Introduction

The Rode VideoMic Pro+ is an advanced camera-mount shotgun microphone designed for videographers seeking professional-quality audio. Building on its predecessor, the VideoMic Pro, this model offers enhanced features and improved performance, making it a top choice for filmmakers, vloggers, and content creators.

Design and Build Quality

The Rode VideoMic Pro+ boasts a robust and ergonomic design, engineered to withstand the rigors of regular use in various shooting environments. The microphone’s body is made from high-quality materials, ensuring durability while maintaining a lightweight profile. This balance between sturdiness and portability makes it an ideal choice for on-the-go videographers who need reliable equipment that won’t weigh them down.

Rycote Lyre Shock Mount

One of the standout features of the VideoMic Pro+ is the integrated Rycote Lyre shock mount. This innovative mount effectively isolates the microphone from handling noise and vibrations, which can otherwise compromise audio quality. Whether you’re filming a fast-paced action sequence or a quiet interview, the Rycote Lyre ensures that your audio remains clear and free from unwanted disturbances.

Audio Quality

Superior Sound Capture

The Rode VideoMic Pro+ is renowned for its superior sound capture capabilities. With a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20kHz, it accurately reproduces a wide spectrum of sounds, from deep bass tones to high treble notes. This broad range is crucial for capturing the full richness of the human voice and ambient sounds, making your recordings sound natural and immersive.

Directional Supercardioid Pattern

The microphone utilizes a supercardioid pickup pattern, which is highly directional. This means it focuses on capturing sound from in front of the microphone while minimizing noise from the sides and rear. This directional sensitivity is particularly useful in noisy environments, allowing you to isolate your subject’s voice and reduce background noise effectively.

High-Pass Filter

The VideoMic Pro+ features a selectable high-pass filter at 75Hz and 150Hz. This filter helps eliminate low-frequency rumble and background noise, such as traffic or air conditioning hums, ensuring that your recordings remain clean and focused. By filtering out these unwanted frequencies, the high-pass filter enhances the clarity of your audio, making it easier for listeners to understand dialogue and other important sounds.

High-Frequency Boost

Another notable feature is the high-frequency boost, which enhances the clarity and detail of high-frequency sounds. This boost is particularly beneficial when recording speech, as it helps to emphasize the sibilance and intelligibility of the human voice. The result is a crisp, clear audio track that stands out, even in complex acoustic environments.

Maximum SPL and Sensitivity

The Rode VideoMic Pro+ is capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 134dB SPL. This high SPL handling ensures that the microphone can capture loud sounds without distortion, making it suitable for a wide range of recording scenarios, from quiet interviews to loud concerts. Additionally, the microphone’s sensitivity is optimized to capture subtle details, ensuring that your recordings are rich and dynamic.

Advanced Features

Digital Switching

The VideoMic Pro+ includes a suite of digital switching features that allow users to customize their audio capture settings. These features include:

• High-Pass Filter: Selectable at 75Hz and 150Hz, this filter helps to reduce low-frequency noise and rumble, enhancing the clarity of your recordings.
• High-Frequency Boost: This feature boosts high-frequency details, improving the intelligibility of dialogue and other high-pitched sounds.
• Safety Channel: The safety channel records a secondary audio track at a lower volume, providing a backup in case the primary audio track is distorted due to unexpectedly loud sounds.

Automatic Power Function

One of the most user-friendly features of the VideoMic Pro+ is its automatic power function. This function automatically turns the microphone on when your camera is powered on and turns it off when the camera is off. This not only conserves battery life but also ensures that you never miss a recording opportunity due to a powered-down microphone. It’s a simple yet highly effective feature that adds a layer of convenience to your filming process.

Detachable 3.5mm Output Cable

The detachable 3.5mm output cable is another thoughtful addition to the VideoMic Pro+. This cable can be easily replaced if damaged, extending the overall lifespan of the microphone. Additionally, the flexibility of a detachable cable means you can use different lengths and types of cables, depending on your specific needs and setup.

Battery and Power Options

LB-1 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery

The VideoMic Pro+ comes equipped with the LB-1 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery. This battery offers extended usage time, allowing you to record for longer periods without needing to recharge. The rechargeable nature of the LB-1 is also environmentally friendly and cost-effective, eliminating the need for disposable batteries.

AA Battery Compatibility

In addition to the LB-1 battery, the VideoMic Pro+ can also run on two AA batteries. This provides a convenient backup power option, ensuring that you’re never left without power, even if your rechargeable battery runs out. The flexibility to use both rechargeable and disposable batteries makes the VideoMic Pro+ highly adaptable to various shooting situations.

Micro USB Powering

The microphone can also be powered continuously via Micro USB. This is particularly useful for extended recording sessions, where battery life might be a concern. By connecting the VideoMic Pro+ to a portable power bank or USB power source, you can ensure uninterrupted recording for as long as needed.

User Experience

Ease of Use

The Rode VideoMic Pro+ is designed with the user in mind, offering a straightforward and intuitive interface. The digital switching features are easily accessible, allowing users to quickly adjust settings on the fly. The automatic power function further simplifies operation, ensuring that the microphone is always ready to record when you are.

Durability and Reliability

Users consistently praise the VideoMic Pro+ for its durability and reliability. The robust construction and high-quality materials ensure that the microphone can withstand the demands of regular use, whether you’re shooting in a studio or out in the field. The integrated shock mount effectively reduces handling noise, further enhancing the reliability of your audio recordings.

Applications

Filmmaking

For filmmakers, the Rode VideoMic Pro+ offers a range of features that enhance audio capture on set. The directional supercardioid pattern and high-pass filter help to isolate dialogue and reduce background noise, making it easier to capture clean, professional-quality audio. The high-frequency boost and safety channel provide additional layers of flexibility and security, ensuring that you always have usable audio tracks.

Vlogging

Vloggers will appreciate the VideoMic Pro+ for its compact size, ease of use, and superior audio quality. The automatic power function and digital switching features make it simple to operate, even for those who are new to audio recording. The detachable cable and flexible power options make it easy to integrate the microphone into a variety of vlogging setups.

Interviews

The VideoMic Pro+ is also an excellent choice for recording interviews. The high-pass filter and directional pickup pattern help to focus on the interviewee’s voice, reducing ambient noise and ensuring clear, intelligible audio. The lightweight design and integrated shock mount make it easy to handle and position the microphone for optimal sound capture.

Field Recording

For field recordists, the VideoMic Pro+ offers a durable and portable solution for capturing high-quality audio in diverse environments. The robust construction and effective shock mount ensure reliable performance, even in challenging conditions. The wide frequency response and high SPL handling make it suitable for capturing a wide range of sounds, from quiet nature ambiances to loud urban environments.

Conclusion

The Rode VideoMic Pro+ is a versatile and high-performing microphone that caters to the needs of modern content creators. Its array of advanced features, combined with excellent sound quality and ease of use, make it a worthy investment for anyone serious about video production. Whether you’re a filmmaker, vlogger, interviewer, or field recordist, the VideoMic Pro+ provides the tools you need to capture professional-quality audio in any situation.

For more details and to purchase, visit Rode VideoMic Pro+.

Final Thoughts

In summary, the Rode VideoMic Pro+ stands out as a top-tier camera-mount microphone that delivers on all fronts. Its thoughtful design, advanced features, and superior audio quality make it an essential piece of equipment for anyone looking to elevate their video production game. With its robust construction, user-friendly operation, and versatile power options, the VideoMic Pro+ is built to meet the demands of professional and amateur videographers alike. Whether you’re capturing an intimate interview or a bustling street scene, this microphone ensures that your audio is always clear, crisp, and professional.

Investing in the Rode VideoMic Pro+ means investing in the quality and reliability that Rode is known for. It’s a microphone that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of today’s content creators, providing the tools needed to produce exceptional audio for any video project.