Are you on the hunt for a high-quality microphone that won’t break the bank? Look no further than the RODE VideoMic GO II. In a world where creating professional content has become more accessible than ever, having a reliable microphone is essential. The RODE VideoMic GO II offers exceptional sound quality and versatility, making it the perfect choice for content creators, vloggers, podcasters, and more. Packed with impressive features and easy to use, this microphone is set to be the best $100 microphone in 2022. Join us as we dive into the reasons why the RODE VideoMic GO II is a game-changer in the world of affordable audio recording.

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The BEST $100 MICROPHONE in 2022? RODE VideoMic GO II

Introduction

Today’s video is sponsored by the online learning community skillshare. Hey, today we are talking about the RODE VideoMic GO II – RODE’s new on-camera, super lightweight, very directional microphone. It’s only a hundred dollars. To put it to the proper test, today we are going to compare it against the two microphones I’m currently using – the RODE VideoMic NTG and the RODE VideoMic Pro Plus. So, we’re going to have a $100 microphone, a $225 microphone, and a $275 microphone. Let’s see how the three compare against each other. First, we’ll go back to the studio. We will talk features, and then we’ll go back out and shoot some real-life scenarios and hear how these three mics sound. Because honestly, if this $100 mic sounds even comparable to these other two, there’s a lot of reasons why this might become my new on-camera microphone, and maybe it should be yours also. Let’s go back to the studio. I will explain.

Features of the RODE VideoMic GO II

Let’s talk features of these three microphones, and again we will start with the GO II. The number one feature of this microphone is the fact that it is small and lightweight. This whole thing is 89 grams of a microphone, or at least the microphone bit is. I’m not sure what it weighs with all this on there, but the microphone bit itself is 89 grams. The whole thing with the mount and the cable is 100 grams, which compared to the VideoMic NTG, which is 169 grams, and the VideoMic Pro Plus, which is 162 grams, the GO II is significantly lighter. Speaking of better than these two, the VideoMic GO II does not require a battery. It is powered from the three and a half millimeter jack. So, this thing you just have in your bag, you have in there for a year, you don’t have to worry about it. Just pull it out, throw it on there, plug it in, and it’s ready to rock.

The VideoMic NTG, on the other hand, has a built-in rechargeable battery. If you pull this mic out and you forgot to charge it or it died somehow in your bag, it’s just dead. You can’t swap batteries. You have to charge it up to get juice again, and that has happened to me. And then the VideoMic Pro Plus, they have switched to rechargeable batteries. This rechargeable battery will give you 100 plus hours of record time. When you do kill it, you have to charge it back up via a micro-USB port. Small and lightweight, does not require a battery, and it’s only $100. Good job RODE.

Next up on features on this guy is, of course, the shock mount. It uses a very similar shock mount to the NTG. I think maybe even the exact same. Those look like the same size. I think they use the exact same mount from the NTG for the GO II. The nice thing with this mount is that it is adjustable. By unscrewing this, you can actually move the microphone forward or backwards on the mount. So, if this is sitting on your camera and maybe you’re shooting with your phone or GoPro, and it’s sticking out too far and you can see it in the shot, you just unscrew that top part, slide the whole microphone back, and then screw it back in. Now, you have reduced how much of the mic sticks into your shot.

Another notable feature of the VideoMic GO II is that there are no controls on this microphone. This is purely plug in your camera and let it ride. You’ll adjust the volume or anything like that actually in your camera settings, not on the microphone. This is totally different from the NTG and the Pro Plus. With the NTG, you have an adjustable stepless gain knob on the back, so you can adjust the volume right on the microphone. And with the Pro Plus, you have a multi-level gain control. You’ve got a +20 dB and a -10 dB control. You can boost it 10 dB all of a sudden if things are really quiet and you’re trying to pick up more gain, or you can reduce it 10 dB, which is mainly how I use this mic.

Both the NTG and the Pro Plus also have the option to turn on a safety channel. So, the right channel and the left channel, instead of being at the same volume, you can have your right channel at a normal volume and your left channel be a pad, 8 or 10 dB lower. The VideoMic GO II has a TRS cable, which means it can only plug into two microphone outlets on your camera or computer. It cannot plug into a mobile phone’s 3.5 millimeter jack. For that, you would need a TRRS cable.

The NTG, on the other hand, has an auto-sensing tip, so you can plug this into a TRS like my camera, and it’ll record perfectly. And then you can plug it into the 3.5 millimeter jack on a mobile phone, and it will recognize that it’s TRRS and work perfectly. I’m a little shocked that the GO II didn’t come with that same sort of compatibility. To connect the GO II to your phone, you would need to use a USB-C to lightning adapter.

Conclusion

Overall, the RODE VideoMic GO II offers impressive features for its price. It is small, lightweight, and does not require a battery. The adjustable shock mount and absence of controls make it easy to use. While it may lack some features found in higher-priced microphones, the GO II provides excellent value for the money, and it might just become the new go-to on-camera microphone for many content creators in 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions about the RODE VideoMic GO II

1. Is the RODE VideoMic GO II the best microphone for under $100 in 2022?

While opinions may vary, the RODE VideoMic GO II is widely considered one of the best microphones in its price range due to its quality audio recording capabilities and user-friendly features.

2. What makes the RODE VideoMic GO II stand out?

The RODE VideoMic GO II stands out for its compact design, making it ideal for on-the-go recording. It also features improved audio quality compared to its predecessor, ensuring clear and professional sound.

3. Can I use the RODE VideoMic GO II for both indoor and outdoor recording?

Absolutely! The RODE VideoMic GO II is versatile and can be used in various settings, including indoor interviews, vlogging, outdoor filming, and more.

4. Does the RODE VideoMic GO II require batteries?

No, the RODE VideoMic GO II is powered via the connected camera or recording device. This eliminates the need for batteries and makes it hassle-free to use.

5. Can I mount the RODE VideoMic GO II on a tripod or camera rig?

Absolutely! The microphone comes with a detachable shoe mount that easily attaches to a camera’s hot shoe or a tripod. This ensures stability and flexibility during recording.

6. Is the RODE VideoMic GO II compatible with smartphones?

Yes, the RODE VideoMic GO II is compatible with smartphones that have a TRRS audio jack. You may need an appropriate adapter to connect the microphone to your specific smartphone model.

7. Are there any additional accessories included with the RODE VideoMic GO II?

Yes, the microphone comes with a furry windshield, ensuring wind noise reduction during outdoor recordings. A USB-C cable is also included for convenient charging or connecting to compatible devices.

8. Does the RODE VideoMic GO II have a headphone monitoring feature?

No, the RODE VideoMic GO II does not have a headphone monitoring feature. However, you can connect headphones directly to your camera or recording device to monitor the audio while recording.

9. Where can I find more information about the RODE VideoMic GO II?

You can find detailed specifications, customer reviews, and purchase options for the RODE VideoMic GO II on the official RODE website or reputable online retailers.

I hope you find useful my article The BEST $100 MICROPHONE in 2022? RODE VideoMic GO II, I also recommend you to read my other posts in my blog at this link.

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