If you're like me and shoot a lot of video, you use both an on-camera shotgun as well as lav mics interchangeably, depending on the situation. The shotgun I use is the Rode DSLR video mic, and it rocks except for the need for a 9 volt battery. Seriously, who has those kicking around anymore? It seems Rode is listening to bitter complaints like mine, and their latest microphone, the VideoMic GO, requires no dedicated battery.
The VideoMic GO weighs in at only 2.6 ounces, which is ideal for those run-and-gun situations. It features an integrated Rycote Lyre shock mount for isolation from bumps and vibration (which is what I'm used to in my current Rode shotgun mic), and offers battery-free operation, using instead the plug-in power from your camera's 3.5mm microphone input, which to me is it's biggest selling point.
The GO is a directional microphone. It utilizes a super-cardioid polar pattern to attenuate sounds from the sides, resulting in a signal that sounds closer to the camera, even when shooting in noisy environments or at moderate distances. The integrated shoe mount provides a 3/8" thread for additional mounting options. A foam windshield and 7.9" dual mono 3.5mm coiled output cable.
Lightweight Design
At only 2.6 ounces, the VideoMic GO is ideal for run-and-gun HDSLR recording without the additional weight of larger on-camera microphone options.
Integrated Rycote Lyre Shock Mount
Constructed from a single piece of hard-wearing thermoplastic, the Lyre provides superior acoustic suspension to traditional elastic solutions, and won't wear out, sag, snap, or require any rethreading to maintain its effectiveness.
No Battery Needed
The VideoMic Go does not require batteries for operation, but instead uses the plug-in power supplied via your camera's 3.5mm microphone input. Simply plug in, and you're ready to record.
The VideoMic GO is well priced at just under $100 and is available for pre-order, with a shipping date of late November 2013.
"but instead uses the plug-in power supplied via your camera’s 3.5mm microphone input."
The camera provides no power through the audio input jack. It's a simple passive mic and most of the cost must come from the nice lyre suspension - Rycote does make really good suspensions after all. 34dB however is much too noisy.
Not sure about this one. Haven't used it yet, but I find that the 9V battery needed for my VMP lasts me DAYS without needing to be changed. And what's with the red cord and mount? Hmmm...
red cord = marketing
Think Beats.
kinda funny how they didn't put any field audio in a commercial for a mic
We have four additional videos of the VideoMic GO using different camera setups including a GoPro Hero 3, Panasonic GH2, Canon 600D, Canon 5D mk3, Nikon D800 & a Korg MR1000.
Check the videos out at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZXQp_XoNBBMsZMematzPaUJBycpBhW7i
Dear Rode, whatever happened to the Videomic HD?
How many cameras provide power through the mic jack? You sure this isn't simply a dynamic mic? If so it would totally suck.
It looks like at least the 5D Mark III has plugin power:
http://kbsupport.cusa.canon.com/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURAT...
It turns out that some computer sound cards do have a +5V bias (not exactly sure what that implies) in the center connector of a stereo plug, and since this mic actually requires 0.00033A (330uA) and 2.5V to work, maybe it is true the camera provides some power. But it must be such microscopic amount that we never bothered to look into as a power source.
I think this was just a product announcement, not a review, so most of the copy was straight from the press release. B&H's own description reads exactly the same, word for word, after the mic pictures.
Yeah, if it were a review, there would be some opinion mixed in on the use. I'm just going on what I read.
For god's sake why didn't them make the cord come out the side of the mic body instead of the back?
In all honesty, putting a mic on a camera is a total waste of time. If you're going to use an external mic, it should be near the sound source, recording into a separate recorder while simultaneously recording a sync track with the camera's built-in mic. Then sync in post.
If you're using FCP it comes with sync capabilities built in. If you're using another editor like Premiere you can use PluralEyes to sync up.
Putting the mic on the camera is comical at best.
The thing looks pretty, but why are they just advertising the look and not the sound in the video. It would be nice to actually HEAR the mic...