Audio-Technica AT8024 vs. Rode VideoMic Pro with HDSLR

[Bobby Hall]

Thanks for the Advice Al. I might be thinking about this the wrong way. When I first got my Zoom, I watched some tutorials about using it with a Canon T3i (the camera that I have), and most people were saying to turn the audio way down on the camera and up on the Zoom, and you’ll get better quality. Maybe this is different from how a mic works. Or maybe the obsession with turning the camera’s audio way down is unwarranted. I’m still debating whether to get the Rode or the Audio-Technica because I like that the Audio-Technica has the ability to record in both mono and stereo. I might just get the Rode though, because the +20 dB boost seems very attractive. Thanks again for the advice!

[Al Bergstein]

By the way, a problem you might be having with the H4 is the x/y mics are picking up all the sound around the camera. A shotgun will eliminate that problem. So yes, either of those mic choices will work for you.

also.
A review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20YTy9ZSKcs

Al

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[Bobby Hall]

That’s a good review, but he didn’t review the VideoMic Pro, just the standard VideoMic compared with the Audio-Technica. Between those two I’d choose the Audio-Technica, but since the VideoMic Pro has the +20 dB feature, I think I’m going to get that mic. I’ve been watching some other reviews about using the VideoMic Pro with a DSLR, and most people talk about the hiss you can hear using the camera’s internal mic. And to reduce the hiss, you reduce the camera’s audio to just 4 or 5 clicks from the lowest setting and then always use the +20dB on the Rode. This sounds like a safe bet for what I’m doing. The AT is attractive because it’s smaller, has the option to record in stereo, and takes a double A battery, whereas the Rode takes a 9 volt. But that +20dB is what sells it for me!

[Al Bergstein]

yes, I used to own a 3 Ti and I would agree that your camera has hiss. other cameras like the 5D Mark III do not . The Rode video Mic pro is not without hiss . I own one . I would say that the benefit of this entire thread is that you learned a little bit more about what you really feel you need in a mic . while I was offering an opinion on the alternative without ever having owned it, either one would likely do well with your camera, given your current (mis)use of the zoom. maybe I’ll buy the other and do a comparison just so we all know the answer to this in the future . All the best!

Al

[Bobby Hall]

I’m not sure what you mean by my misuse of the Zoom. I was explaining the process that I used to record pretty good audio from the Zoom into my T3i. It worked for me, so I don’t know how I’m misusing it.

I was just looking to get a mic in addition to having the Zoom, and was asking about two different mics I was interested in.

[Al Bergstein]

what I meant was that you were using an XY microphone when you clearly seem to be wanting and needing a shotgun mic. that’s why you were picking up noise on your recordings from the camera. The recommendations I mentioned would be to get the Rode Mic with the Lyre mount. The rubber band mounts are very aggravating to deal with. heck, I’ll sell you mine if you want for a cheaper than new price!

all the best

Al

[Bobby Hall]

I meant that the noise I was hearing (hiss, motor) was when I just used the internal mics on the camera. With the zoom it sounded fine.