Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i at DVinfo.net

Robert James · June 22nd, 2011, 10:35 PM

Okay, so I picked up a Rode Video Mic to see if it stood up to the Zoom H1. I ran a series of tests (unscientific, please note). For the most part, I didn't tweak audio levels in the camera. I just let it go as is.

YouTube - ‪Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i‬&rlm;

Test 1: Rode Video Mic
Test 2: Zoom H1 in T3i
Test 3: Canon T3i
Test 4: Rode Video Mic in Zoom H1 Handy Recorder
Test 5: Zoom H1 solo
Test 6: Rode Video Mic with High Pass Filter on
Test 7: Rode Video Mic into Zoom H1 into T3i

Which one sounds better to you?

or

What could I do to better improve the audio tests with this equipment?

Robert James · June 23rd, 2011, 09:02 AM

So, is it me or does it rank this way:

1. Rode into Zoom H1
2. Zoom H1 solo
3. Zoom H1 into Rode into T3i
4. Zoom H1 into T3i
5. Rode with high pass on
6. Rode video mic
7. Canon T3i on board audio

?

Robert James · June 25th, 2011, 08:07 AM

71 views and no comments on this audio test in the audio forum?

Yikes, I must have mucked something up. :P

Vincent Oliver · June 25th, 2011, 10:42 AM

It's not a stimulating test, it lacks information to make it worthy for comment.

Robert James · June 25th, 2011, 02:08 PM

Well, Vince, I did put this at the end "What could I do to better improve the audio tests with this equipment?". I am in no way a professional at this, hence why I posted this in the first place. I am open to suggestion especially if this test isn't "worthy" for some.

It seems to me that it makes more sense to help people like myself starting out on their film making endeavors then posting, essentially, "Your test is not worthy of our comments". Of course, you have "He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever" in your sig line so to each their own, sir.

Vincent Oliver · June 26th, 2011, 02:02 AM

Good reply Robert, my knuckles have been wrapped. Sorry :-(

Would suggest more visual content showing placement of mike, room where the recording has been made etc., this way other members would be able to offer you some more constructive advice. If you want to get serious with audio then I would suggest having a look at "SOUND for film and television" DVD published by Wrightsville Beach Studios Sound for Film & Television | Wrightsville Beach Studios At about $60 is is good value for money with lots of information and tips for achieving great sound quality.

All the best Vincent

Robert James · June 27th, 2011, 09:23 AM

No worries, Vincent.

I was going to photoshop a crude map but it is probably best to just tell you folks:

(BED/ME ON BED) --------2 feet--------MIC ON TRIPOD

The recording was made in my bachelor apartment with high ceilings.

Perhaps I will do an update with video.

However, this weekend we recorded our podcast with both the Zoom H1 solo and the Rode mic plugged into the Zoom H1 and the Zoom H1 seemed to sound better.

Hummm, the plot thickens...

Robert James · July 1st, 2011, 12:45 AM

YouTube - ‪Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i - REDUX‬&rlm;

This is my second test of this audio equipment for my DSLR. This time around, for the first part, all three mics were rolling at the same time and were edited as such. The second test shows the Zoom H1 plugged solo into the T3i and the third shows the Rode. Some info:

1) I was about 2 feet away from the mics
2) The source (me) was in front of a window with construction outside
3) Computer was on nearby some mics picked that up
4) Recorded in a bachelor apartment with high ceilings
5) Zoom mics were on auto levels
6) T3i was on auto sound
7) For the solo tests I adjusted the levels manually

Matthew Capowski · July 2nd, 2011, 04:55 PM

Thanks Robert.

I noticed various degrees of what I am guessing to be background noise and/or hiss on all mic configurations. Some were better than others. I wonder how much self-noise the H1 and the Rode Mic have -- i.e., I wonder how they would sound in a "near silent" recording room.

Tom Morrow · July 3rd, 2011, 08:33 PM

Matching the levels would make the test much more useful, ideally at the time of recording, but if that's not possible then in post. Otherwise the psychoacoustic principle that whatever is loudest sounds best dominates evalutation.

Having said that, I will say that the Rode sounds best to me due to the lack of reverberation.

Thanks for doing the test... I betcha many people found this useful even as is.

June 22nd, 2011, 10:35 PM	#1
Robert James Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 137	Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i Okay, so I picked up a Rode Video Mic to see if it stood up to the Zoom H1. I ran a series of tests (unscientific, please note). For the most part, I didn't tweak audio levels in the camera. I just let it go as is. YouTube - ‪Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i‬&rlm; Test 1: Rode Video Mic Test 2: Zoom H1 in T3i Test 3: Canon T3i Test 4: Rode Video Mic in Zoom H1 Handy Recorder Test 5: Zoom H1 solo Test 6: Rode Video Mic with High Pass Filter on Test 7: Rode Video Mic into Zoom H1 into T3i Which one sounds better to you? or What could I do to better improve the audio tests with this equipment?

June 23rd, 2011, 09:02 AM	#2
Robert James Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 137	Re: Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i So, is it me or does it rank this way: 1. Rode into Zoom H1 2. Zoom H1 solo 3. Zoom H1 into Rode into T3i 4. Zoom H1 into T3i 5. Rode with high pass on 6. Rode video mic 7. Canon T3i on board audio ?

June 25th, 2011, 08:07 AM	#3
Robert James Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 137	Re: Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i 71 views and no comments on this audio test in the audio forum? Yikes, I must have mucked something up. :P

June 25th, 2011, 10:42 AM	#4
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	Re: Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i It's not a stimulating test, it lacks information to make it worthy for comment. __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

June 25th, 2011, 02:08 PM	#5
Robert James Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 137	Re: Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i Well, Vince, I did put this at the end "What could I do to better improve the audio tests with this equipment?". I am in no way a professional at this, hence why I posted this in the first place. I am open to suggestion especially if this test isn't "worthy" for some. It seems to me that it makes more sense to help people like myself starting out on their film making endeavors then posting, essentially, "Your test is not worthy of our comments". Of course, you have "He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever" in your sig line so to each their own, sir.

June 26th, 2011, 02:02 AM	#6
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	Re: Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i Good reply Robert, my knuckles have been wrapped. Sorry :-( Would suggest more visual content showing placement of mike, room where the recording has been made etc., this way other members would be able to offer you some more constructive advice. If you want to get serious with audio then I would suggest having a look at "SOUND for film and television" DVD published by Wrightsville Beach Studios Sound for Film & Television \| Wrightsville Beach Studios At about $60 is is good value for money with lots of information and tips for achieving great sound quality. All the best Vincent __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

June 27th, 2011, 09:23 AM	#7
Robert James Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 137	Re: Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i No worries, Vincent. I was going to photoshop a crude map but it is probably best to just tell you folks: (BED/ME ON BED) --------2 feet--------MIC ON TRIPOD The recording was made in my bachelor apartment with high ceilings. Perhaps I will do an update with video. However, this weekend we recorded our podcast with both the Zoom H1 solo and the Rode mic plugged into the Zoom H1 and the Zoom H1 seemed to sound better. Hummm, the plot thickens...

July 1st, 2011, 12:45 AM	#8
Robert James Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 137	Re: Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i YouTube - ‪Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i - REDUX‬&rlm; This is my second test of this audio equipment for my DSLR. This time around, for the first part, all three mics were rolling at the same time and were edited as such. The second test shows the Zoom H1 plugged solo into the T3i and the third shows the Rode. Some info: 1) I was about 2 feet away from the mics 2) The source (me) was in front of a window with construction outside 3) Computer was on nearby some mics picked that up 4) Recorded in a bachelor apartment with high ceilings 5) Zoom mics were on auto levels 6) T3i was on auto sound 7) For the solo tests I adjusted the levels manually

July 2nd, 2011, 04:55 PM	#9
Matthew Capowski Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 43	Re: Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i Thanks Robert. I noticed various degrees of what I am guessing to be background noise and/or hiss on all mic configurations. Some were better than others. I wonder how much self-noise the H1 and the Rode Mic have -- i.e., I wonder how they would sound in a "near silent" recording room. __________________ http://www.davidbohmsociety.org

July 3rd, 2011, 08:33 PM	#10
Tom Morrow Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 416	Re: Rode Video Mic vs Zoom H1 vs T3i Matching the levels would make the test much more useful, ideally at the time of recording, but if that's not possible then in post. Otherwise the psychoacoustic principle that whatever is loudest sounds best dominates evalutation. Having said that, I will say that the Rode sounds best to me due to the lack of reverberation. Thanks for doing the test... I betcha many people found this useful even as is.