Was I Wrong About The Rode VideoMicro II?

[@nethanielrosenthal6837]

The thing with RØDE products is that it is crucial to put the microphone with the golden dot up, because it’s a shotgun mic that works on phase delay. I don’t know if it’s affecting the wind noise but by pointing the dot upward it will reject noise from the sides.

[@darrylbrown5321]

Thanks for the video. The secret to furry windscreens is to not have them all the way on. If it is tight against the mouthpiece of the mic it pics up the wind more. If you leave a bit of room between the mouthpiece and the inside of the windshield it creates a space for the windshield to reduce the wind noise. Basically the closer the cover is to the mic the more sound it will pick up. In other words more wind noise.

[@LearnEnglishwithBobtheCanadian]

This is good to know. Thanks for doing these extensive tests. I've always had wind problems with my Rode Video Micro with the deadcat on, especially as you did from the side, and even from the back. I often would put a toque (beanie) on top on a windy day to cover the side and the back of it. That worked (ish), so eventually I bought a blimp. Almost too good. Now you can hear my voice on a windy day but almost no ambient outdoor noise.

[@arthurw8054]

Good follow-up, thank you. I sometimes see content creators on YT who apparently don't realize how absolutely critical good audio is, even more important than the video quality in most scenarios. If you're visually out of focus or over-saturated, viewers can live with that if they're interested in what you're saying. But if it's a hassle to hear you clearly, people will click away and move on in a few seconds. For anyone serious, I think the MKE 400 is the one to get out of these, and that the higher cost is worth saving for or waiting for if money is really tight.

[@TamaraGabrielUK]

100%, the MKE 400 is well worth the money!

[@americansafarico]

@The Complaining Channel I see where your channel gets its name.

[@TC_Conner]

The RODE mics were definitely louder in the wind, the SM 200 mic was almost as bad, but it was some better. The SM 400 was the winner as far as handling wind noise. However, the tone of your voice was better on the RODE mics. Excellent review Ms. Tamara. 💜😎💜

[@bamrainey]

I recently on the channel and I'm not even into video equipment. But I find it very calming to just listen to you. So I'm staying here I guess.

[@TamaraGabrielUK]

Thanks ☺️

[@jmartinez728]

Great video! I am experiencing the same issue. Put the deadcat way back and it was horrible. I am going to do a test with the Moukey MC1 deadcat to see if I get a difference. I almost want to just keep using the $25 Moukey microphone instead if the Rode. Just not great, especially outdoors. You want to buy a mic that you can use anywhere with minimal accessories (like a deadcat or foam). This just doesn’t do it for me! Excellent comparison and double checking on your behalf.

[@Tanner_Teves]

Did the other dead cat work better?

[@fransv1398]

Excellently tested Tamara. Just to be on the safe side, you tested it again and convinced that it matched the way Rode asked for in response to your previous video. The (popping) result has not changed. Good work from you. Hopefully Rode picks this up well.

[@TamaraGabrielUK]

Thanks!

[@brandon_youtube]

After that I think I'm done with Rode mics. Im never satisfied with them and this proved it. Sennheiser for the win. Great vid!

[@maruwaanmoses]

The problem with these new Rode microphones are the low SPL levels. They even tend to distort when capturing louder voices. Many videos on KZbin with complaints about these microphones.

[@incargeek]

Interesting because I had the same popping / cutting out in the wind with a TASCAM DR-05 audio recorder and fixed it with Level Control > Limiter.

[@suisujin]

Interesting comparison, thx for the video. We also have to consider usability: if it is so tricky to place the deadcat on the RODE mics, then it us a negative point as well. Glad that I bought the Sennheiser MK200! Anyway, good video and really helpful, thank you! 🎉

[@TamaraGabrielUK]

No problem!

[@Darryl_xtx]

When the wind was behind rode, I preferred it over the senhisner. After that, the senhisner all round was better.

[@amenptahra5586]

Possibly, no matter whatever way you turn, and, anyway irregardless of any wind conditions audio necessarily recoded via a dead cat clearly could sound lively (that is) whenever indeed you use some sort of software noise reduction added to it! Some that comes within Da Vinci Resolve or purchased separately as a VST (virtual software instrument) or AU (audio unit) plug-in you even may use inside a DAW (digital audio workstation) one like Apple Logic in addition to any video editor. Waves and other software developers have them sometimes on sale about no more than $29.00 (US). Audio such as a recorded voice is noticeably clear after extraneous noises were removed by software I find (along with another of your very informative but color corrected video content I like). (Smile!)

[@BlaqViper]

Nice test! Just wish the MKE400 had a native USB-C option like the VideoMic GoII.

[@TamaraGabrielUK]

Yeah that’d be useful

[@questqa1906]

I'm just not a fan of shotgun mics. I have one, and it seems like they are really meant for a more controlled environment.

[@barryoneill_official]

If you're out in that kind of wind it would be un-natural to not hear it to a certain degree, although popping sounds are bad. Your speaking was still clear. @darrylbrown5321 had a good tip, I'll be aware of that for my tests.

[@editorskeys]

Hey we found the exact same issue. Audio is great with no wind, but the audio just breaks up badly with any wind, (really badly) It's such as shame as we can't use the microphone at all outside really

[@TamaraGabrielUK]

Yeah that’s a shame

[@paulbeckmann]

Brilliant review. Very helpful! Thanks:)

[@telev2]

great information! Thanks again triply

[@TamaraGabrielUK]

You’re triply welcome 😅

[@dastreak2152]

After seeing this Im going to buy the Sennheiser MKE 400, thanks

[@philipcaldwell3187]

Is there a "low cutoff filter" present (or absent) that may not be obvious between the two mics?

[@GoreStarry]

THANKS!!!

[@FurthermoreJack]

A little bit of wind on a windy day IS NOT a bad thing . Honestly is no amount of shielding on the best mics when the wind gusts reach 25- 30 mph gusts . It adds Drama and allot of viewers secretly LIKE it

[@FurthermoreJack]

But the popping was discouraging my newer phone does better then that

[@shahikc297]

Hi there, I am thinking to buy Rode video microphone I want to use that for my asmr cooking video, i have a doubt , when we record the video of cooking in the camera and the sound on the mic, will the sound sinc automatically when we upload the video to the editor ? Or do we need to edit and add the sounds according to the clips... Thanks and waiting for your reply..

[@barrthom603]

such a great video! Thank you...I am a new YT creator but really struggling with Mics. Using an Iphone 15 Pro ..Internal mic useless outside, RODE USB-C ME version had static issues (on two of them), and now having issues with my Rode Video Micro II with wind and just sounds not great. I dont know what to do next, any suggestions for doing outdoor reviews that would work well with Iphone 15 pro native camera app? I need something that is great and works!

[@TamaraGabrielUK]

Have you looked at any of the Rode wireless mics like the Rode Wireless ME?

[@Tanner_Teves]

I use my iPhone 14 Pro Max and I have heard the videomicro 1 doesn’t have the wind issues. I bought it and it’s supposed to get here in 2 days so I’ll let you know how that goes cause I too have the micro ii and it is completely unusable outside due to it’s piss poor wind performance.

[@barrthom603]

Keep me posted, I just returned my Video micro 2 due to wind noise and now running a micro 1...seems ok so far just doesn't have as good of audio as my ME-C had when it was working correctly. Rode told me that a new IOS approve ME-C version mic will come out this year as they know the ME-C currently doesnt workwith the 15.@@Tanner_Teves

[@barrthom603]

Yes thank you for getting back to me, I really just wanted something simple and not have to deal with charging a seperate device. Rode told me they have a new ME-C coming out that will work with the IOS operating system for the Iphone 15 in the next few months...that could be an answer!!@@TamaraGabrielUK

[@POVwithRC]

They probably need to sell a Britain only version with a double stuffed windmuff. 🌬️🎙️

[@drivelazy]

Could you please help me with the best mic for moto vlogging

[@TamaraGabrielUK]

DJI Wireless Mic, Rode Wireless ME, or Rode Wireless GO II. All three are great.

[@drivelazy]

@@TamaraGabrielUK thank you

[@MJMCHRONICLES]

Your the best

[@WillNewcomb]

In the wind the VM II is dreadful. Leave it in the bin. If a pro like you can’t get it to work properly what chance do us everyday users got?

[@TamaraGabrielUK]

It’s a shame but I’ll be sticking with the MKE400 and the GO II

[@ThePandaPhotographer]

Yes, it still sounds bad with the deadcat on still. RODE needs to understand that the design is flawed

[@RandoPhotography]

The ROSE micro II sounded like 💩