!!!

[@kriskros38]

is it worth conecting this rode to sony pxw z280 camcorder? or should i go for more expesive one?

[@AudioHotline]

This would definitely be a big improvement! What are you capturing/recording? I can make a better recommendation based off of that info.

[@kriskros38]

@@AudioHotline im like a small freelancer, record events, interviews and small documentaries.