What Microphone Should You Buy First? RODE NTG4, Video Mic Pro, Zoom H6, or Lav?

This video is several years old. I encourage you to watch an updated take I’ve done more recently:
Which Mic Should you BUY?
• Which Mic Should you BUY?
Audio for your video is more important than one may think. Making sure you invest in microphones responsibly for your projects is essential. I walk through the 5 levels of audio quality you can practice. Choose which one is right for you, and know it can change from project to project.
Sorry it's long, but I wanted to include everything.
HUGE UPDATE! I reached out to Lensrentals.com to see if I could get a discount code to share with people who find this video. They hooked me up AND went even further to give me an affiliate link to make a small commission from referrals to their service (which I've been using for two years). So check out some of the mics for yourself!
bit.ly/3eoyJBL
That link is my affiliate link, and once there, use the code TRYSTUFF15 for 15% off.
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Contact or hire me at boomreactive.com

[@LowziPersian]

Voice Test Guide: Rode Link Lav 1:55 Aputure A-Lav 4:44 Rode VideoMic Pro 6:19 Rode NTG4 + ZOOM H6 10:56

[@ShaunHautly]

Thanks! This is very helpful. I appreciate you doing this!

[@LowziPersian]

@@ShaunHautly you're welcome !

[@JustAnamValentina]

Your review was very useful...very clear, easy to understand and full of practical examples! Thanks 🙏🏻

[@benondatop]

This was perfect, thank you so much for explaining it this way.

[@DrunkenRabbit]

Thanks for taking the time to shoot this video.. Very helpful in actually hearing different equipment and setups, will subscribe for sure!

[@shaunhautly7235]

Thanks! Just saw that this video is exactly one year old today. I should revisit it with another year of learning and new gear!

[@projecthowto]

The best and most informative video about what microphone to go for!!

[@Manuelrehse]

What a fantastic overview! Thank you so much :)

[@roadrunna.]

Excellent video. very helpful for the practical purposes. thank you. putting together a good audio gear for a short film.

[@tranphucdang9005]

Thank you so much, its help me a lot for choosing my first mic

[@Zedmondo1]

Very informative. Great work - really helpful. Good luck with the channel!

[@smallbrownfox594]

Good content and delivery. Thanks 👍

[@diannerosario3221]

excellent comparison! very practical, discussing pros and cons depending on the nature of the project. this is gold! thank you!

[@ShaunHautly]

My pleasure! Glad it was helpful!

[@theabirus]

I am on level 5, but still it feels like I'm just starting my journey. Great video! Thank you!

[@ShaunHautly]

You're so welcome! I've been doing this for so long and still don't quite know what I'm doing ha! I recently sold a bunch of gear and "stepped back" a few levels. I decided if I want GREAT audio, I'm going to hire someone for that job.

[@vividlifemedia]

Thankyou for a great explanation. I love how honest, down to earth and authentic you are when you speak ☺️

[@ShaunHautly]

I appreciate it! My kit has evolved quite a bit since this video!

[@kevintaylor-haynes4333]

Nice job. Very clear, helpful advice. Thankyou

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Really good stuff!!! Thanks

[@eddiejaoude]

Awesome, thank you, so interesting. I am stepping up my audio game 🤓

[@SebastianLeePhotography]

Thank you, really appreciate such a good sharing.

[@whynotwhisky8869]

Thanks for the video Shaun, it was very informative and gave me the information I need to move to the next level in my audio quality.

[@ShaunHautly]

Randy, I'm happy to help! Though this video is several years old. I have a newer video which may prove to be more helpful with more modern examples and better usage explanations. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYbKpICDfdSGhLM I hope it's helpful!

[@CKonecny]

very very valuable and great content. thank you so much to bring some light into such a huge topic!

[@ShaunHautly]

Glad you enjoyed it! Mics have come a long way. I've got some newer videos that might be more helpful if you haven't bought a mic yet.

[@DuyTran-gd8rm]

One of the best review and testing ever!

[@ShaunHautly]

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

[@Shineyfitness]

wow man,that was great, thank you for coming through with that.

[@ShaunHautly]

My pleasure!

[@360GradFilm]

This is really structured and a perfect summary

[@ShaunHautly]

Glad you found it helpful! An updated version is coming later this year with newer mics and recorders. The audio world has changed in the past 3 years!

[@horatiostreet1]

I'm an old time commercial filmmaker in NYC. Colonelshaun is right on the money with his advice and observations.

[@SotiriaSelisiou]

thank you so much...extremelly helpful!

[@NaveedKhanYT]

This was Very Informative. Thank you so much 😁😁👍🏻

[@speakerscoach]

you mentioned many useful things about recording sound that others had not. I like the levels. well done

[@ShaunHautly]

Thank you!

[@petronics2454]

Thoroughly enjoyed your video Sean (hope i spelled that correctly) Thanks 🙏 for such an informative VLOG on where to go with sound recordings.

[@ShaunHautly]

Ha, it's Shaun, but you took a good guess. Thanks for the comment! This video is 18 months old, so my kit has changed a bit, but I'm glad it's still helpful.

[@truce11]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and insights with the nuances (ex: moving rode video mic pro closer to source brings in more lows, etc). The comment at (15:00) was interesting - not mentioned in other vlog audio videos. Very glad to get info on the post production. Most don't get that far. (Been looking hard at the newer Izotope elements bundle for cost & time effective post edit workflow)

[@ShaunHautly]

I got the Izotop RX6 Standard version for $399. It's done some amazing things to audio I recorded at a noisy hospital. I was shocked as I had only used CrumplePop before. It's so powerful.

[@briandwayne3869]

I haven't heard it explained this way and I've seen MANY videos! Great job!

[@ShaunHautly]

Thanks! Just so I can keep making good videos, what piece was different and helpful?

[@briandwayne3869]

colonelshaun I guess I should have been a bit more clear. The fact that you broke it down into 5 categories helped. Because most of the time I can see why a certain setup was used over another. I’m more interested in the way the creators THINK about audio than anything else.

[@ShaunHautly]

Well thanks. Like a lot of creators, what I THINK about audio changes from day to day, mic to mic, room to room, and software to software. It's cool to see what we can do to rescue bad audio compared to even a few years ago.

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Nice video dude. Thanks for sharing.

[@ShaunHautly]

My pleasure!

[@jbshow7324]

Thanks for this video super informative.... it answered a lot of the questions that I had. I immediately wanted to go into level 5 outer space but now I realize I may Not have to depending on the situation

[@ShaunHautly]

I just made a video about my updated audio kit. The whole thing clocks in around $2000 USD with the wireless mics, but for all of my KZbin videos and even some of my professional interview gigs, I've been using a Deity V-Mic D3 Pro (Like a Video Mic Pro, but way better and actually cheaper) and a long extension cable running straight into my camera. It gets the job done in 80% of situations that I find myself in. My updated Audio Kit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGirkIxtoZygpNE Current Home Studio setup: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqLFhWywj5yoq5o

[@ZJProductionHK]

Thank you for the video, definitely help, please do more

[@AlexandraSash]

This was one of the most helpful videos on this topic the I've watched so far. So informative but still very easy to understand. Subbed to show support for sharing these tips! Btw heading to get myself a new mic and hopefully make my editing life so much easier :)

[@ShaunHautly]

If you haven't bought a mic yet, there are some great new mics that weren't included with the video. I've been really impressed with Deity Microphones. Their S-Mic 2 is great, as are their on camera mics the D3 and D3 Pro. On the higher end the Rode NTG3 is my current go to mic.

[@AB-xx3yu]

Very useful/clear, thanks !

[@tselinsky6452]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@ReezyResells]

Killer video! Thanks

[@ShaunHautly]

Thank you! Thanks for the happy comment!

[@HewnSpoon]

Great video man. Thanks.

[@gramulho1]

I liked the video and all the comments on it! There isn’t much to say, they all said what I wanted to say. Thank you very much for this video and the work that it did for free! Obrigado! 🙏🏼

[@ShaunHautly]

Thanks for the happy comment! My kit has evolved so many times since I had this setup, but I’m glad it’s still providing value for people.

[@salvarezav]

Awesome info. Thanks!

[@ShaunHautly]

My pleasure!

[@emadadel05]

Finally a video that explains everything Thanks 😊

[@ShaunHautly]

Glad it was helpful! Though gear has changed a LOT since this video was made. Here's an updated take on which mics are best for different use cases these days: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYbKpICDfdSGhLM

[@abdullahomer9264]

I appreciate ur work bro ... thumbs up

[@ShaunHautly]

Abdullah Omer thanks!

[@pttrro]

Awesome content, good job man

[@ShaunHautly]

Thank you! Good luck with your audio.

[@juancasotelo4126]

Good job my friend, practical tips that raise your level of audio and work. Greetings from Lima - Perú

[@ShaunHautly]

Glad it was helpful!

[@1989AlexFriedrich]

Very good review !

[@mikefire_amsterdam]

dude! this video indeed is crazy way too long. but it rocks big time. really informative and straight to the point. thanks

[@ShaunHautly]

Thank for the comment! Hope you’re staying safe!

[@thanosskillet]

Very good video!

[@kewy6359]

The only video so far that I could bear watching that explained everything to me nice and concisely. Thanks so much!!!

[@ShaunHautly]

Thanks for saying that! So do you know what you're thinking about getting?

[@kewy6359]

@@ShaunHautly Soooo xD what i want is too expensive! T^T So Tony and Chelsea say that shotgun mics are bad and that I'd be better off with a blue yeti (which is what i originally was gonna get before I went down a rabbithole where Peter McKinnon told me to buy a Rode Pro + shotgun). But THEN he showed us his set up which consists of a Zoom H4N and a Rode NTG4 Supercardiod Condenser Shotgun mic. I still need lighting, stands, and a screen. I got stuck a bit and moved on to comparing alien bees and Aputure 120D daylight video light. haha!

[@ShaunHautly]

What sort of stuff are you making? Talking head videos?

[@kewy6359]

@@ShaunHautly Yes, and I'm a photographer who wants to delve into videography so it would be cool to be able to take footage on the go to play with, in the future.

[@auxchord5053]

"Answer me answer me answer meee" thank you for replying to her so soon she was driving me crazy

[@hyperborean.]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@ShaunHautly]

Glad it was helpful!

[@basjanssenvideo]

Very useful! ! Thanx!

[@SubeliaBeaute]

One of the best videos i have watched !!! I just purchased zoom h6 ans was looking for a shotgun mic and had suggestions to check into rode ntg one and with tour video i think i might go with ntg4 ☺️ have a nice day !

[@ShaunHautly]

Thanks! Not to promote my own videos, but I’ve been warning against purchasing shotgun microphones for a while in many cases. I made a video about why, but depending on your usage, the NTG4 (or ANY shotgun) might not be the best choice: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWitlqSCjMmcaLc

[@SubeliaBeaute]

colonelshaun i was watching your linked video and decided to tell you the use i will make i have 2 channels craft and beauty... i was back to school so took time of yt but im getting back to it and im now upgradeding my equipment getting canon 90d zoomh6 etc and i wanted a shotgun mic that will give me good audio when doing makeup tutorial a microphone that will not pick up sounds on my table when grabbing products etc ... so if you can suggest me any microphone that i can put on a stand away from my table and more to my close to my head and voice ... since i purchase cam etc my budget getting tight especially im lookinf to also buy a headphone for the audio one yt video was telling not to use beats headspgone for the audios so if you can help me out with those 2 i will appreciate 😊 thank you for fast reply 😊

[@Seanonyoutube]

Amazing video bro

[@ShaunHautly]

Thank you!

[@hezekiahmorales3030]

Appreciate the information and considerations presented. I had not thought about the post production implication with a higher tier microphone. Thanks.

[@ShaunHautly]

A little flexibility can go a long way. Especially with abating hum and other interference.

[@hezekiahmorales3030]

colonelshaun I believe I may have to go with a simple Rode VideoMic Pro to minimize the unknown territory of audio post. I will be using it for a podcast and a short film, interviews mostly.

[@ShaunHautly]

@@hezekiahmorales3030 Have you looked at the Deity V-Mic D3 and D4 Pro? They're a little cheaper than the RODE mics, and WAY better sound. Same plug-and-play form factor, just way better (in my opinion). I just did a comparison of the two last week, you can hear the difference yourself. All the convenience of a RODE Video Mic Pro but with better sound.kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3SmdYuqfbZ9itE

[@hezekiahmorales3030]

colonelshaun I will look the video up!! Thanks!!

[@workoutangel5145]

This was so helpful!! Thank you. I hope your channel does well.

[@ShaunHautly]

Glad it helped! Which route are you going to take?

[@workoutangel5145]

I ended up getting the rode mic pro and may be getting a boon set up if I need it! I might need to DIY a boon out of a broom and tape haha

[@terosuno]

great video, man :) just subscribed...would love post processing audio tips :)

[@ShaunHautly]

I'm in the process of changing software for my audio post processing. Once I get it handled I'll make a video. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@KYyid]

Just what I'm looking for, thanks.

[@ShaunHautly]

Happy to help! Which route are you going? Have you looked at Deity mics? I've been hot on them but not until after I made this video.

[@KYyid]

@@ShaunHautly For my needs (recording birds in my urban garden...), and I'm brand new at it, my current roadmap is looking towards getting a matched pair for ambience, maybe NT5 or M5 (still researching that), and an NTG4+ pointed to the bird feeders (run thru a Scarlett 2i2 and into my Mac), and get a Video mic (as yet undecided) to mount on a GoPro Hero 7 Black). In future, I'll get a DSLR. I'm also using a Logictech Brio. I have a couple of lavaliers (AudioTech & Boyo (they were both really cheap)) that I'm considering hiding in the nearby small tree where the birds like to gather. I have an AT2020+ which I could use too. Still at doing my homework before impulsive buying kicks in ha

[@aarondouglas7361]

Thanks man.

[@TAYOTAS]

Rode video mic with boom stands are the choice for me 🔥

[@edhorgan9717]

Just want to say a big thanks to the Colonel Shaun himself for the invaluable tips I got re microphone purchase and beginner editing and audio PP set up. I disappeared down a very steep and seemingly bottomless KZbin rabbit hole and in the end didn't know my backside from my elbow, so confused I was. Keep up the videos!!

[@ShaunHautly]

Happy to help! If you haven't bought mics yet, I've got some tips that are newer. This video was made 3 years ago, so things have changed a bit. I haven't recorded my updated version yet, but I'm happy to share my insight if you're still looking for answers.

[@edhorgan9717]

I just jumped for the NTG-3 and the HN4-pro. Looking forward to delivery. :)

[@shootnlearn4290]

very informative full support and good luck

[@ShaunHautly]

Thank you!

[@SarahChicharro]

This is such a great video! I have questions about post production. Can you make a video on that? Tips for Adobe Premiere! Please please thanks for this video sir!

[@ShaunHautly]

I’m a Final Cut Pro user, so I can’t be of much help with Premiere. :-/ however, many of the principles are the same, so my upcoming videos may still be of use to you. Stay tuned!

[@vtv3217]

Finally Got a good explanation video. Can you send a link of the audio course that you were talking about....Would reallylike tolearn abit more.

[@ShaunHautly]

It's the Cinema Sound course on MZED.com Here's the link to the details. Depending on what you're doing, it may be overkill and a tad expensive for what it covers. www.mzed.com/courses/cinema-sound

[@TomLally]

The info is excellent thank you. I'm in two minds, either the rode mic pro plus or the rode Go. I'll be doing vlogs as well as using it for some video work, perhaps weddings.

[@ShaunHautly]

Get the Deity V mic d3 pro. I just did a comparison video, but it’s SO much better than the rode mics. Cheaper, too. You can check out my video on it, but I was shocked at HOW much better the deity was.

[@ShaunHautly]

Not to promote my own video, but here's the comparison between the RODE mics and the Deity V-Mic. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3SmdYuqfbZ9itE

[@mr.croissant7960]

Thank you actually explaining the difference between the mics and the values rather than talking about the science behind the cables and recorders🙏

[@ShaunHautly]

Ha, you're welcome! However, I think many of my other videos DO skew toward the science. I'm glad you found this one. :-)

[@maxxx8168]

Really good content! I don't understand why you doesn,t have higher views.

[@ShaunHautly]

Thanks! I don’t mind the lower views, it takes the pressure off. It gets to be a fun channel instead.

[@Spasmomen]

5:36 You can also see two boom mics :D j/k Nice video!

[@ChasesWKshop]

Thanks for a great videos bud. I’ve been trying to find the right mic for years. One question I do have is, can you use an audio interface to record with the rode mics with the 1/8” jacks. Thanks for the great videos! Subscribed!

[@ShaunHautly]

With the Rode Video Mic Pro? Depends on the audio interface. Most of the zooms have an 1/8" Aux In which is what you need. The Zoom H6 needs the XY capsule to have one, though. As long as there's an aux-in, you should be fine. Though if you've got an audio interface, you might as well get a better mic than a Rode Video Mic Pro. For the same cost, there are a ton of mics that sound better (but which require an interface).

[@ChasesWKshop]

colonelshaun awesome. Thanks for the reply. I ended up purchasing a focusrite combo. I’m currently using a m audio fastrack ultra 8r. It’s way out of date. Thanks for the reply and great videos man!

[@MehmetAliKlc]

Man nice job! and also nice to meet you... Could you please give me an example of an audio denoise for premiere pro users? Maybe if you don't know you probably know someone who has the experience and can help us... Thanks for now.

[@ShaunHautly]

As a Final Cut Pro X user, I'm not too familiar with what's available for Premiere. I know that Adobe Audition works pretty smoothly with Premiere and Audition has no shortage of tools to denoise audio, it just comes down to knowing WHAT noise you want to reduce. Hum, hiss, pops, wind, etc. There are separate tools for each.

[@BenjieMoreno]

Very well explained! Good job!

[@ShaunHautly]

Thank you! I hope it was helpful.

[@BenjieMoreno]

colonelshaun i am at level 4 i think minus the audio recorder instead i have the saramonic pax1 eliminating the sync process, but at a lower bit rate. Answered alot of my question 5 deals alot with DAW. Contemplating to stay with cheaper neewer shotgun mic or go with entry level AT875r and work it with my currebnt set up. This video cleared up my 2 weeks agony of hunting. =D cheers man

[@ShaunHautly]

@@BenjieMoreno Lately, I've been running my DAW directly into my camera anyway and for MOST jobs, it's great. Saves the step of syncing later and having multiple files. Always trying to get a bit leaner.

[@BenjieMoreno]

colonelshaun did you make a review for it?

[@ShaunHautly]

@@BenjieMoreno I have a video that goes through my settings for my Zoom f4, but it's not much of a review. I love my Zoom f4. That's my review. :-)

[@joyvillanueva9743]

Super nice works great

[@ShaunHautly]

Glad you like it! Good luck out there!

[@golosbezdoka]

The idea is so AWESOME. Why you just didn't match loudness levels to be more objective? It's a knows thing people choose things they hear better and different loudness makes the comparison less fair.

[@ShaunHautly]

I agree. There’s a handful of things I should have done a little better. I’m toying with the idea of making an updated version and will definitely match for loudness when I do. Thanks for the note. Any other suggestions are welcome!

[@golosbezdoka]

@@ShaunHautly it would be cool if you show all the mics both before and after processing. Some imperfections can be fixed. Also more you jump between the mics is better. Not like the first 20% of the video for one mic, then for another one. It'll make more sense so swap between sources every few words and have a title somewhere which mic we hear now and if it was processed. More jumps you do more differences we hear. And again, level matching is a king here. Not an easy job but thanks if you do that, you'll help us so hard!

[@CigarTitans]

Good video! Thank you for the info. I just purchased a Rode Video Mic Pro and the NTG2. I do most of my filming out of my garage. Any suggestions on how to reduce the echo picked up by the mics?

[@ShaunHautly]

Blankets. Cloth. Foam. Anything to kill some of the hard surfaces that bounce audio around the room. A rug on the floor can also make a huge difference. When your mics are pointing downward at the floor, that hard, shiny surface can be bouncing echos all over. There are no mic tricks to reducing echo. It's just about getting rid of it before it occurs.

[@CigarTitans]

@@ShaunHautly thanks, I appreciate it!

[@kevintaylor-haynes4333]

Suspended duvets are the way to go. You can hang cloth in front of them for a more professional look but they really kill reflections

[@Matthew_Raymond]

You can only use so many blankets before they become a fire hazard, though. Best way to kill reverb is to get the mic in close and reduce the gain. A really close cardioid will work better than a distant shotgun mic, and longer shotgun mics can have phase issues if they’re too close to an acoustically reflective surface like the walls and ceiling. Lavs can help, but their omnidirectional patterns will pick up some reverb. There are some cardioid/supercardioid/hypercarioid pattern lavaliers, but the good ones are expensive and the cheap ones are typically really large, making them hard to hide. So, basically, the best thing to do is to find a better location to shoot in, or perhaps film in front of a green screen and replace the green background with photos of the location that has the reverb issues.

[@rubeinspired]

Thank you very much! This video helpa a lot!

[@ShaunHautly]

My pleasure! Which mic are you going to get? I made this review before the Deity mics were released, those are worth a look, too.

[@rubeinspired]

@@ShaunHautly I'm actually thinking of buying either Zoom Audio Recorder/Rode VideoMicro Compact/Boya Dual Lavalier. Do you have a suggestion which is best for both vlogs and film? I am an indie filmmaker in the Philippines and just started my vlog last March. I'm now starting to invest on equipment

[@rubeinspired]

I prefer to have the lavalier since I do interviews in my vlogs and usually shoot alone. But my concern is that I have a load voice. I might get too excited and exceed the pick-up capacity of the mic.

[@rubeinspired]

But I can't maximize it for my film unless I only got 2 cast in frame

[@ShaunHautly]

@@rubeinspired I don't own it yet, but the Deity Connect wireless system was great to play with at NAB. It will be my next mic purchase.

[@estevaoewald]

Congratulations on the video! I liked the sound of the RodeVideoMicro Pro. I need a shotgun microphone with my Zoom H6. But I was in doubt between VideoMicroPlus and NTG4. Both would be dealt with in post-production. My question is: why is Rode NTG3 more expensive than Rode NTG4?

[@ShaunHautly]

By most metrics, the NTG3 is better than the NTG4. I'm not sure why they chose those numbers to describe their microphones as they're not ranks. For most people, the difference in sound in a controlled environment will be negligible between the NTG3 and NTG4. Where the NTG3 shines is that it's tuned slightly differently, built a little tougher, and has electronics that are quite robust in humid environments.

[@estevaoewald]

@@ShaunHautly Ah understood. I record in the studio. My first purchase idea would be the Rorde NTG2 used for voice, but a lot of people spoke badly of it ... In this case, RodeVideoMic is calling me more attention for the price

[@gbye007]

Interesting video. It might have been more convincing if you had matched the final vocal mix volumes between all the mics. As it was you let the NTG4 demo final mix volume drop substantially.

[@ShaunHautly]

Yeah, there’s a lot I should have done and I’m kicking myself for rushing things when I made this over two years ago. If only I had known it would get so many views!

[@antoineinniss5586]

Hi sir.....commenting from the caribbean....great detailed info and presentation . We are a group of aspiring voice over artists, trying to get into the industry...there isn't an available budget amongst us, that would allow us to purchase the gear we really need and would love to have...so, we are searching and looking around for used, discounted microphones, that can do the job, until we are able to afford proper gear. Our question is...do you have a shotgun mic, you won't mind parting with , that we can purchase from you, for a reasonable sum?........thanks

[@Sergiosvm]

So the sound quality of a Rode NTG4 hooked up onto a zoom H6, and the zoom H6 hooked up to your camera, should be better than just hooking up a rode NTG4+ directly to the camera, or a rode video mic pro to the camera, right?

[@ShaunHautly]

When you record into your camera, you're going to lose a little quality. If quality is going to be the priority, record with the zoom and sync it up in post. If you're looking to have a leaner post-production flow and aren't as concerned about maximizing the audio, then go into camera. If it's going on KZbin and being watched on tablets, phones, and laptops, that much of a quality difference isn't going to be noticeable in most situations (that said, if it's super windy or noisy and you have to clean that up in post, getting the highest quality recording will be paramount). NTG4+ would let you bypass the zoom, but you're still ending up in the camera's internal audio. And the Atomos sound quality is better than the Sony sound quality. Everything makes a tiny difference. Since recording this, I haven't recorded audio directly into the camera again. It's always just recording with a zoom (Now I'm using the F4), and syncing it up in post.

[@recutopia]

Thought the same:) Actually am in this situation often : I use my Videomic Pro into my Zoom H5 or Zoom microphone (XYH-5), so that I can almost bypass the camera pre-amp and use the zoom to amplify the signal instead. The Zoom H5 has better preamps than my GH5, so obviously I get less background noise:) Only problem, takes more time to build... So, when I get a few seconds to start an interview or something happening right now... I throw the Videomic directly to the camera and it goes ok. Not many will hear the difference and like often, I would regret much more missing an important moment than having a bit of noise ^^

[@MrJohanswa]

I have them all... 😇 lavalier, ntg4, Tascam dr 100mk3

[@ShaunHautly]

Yeah, me too, and it’s been two years since I made this, so I have WAY more now. It never stops!

[@osamah6223]

Thank you for this video, I got a zoom h5 but I don’t no which is the proper microphone for this zoom, the Rode Video mic/pro looks like it work only with camera, what kind of shotgun mic do you recommend me?

[@ShaunHautly]

Any shotgun mic should work with the h5. I like the ride NTG4 as a good, less expensive model. Remember that even the best shotgun mics are still shotgun mics and might not be the best microphone for your situation. Sometimes a pencil condenser, or a dynamic mic could do a better job depending on the situation.

[@carlosalonso4783]

good video, learn sound with a common sense advice. Great !

[@ShaunHautly]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BrettspielblogLIVE]

just 154 views and 233 followers? you should have more, very good, well presented content. you talked about post production of the audio. can you give some tipps for FCP X?

[@ShaunHautly]

What sort of FCP X trips are you looking to learn? What sort of stuff do you shoot/edit?

[@Brettspielblog]

I am doing video reviews of board games, top 10 lists and so on. you can check out my channel, but it's in German :)

[@ShaunHautly]

It now has more than 154 views. Ha.

[@ShaunHautly]

I've got some FCPX tutorials/tips now going live in the past few weeks. I hope they help.

[@MarcelNL]

Really helpful! I'm still a bit in doubt between the Rodelink Filmmaker kit or a Zoom H6. Since it's just for some amateur level stuff and I'm not yet really into post processing, I think I will buy the lav mic set. (I already have a Takstar SGC-598 for on the camera and really have no desire to ever work with a boom.) Any idea if the audio capability of my D500 is any better than on other DSLR's? Haven't really tried it out much yet but since I soon will become a father, I'm sure I will film much more with it. At first with the Takstar on it, but when our boy gets older, I want a better sound solution for the adventures that he'll get in to. :-) (Downside of the Rodelink; I understand that it's extremely fragile.)

[@ShaunHautly]

If I didn’t have clients who needed crispy sound, I’d love to record straight into camera. I envy your flexibility. I can’t speak to the D500, but most DSLRs have audio capabilities that are fantastic for most applications. It’s only in larger commercial applications or when powered mics are used that it starts to exceed those capabilities. And lastly, I have the rodelink lav, and I love it. I’ve beaten it up across the country and it’s never failed on me. No durability issues so far!

[@MarcelNL]

Thanks for the quick reply! In other videos people actually say that camera amps really are worse than field recorders. I do hear difference if I'm listening with my headphones to those examples but I've never heard a D500 vs a Zoom H6 or so. I can imagine that with this more expensive and newer camera the quality could be a bit better. And well, for what I will use it for, I don't really need very professional quality. About the Rodelink; I have seen videos in which they say that the springs of the batteries quickly break off, something inside the transmitter gets loose and startst to rattle (after which it stops working) and that the cable of the mic is very susceptible to breaking and is hard to replace. However; those videos all are several years old and perhaps they now build them a bit stronger and perhaps yours is one of those stronger ones? I might give it a try once I need it. :-)

[@David-ud9ju]

Number 1 rule of audio: Get the microphone as close to the subject as possible - so don't mount it on the camera. Number 2 rule of audio: Never record into the camera.

[@MarcelNL]

@@David-ud9ju Thanks! Yeah that'sindeed what I hear in all videos about the subject, but it will mostly be family videos and such that I will make. Clipping a lavalier mic on him and connect the kit to my D500 when he goes playing could be fun, a Zoom H5 or H6 would give a more professional quality but is harder to keep close to him in some cases, needs post processing and I actually don't really need PERFECT quality for the first years of his life, I think. :)

[@on-the-spot9467]

What is the sound quality if the Rode Videomic Pro is connected to Zoom H6? Your video is stunningly informative!

[@ShaunHautly]

Thanks! The sound quality of the RODE VideoMic Pro isn't any different really if plugged into the camera or a recorder like the H6. The mic has all of its electronics built into it, so most of the signal processing happens before it leaves the mic. In fact, it's kind of a pain to connect the VMP to a recorder because of it's connection. You need to go in a 3mm Line-In level input, for which the H6 needs the XY mic adapter and the port is on the back of that mic capsule. So it's not easy and it's not necessary. Plug your VMP directly into your camera and save yourself some post-production time, you won't lose any quality for doing so.

[@on-the-spot9467]

@@ShaunHautly Hmmmmmm. Now I know. Thanks for help!

[@JD..........]

Thanks! Could you get away with just using the native condenser x/y mics of the zoom 6, rather than attaching am external mic?

[@ShaunHautly]

Yes, but it really depends on what you're trying to capture. Capturing a room full of sound at a band practice? Sure, use the XY mics. If you're trying to get decent audio from an interview, though, the XY mics aren't going to do much to isolate the speaker's voice like a shotgun mic would. So it depends less on the mics and more on the situation you're recording.

[@tonimagery]

Shaun, did you process the audio that was used in this video?

[@ShaunHautly]

I don’t think so. It’s been a while since I’ve watched this one, but if I did anything I would have mentioned it in the video itself. I think it was all raw feeds. I EQ our compressor or anything.

[@sarahf.4980]

Do you have any suggestions for PC based plugins? You said crinklepop but so much of that is Mac only.

[@ShaunHautly]

Promise me you won't tell anyone, but I'm a Final Cut Pro user. So I only work on Macs. I'm not sure what editing software you use, but there's no shortage of plugins for premiere from pixel film studios.

[@TechReflex]

I just got Rode NTG 4+ thinking it'd be the next level up, but it catches too much reverb in my room and so it sounds bad.

[@ShaunHautly]

Do your other mics catch LESS reverb? In my experience, the reverb is all about the room, not so much about the mic. Unless you have the ability to move the mic closer to the source, it is going to be unavoidable. I've had a lot of luck with the Izotope RX6 software and it's reverb reduction tools. It helps to record a clap in the room so the software can use that to analyze the reverb and then it can apply an impressive reduction to the rest of the audio.

[@ShaunHautly]

Try throwing some blankets in the room behind the camera and microphone. Even on the floor if it's a hardwood/tile floor.

[@ShaunHautly]

I know this was six months ago, but I was reading something fascinating about how shotgun microphones suffer in rooms with echo and reverb. It's fascinating, but the echo ends up canceling out the primary signal due to phase delay. They make "interior dialogue mics" for exactly this purpose. They aren't long shotguns, and they do a better job if you're in a small room and can't dampen your reverb.

[@DavidKfilmmaker]

I can’t imagine the ntg4+ is worse than other mics in a open room. Use moving blankets.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

A cardioid mic is more your friend; shotguns pick up the reflections and aren't ideal indoors. The NTG is a perfectly good mic, but shotguns don't handle that reverb well as a consequence of their design.

[@estevaoewald]

Hello Shaun, I went to the Rode website and saw that there is an adapter from P2 to XLR, that is, to avoid connecting the VideoMicroPro to the P2 input where the XY microphone is located, I can connect directly to the XLR input with this adapter. Do you think this is due to this conversion from P2 to XLR? The adapter link is this: www.rode.com/accessories/vxlr I became your fan!

[@ShaunHautly]

The RODE Video mics do a lot of processing to the sound before the signal leaves the microphone through ANY cable. It doesn't matter much which device (H6, DSLR, etc.) records that signal. That conversion from P2 to XLR is the same thing that's happening inside the XY capsule on the zoom. An adapter won't wildly improve the signal. The H6 gives you the opportunity to record very good sound from a ton of microphones. The key is using a microphone that doesn't do all the processing before the zoom gets the signal. To be clear, it WILL work. You will be able to record sound, but it could just be much better sound. There are better sounding mics than the VideoMic Pro for less money because the VideoMic Pro is more expensive due to the electronics it has for processing the signal. The VideoMic Pro+ is $299 USD, the Deity S-Mic 2S is $319 and for $20 USD, you'll get a TON of flexibility and power over out of the H6 compared to the VideoMic Pro+. An Audio Technica 897 is $249 and would give you better sound with your H6 than a VideoMic Pro. There are a ton of options that can work, and always use the gear you have, but those are my suggestions. Cheers!

[@BrettspielblogLIVE]

Hey! Great Video! I am getting my NTG4+ next Tuesday and I also own an H6. Can you share your settings in the H6 that work good with the ntg4? Would be great! Cheers from Germany, Benjamin

[@ShaunHautly]

Absolutely! Good idea. I’ve made some changes to my settings in the past two weeks, so this is fresh on my mind.

[@Dcsagerproductions]

Same Question as @BrettSpielblog LIVE - I keep getting a lot of noise on my H6 and I'm wondering if it is defective. So seeing someone show what they are doing and compare would be super helpful.

[@ShaunHautly]

Dcsager Productions I’ll share my settings next week when I get back to my studio. Meanwhile, my short answer is this. The h6 likely isn’t getting any interference or problems, it’s simply capturing sound THOROUGHLY. Many of the built in microphones or the VMP have “wind cut” or other affects applied to them automatically or in the cameras. The h6 records EVERYTHING including hum from lights, HVAC, or even subtle breezes that your camera may cut. With this extra “noise” comes a lot of control and the ability to choose which frequencies to eliminate or highlight afterwards instead of being applied automatically. It’s like the audio version of a LOG profile. At first it can seem kind of grey and flat, but with the right tweaking it becomes much much better (deeper, richer, and more controlled) than it’s standard counterpart.

[@ShaunHautly]

Finally got around to making my zoom settings video. Let me know if there's anything missing that you were looking for. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKfEfX6pZb2dfMU

[@kingdavidian92]

What are your opinions on connecting a Rode Video Mic Pro R to a Zoom H4N with an XLR adapter?

[@ShaunHautly]

My opinion is that it isn’t really worth it. One of the main, great features of the VMP is that it’s powered and can be recorded directly into the camera. I don’t think there’d be much of a noticeable quality difference from plugging it, via adapter, into a zoom. Unless you’re placing it farther away from your camera. It may be a useful solution, but you asked my opinion, and that’s what I’m thinking about. Since recording this video, I’ve upgraded from the H4n to the F4. However, I have a gig tomorrow that will be a bit faster paced than I prefer. So for the interviews, I’m putting my VMP on a pole and running a cable directly into the camera. It’ll simplify the setup as well as streamline the edit a little bit. So it’s whatever’s right for the job.

[@mkdsk101]

I am looking for a wireless mic and receiver to connect to my Canon Vixia camcorder to record very loud live bands. Any recommendations?

[@ShaunHautly]

That's a tough one. If it's wireless, where do you plan to set the mic? On stage? In front of a speaker that's getting the full mix? A wireless transmitter wouldn't be the way I'd go. When I record bands, I use a zoom recorder (H4n, H6, F4, etc.) and plug a feed from the mixing board directly into it, I then also plug a pencil condenser microphone into the recorder from near the sound booth as a backup. That way if my camera dies or need a new battery, I don't lose the audio nor do I risk wireless interference as I move about the room. I just made a video about the u3 wireless XLR system that may help, but I think spending the money on a mic and wireless system may not be the best tool for the situation as I'm choosing to understand it.

[@mkdsk101]

colonelshaun Yes, I would. Be placing the mic right in front of the speaker. I don’t have the privilege of plugging in to the bands board. What I am trying to accomplish is when I record the bands I usually stand in front of the speaker with my camcorder and I get a pretty good sound but I want to be able to walk around without losing the sound so that is why am looking for a wireless microphone and receiver.

[@nerdact5920]

Hm... First watching one of your videos. First thing I noticed was that the lighting was very dark. But that's just my oppinion. anyway you said, that you can see lav mics and that that's a con. But you can hide lav mics really well most of the time so I don't get the point :x Can you explain? :)

[@ShaunHautly]

The lighting is quite dark. For a while that was my preference. My latest videos are all much brighter and look a lot better. I film a lot of people in suits. Hiding a lav under clothes is hard because they move around and it causes a lot of noise. The alternative is clipping it to their collar or lapel where it won't be rubbed, but it'll be visible. I haven't tried the adhesive tabs that stick to the inside of someone's shirt, but I hear good things. For me, the sound of a lav just can't compare to a nice NTG3 or 416. In the end, it's whatever works for each situation. The lav is a friend when I need it. :-)

[@nerdact5920]

Did you try folding gaffa? Sometimes i feel like that's the version with less noise compared to the adhesive tabs :)

[@jeffreylevans]

I had no idea.

[@ShaunHautly]

Now you know! (And Knowledge is power.)

[@jbshow7324]

What video and light setup are you using in this video?

[@ShaunHautly]

It's been over two and a half years since I made this video, but it looks like I'm using a Sony a7Sii with a Aputure 120D and the Light Dome. I've since sold every bit of the gear shown in this video and upgraded to newer, better things. This stuff was great, though.

[@justinspencer4472]

Omg! thought you were Timmy Mallett at first. 😂😅😅

[@ShaunHautly]

I had to Google this and even after that I'm not sure how I feel about it. Ha!

[@dlggotchabish7]

I’m looking to start producing short horror films, what would you recommend for audio?. (Microphone wise?)

[@ShaunHautly]

It really depends on your usage: Inside, outside, lots of movement vs more static scenes. And then your budget plays a big part in that. What sort of horror films are you working on? What's your budget?

[@dlggotchabish7]

colonelshaun Alright, so my budget isn’t ideal i would say 500$ MAX. I was looking at the Rode VM Pro + or, the normal pro. I have the Rode VM go and i regret that purchase haha. Between the Pro and Pro + is kinda what I’m up against unless you have a better suggestion of course. I’ll be shooting a bunch of outdoors and indoors scenes. Running, falling, action, fighting ETC. Thanks for responding to my first comment it means a lot.

[@ShaunHautly]

@@dlggotchabish7 At that budget, I'd recommend getting two mics: Try the Deity V-Mic D3 Pro ($199). It's a really serious and versatile microphone. I also like it's sound more than the RODE VideoMic Pro. It's also $100 cheaper than the RODE version. That leaves you enough money to get a lav. A lav will get you sound when the camera can't get close to the subject. Something like the Zoom f1-LP ($169) would give you a ton of versatility. You could also get a few capsules and have other mics you can plug into it as you continue to grow your kit. www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1385361-REG/zoom_zf1lp_zoom_f1_field_recorder.html

[@dlggotchabish7]

colonelshaun awesome! Do you have any video demonstrations of the quality a Deity would produce?

[@ShaunHautly]

@@dlggotchabish7 I don't own one. I tested one at NAB and loved it, but you can find tons of comparisons on other channels around here. I haven't yet done my own comparison test. Checkout DSLR Shooter's review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5-oZ6WCmp5nq6s

[@tomtenberg]

This might be a stupid question. But can I connect the videomic pro directly to a smartphone?

[@ShaunHautly]

Elia Malmsten it depends on the smartphone. Most phones have the hybrid headphone/microphone single port which isn’t compatible with the TRS plug on the video mic Pro. There ARE adapters from RODE that work with smartphones and even microphones made specifically for smartphone compatibility.

[@mailmanx69]

Very well done review! I'm trying to figure out if the Rode VideoMic Pro + microphone will adapt to the attachment ring on my Panasonic AG-UX180. That video camera has a side mounted ring. It looks like this one (athough on a different camera): www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images1000x1000/Panasonic_hmc40kit_AG_HMC40_AVCCAM_HD_Camcorder_878341.jpg Please let me know if you are aware of an adapter that will allow the pro + to work well on my camera. THANKS!

[@ShaunHautly]

The specs for the Panasonic AG-UX180 say that they only have XLR inputs. However, this opens you up to much better microphones than the Video Mic Pro at similar costs. Since your camera has phantom power, you can use virtually any shotgun microphone and mount it on the camera. Check your budget and give the RODE NTG4 a try.

[@mailmanx69]

@@ShaunHautly - Thank you so much for the answer! I will check that out.

[@antoineholliday7631]

You know there are adapters, from 3.5mm to XLR

[@ankitmalik6266]

Can we directly plug ntg4 plus into camera... mine is sony 6500... will it help ??

[@ShaunHautly]

You would need an adapter, but yes, it’s possible to connect an NTG4+ into an a6500. Though I’d recommend other mics than an 8” shotgun mounted on an APS-C camera.

[@agentsixsix]

I hear that both lavs pick up interference sounds... The RODE an intermittent one, the Aputure a high pitched one.

[@ShaunHautly]

The RODElink is really susceptible to interference. Always noise that's tough to cancel.

[@agentsixsix]

colonelshaun Never had that experience. I use RODE wireless systems on a daily basis. Maybe your device is defective. I even prefer RODE over my Sennheiser AVX due to their latency.

[@murataluclu]

rode link lav I can hear signal . is it because of electric signal in place?

[@ShaunHautly]

Hard to say. It’s been a few years since I made this video and I know I did a lot of things wrong. I can’t say with confidence what caused what in this setup. Sorry!