Red Vlog Set | Engadget

In the last year or so, you might have had a little more time on your hands. What better motivation to start that fitness vlog (or self-isolation misery diary)? Of course, your phone already has everything you need to get started, but it’s 2021, and the internet requires a certain quality if you want someone to actually watch or listen. Rode, who has been a mainstay in the microphone game for decades, knows this and recently unveiled his Vlogger Kit to help you along the way. I also think it might be of interest to those who would like a Podcast, which I will come to later.

The kit is available in three versions: Android (USB-C), iOS (Lightning) and universal (3.5mm). Inside you get a rifle microphone, a grip for your phone, an LED light cube and a tripod, as well as some accessories. All three sell for $ 149, but if you opt for the universal kit, you get a double cold shoe (rather than a single) and a Rycote Lyre shock mount – something to consider if you plan on getting around a lot to move recording.

The main difference between the microphone in each version is the connection at the end of it. But there’s another important consideration: the ‘universal’ (3.5mm version) does not allow you to monitor your sound with wired headphones; so it comes with a compromise while you get the shock shot. You could rather use Bluetooth headphones / Airpods, but that would be app-dependent, as not everything has the advanced audio options (but something like Filmic Pro for example).

Whether you’re making videos with your phone for social sharing, work or just for your own memories, an external microphone is one of the easiest ways to enhance it. A few years ago I might have said that a gimbal is the thing to get, but built-in video stabilization on phones (especially on the iPhone and Android models) has come a long way since then. The ultimate combination will be both, of course, but sound is so often overlooked that it’s really worth investing in.

This is easily shown in the two sound samples below. Both were recorded in a very harsh environment – a large room with high ceilings and no soft furnishings. The recording was taken about two meters from the speaker and the difference is strong (do not worry if you do not speak Spanish, it is the quality that matters). The one that was just recorded on the internal microphone on the iPhone sounds like it was recorded in a cave. The other one sounds much clearer, clean and focused on the speaker.

When making videos for your small or social account, the difference in quality can often be the thing that takes you more seriously. The vlogger kit is obviously more than just a microphone (especially since you could buy all the 3.5mm and Lightning versions of this microphone, only the USB-C option is technically new). There is the light and, to a lesser extent, the tripod to consider as well.

Good light is probably the next easy win in terms of overall upgrading your videos for not much money. There’s nothing worse than looking at a dimly lit wink to find out what’s going on. Now you can get one of the big ring lights that is furious, but it’s not exactly portable, so Rode did something more practical.

The LED cube included in the kit is about one inch and a half square, or almost exactly the size of the GoPro Hero 4 Session, without the case if you remember. Of course, GoPro also makes an LED light that is about half the size of Rode, but maximum 200 Lumens (up to Rode’s 300). The light emitted by the LED cube is enough to magnify videos I shot indoors, which really helped them. In the dead of night, it will definitely be enough to relieve you if you shoot something outdoors in the dark.

You will also find some diffuser filters in the shades in different colors if white is not suitable, or if you just want to change things up with a sultry red or a cool green. I’m not a big fan of how the filters cut in the frame of the light, it’s tricky, but they do the job just as well so it doesn ‘t feel like you’re staring at the sun.

Finicky filters are also not the only peculiarity. If you use the USB-C or Lightning models, the microphone is attached directly to the bottom of the phone. On an iPhone, it places the microphone right under the indicator of the house, which makes a little thumbs-up on your phone, especially if you use the front camera (so let the microphone point towards you). It also means that if you hold the phone in your hand while recording, you need to be more careful to avoid knocking it or risking the faint blowing in your sound.

I promise one last little grip, then I’ll get the good stuff: the shotgun microphone can’t be connected to my phone, but I have to take it out first. The case I have is not too thick (it’s one of Apple’s own MagSafe cases on an iPhone 12). I can not speak for your case or for Androids, but that was of course the first thing I noticed. If you are not using a suitcase, it is good to go, or if you are using a container with a large recess around the loading port, it is probably good, it is just something to keep in mind.

Okay, if I did, let me be clear: the microphone is the star of the program here. You have already heard the difference between the built-in microphone and the Red VideoMic ME-L in the examples above. But that was just one scenario. It performs very well in almost every situation I have tried. Unfortunately, the current restrictions mean that I can not test it in a crowded place, such as in a coffee shop. So I took a bit of initiative / cheated and pulled up a YouTube video with an hour of a busy brewing sound playing an hour must love the internet). This test is not as similar as the ambient noise only comes from one direction, not like in real life, but you can hear the results from both the built-in microphone and the Red one below.

The good news is that Rode’s microphone is back in business. Like I said, it’s not a true test of a noisy environment, but it’s important that it’s much less annoying to listen to than my cell phone can do on its own, which compresses everything so that the background noise really permeates .

The same goes for my test outside. Red contains a windshield / dead cat cover for the microphone in the kit, and it’s fantastically large, so it looks like you’re overweight gerbil to your phone – I love it. And it does exactly what you want, by removing all the wild wind noises and giving you a clear recording. The contrast between the Red microphone and the phone is once again 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 available 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 from the 3.5mm port with a headphone cable and a lightning adapter . The signal can be also low for some things, anything with an Aux-in for example would be a push. But I tried running it in a GoPro with a media mod and it worked perfectly.

GoPro cameras have an option to increase the input of external microphones, and I expected that this would be necessary here, but the levels were actually better in standard mode for close work. In Standard + (where GoPro adds 20db gain) it was a bit too hot while I held the microphone close to my mouth, but it can be useful if you stand further away, say if you have the camera on a tripod and ‘ wanted a wider recording shot, talked to the camera. Either way, it works, which means you have a little more flexibility with this microphone than connecting it to your iPhone.

I have to share a few words about the tripod provided for it. That’s all right. I like that it has the ball joint because it makes the position of a club, although it’s a shame you can not extend it, even just a few centimeters. And there are only two height settings: normal and low mode. Of course, you can also use it as a handle. On the plus side, screw the top mount down 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 most important competitors here: Shure. Both companies have realized that vloggers and podcasters are looking for lightweight / mobile solutions, and both have several products in this category. Shure also sells a similar offering to the Vlogger Kit – the MV88 +. Shure’s approach is similar, you get a microphone and a tripod and a holder for your phone, but there is no light and the bundle costs more than $ 200. That makes Rode better, right? Well, it depends. Shure’s microphone feels a bit more robust with a metal bottom (the Red is plastic) and you do not have to choose which connection to go to, because you can simply unplug the cables that are in the box, so there is more flexibility there. Both photos are excellent, so it largely depends on your use case and budget.

GoPro is also worth mentioning as it has a number of tripods and tons of third parties. It also sells a lamp and a Media mod so you can connect your own external microphones. The obvious difference is that you need to have a GoPro (while you probably already have a phone). You should also bring your own microphone if you do not have the media mode, so the two presentations will appeal to different audiences and budgets. Although with the GoPro you have more flexibility on the camera compared to your phone, and its HyperSmooth stabilization is the best.

If you, like me, are really more interested in the kit for audio purposes (like many, I took this time to finally start the documentary podcast), then the solution of Rode is a good choice if you want something hyper portable which also includes solid video chops. Being able to pick up my phone on the tripod and take an interview on the fly is something I have wanted a solution for for a while, and it feels like a great option. I’ve tried several other microphones, and many even compare it to the Red for sound quality (like Shure’s), but it lacks things like monitoring or the direct connection to the phone (as is the case with Shure’s MV88 +). I like how streamlined Rode’s kit is, that it works with other devices in a pinch, and the complete package with the light, tripod and accessories is there when I need it.