Rode VideoMicro into a Sony a6500, Canon M6 and 60D - Testing Camera Preamps

1:39 Rode Videomicro on Sony a6500
2:45 Rode Videomicro on Canon M6
3:10 Rode Videomicro on Canon 60D
3:18 Rode Videomic Pro on Canon 60D

I had the Rode VideoMicro for a demo and just before I had to send it back, I had an idea see what the difference would be between the microphone preamps on three different cameras, the Sony a6500 (clean), Canon M6 (has hiss), and the Canon 60D (noisy preamp).

Since the VideoMicro has no preamp of its own like the Rode VideoMic Pro that I use, I thought it would be a good test to see how this very compact, handy microphone would work in vlogging type setups where you are a few feet from the camera and want better audio than what the built-in mic will give you.

With the VideoMicro, you definitely much better results. On the a6500, the preamp is quite good and you can hear there is virtually no added noise. The Canon preamps are not as good, not really even close, but the good news is they are getting better. I noticed improvement from the 60D to the M6.

Although the difference in loudness measurement is not that much, I think what you are actually hearing is that core difference in the preamps themselves. In other words, I don't think that there is a huge difference between -47LUFS and -49LUFS. That change shouldn't be enough to hear the big difference in the noise floors between the a6500 and the M6 but instead you are just hearing the difference in the quality of the preamp itself.

And while the M6 has a decent amount of noise in it, if you were using this setup for vlogging, which I did in multiple videos, you would be a lot less likely to notice the noise over using it in a studio setup like you see here. That's because you are more likely to be outside or in environments where there is a decent amount of background noise and in those cases the mic would perform very well, isolating your voice and giving you better audio for your video.

🎥 🖥 GEAR USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO 🎤 🤘 (affiliate links)

Sony PICTURE PROFILE: PP7: S-Log2

EDITED AND GRADED: Adobe Premiere Pro CC using Lumetri Color Presets (tweaked to my liking).

[JMSobrevilla]

Just found this video now, and it’s a gem! Something some usually don’t think about. So it would be great if you could make an updated version of this. But no need if you don’t want to. Thank you for the very informative video. Cheers!

[Capease]

It's great to see you making more videos again Ray. I like these test videos a lot.

[BradNewton]

Loved your floor tests mate!! Super helpful!! :-)

[ShawnRealty]

Great video! I've learned a lot. Thanks man!

[podcastershome]

Ray, I could watch your video all day long but I wouldn't get any editing done. Thank for all the reviews and they certainly are not boring, .

[stalman]

I always wish I could turn my pre-amps to negative values, because my Video MicPro+ is often too loud at 1

[mynewlunchbox]

Hey Ray! Thanks for the video! It's great to hear the comparison between the different cameras. I also noticed you're using a Focusrite Scarlett. Is that the 2i4? I use that too. Love that little guy.

[CoolAustin]

I use an a6500 with the in-camera setting to 1 with the rode video mic to -10dB, but it still occasionally peaks. Is there an auto audio setting on the sony because I am constantly on a run and gun situation.

[PierceJPeterson]

With your lav mic, what did you set the audio rec level to on your sony a6500?

[GiuLauda]

Is there a way to connect the Rode Videomicro to an external pre-amp like Saramonic Smartrig II? Becouse I have bought one but i’m not getting any signal from it !

[Пораобсудить]

Great video! Thank you very much! I am starting a non-for-profit channel and don't want to spend a ton of cash on gear. Got DJI Osmo Pocket for video and Rode Video Micro for audio...and have been struggling with that hissing sound. At least I understand what the problem is after watching your video!

[swashy]

This was really useful. The horrible preamps on my canon are messing me up man... other than buying a $200 rode mic pro with the +20db, what can I do about this?? I have settled for completely separate audio but it really sucks. This should be solved at an affordable price by now...

I know aboutt the takstar with the +10db but I didn't think it was enough of an improvement, for example if you take the usual 0 - minus 40 scale, and you generally want -12 peak levels, then you want your in cam canon levels at like -39. With +20db you're easily loud enough but with just +10 you might still get hissing or be too quiet right? Thanks for the info

[drdimento]

Nice Review. Thanks. Ever put a Saramonic AX-100 in the mix to control levels? It's what I do and it works quite nicely with the ability to not only control the volume but also visually see the knobs positions as a reference.

[FoodieQueen]

My Sony a6500 Camera is not recording audio via any external Mic
1. I have googled & Checked all possible videos suggesting Audio level adjustment etc but none shows me any option where I can exclusively choose to record via external mic
2. The mics that I tried are: Fifine wireless, BOYA wired one and many other local ones too even - All these mics are working fine with my other cameras & phones and recording perfectly
3. When i record audio via camera then the display bars flicker indicating successful audio recording, but the moment I plug in the external Mic the display bars are at zero for R and L channels. - they do not flicker at all
4. Mine is a new camera bought in Feb 2019
5. Please advise me as it is impacting my work a lot - I am a youtube Vlogger and there is lot of background noise in India so recording via the external mic is a necessity for me

[fjskfjwj]

60d and rode videomic pro are used together, but white noise is severe. However, this image has no white noise. How do I set up?

[awillingvessel]

i get a loud static when recording audio like @3:12. Why is that? Sometime I get it then sometime I don't I've tried to try different mics and it works perfectly and then I plug the video mic on another camera it works perfectly I don't know why the rode video micro isn't working with my a6500

[ET_Videos]

I should send you my G7 to throw in the camera test team :-)

[LeonWei]

half level means 2 notch away from 0 on M6?

[NewbArchitect]

how does the canon m6 compare to the m50 preamp? is it similar or is the m50 a huge improvement? thanks