Rode VideoMic Rycote

The forefather of all video microphones: in 2005, the 25 cm long RØDE VideoMic was the world's first microphone that could simply be slid into a camera's standard hot shoe and locked in place with the integrated knurled nut. The only change came in 2015: since then, the VideoMic has used a Rycote double "lyre" for structure-borne sound decoupling. This special thermoplastic swing mount prevents grip noise and other mechanically induced noise from reaching the microphone's sensitive 1/2" condenser capsule. A 3/8" thread is recessed in the base to allow the VideoMic Rycote to also be used on a tripod, handle or boom.

Power is supplied by an optional 9V block battery, which lasts for 70 hours. Connection to the camera is made via the VideoMic Rycote's TRS connection cable. The tip ("T") and ring ("R") of the 3.5mm jack plug carry the exact same signal, so the camera records in double mono and the sound comes out of the exact center when the video is played back.

As a directional microphone with a supercardioid pickup pattern, it has a relatively narrow pickup angle to the front (approx. 45°). If you open both your hands to the front at a half-right angle, you can easily see which sound sources are within the pickup range and thus are recorded with priority. The frequency response ranges from 40 Hz to 20 kHz. To make the sound leaner, you can switch on the integrated rumble filter on the back, which takes effect at 80 Hz and thus reduces unwanted low frequencies.

If you have to deal with extremely loud sound sources, you might risk overdriving the camera's microphone input. Inside the VideoMic Rycote's battery compartment are two mini switches that can be used to reduce the microphone's output signal by 10 or 20 dB across the board to prevent nasty distortion.

The VideoMic Rycote comes with a pre-mounted foam windscreen. It is manufactured at RØDE in Australia, and registered users receive a 10-year warranty directly from Rode.

Features Rode VideoMic Rycote

• 1/2" condenser capsule
• Polar pattern: supercardioid
• Angle of incidence: approx. 45
• Switchable high-pass filter (80 Hz) and pre-attenuation (-10/-20 dB)
• Power supply with 9 V battery (up to 100 hours)
• On/off switch with battery control LED
• connection cable with 3.5 mm TRS jack plug (double mono)
• effective structure-borne sound decoupling due to Rycote®-Lyre® vibration mount
• standard hot shoe adapter
• 3/8" thread embedded in the base for tripod or boom mounting
• incl. pre-mounted foam windscreen

Technical data

• Polar pattern: supercardioid
• Limiting sound pressure level: 134 dB
• Frequency response: 40 - 20,000 Hz
• Inherent noise: 20 dBA
• Sensitivity: 12.6 mV/Pa
• Output impedance: 200 Ohm
• Pre-attenuation: 0 dB, -10 dB, -20 dB (switchable)
• High-pass filter: 80 Hz (switchable)
• Connection type: 3.5 mm mini jack, TRS (double mono)
• Power supply: 9 V block battery (up to 70 hours of operation)
• Weight: 222 g (incl. battery)
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 250 x 102 x 65 mm

** The devices/cameras additionally shown and/or mentioned on the photos are NOT included in the scope of delivery!