RØDE VideoMic GO II Helix | Ultra-Compact On-Camera Shotgun Microphone with Both 3.5mm and USB Outputs for Filmmaking, Content Creation, Podcasting and Video Calls (3rd Gen)

Okay, first off, I didn't buy this MIC from Amazon, but from Best Buy.This MIC is a really good MIC in recording high quality, crisp sound, but sometimes when there is no dialogue, and there is an action that doesn't have much sound, like a door opening and closing, there can be quite a loud hiss in the background. This MIC is the best one for people in a budget like me and is very professional too! Here are 2 ways to prevent the hiss problem:1.) Via CAMERA SETTINGS: Now I know that the GO mic doesn't have a -20db, but you can still lower the hiss through the camera audio recording settings! (My camera is a Canon, so setting titles may vary for different cameras, but I'm pretty sure Nikon has many of those same titles/names.)Step 1: Go to your camera's settings (via camera), and go to the tab that has the audio recordings.Step 2: Click on "Sound Recording" and put on "Manual" instead of "Auto".Step 3: Go down how much you need to, to reach "Rec. Level". Click on that.Step 4: Put the level around 5 or 6; go to the far end (left) of the level and click 5 or 6 times for it to go to the right. (contact me if you need more detail).This will lower the hiss sound, so the audio will be a clearer when you have dialogue or recording voiceover.2.) Via EDITING SOFTWARE: (I use Final Cut Pro X and iMovie, so I'm sure any other editing software would have the audio effect if these two have it.)Step 1: Open your editing software.Step 2: Go to the "Effects" tab.Step 3: Click on the subcategory (if you have one): "Audio Effects"Step 4: Scroll down (if you have to) and find the tab "Levels"Step 5: Then, scroll down (if you have to again) and find the "Gain" effect.Step 5: Add that effect to your clip/audio and adjust the setting controls to "-20db"Now you have better sounding audio without having to buy the Rode MIC with the Gain controls on the MIC itself.***I have attached pictures (for the Editing Software portion) to help along with the steps. If you still need help, don't hesitate to contact me!***Hope this helps you decide what MIC to buy, and this one seems to be perfect if you are a freelance filmmaker, YouTube creator, or anyone with a tight budget :)

I recently purchased the RØDE Auxiliary VideoMic GO Lightweight On-camera Shotgun Microphone, and I'm absolutely blown away by the difference it has made in my video production quality! As an aspiring content creator, I've always struggled with capturing clear and crisp audio directly from my camera, but this microphone has completely changed the game for me.First and foremost, the lightweight design is perfect for my on-the-go filming style. It doesn't add any significant weight to my camera setup, making it ideal for long shooting sessions or when I'm out and about capturing various scenes. The setup was a breeze too – just plug it into the camera's audio input, and I was good to go!The audio quality is where this microphone truly shines. The shotgun design allows it to focus on the sound directly in front of it while minimizing background noise. I was amazed at how it picked up even the slightest details in my recordings, whether I was filming interviews, tutorials, or outdoor shots. The result? Crystal clear audio that truly enhances the overall viewing experience.One thing I was particularly impressed with is how well it handled outdoor recording. Wind noise can be a nightmare, but the built-in windscreen on this microphone did a fantastic job of minimizing those disturbances. This feature alone has saved me a ton of time in post-production, not having to deal with excessive wind interference.Overall, the RØDE Auxiliary VideoMic GO microphone is a game changer for anyone looking to up their video and audio quality. The lightweight, easy-to-use design combined with outstanding audio performance make it an essential tool in my filmmaking kit. If you're serious about creating top-notch content, do yourself a favor and invest in this microphone – you won't be disappointed!

Just remember that this mic does not use a battery, and is made primarily for DSLR's that provide power through the mic cable (Rode supplies a nice coiled one that does not get in your way). On that note, most DSLR's made today are compatible with this little gem. Check compatibility on Rode's website before purchase.Setup is easy...just go on YouTube and search for a Rode Video Mic GO setup for your particular DSLR, since this is a popular microphone in use around the world. If you have a Canon or Nikon or other popular DSLR, somebody has already "been there, done that" and is willing to share their menu setup.I had this set up and ready to go within minutes after receiving it in the mail and attaching it to a Canon EOS T5i, and made a quick test video to confirm the settings did work.The cardioid pickup pattern is well-engineered. I literally performed the setup and marched out to record a Missoula Children's Theatre play for my kids, and the recorded sound was fine despite a generic auditorium that was built without stage performances in mind (i.e., the acoustics were built for lecture, not musical performance).I bought this because I decided, on the spur of the moment, to try video with a camera that I no longer using regularly for school sports and activities (I have a Canon 5D Mk IV and Canon 1Ds Mk III for that). For a quickly cobbed-together combo of this mic and a Canon T5i DSLR, it did really well. I obviously have to use it more to get more out of this particular setup, but for a person like me who has never tried video with a DSLR, this mic proved to be a good choice.UPDATE: 2 years old, and started delivering more and more background hissing after a year of use, no matter which camera body I used. This item did not last very long. I can remove the hiss in post production using software, but it’s just easier to buy a higher quality mic with its own power supply (a battery). It was decent while it lasted.

Is what I expected to be for the price, gets the job done, above medium quality buid, and sound is decent