For the past year or so, you may have had a little more time left. What better motivation to start that fitness vlog (or self-isolation diary)? Of course, your phone already has everything you need to get started, but it’s 2021 and the internet requires a certain level of quality if you want someone to actually watch or listen. Rode, a mainstay in the microphone game for decades, knows this and recently unveiled his Vlogger Kit to get you started. I also think this could be interesting for those who like to podcast on the go, which I’ll get to later.
The kit is available in three versions: Android (USB-C), iOS (Lightning) and universal (3.5mm). Inside you get a shotgun microphone, a handle for your phone, an LED light cube and a tripod, along with some accessories. All three retail for $ 149, but if you opt for the universal kit, you get a double cold shoe (instead of a single one) and a Rycote Lyre shock – something to consider if you plan on doing a lot on the road. to be. recording.
The main difference between the microphone in each version is the connector on the end of it. But there’s another important consideration: the “universal” (3.5mm version) doesn’t allow you to monitor your audio with wired headphones – so while you get the shock mount, there is a trade-off. You can use Bluetooth headphones / Airpods instead, but that becomes app dependent as not everything has the necessary advanced audio options (but something like Filmic Pro, for example).
James Trew / Engadget
If you shoot videos with your phone to share on social media, for work or just for your own memories, an external microphone is one of the easiest ways to improve them. A few years ago I might have said you should get a gimbal, but built-in video stabilization on phones (especially on the iPhone and high-end Android models) has come a long way since then. Sure, the ultimate combination would be both, but audio is so often overlooked that it’s really worth investing in.
This is easily demonstrated in the two audio examples below. Both were recorded in a very harsh environment – a large room with high ceilings and no upholstery. The recording is about two meters from the speaker and the difference is big (don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish, it’s about the quality). The one recorded only on the iPhone’s internal microphone sounds like it was recorded in a cave. The other sounds much brighter, cleaner and more focused on the speaker.
If you’re making videos for your small business or social account, the difference in quality can often be the thing that will take you more seriously. Of course the vlogger kit is more than just a microphone (especially considering that you could already buy the 3.5mm and Lightning versions of this microphone, only the USB-C option is technically new it seems). There is the light and, to a lesser extent, the tripod to take into account as well.
Good light is probably the next easy win in terms of upgrading your videos overall for not much money. There’s nothing worse than squinting at a dimly lit clip to find out what’s going on. Now, you could get one of those huge ring lights that are totally on trend, but not exactly portable, so Red went with something a little more practical.
The LED cube included in the kit is about an inch and a half square, or almost exactly the size of the GoPro Hero 4 Session without the case if you remember it. Of course, GoPro also makes an LED bulb that is about half the size of Rode’s, but has a maximum of 200 lumens (against Rode’s 300). The light that the LED cube emits is enough to brighten up videos I shot indoors, making them really pop. In the middle of the night it is certainly enough to illuminate you, if shooting outdoors in the dark is your thing.
You will also find some diffuser filters in the box in different colors if white isn’t suitable or if you just want to alternate things with a sultry red or a cooling green. I’m not a big fan of how the filters snap into the lamp’s frame, it’s clunky, but they do the job just fine so it doesn’t feel like you’re staring at the sun.
Fine filters aren’t the only whim, either. If you’re using the USB-C or Lightning models, the shotgun microphone attaches directly to the bottom of the phone. On an iPhone, this places the microphone right below the home indicator, making navigating your phone a bit of a thumbs up, especially if you’re using the front camera (i.e. the microphone is facing you). It also means that if you hold the phone in your hand while recording you should be more careful to avoid bumping it or you risk dull booms in your audio.
One last minor complaint, I promise, then I get to the good stuff: the shotgun mic won’t connect to my phone while the case is on, I have to remove it first. The case I have isn’t overly thick (it’s one of Apple’s own MagSafe cases on an iPhone 12). I can’t speak for your cause or for Androids, but it was clearly the first thing that struck me. If you’re not using a case you’re good to go, or if you’re using one with a large cutout around the charging port then you’re probably fine, it’s just something to keep in mind.
Okay, once that’s done, let me be clear: the mic is the star of the show here. You have already heard the difference between the built-in microphone and the Rode VideoMic ME-L in the examples above. But that was just one scenario. It performs really well in almost every situation I’ve tried. Unfortunately the current limitations mean I can’t test it in a busy place like a coffee shop so I took some initiative / cheated on a YouTube video with busy brewhouse sound playing for an hour (must love the internet) . This test is not the same as that ambient noise comes from one direction only, not everywhere like in real life, but you can hear the results from both the built-in mic and the Rode below.
The good news is, again, Rode’s microphone wins hands down. Like I said, this isn’t a true test of a noisy environment, but more importantly, it’s far less annoying to listen to than what my phone could do on its own, which seems to compress everything so that the background noise really comes through.
The same goes for my external testing. Rode includes a windshield / dead cat cover for the mic in the kit, and it’s fantastically large, making it look like you’ve attached a fat gerbil to your phone – I love it. And it does exactly what you want it to do: it removes all those wild wind noises, giving you a clear recording. Again, the contrast between the Rode microphone and the phone’s is strong.
Another thing I like about the Lightning and USB-C versions of the kit is that you can also use the 3.5mm port on the back to record sound in a pinch. It’s mainly there for headphones / monitoring, and the signal is much lower than what you get from the Lightning / USB connection, but I was able to record decent enough audio straight from the 3.5mm port with a headphone cable and lightning adapter. The signal could be to low for some things, anything with an Aux-in, for example, will be a push. But I tried feeding it into a GoPro with a media mod and it worked perfectly.
GoPro cameras have an option to boost input from external microphones, and I expected to need it here, but the levels were actually better in the default close-up work mode. In Standard + (where GoPro adds 20db gain) it was a little too warm while holding the microphone close to my mouth, but it can be useful if I’m further away, for example if you have the camera on a tripod and a want to take a wider picture. shot, talking to the camera. Either way, it works, which means you have a bit more flexibility with this mic than just plugging it into your iPhone.
James Trew / Engadget
I should share a few words about the included tripod. It’s all right. I like that it has a ball joint as that makes fitting a cinch, although it’s a shame you can’t extend it even by a few inches. And there are really only two height settings: normal and low mode. You can of course also use it as a handle. On the plus side, the top mount is unscrewed so you can attach it to a variety of other things, including GoPro accessories if you have the screw mount adapter.
This brings us to one of Rode’s main competitors here: Shure. Both companies have realized that vloggers and podcasters are looking for lightweight / mobile solutions and both have different products in this category. Shure also sells a similar offering to the Vlogger Kit: the MV88 +. Shure’s approach is similar: you get a mic and a tripod and a holder for your phone, but there’s no light and the bundle costs one more shade for $ 200. That makes Red a better deal, right? It depends. Shure’s mic feels a bit more robust with a metal housing (the Rode is plastic) and you don’t have to choose which jack to go for as you can just take the cables out of the box – so there’s more flexibility there. Both microphones are excellent, so it largely depends on your use case and budget.
GoPro is worth another mention too, as it has some tripods and tons of third-party mounts. It also sells a lamp and media mod, so you can connect your own external microphones. The obvious difference is that you need a GoPro (when you probably already have a phone). You should also bring your own microphone if you don’t have the media mod, so the two proposals will appeal to different audiences and budgets. Although with the GoPro you have more flexibility on the camera compared to your phone, and the HyperSmooth stabilization can be beat.
If, like me, you’re really more interested in the kit for audio purposes (like many, I’ve taken this time to finally get started with that documentary podcast) then Rode’s solution is a solid bet if you want something hyper portable that includes solid video chops. Being able to put my phone on the tripod and record an interview on the fly has been something I’ve wanted a solution to for a while, and this feels like a great option. I have tried several other microphones, and many are even comparable to the Rode for audio quality (like Shure’s) but lack things like monitoring or the direct connection to the phone (as is the case with Shure’s MV88 +). I love how streamlined Rode’s kit is, that it works with other devices in no time, and the complete package with the light, tripod and accessories is there when I need them.