Rode Central lets you enable items like the Pad, High Pass Filter, Presence boost and adjust input level The VideoMic GO II is fully compatible with RØDE Connect, our simple, powerful, free software solution for podcasting and livestreaming. RØDE Connect allows you to connect up to four VideoMic GO IIs (and other compatible RØDE microphones) to a single computer. It has a fully featured recording interface complete with broadcast-style faders, level metering, sound pads, solo/mute buttons, multi-channel recording and more. In the video at the top of this review, there are several comparisons between the Rode VideoMic GO II alongside the Rode VideoMic NTG and the crowd favourite Rode VideoMicro. They were recorded simultaneously using three Panasonic G80 cameras (that’s the G85 for you folks in the USA), with the audio settings on each set identically. Das besonders kompakte und leichte VideoMic GO II ist ideal für die Verwendung mit Mobilgeräten. Um das VideoMic GO II mit einem Smartphone oder Tablet zu verbinden, benötigst du jedoch ein separat erhältliches USB-Kabel. You can use the GO II as an on-camera mic or via USB with your smartphone or computer. (Image credit: Rod Lawton/Digital Camera World)

The VideoMic GO II has two distinct audio outputs: 3.5mm mode and USB mode. When used in 3.5mm mode with a camera or other audio device, the microphone is designed to be a simple plug-and-go microphone for capturing high-quality audio with ease. The digital signal processing that allows access to the microphone’s input level control, high-pass filter, high-frequency boost, and pad cannot be accessed when using the microphone in 3.5mm mode. To connect the VideoMic GO II to your computer, you will need a USB-C to USB-C cable like the RØDE SC16 or SC17, or a USB-C to USB-A cable like the RØDE SC18, depending on what USB ports your computer has. Once connected, go to your computer system settings/preferences and select the VideoMic GO II as your audio input and output device. This will bypass your computer’s internal microphone and speakers and use the VideoMic GO II instead. You will also need to select the VideoMic GO II as your input and output device in any software or application you are using the microphone with. As you can hear in the video above, though, there really isn’t much difference at all between using the microphone “naked” or using it with the WS12 Deluxe Windshield, so you’re not going to take the hit in audio quality that you often do with windshields.

Rode VideoMic Go II at a glance:

All three are designed to mount onto camera hotshoes or boom poles, and as shotguns all are also designed to concentrate on the sound right in front of them, so ideal for recording vlogs, podcasts or any kind of piece to camera. Where they differ is in size, quality and features. With the mic facing forwards, the USB port is on the right of the barrel while the 3.5mm port is on the left. Dedicated grips in the base of the mount are intended to enable the cables to be kept out of the way, but they’re a bit fiddly to use with the supplied SC14 3.5mm TRS to TRS cable. The precise set-up of a microphone depends upon the location and what you’re recording as well as the recording device that you’re using. However, the main subject should be close to a shotgun mic, usually less than a metre away and ideally at about 30-50cm depending upon the focal length of the lens.

The Rode Connect software allows you to mix and stream but also record multiple microphones in a true multichannel mix

The VideoMic GO II is host powered, so it hasn't got a battery of its own (this probably also helps keep the weight down). I found only one issue with the simplicity: there is no way of telling whether the VideoMic GO II is active or not as there are no LEDs on the body. It takes the simplicity of the original Go microphone with no battery or controls to worry about, but inherits key features of the high-end NTG mic including a sliding mount to get out the way of viewfinders and ultra wide lenses, and a USB port so you can alternatively connect it to a computer, tablet or phone as well as a camera. Rode has given the VideoMic Go II a 3.5mm TRS output which means it is directly compatible with cameras featuring a 3.5mm mic port. There’s also a USB-C output for connecting the VideoMic Go II to a smartphone, tablet or computer. Apple iPhone users can connect the VideoMic Go II to their phone using Rode’s SC15 cable which has a Lightning connection at one end and a USB-C connection at the other end.

When used with a computer, the VideoMic GO II works as a fully functional USB microphone, complete with headphone monitoring using the 3.5mm output. The same goes for smartphone users. If you have a decent enough smartphone camera and maybe a gimbal, adding the VideoMic GO II won't increase the weight of the setup too much but will improve sound quality significantly.

For the price, it's hard to be mad at the RODE VideoMic GO II for any of its shortcomings. If you want to upgrade the sound quality of your videos from the default in-camera options, this is the mic you want to get. RODE VideoMic GO II review: Also consider Der Eingangspegel des VideoMic GO II kann in RØDE Connect, RØDE Central und RØDE Reporter sowie in den meisten Software-Programmen und Apps von Drittanbietern, die über einen Pegelregler verfügen, angepasst werden. Wenn du eine Software oder App ohne Pegelregler verwendest oder eine, die nicht mit dem VideoMic GO II kompatibel ist, stelle den Eingangspegel in RØDE Central ein. Dies ist besonders bei lauten Schallquellen nützlich, die den Vorverstärker des Mikrofons verzerren könnten (zum Beispiel, wenn du einen Podcast aufnimmst und das Mikrofon sehr nahe am Mund positioniert ist). Anhand der Peak-LED seitlich am Mikrofon kannst du feststellen, ob der Eingangspegel zu hoch ist.

and USB-C: There’s a 3.5mm TRS connection to use with cameras and a USB output for connecting to mobile devices and computers

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App compatible: The Rode Central smartphone app enables advanced features to be selected wherever you are, provided you have the right cable Wird das VideoMic GO II über USB an einen Computer angeschlossen, kann der 3,5 mm Ausgang als Kopfhörerausgang genutzt werden.