Which type of mic is right for you? ft. Rode VideoMicro, Wireless Go, VideoMic NTG

Should you use a lav mic? Should you use a shotgun mic? Should you use a boom mic? So many types of mics and setups at different price points. By the end of this video you'll know exactly which type of mic to get for your content creation. SHOW MORE for links.
Disclaimer: Rode sent me the VideoMic NTG and Wireless Go to test and review. All opinions are my own.
CHAPTER LINKS
0:00 Head-to-head blind comparison
0:30 Intro
2:45 Test conditions
3:20 LAV MIC advantages
4:50 Disadvantages
8:10 Use cases
9:10 ON-CAMERA SHOTGUN disadvantages
10:12 Advantages
11:35 Use cases
12:10 BOOM advantages
13:40 Boom vs On-camera comparison
14:50 Proper positioning of boom mic
15:50 Disadvantages
16:45 Outro
FEATURED PRODUCTS
▸ Rode VideoMicro ($60): amzn.to/31DzQaI
▸ Rode Wireless Go ($240): amzn.to/2ZXN7LM
▸ Rode Lavalier Go ($80): amzn.to/3eePTBt
▸ Rode VideoMic NTG ($225): amzn.to/3g57qOB
RELATED VIDEOS
▸ Cheap overhead boom mic setup: • Super cheap overhead m...
▸ Rode VideoMic NTG full features demo: • Rode VideoMic NTG - Fu...
▸ Does the recorder matter? • Does the recorder matt...
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[@SweetChariotOfFire]

I appreciate the information! I've been leaning toward the VideoMic NTG for the dual purposes of either having it on the camera or booming it overhead.

[@joselyndominguez5017]

I appreciate this channel so much, and have been learning so much about audio just from your content! Congrats on your first baby on the way! 👏🏽🎉🎊

[@AzulMistico]

Amazing video! I work with the VideoMicro and the Wireless Go on my travel videos but needed something a bit better for filming at home and doing voiceovers, and after watching a few of your videos you've convinced me to get the NTG! Will definitely continue to use the others when I'm on the go though. Thanks a lot for these super useful videos!

[@adamdittrichone]

Love how you’re Video is clearly structured. Perfect explanations of advantages and disadvantages and use cases. Thanks

[@AudioforContentCreators]

My pleasure! Thanks for being here.

[@kelvinzhenz999]

Great video, easy to understand for beginner like myself! Personally I've been using lav mic for the past one year, but I will be changing to boom mic after watching your video! Thanks for the info and knowledge!

[@S9universe]

That was nice :) i'm using lav and mideomicro for the moment, planning to get the ntg for the best booming. The video was really clear, thank you

[@techTFQ]

This is a fantastic video. exactly what I was looking for. You clearly explained the difference. Now I know I need to get the vidomic NTG with the boom stand. Thank you :)

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Sharp listeners will notice something very wrong with some of the audio in this video. But it's so subtle I didn't notice until after I had finished the entire edit. First correct answer wins access to my new Podcast Accelerator course! P.S. I'll be doing a video next week about the issue, why it happened, and how you can avoid it.

[@AudioforContentCreators]

So, you nailed the major issue. That "mouse" sound you heard? I spent hours last night doing variable testing to figure out what caused it. You'd never think of it. (HINT: I was in manual focus, so it wasn't that) Believe it or not, the VideoMicro test is at the exact same LUFS level as the other tests. Which just underscores the difference between perceived volume and actual level. Being far away and noisier makes it much more difficult to understand. Send an email to [e-mail] for an access code to the podcast accelerator course if you'd like.

[@user-ik2es8ki5y]

This video is such an amazing quality work. Thank you

[@Biblecia]

Great info! Learned a lot. Thanks, Brian.

[@JamesonsTravels]

great channel. i wish i would have found this a year 1 ago. I would have less grey hairs and more of it. good work

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Thanks man!

[@craftsocialkelli]

Thank you for this video, and a BIG thank you for your incredible organization of your content. Your information greatly helped me narrow down my new mic purchase.

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Thank YOU for watching! What kind of content are you making?

[@ryfree]

I've been looking for specific answers to my next mic purchase and this video really helped. Thank you sir!

[@AudioforContentCreators]

You're welcome Ryan! What do you create?

[@ryfree]

@@AudioforContentCreators I tell stories and talk about literature, philosophy, and psychology. I do them mostly in an untreated bedroom and want to find the right mic to bring out my voice and not have any sort of unwanted audio issues. Do you think a boom with a shotgun mic would work best? Thanks for all your help!

[@AudioforContentCreators]

It'll definitely help, although in a small untreated bedroom your best bet is a dynamic mic 3-4" from you mouth. It's okay if the mic is in frame!

[@TusioWB]

I found your channel today and I like it. It’s very helpful for me. Again great video. Thanks. I’m about to buy the videomic ntg.

[@AudioforContentCreators]

You'll love it!

[@SniperSparkles]

Excellent video, really helpful. Thank you!

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Thanks for watching!

[@kevinsjournal]

This is so helpful, do you have advice for a setup if we're trying to do a boom mic, but in a small desk space, where there isn't as much space to physically put a giant mic stand? Thanks so much btw!!

[@adrian4jc]

Hi mate. Great video, unbiased and informative so I am your new subscriber. I had a look with comica vm30 but most video I watched is like biased and had been paid. I know you don’t have this mic but I would to ask your expert opinion. I am undecided buying the comica or the rode ntg. Please advise.

[@fauzanghaazi]

Another golden nuggets on the audio mastery. Thanks!

[@AudioforContentCreators]

My pleasure! How is the Audio 101 course?

[@fauzanghaazi]

@@AudioforContentCreators Love the course! If anyone searching for audio course for content creating, the course is sooo helpful for the next level of audio!

[@AudioforContentCreators]

@@fauzanghaazi I'm so happy it's helpful! Fauzan, may I use this as a testimonial for the course's page? I'm starting to collect testimonials now that it's been out for 8 months or so.

[@fauzanghaazi]

@@AudioforContentCreators Yes sure! No prob

[@alexanderwelsh]

Nice job man

[@brant4414]

thanks buddy

[@grendizer6139]

Awesome video, I have just purchased the Videomic NTG and wondering what levels of audio do you have in the camera audio settings and on the Videomic NTG itself. It depends obviously how close you are to the mic and my voice level but how would you go about setting the "right" sound level

[@YumCastrillo]

YOU ARE SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT THE HECK!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@joshuaardila536]

What about a headset mic for a podcast? I’m on a low budget. Congrats on the baby!

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Mpow makes great budget friendly headsets. Check this out: amzn.to/30uAby3 Be sure to pick up some foam pop filters with it, not included.

[@RivuSouravBanerjeeVideoEditor]

*loving ur reviews, thinking about going for the ntg, even tough i got the wireless go to... should i ? .. and the ntg was sounding better*

[@AudioforContentCreators]

If you're going to set up the NTG in a boom position overhead, absolutely. If it's going to be 5 feet away atop your camera, then the Wireless Go may be better.

[@m.s683]

Thx for the share, I like mostly the boom and I prefer using it in my new home studio. But if My room is not sound “proofed”, no insulation on the walls and the window is open bringing all kind of noises. Which one suits me best? Will the boom pick these extra sounds? I will really appreciate help here. Best

[@sharkskin313]

Can a rode mic Entertainment to guest in a seating position like in a studio or even more like four person's?

[@SOCIOLOGICAL]

does the videomic ntg mount on a microphone boom arm such as the Rode PSA1?

[@MaxLaRoccaTribe]

Hi Brian, thank you so much for your video, really inspiring! do you think the Rode Videomic NTG or other shotgun mics will work best for Cocktail Making Demonstrations/Cooking Classes? My room is not treated and with a bit of echo. I won't move a lot but for example move a little my head up and down when I cut garnishes or mix/shake drinks. The other thing is that I would like to use the mic also for streaming classes so that means that in some occasions I won't rely on post production audio fixing. Or do you think a Lav mic would be more appropriate? At the moment I have a SmartLav+ but would love to up my audio game. Overall I really like to crisp audio from a Shotgun or pencil mic over a Lav, but open to hear your recommendation based on my specific situation. PS: I also heard of the Sennheiser MKE 600 as a good alternative as it has less background hiss. Thanks so much. Ciao from Italy ;)

[@RandoYou]

Hey Brian! Thanks so much for these videos! Do you have any thoughts about connecting the VideoMic NTG to the Wireless Go Transmitter for a wireless boom option? I watched your follow up video on interference issues in this video, but curious about your thoughts on compromising potential audio quality for the added convenience factor. Also, while I am a firm believer that audio quality does matter, for KZbin, with so many watching videos on their mobile devices, at what point is a recording set up "good enough"? Thanks and love your channel!

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Hi Wayne, thanks for watching! I demoed the NTG with Wireless Go briefly in this video (check the timestamps in description to skip right to it): kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5OWmYuanLabf5I Worked great. Still, it will depend on interference in your room and, largely, the quality of the preamps in your recording device. In this case it was my Lumix G85 which has abysmal audio preamps. Regarding audio quality, I believe one should capture the highest possible quality audio. 90% of listeners will never hear it because they're listening on their phone's speakers. But the 10% who do will be deeply grateful that you overdeliver for them.

[@RandoYou]

@@AudioforContentCreators Awesome, thanks for the reply!

[@ghostbond1074]

Appreciate this video putting the Rode VideoMic in both positions. I really think the VideoMicro sounds bad no matter though. The VideoMic sounded better on the boom arm by like 30% but it sound ok on the monitor to. The VideoMicro just sounded bad in either position.

[@AudioforContentCreators]

I've been very vocal about my distaste for the VideoMicro for years. Love most of the Rode line for budget and prosumer gear. But that particular mic has so many better alternatives at the same price point or cheaper.

[@ghostbond1074]

@@AudioforContentCreators Couple random things I was thinking of... I wonder if anyone will come out with a way to autoremove the sight of the microphone from the video feed?...like in those action cams where you put it on a stick out in front of you, then the software edits the stick out automatically. On a totally different thought, I was this video the the dji wireless mic that sounded very good for sounding human "DJI Announced a Wireless Mic | Better than the Rode Wireless Go2?" by "Potato Jet" - way more expensive, and with charging batteries, but it does keep the mic very close to you mouth and sounds very good. Just wanted to say again that I thought your original video on positioning the mic via an arm was great! I was trying to figure out how to avoid the "strips out the human tones" affect for skype when I ran across it and it was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again!

[@SkulosGav]

Guys for a distance of 1.5 meter what type o mic should i get. I got a boya lav but it clip my sound 😅

[@sangeetaaggarwal2452]

Thanks for this video.Can you tell me about the quality of kamfun wireless mic ? There is huge price difference between both.

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Which mic?

[@sangeetaaggarwal2452]

@@AudioforContentCreators kamfun wireless mic for recording you Tube video

[@snarkyguy]

My question (and you kind of answered it but I'll go the full monty here anyway): If I am doing a talking head shot out on the noisy Shanghai street, full on Canon M6 with a mounted shotgun mic1½'-2' from my face, am I going to get much of a difference from the Rode VideoMicro -vs- the Rode VideoMic NTG?

[@AudioforContentCreators]

In fact, you would get a significant difference outdoors at < 2'. The NTG is a supercardioid pickup pattern, compared to the cardioid pattern of the VideoMicro. Which means it's much more directional. The NTG also has a full frequency response, whereas the VideoMicro has an aggressive 100hz roll off. So, the NTG will sound much more full at

[@AbinashJena]

You’re awesome

[@AudioforContentCreators]

You're awesome!

[@HiddenOaksMedia]

The wireless go has so much extra noise. Mine does it too..

[@thankyouand3260]

Initially I really liked NTG, but now watching all the reviews I notice there is ALWAYS some distortion / clipping present - literally with every rode NTG sound tests in reviews One workaround I've seen is using 32bit recorder, but it's too much. Maybe I'm gonna have to buy some 500-1000 shotgun mic instead, I've noticed they are much more flexible with loud input . What do you think?

[@AudioforContentCreators]

There is no clipping using this mic at all, when you record it with a dedicated audio recorder using proper gain staging.

[@bodhi9180]

I'm an ultra marathon runner looking to start making videos while running, should I use a lav mic or a mic mounted on my camera?

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Definitely a lav mic. The Rode Wireless Go 2 is a great option.

[@bodhi9180]

@@AudioforContentCreators awesome, thanks man

[@ericgrayphoto]

Can you use the Videomic NTG (boomed on a stand) to interview two people who are side by side and get decent results?

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Depends what you mean by "decent." If you mean, can you capture their conversation well enough to be audible? Then yes. If you mean, can you capture their conversation with clarity and nuance, then no. But this would be true of any single boom mic capturing multiple people.

[@ericgrayphoto]

@@AudioforContentCreators So at that point do you just go to lav mics?

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Preferred method is 2 boom mics, each aimed off axis from each other at the talent. Use a 2 channel portable audio recorder like the Zoom H5 or Tascam DR40. Two lavs in close proximity create a nightmare for crosstalk.

[@hackersarena7736]

Correct #nextlevelnewton

[@zerkorj]

I hate the Lav mic sound 🤧

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Me too, man. Me too. Really sacrificing tonal quality for convenience.

[@temp903]

Rode VideoMicro sounds so much worse than the VideoMic NTG, both on-camera and boomed.

[@joselyndominguez5017]

I appreciate this channel so much, and have been learning so much about audio just from your content! Congrats on your first baby on the way! 👏🏽🎉🎊

[@AudioforContentCreators]

Thank you!!