Rode Videomic Pro+ vs. Sony ECM B1M and B10 vs. Sennheiser MKE 400 vs. Deity V-Mic D4 Duo

[@whowhatwhere]

I have been leaning toward MKE, and this is the final tip in that direction. (thank you for your help!) That said, I have been hearing negatives about the build quality--specifically the ABS locking ring breaking. Any thoughts? I will use it mainly for running around-and-gunning, so am concerned about the likelihood of dealing with a dangling mic mid-day needing to be strapped back on w gaffer tap. BTW--great work; I am sub'ng

[@RobbyHuang]

Not sure what you landed on, but that's exactly what happened to me. The little locking ring on that tightens it to the hotshoe cracked. I sent it in for warranty repair and they replaced the whole thing. Unfortunately that's not promising for the longevity of the device, but I guess I'll just be ginger with it in the future.

[@markshirley01]

Has the locking ring held up, ive also seen this as a complaint. If im careful with it do you think itll be ok

[@KevinNordstrom]

​​@@markshirley01I've been through two mke 400s within the last year because of the ring cracking. Unfortunately it's a major flaw they should have went with metal. The mic itself is very good.

[@dennyfree1]

With respect to the Sony mics, if you wrap a rubber band around the base of the mic, it pretty much eliminates the handling noise.

[@nor690]

Did you try this?

[@svhappysees]

I stuck a whole bunch of rubber bands on my ECM-b1m and it made no difference to the noise.

[@luminouswaves2640]

Why fix it when it ain’t broke? If it requires fixing, why get it in the first place?

[@stevievlogs_]

so is it worth it for vlogging environments like walking and talking.. the only reason why i thought of getting it because it’s multidirectional which the rode only captures directly

[@lovemihikes]

Love my mke 400! Never looked back. I’ve been using it over a year now, and am still on my first set of batteries.

[@flameemperor888]

Man your good at reviewing stuff I hope you get sponsors so you could do more detailed reviews and test of filming equipments.

[@KevinFedde]

Super great comparison. I have moved on from the Rode Videomic Pro + or Rode Videomicro for my outdoor hiking and camping videos to the Rode Videomic Go II, which is smaller, lighter, doesnt have the cable issue, and doesn't require batteries. I have found that it is a bit hotter mic so I have to bring the in-camera levels down quite a ways, but it has been doing great on-camera for a $100 mic. I also have a Rode Videomic NTG, Video Micro II, and NTG 5, I really should do a comparison video as well... If I get enough time someday...

[@RobbyHuang]

Rode Videomic Pro+: amzn.to/3R7m9eP Incredibly rock solid, minor annoyances with cable placement and it's a little big, but otherwise you can't go wrong with this. Sony ECM-B1M amzn.to/3kyuxYC Amazingly full-featured, convenient, and fantastic sound quality. Bad shock mount leading to handling noise and a mediocre wind filter. I'd only use it on a tripod and in non-windy conditions. Sony ECM-B10 amzn.to/3WCenLh Same features and sound as the B1M but smaller and cheaper. I'd get this one over the B1M. Sennheiser MKE 400 amzn.to/3Diuoiz Best form factor, great for running and gunning. No built-in rechargeable battery is a bummer. My favorite sound quality of the bunch. Deity V-Mic D4 Duo amzn.to/3j3sBaa Cool little microphone good for talking behind the camera. Shock mount and wind filter are bad. Good sound for the price, could be a good starter mic. Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

[@tonymonge1990]

bro already at 14k subscribers! thats awesome dude! been watching your videos since you were just reaching 1k! congrats man! so happy for you!

[@AlienGrade]

You should have way more views! Terrific production!

[@somtamthai9429]

Thanks, I finally decided to purchase the MKE 400 and an additional Zoom Hn1 Essentials audio recorder for my A7IV for traveling / run and gun shooting. I purchased an ECM-M, which is almost perfect, if there wasn´t the handling sound issues caused by the shockmount, which made me return it. After watching a bunch of videos and doing some research, I think the MKE 400 plus an additional audio recorder is the right choice for me. Amazon will send me back the 300 bucks for the same price I can get the MKE 400 and an audio recorder with much better results. I also heard that the MKE 400 will automatically switch on, once you turn on the camera and it is recommended using it powered by the battaries and not the camera, since the amplifying is way better. The handling noise is one of the most important factors for me for run and gun shooting. I hope Sony will release improved versions of their mics using a better shockmount and maybe a metal case, I would even pay for that.

[@cyndideconcini5006]

Kiddo, you are great at all you do!This comment is really for the podcast/video you and your mom did a year ago "Comparing ourselves to Others". I'm new to your work so I'm catching up. I found AA (LOVE). Was immediately drawn to your festive personality! Not gonna lie.... kind of searched and found this channel. Funny not funny and true, I'm a mom named Cyndi with a son named Andrew (Brian Andrew) when he is in trouble. I would Love to see a video completely unedited. Mess ups and all! I'm not some crazy lady lol, it would still he great content!

[@artistoddessy8484]

Nice, thats a help Robby, you should keep your hair buddy, I have 2.5 inches on the top I gotta grow mine out. Dude I'm stoked about your process, you seem to make a lot of useful videos per week, which I mean really useful. I'm a big fan up here in Canada. Keep it going buddy

[@Kleslye2]

Thank you, exactly I was looking for

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Fantastic review! Very thorough! And so many missed opportunities for "that's what she said" jokes. LOL

[@RobbyHuang]

Lol, this is true haha

[@NeacsuMarius]

Amazing and very honest video comparation ! Good Job ! Thank you !

[@WGNTAidan]

The b1m is definitely the clearest, and has slightly more bass than the b10 (but still lagging behind Rode). Great comparison!

[@Beautybyjorge]

Great video thank you

[@garymazeffa]

Wrap a rubber band under the B10, and it helps a lot.

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

does it really? I'm thinking about getting the B10 with my XF30...thanks

[@garymazeffa]

@@TheFandangovideoguy Yes. You just have to tune-it ; by the rubber band and wraps. Once done, you are good to go.

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

@@garymazeffa ok...a DIY project then! I may give this mic a try. It makes sense for Sony owners. Thanks

[@Pfagnan]

Dude great video but the batteries on the MKE are a PLUS not a liability! The batteries last over a hundred hours and they power on and off automatically to save power. The red light warning comes on 3 hours before you have to change batteries and just have a spare set in your pocket. So easy and convenient not having to charge your mic in the field! 📸😎👏

[@Mr.Pickles.Purrspective]

Great video. Which mic would be best for ambient sounds? I don't want to hear self noise or hiss from the mic.

[@CC-gt3ro]

I have azden smx-30. The connector is vertical, and should be better for you case. It has all the feature of the big rode videomic +, and the sound is very good in both mono and stereo. The shock mount is also perfect. But as you said it is bigger than all new Sony mic and wireless dji 2 or rode wireless pro. I would like smaller on the gimbal. The wireless mic (dji and rode) cannot record stereo from one transmitter where you would connect a stereo mic. Ecm w2bt has interesting form factor and feature despite having not as good sound than ecm b1m. I need to look at the Lark Max duo as well.

[@ashransaid]

MKE400 is amazing during windy day!

[@erickperdomo277]

Hey! Great video. I have a rode micro and i use it with my sony fx30. It's fine but during wedding receptions i find that the sound is good only from the front (as it is designed to do) but i would like a fuller sound from all around-so the sony bm10 with its omnidirectional pattern attracts me. But your handling noise test worries me. I use the fx30 on monopods and ronin S. some handheld but nothing too extreme. Will i get a lot of handling noise? What other mic has an omnidirectional setting? The Deity Duo has 2 mics but it splits the audio in two channels. Help? Thanks

[@Frogsplash27]

What did you end up going with?

[@erickperdomo277]

@@Frogsplash27 I got the Sony BM10...is ok but it can distort at high volume. I don't use the audio for important jobs- for interviews I use a wireless senhessier lavalier.

[@PeterSu]

Great tests. The mke 400 detail and clarity is so nice while the sony mics are a little harsh to my ears.

[@pf4773]

fantastic thorough, helpful video comparison! I talked to B and H technical support today-he recommended the rode pro plus, but since I travel internationally the mic just seems too big. I'm interested in the sony ecm m1 because it is so small---the problem? the sound quality seems not very good.

[@frostgodx]

Correct on all counts. Videomic go 2 for non powered option or NTG of course large form again. The Sony m1 is straight tin

[@remektekmedia6641]

What about the Rode Video NTG?

[@gigihanmandarin]

You can do the rubber band hack for ECM-B10 and B1M to eliminate handling noises.

[@Opulentvlog]

are you sure it works ?

[@gigihanmandarin]

I hold my camera as stable as I can and I don't get the noises. This is a hack I saw people posted online. Give it a try if you wiggle your camera a lot. PS: Maybe try to hold your camera more still while shooting.

[@Danumals]

Thank you for this!

[@Pharesm]

I have the ECM B1M Some rubber helps with the poor handling noise, and I put a Rode cat over the Sony cat... funny but works. Ultimately, for $350, you should not have to get into a fix-it-up mode. Some of the cheaper Sony mics just don't have these problems for $250 LESS!

[@kreestuh4367]

Do you guys use lav mics very often when filming AA? I seem to remember seeing them in some older videos but I might be manufacturing that memory. Would love to see some info about those as well!

[@RobbyHuang]

We actually did for a very short while in the first 15 episodes or so! They were a bit too much of a hassle, and now we use a combination of the rode videomic pro+ and the rode wireless go ii.

[@HeikosGarage]

I have the mke400 and was debating if I should switch to the b10 or b1m for my Sony mirrorless. Now I am not sure anymore.

[@osmeng]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@jannarkiewicz633]

Solid reviews

[@SachinSawe]

You can use this with all Sony cameras just not in digital mode. Only certain Sony camera support digital mode. You might want to correct the statement you made that “you cannot use this on all Sony cameras so don’t even consider getting it”

[@weekendwargamers]

Great video. Thank you for the content

[@MoreData-hz8hm]

*** ATTENTION *** The recently released ECM-M1 is said to have FIXED the shock mount noise issues (to a degree). Have you tried that mic yet?

[@zurazomaro4653]

Robby what about the wireless mic ? can u plz talk about it ? :D

[@alebelen]

Thank you!

[@chrishan9138]

Have you tried the Sony M1?

[@kaceymontgomery]

thanks for the insight!

[@gasparfilmco]

great review! what do you have your in camera audio levels at and what settings do you have your mic at for the MKE 400? (-10 | 0 | +10)

[@NotSure0815]

In my case I set it to +10 and the camera level to +3 (Sony A7 IV) It works fine.

[@learningpsychologynet]

Thanks:)

[@sangyuppark8941]

Great ! Thanks!

[@cyndideconcini5006]

Oh, I haven't mastered the 2 finger technique yet, so that comment took forever. 🤣

[@ww1www]

Thanks, great review. The MKE400 is almost perfect. I don't mind the battery, they last forever. However, the mic has two major flaws. 1) too much hiss .2) even more importantly it has a terrible hum when the camera or recorder is used from mains power. I tried with many recorders and cameras, and even Sennheiser confirmed it is a design issue. So be careful, and only use this mic when camera /recorder is running from battery power.

[@rhalfik]

I can add that Sony's microphones have a chintzy build and they'll snap in half the first time you pull by the tip of the microphone when it's on the camera.

[@markshirley01]

Hi Leo you still recommend the MKE 400

[@RobbyHuang]

yes but I would pick the videomic pro+ in some situations because it’s more durable. as expected that hot shoe mount on the mke 400 is a little bit fragile and mine broke. I was able to get it replaced under warranty, but my confidence in its durability is even less now. it’s still the best for sound quality and it’s low profile size, but you’ll need to be slightly more careful with it.

[@markshirley01]

@@RobbyHuang how did it break, I like the 400 because of the batteries - Ive had Rodes and everything Ive bought has had some sort of build issues as well

[@Mr.Pickles.Purrspective]

​@@RobbyHuangWould the MKE400 or VideoMic Pro be better for quiet ambient sounds like birds?

[@LogicalFascination]

Nice Video Thanx

[@haivanhuynh]

calling it. this video will get 1 million views.

[@rumorscameras]

Bht bcz ofnsony mi you cant rig it it s in the same place as the handle

[@ElectricNation100]

Why would you need to use the viewfinder for video ? Just use the screen.

[@hamroz1]

If the screen is broken lol

[@ihaverandomlifevideos]

Why no Rode videomic ntg?

[@RobbyHuang]

Good question. I got the Videomic NTG when it first came out, but there was a hiss in the audio. It might have been addressed with firmware updates, but I wasn't willing to wait to see if it did.

[@ShawnSwander]

they make aaa batteries that plug into usb they're great for emergencies to have a pack of 4

[@thorstenfricke3257]

super!!

[@SugaDontPlay]

The ECM isn't good, to me, because it sounds like you're speaking behind something, like a wall, like your voice has a delay

[@yourdearestpatty]

How would I mount an LED light if this is on the hot shoe? Im new to all this! 🥹😊

[@DanielShurin]

Same wondering!

You should start considering about building a camera cage.

[@remektekmedia6641]

What about the Rode Videomic NTG?