Rode VideoMic GO Review
Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
- Mobile Journalist, Vlogger, Run & Gun
- For Cameras and Portable Recorders
- Runs on Plug-In Power
- Simple Operation with No Controls
- 3.5mm TRS Output Jack
- Detachable Coiled 3.5mm Cable
- Compact and Lightweight
- Windscreen Reduces Wind Noise
- Integrated Shoe/Pole Shockmount
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 205,613 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Rode VideoMic GO. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Rode VideoMic GO. For example, 76% of 108,388 users who have commented on the Sound quality of the Rode VideoMic GO have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 275 Reviews
Rode really stands behind their products!
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Gus the awesome guy thing on B&H Photo Video
The uses, pros and cons have been thoroughly covered by other reviews but I want to just say how good support is from Rode. Last week I lost the wind screen. Totally my fault. I literally hiked all the way back up to the top of a mountain to find where I dropped it not expecting it to be an easy thing to replace. Couldn't find it anywhere. B&H doesn't (at the time I'm writing this) sell a replacement windscreen for this model and told me to call Rode. I did. Rode said it was a warranty item and replaced the wind screen for free even though I offered to pay for a replacement. I don't see how that is the fault of the microphone since the wind screen is designed to come off. It gets better. I needed the wind screen for the weekend and they overnighted it to me (with AM delivery!) at no charge. I pleaded with them to take my money but they didn't want it. Rode user for life now though. Rode 4 eva. ... More
Works Better Than Built In
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Fredric C on B&H Photo Video
I use this with my Canon 70D. It is definitely better than the built-in mic but it's not perfect. I mostly use the 17-55MM f2.8 IS USM lens with this camera and the built-in mic picks up focusing motor noise quite a lot. Using this mic eliminates most of it but not all. A very quiet scene, especially indoors, can cause the noise to be picked up even with this mic. Also, be aware that if you leave the mic attached to the hot shoe, the flash can not be activated for still pix, at least on this camera. Otherwise I like the mic. It's light, doesn't need a separate battery, pops on and off quickly and has good (in my opinion) sound quality. If you want to completely eliminate focus motor noise though, you need to use manual focus or get a boom mic. ... More
AWESOME
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by JudahBWC on B&H Photo Video
So this is my first shotgun mic, I'm using it for everyday films and wedding and event film. The vmp cover is well built and slide right on, only complaint is the fur will pull out if you tug on it, so a little annoying when your hands are sweaty and the hairs are stuck to your hands, but really not a terrible problem. The mic itself is so super lightweight, I'm running it on a canon rebel t3i, with a 50mm f1.8 and the lens if heavier than the mic. The suspension system is a little interesting, when you run and move rapidly it with make crack! sounds, so kinda deafens the purpose of the suspension. But whenever its just on a stabilizer, if your not run-and-gunning then you will be good. the range of the mic is very good and strong. i gave this a 5 out of 5, but the suspension and the shedding cat are kinda of annoying. hope this helps guys. ... More
Measured improvement over internal D810 microphone
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Michael on B&H Photo Video
I bought this microphone months ago and had been waiting to do a review on it until I could create somewhat of a decent test and find a tool to analyze the data that could actually tell me whether or not this microphone was truly an upgrade. Before I get into that, the overall feel and fit of the microphone on my D810 were great. Fits nicely into the hot shoe as expected, plugs in conveniently, and when you have an external mic people are already impressed with you before you do anything with it so there's that to consider too.. :). Before I get into the more geeky part of the review, the short story is that it is a noticeable improvement in sound quality and has increased sensitivity over the internal D810 microphone which is the only thing I can compare it to. I'm by no means an audiophile, but I pretended to be one here. To test it I created a scenario were truly the only variable was the microphone being on/off the camera. I used a fixed camera position at a certain distance from the back of my car (about 25') on a similar amount of time between cold starts (when the car sits for a period of time) and then downloaded a free tool called Sonic Visualiser to analyze the results so I could take a measured approach to saying whether it is better or not. The results are that the microphone does indeed capture sound with better quality (less grainy sound, more depth) and captures it at an increased sensitivity. I was able to see this by looking at the wavelengths captured, their peak DBs, etc. Again, not claiming to be an audio expert, but visually this tool made it pretty easy to compare the two. Overall I am happy with the purchase and would recommend! ... More
Extremely sensitive to external electronic interferrence
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Joe on B&H Photo Video
I've had this mic a couple of months now. The first few times I used it, I was impressed. The sound quality is impressive for such a budget mic. Nice form factor, great coiled cord that is replaceable. But, there is a serious problem. I noticed a loud hum in a recording from a Panasonic G85. Previous recordings sounded quite good. I realized the difference was that I had an AC power supply connected to the camera. I also discovered that if you get it within a few feet of some cell phones, strong electronic interference is picked up. Wifi routers are also a problem source. Contacted Rode support, and expected more. In short, they confirmed that if I expected more, I should have bought the Videomic Pro at over twice the price. As a matter of fact, I've actually replaced it with a mic actually costing less, that does not exhibit these problems. ... More
Ads
Not isolating enough.
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Giovanni on B&H Photo Video
I am coming from the Rode VideoMicro Ultracompact Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone, which I returned because of a constant modulating noise, like a frrrr, on the background. It was low, probably unnoticeable with added music and VO but it was there and I could not live with it. Also tried another very short 3.5mm TRS cable, nothing changed. Swapped with this other Rode. First of all it still picks up a lot of the surroundings sounds, if you are looking for isolation or you are working in noisy environments look somewhere else. This mike is not a night and day difference from the VideoMicro Ultracompact, a bit better but not worth the additional $45. The other issue is still electrical noise, this time a 60 HZ hum. The Low Cut filter on camera helps as well as filtering in post. BTW this mike seems to work just with its Rode cable. Not happy with my experience and believe at this point there is some shielding issue with these products. For the record, my camera is a FUJIFILM X-T3, not expecting its mic pre to be state of the art and could not test/compare other similar mikes but I doubt that is the problem. It could be but then it should generate the same type of noise for any mike connected. The internal camera mike is clean, no additional noise pollution other than the sound but of course it picks up even airplanes. Overall I cannot recommend this mike and not sure why all the hype honestly. Probably will return too. Just sharing my experience, hope it helps. ... More
Good Quality For The Price/Bad Design
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Grant The Great Atlanta Filmmaker on B&H Photo Video
I use this product to get clear and crisp audio when I'm filming. The built in mic on my DSLR just wasn't cutting it so I wanted to give this mic a go. Get it? Because it's called the VideoMic GO?! Haha. Good joke, i know. What is so great about this mic, is the quality for the price. There is a lot of filmmakers out there with little to no budget, so this mic is perfect for the starting-out filmmaker. It will provide you with crisp and clear audio, while doing a fine job at cutting out the background noise. But for the price, it is totally worth it. The one thing that really bothered me about this mic, is how the mic actually sits on top of the camera. A lot of people have built platforms that connect the mic to the side of the camera. The reason they do this, and the reason that it bothers me, is because the mic actually aims up. Let's say you're vlogging and the lens is pointed directly at you, the mic would be pointed above your head. Another thing, is the cage that the mic sits in is very cheap. Very weak and not durable at all. I was actually using it as a boom mic and had it probably 5 feet off the ground. It fell off my stand and shattered. So, I would keep it on your camera, or if you want to use it as a boom, duct tape that baby to your stand. ... More
For $$, you get what you pay for
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The Rode Videomic Go only costs $$right now, which is ideal for a hobbyist videographer like me. It's a decent entry level mic that keeps you from using the stereotypically horrendous in-camera mic in DSLRs. It's sold as an on camera mic, but I immediately got a longer cable and am booming it above my talent, and plan to get an external recorder as soon as I can budget for one. The audio quality is about what you'd expect for $$; definitely a step up from nothing, but the Rode Videomic is only $50 more and the Azden SGM-2X just about $100 more, and I find myself wondering if I should've waited and just got something phenomenal right from the start. Ultimately though, the difference in audio quality is really only substantial when you listen to the Videomic Go and those microphones side by side, and so booming it and working with it sensibly will probably give me enough audio quality for my (hobbyist) projects. This mic is really geared towards lower-end prosumers like myself; if you want more professional level stuff, this isn't for you. ... More
Far better than on-board, but with a little fuzz
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Caleb on B&H Photo Video
Four only because of the fuzz in the background. It does a very good job but does have some fuzz created by the camera's internal mic amp. This is because this microphone doesn't use batteries. I would suggest using manual gain in your camera, as the instructions with this mic say, and also record several seconds of audio with the included cable plugged into your camera but not the mic. Use this audio with your noise reduction feature in programs like Audition or you can just invert the noise only waveform and layer it on top of your audio to cancel the fuzz. ... More
Humming Noise
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I purchased this microphone to enhance recording of voice with my Canon 5D. I previously used another mic but was convinced that mic was a better choice. The Rode mic produced scratchy electronic sounds and humming noise, affecting my recorded clip. The other mic did not produce these sounds. Could it be that it had its own power supply? The Rode mic is powered by the power through the camera, no off and on switch. I would not have purchased this mic if I had read a comment like this. I've returned to the first mic I used.
Does the Job
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Jared Isham on B&H Photo Video
I now use this mic every time I shoot. I is leaps and bounds better than the on camera mic but I do get a hiss or a hum from it occasionally. I use it on my Canon 60D. It works fine with the Canon firmware but if you are running Magic Lantern firmware you need to go into the Magic Lantern audio settings and boost the DB gain for it to power the microphone. If you attach a cable extension you can use the mic as a boom mic to get it closer to the sound you need recorded (i.e. sound for a scene, interviews, etc.) It is a great cost effective way to elevate your audio for production. My 4 stars is because of the audio hiss that I sometimes get. This may be caused by the connection on my camera or the cable, but I have not gotten the chance to full test those options and it has not been a huge issue for me to really need to investigate it that thoroughly yet. ... More
Hissing, Scratching Noises
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Yang Woo on B&H Photo Video
This mic looks cool, but has serious issue. I hear weird sound, like hissing or something high pitch noises. I thought that it might be the lense auto focusing, however, turns out it is from the MIC. Tested with different mic, there was no such noise, as well as interior mic from Panasonic.
Undecided
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone Kit with Micro Boompole, Windshield, and Extension Cable
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I bought this for an on camera/boom mic setup for filming short films and documentaries. Overall I like the form and the kit. However I'm detecting a very slight flutter on recording. Essentially recording audio reveals an audio flutter that cuts into the sound. It's difficult to determine what the cause is at this time. Searching has suggested electrical interference, but I tried the same recording w/o all the camera gear and still show a significant flutter in line level from this mic. still debating what to do about this and need to do more testing to resolve.
Great sound for the price
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Ivan on B&H Photo Video
I use the VideoMic Go for recording interviews/live events/bands on an EOS M. Since weight is one of my primary concerns (because I hate lugging gear) this mic does the trick! It's light, it sounds waaaaay better than the built in camera mic, and works suuuuper well in loud scenarios. I recorded a rock band on the fly and used this Rode VideoMic Go to capture audio, and it even sounded better in upon playback than when I was in the venue. Now with that said! A caveat, it is susceptible to certain kinds of rf signals at times. It rarely happens, but when it does it can be kind of annoying to have rf noise creep in to the audio especially in quiet rooms. I've only ever had it happen to me in one specific room, which is next to some sort of radio system booth, but that is the only time I've ever had issues with this mic. Totally a good purchase for people looking to keep their kits small and agile! ... More
Not Perfect, But A Massive Improvement
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I have this attached to my Rebel T6i and use it for my YouTube channel. If I had to summarize my opinion on it, it would be this: It's not perfect, but it's a big improvement over the on-board audio. The overall shape of the sound is much better than the built in mics, and the directional nature of the Rode Videomic is a major plus. It's not without its flaws, though. I find the audio could use some gain (this one isn't powered) and it still picks up a lot of extraneous sound so it could stand to be more directional, but if I had to say whether or not you should give this a go if you're making video with your DSLR, I'd say do it. I'm happy with it. I may want to upgrade to a better model at some point, but for now this is really good particularly for the money. ... More
Compatible with Panasonic FZ1000!!!
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Brennan Kirkpatrick on B&H Photo Video
There are many things about the Panasonic FZ1000 that I love. The one thing I hate is the fact that the internal mic picks up all of the image stabilization noises. So I thought I would give this microphone a try. I love Rode shotgun microphones, and I was worried that the FZ1000 would not supply the needed power to the mic jack. However, rest assured that this microphone, the Rode Videomic Go, works brilliantly well with this camera, and provides a tremendous improvement to the quality of video captured. 100% satisfied! One thing to not is that you may have to turn your audio sensitivity down, I have mine set at -12dBi... Hope this helps someone...! ... More
Great Inexpensive external microphone solution
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I've found this microphone to live up to its hype, but at the same time it is the cheapest external mic in Rode's lineup. It performs well, but don't expect it to perform at the same level as some of the higher-end pro line mics. The microphone does not require external batteries, and is actually powered by the camera, itself. This allows for a small form factor, and less moving parts. I've tested it against the internal mic in my Canon 70d, and I've gotta say, there's a significant improvement in sound quality, and reduction in lens noise! The ultrasonic, and even some of the cheaper STM lenses, make a non-negligible amount of noise while zooming and focusing. An external mic is necessary to avoid this. Something else you get from the mic is an amplified directional sound; the mic will amplify the sound coming from directly in front of it. It also attenuates any noise from other directions, and improves the net sound in your video. Highly recommended. ... More
Heavier than expected...
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by horsemoney on B&H Photo Video
After reading the reviews, I was expecting a much lighter microphone. I bought this for use on my Sony FDR-AX33, since the Sony mic recommended by Sony does not work at all with it. I like the fact that you don't need a battery or have to worry about turning it off or on. I was very pleased with the audio quality with this mic, however even with the dead cat over the foam cover I still got more wind noise than I'm use to when it was breezy. On the second day of use, it came apart. It is adjustable and there is a tiny screw in there that must not secure it tight. It fell out in the grass and I couldn't find it. I had to clamp it to my finger to finish my shooting of the most important part of the show. It was smashing my finger, but I didn't have any other way to secure it to the camcorder and no time to look for another way. Hopefully I can find another screw to fit, it seems it must be metric. ... More
Great Value for the Money
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Jaime on B&H Photo Video
I purchased this microphone for use with my Canon 70D. Surprisingly, the Canon's built in microphone does a decent job but you get echo/flat sound that you would expect from a built in microphone. This microphone from Rode is just what I needed to get better audio on a budget. The audio is much better with this microphone and well worth the small investment. The build quality is decent and should last a long time with use and the sound quality is very good. Although I rated this as a five star microphone, please keep in mind that my rating is based upon what you will spend for it. There are better alternatives but the price to quality makes this a five star microphone. It is simple to use, very good results and well worth the small investment. ... More
This mount will break, a matter of time.
Rode VideoMic GO Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Jacob on B&H Photo Video
I run a high school journalism program and bought 6 of these. Want to guess how many snapped in the exact same place? The quality of sound is good but the mount will snap where the black meets red. Very disappointed in the longevity of this mic. Suggest looking at other RODEs with more robust cradles.
