With that out of the way, let's take a look at what makes each one unique and why you might choose one over another. VideoMicro Cardioid polar pattern – unlike the rest of the range, the VideoMicro features a cardioid polar pattern, making it a little less directional than the other VideoMics and delivering a more natural sound when recording indoors.

Like the VideoMic Pro+, the Stereo VideoMic X is designed to offer maximum flexibility when shooting in the field, with an arrayof features that will ensure your audio is always broadcast-grade. One of the most important features is the XLR outputs, which allow you to output to an external recording device rather than your camera. This will significantly improve the quality of your audio, as these will have better preamps and more features. At 300g, the Stereo VideoMic X is heavier than the Stereo VideoMic Pro and is better suited for use with professional camera rigs rather than handheld DSLRs. It is the perfect mic for critical recordings – nature documentaries, music performances and sports broadcasts, and much more. The VideoMicro’s bigger brother, the VideoMic GO is another lightweight option for vloggers and run and gun filmmakers. It is also very affordable and is dead-simple to operate – designed to be ready to record whenever you need to go. The mic's quoted frequency response is relatively flat, with a 5dB lift beginning at 5kHz, peaking around 12kHz and rolling off to ‑5dB at 20kHz. This is quite a common response curve, one that enhances perceived speech clarity, and goes some way (in the case of shotguns, especially) to counteracting the attenuation of high frequencies caused by wind shields. The mic is rated to handle maximum SPL peaks of around 134dB at 1kHz, so there's plenty of headroom available for loud environments before the mic itself will clip.The VideoMic NTG is an extremely versatile compact shotgun microphone that offers more features than any other product in its class. Not only is it an incredible on-camera microphone that is ideal for a wide variety of filmmaking applications, but it also has a USB output for plugging directly into computers. Thisallows the VideoMic NTG to be used as a fully-featured USB microphone, complete with headphone output and level control. Compatible with RØDE appsfor accessing advanced features, powerful audio processing, and studio-quality recording on any device

Stereo mics are ideal for capturing a more natural soundscape, closer to what we hear rather than what you have your camera pointed at. They are a useful addition to any filmmaker’s kit bag. If you find yourself needing to record ambience for a scene – atmospheric nature sounds, the natural reverberation of a space, or a crowd at a show – a stereo mic is what you need, and the Stereo VideoMic Pro is an excellent option. Super-cardioid polar pattern – delivering a more directional audio image, focusing on sound from the front, while rejecting sound from the sides.

High frequency boost – enhancing detail and clarity in your recordings, ideal for when you are using a deadcatwindshield. If you’re trying to choose between the Rode VideoMic Pro and this, get this one. Pair it with the Shure A83-FUR Windjammer for outdoor shooting. Plug-in power has long been a standard for camera manufacturers, and so the VideoMicro is compatible with the vast majority of cameras in the market. Three gain settings are provided, at ‑10dB, 0dB and +20dB, as opposed to the Videomic's ‑20dB, ‑10dB and 0dB settings. Though the +20dB setting looks a little unusual in this context, it proves extremely useful when using cameras with poor gain circuitry, as I later found out. The tone of the new mic is extremely similar to that of the Videomic, offering a characteristically rich mid-range with an emphasis on vocal timbre. To my ear, the Videomic Pro sounds a little 'lighter' than its predecessor, less congested in the mid‑range and more open at the top. This could be down to updated preamp circuitry or the subtle change in capsule design, but either way it's a welcome development.

Now we’re getting to the top end of the range. The VideoMic Pro is the industry standard in on-camera microphones and one of our best-selling mics, a great option for recording both primary and reference audio in a wide range of filmmaking and broadcast applications. The VideoMic pro is battery powered, and provides over 70 hours recording from a single 9V battery. The Shure VP83 F LensHopper (the model with integrated flash storage) is one of my favoritecamera-mounted shotgun mics for a DSLR, especially if you are not using an external mic pre-amp or mixer. The main reason is the fine boost control that you don’t see on other similar mics – you can change the gain up to +60dB in 1dB increments – allowing you to get the perfect level right on the mic! The V ideoMicro is an ultra-compact on-camera microphone, perfect for filmmakers who need to be fast and nimble. It is the smallest offering in the VideoMic range and it’s also the most affordable. Having the ability to record with and without a camera opens up your options a ton. It uses AA batteries, has a Rycote Lyre suspension system, and is built to last. The self-noise level is extremely low as well.Building on the success of its predecessor, the Videomic Pro is a convenient, lightweight shotgun mic. Whether it's podcasting, filmmaking, gaming, livestreaming, content creating – you name it,the VideoMic NTG is a do-it-all, Swiss Army Knife microphone that is capable of handling anything thrown at it. The VideoMic NTG is also compatible with RØDE Connect, a simple and powerful software solution for livestreaming and podcasting, allowing you to connect up to 4 VideoMic NTG's for a fully-fledged podcasting or streaming setup.

In-built rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 30+ hours of recording.Charges via USB-C in just 2 hours. Like its mono sibling, the VideoMic Pro, the Stereo VideoMic Pro is the industry standard in on-camera stereo audio capture. It even shares a similar feature set. Digital switching – controls high-pass filter, - 20dB pad, high-frequency boost, and safety channel. Ultra-compact design – it weighs just 42g and measures just 80mm long, which makes it perfect for run and gun filmmakers, vloggers, and more. Super-cardioid polar pattern – delivering more directional audio, focusing on sound from the frontwhile rejecting sound from the sides.The original VideoMic! This is the one that started it all, and although it has gone through a few iterations as more mics have been added to the range, at its core it's the same high-quality video mic it was when we releasedit in 2004. No battery required – rather, it runs on plugin power delivered directly from your camera or recording device ( you can read more about different types of power here). As you can see, there are a lot of options to consider when choosing a RØDE VideoMic. Some of the mics in the range are vastly different from others and may not be relevant to you – it’s unlikely you’d need a Stereo VideoMic X to record your vlogs! But others are quite similar. Take a moment to think about what features you need, what you don’t, and what your budget is to make your decision. They are all excellent mics, so it really comes down to what you need. And if you find yourself in a variety of scarious in the field, there might be multiple VideoMics that are suitable ­– you can never have too much gear! The high‑end lift shown in the response curve allows dialogue to cut through the mix in a variety of environments, though some may find the tone very mid‑rich with certain speakers. To my ears, the mic doesn't exhibit the same level of open fidelity as the Rode NTG2 and NTG3, but it's much more convenient than the former and much less expensive than the latter. Compact form factor – 150mm long and just 85g, which is extremely light for such a feature-rich mic.