RODE Microphones VideoMic User manual

(EMC, LVD)

Stereo VideoMic

Instruction Manual

www.rodemic.com

- 2 -

Introduction

Thank you for investing in the Stereo VideoMic

(SVM).

Those of you who are ﬁrst time customers, may

be interested to know that we are one of the largest and

most respected professional microphone companies

in the world. Our studio microphones are the ‘tone’

behind some of the biggest hits of the last decade, and

our award winning live performance microphones are

on tour throughout the world.

The SVM is a very special product born out of

the success of the original VideoMic, now the world’s

biggest selling on camera shotgun. So why did we

design the SVM? It’s simple, our customers asked us

to give them the same sound quality and performance

they were getting from the VideoMic but in a stereo

system. We listen to our customers.

This was not an easy project, but as you will soon hear,

have done it again! The SVM captures the true

ambience of the recording space, and still offers a high

level of rear rejection and low noise. You can also use

the SVM as a remote mic on a stand or boom pole and

have a VideoMic on the camera, or an NTG1/2 on a

boom pole. By incorporating a simple mixer you can

then create a very professional audio track.

Please take the time to visit www.rodemic.com and

While there you can view recording tips and techniques,

as well as browse the comprehensive range of

accessories for microphones.

Peter Freedman

Microphones

Sydney, Australia

- 3 -

Speciﬁcations

Acoustic

Principle:

Pressure Gradient

Directional

Pattern:

Super Cardioid (per capsule)

(see graph)

Frequency

Range:

40 Hz - 20 kHz

selectable High Pass Filter (HPF)

@ 80 HZ 12 dB/octave

Output

Impedence:

200 

Sensitivity: -38 dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (12.6 mV

@ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz

Equivalent Noise: 20 dB SPL

(A - weighted per IEC651)

Dynamic Range: 115 dB SPL

(A - weighted per IEC651)

Maximum SPL: 134dB SPL

(@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1Kload)

Signal/Noise: 74 dB SPL

(A - weighted per IEC651)

Power

Requirement:

9V battery powered

Output

Connection:

Stereo mini jack plug - ø3.5mm.

Right Channel - Ring

Left Channel - Tip

Net Weight: 288gm

- 4 -

Speciﬁcations

Frequency Response

Polar Response

Accessories

-2.0

-20.0

-10.0

1KHz

Dead Kitten Windscreen

- 5 -

Features

• Stereo X/Y condenser microphone

• Broadcast sound quality

• Rugged cast aluminum body

• 9V battery operation

• Two step high-pass ﬁlter and PAD

• Low handling noise

• Integral camera-shoe mount

• Designed & manufactured in Australia

• Full 10 year warranty*

*Online product registration required.

- 6 -

Battery Installation

• The SVM operates on a standard 9V battery.

We recommend you use either Alkaline or Lithium

batteries for the longest continuous operating

time.

• The SVM will run continuously for over 60 hours

with a good quality Alkaline battery. It is however

important to understand that battery performance

can vary dramatically with ambient temperature

and shelf life.

• Actual operation times will vary and we suggest

you always carry a spare battery. If the application

is critical and where there is no opportunity to

re-shoot, we suggest that you use a fresh battery

every time.

• To install the battery, slide the battery

compartment cover (found at the top rear) towards

the rear of the microphone and lift up. Insert the 9V

battery terminal-side ﬁrst, ensuring the positive (+)

terminal is at the bottom.

• Once you have installed the battery, slide the cover

back into position and you are ready to fasten the

mic onto the camera. Do not leave the battery

in-place if you are going to store the SVM for long

periods. Batteries can leak and the chemicals will

damage your microphone.

- 7 -

- 8 -

Mounting your SVM

• The SVM incorporates a standard camera-

shoe mount on the bottom of the microphone.

Designed to reduce motor and handling noise,

the shock mount has a 3/8” threaded insert for

mounting on tripods and poles. You will ﬁnd older

models and low cost cameras produce more motor

noise, which the highly sensitive SVM can pick up. If

so, engage the High Pass Filter (HPF) to reduce this

noise (see SVM controls).

• Before sliding the camera-shoe into place, turn

the knurled tightening ring anti-clockwise which

will make sliding the camera-shoe into place much

easier. Now turn the knurled ring in a clockwise

direction, gently tightening it so the SVM is seated

ﬁrmly in place. You will notice the SVM may seem

slightly loose in its mount. This is due to the shock

mount system and is not a fault.

• The SVM delivers a mic level signal to the video

camera via a stereo mini jack audio lead. The mini

jack should be connected to the camera via the

camera’s “Audio-In” socket- refer to your video

camera user manual.

- 9 -

Operating the SVM

• Now that you have the SVM securely fastened to

your camera and the audio output lead connected,

you can switch the mic on.

There are three switches located at the rear of

the microphone:

PAD (left switch)

The PAD allows for attenuation of the microphone

recording level (either 0dB or -10dB). This is useful

in situations where you may be recording a loud

sound source that may overload the input levels of

your microphone/camera.

Power (middle switch)

This switches the microphone on. The LED above

the switch indicates the power status. When

ﬁrst switched on the LED will ﬂash red and then

change to a constant green to indicate normal

operation and good battery level. If the LED

remains red this is indicating low battery level

and the battery should be changed immediately.

There is approximately one hour of operation

time remaining following the ﬁrst indication of low

battery level.

High-Pass Filter (right switch)

The High-Pass Filter can be used to roll off low end

frequencies (below 80Hz). This is useful in situations

such as nearby trafﬁc noise, or where the camera

transmits signiﬁcant motor or tape noise to the

microphone.

• It is now time to set the camera’s audio level. To

ensure the optimum signal you will need to set

the VU meter on the camera to read around “3/4”

or “75%” on the sound ‘peaks’. Most cameras will

- 10 -

Operating the SVM

allow you to access this setting through the camera

menu. You should try and set the level using the

sound source you will be recording, or a sound

source of similar level before starting to record or

you could distort the input of your camera if the

level has been set too high. We suggest you read

your camera manual, which should cover this topic.

The SVM has been optimised for high rejection of

radio frequency interference, but we suggest you

keep all transmitters, mobile/cell phones, pagers

etc. at least 2m away to reduce the possibility of

interference ruining your recordings.

• The SVM is not designed for long

distance pick up. Of course you can boost the

gain level on your camera and you will hear more

deﬁned sounds over a longer distance than with

conventional microphones, but you will also get

a lot of ambient noise and reﬂections making it

sound hollow.

For best results you need to be within 6’ (2m) of a

person talking. If you want very clear dialogue, you

will need to have the mic positioned close to the

person you are recording and use an extension mic

cable. The SVM has a wide pick-up angle and polar

response, so can be used to great effect for news

gathering, weddings or sporting events. The SVM

can be used in any situation where you want to

listen to what’s in the near ﬁeld shot and what’s at

the side, or out of view.

• The best way to get optimum results with the SVM

is to use it so you become more familiar with its

sound and pick-up characteristics.

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