RØDE VideoMicro II Ultra-Compact On-Camera Shotgun Microphone for Recording Audio with a Camera or Mobile Device

Okay, fellow videography aficionados and content magicians, gather 'round! 🎥 Let me tell y’all about a solid upgrade I made recently - from the original Rode VideoMicro to the Rode VideoMicro II Camera-mount Compact Shotgun Microphone.First off, for context, I'm your quintessential hobbyist videographer, with my trusty Panasonic Lumix S5II X always within arm's reach. And man, has this new Rode VideoMicro II been a revelation!Straight out the gate, the value. 💸 The audio clarity has taken a notch up from the original - and that’s saying something because the OG VideoMicro was already pretty darn good. But for someone like me, the II just feels like it's been tuned to perfection. It's got this delightful crispness to the audio that makes your content sound that much more professional.Now, don't get me wrong. The big wide world of microphones is vast, with some mics that have price tags as impressive as their specs. But for the run and gun shooters among us, who prioritize efficient, high-quality, no-fuss gear? This mic is the sweet spot. It's plug, play, and phenomenal results every time.I have to give a nod to its compact size, too. It's like the pocket-sized superhero of camera mics, delivering way more than you'd expect from its petite frame.In conclusion? If you’re thinking of leveling up from the original Rode VideoMicro, or even just stepping into the videography game, the Rode VideoMicro II should be high on your list. It’s a small investment for a sizable leap in audio quality. And let's face it, in this game, good audio can make or break your content.

I recently used this microphone with my iPhone 15 Pro Max, and it works great. The directionality really enhances our audio quality, taking our recordings to the next level. I took it on vacation to Bora Bora, where we filmed unforgettable moments, and it proved to be incredibly durable. Despite dropping the mic several times, it showed no signs of damage, which is impressive.The compact size is another bonus, making it easy to carry along. It doesn't impact the battery life of my phone, which is essential for long filming sessions. Considering the high-quality results we achieve, I believe the value is well worth it. I can easily see this microphone being useful for other cameras, like my full-frame Sony or Fuji as well.

The RØDE VideoMicro II is an impressive upgrade for anyone looking to improve their camera or mobile audio. It’s ultra-compact, super lightweight, and doesn’t require batteries — just plug and play. Despite its small size, the sound quality is clear, directional, and a massive improvement over built-in mics.The included shock mount and windscreen are excellent additions, making it great for vlogging, interviews, or field recording. It works flawlessly with both my DSLR and smartphone (with the right adapter).If you're serious about upping your audio game without bulky gear, this mic delivers in a big way. Highly recommended!

I use this mic on my Sony ZV-E10 every day. I also have the Rode NT-1 studio condenser mic, but my students say the VideoMicro II is clearer and so it's easier for them to hear my voice. I suspect this is due to it having strong response in the mids (where the voice resides) and less in the higher and lower ranges. (It's probably also better when played back on the students' laptop speakers or cheap earphones, which probably also lack highs and lows.) So, for this purpose, it works perfectly.However, it's not so good outdoors.Sometimes I record students outdoors for promotional videos. The included wind protection options are great, but after some testing I discovered that there is excessive wind noise when the wind comes from the side or back. This is due to the flat, ribbon-like shape of the shock mount. If you cover this area on the rear of the mic (and it would probably help to cover the cable too), you can blast it with powerful wind and it stays silent (as confirmed by my tests in a controlled environment).Recommended for indoor use only, or outdoors if you don't mind rigging up an extra cover for the shock mount to supplement the benefits of the fluffy wind shield.It's also highly directional, which is good if you want to somewhat isolate one speaker in a noisy location. I often mount it on a pole with a long cable and use it like a field reporter. Works perfectly and sounds great when you get closer to the interviewee (and without having to stick the camera right in their face).

I use this mic for vlogging. I didn’t want to spend too much in case I lost interest in vlogging, so I went cheap. I was worried it wouldn’t sound good, but after using it on over 20 videos I have to say that I’m very pleased. It’s not a Sure, or an MXL, but it gets the job done. It also attaches to your camera. This is one COOL mic. Rode really does make GOOD products.