Acoustic Design and Polar Pattern

The VideoMic GO II features the same annular line tube technology as the hugely popular VideoMic NTG and NTG5 professional shotgun microphones. This revolutionary acoustic design gives the VideoMic GO II a very rich, full-bodied sound that will instantly improve the audio of your camera, smartphone, tablet, or computer. Being a shotgun microphone with a supercardioid polar pattern, it is highly directional, meaning that it clearly picks up sound from in front while sounds to the side and rear are reduced. It can also pick up sound from further away from the microphone while still retaining presence and clarity.

Powering the VideoMic GO II

The VideoMic GO II runs off plug-in power, which is provided by the device it is connected to, whether it’s a camera, smartphone or tablet, or computer. This means that no batteries are required to operate, but it must be connected to a compatible device either via the 3.5mm output or USB output to power on.

The 3.5mm Output

The VideoMic GO II has a 3.5mm TRS output for connecting it to cameras and other devices with a 3.5mm input, such as the AI-Micro. It comes with the RØDE SC14 3.5mm TRS to TRS patch cable.

The 3.5mm output also acts as a headphone output for monitoring your audio when using the VideoMic GO II in USB mode (see below).

The USB Output

The VideoMic GO II also has a USB-C output for connecting it to smartphones, tablets, and computers. It is a class-compliant USB device, meaning you don’t need drivers or software for it to work. Simply plug it into your device, set it as your input source in your system preferences or recording software settings if required, and hit record. Using the USB output also allows the 3.5mm output to be used as a headphone output for monitoring your audio (see the ‘Direct Monitoring’ section for more information).

Using the VideoMic GO II with a Computer

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.

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.

When using the VideoMic GO II with a computer, you can access advanced features using RØDE Central, including input level and direct monitoring control, a high-pass filer and high-frequency boost, and a -20dB pad. If you are podcasting or livestreaming with the VideoMic GO II, we recommend using our free RØDE Connect software. See the ‘Using the VideoMic GO II with RØDE Apps’ section for more information.

RØDE Connect

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.

RØDE Connect allows you to control the input level of the microphone, as well as enabling the high-pass filter, high-frequency boost and pad. The software also unlocks access to four studio-quality audio processors: a noise gate, compressor and APHEX Aural Exciter and Big Bottom. These are perfect for giving your recordings a rich, professional quality (find out more about them here).

These processors are activated by default in RØDE Connect (except the noise gate) and can be turned off/on by clicking the number above each microphone channel and clicking the toggle next to each processor. To control your headphone level, you will need to use RØDE Central.

Adjusting the Input Gain

You can adjust the VideoMic GO II’s input gain using RØDE Connect, RØDE Central and RØDE Reporter, as well as most third-party software and apps that have a level control (if you are using software or an app without a level control or that does not interface with the VideoMic GO II and would like to adjust your input gain, use RØDE Central). This is useful when recording particularly loud sound source that is distorting the microphone’s preamp (for example, if you are recording a podcast and your mouth is close to the microphone). Using the level peak warning LED on the side of the microphone is an easy way to tell if the input level is too high.

Note: Any changes made to the input gain or activation of the pad via a RØDE app will not be retained when using the VideoMic GO II in 3.5mm mode. When using the microphone with a camera, it has a set input and output gain level that is optimised for this type of recording. If you are recording a loud sound source and can see on your camera’s audio level is ‘peaking’ (hitting the red part of the meter), turn the input level down on your camera.

Pad

You can activate a -20dB input pad for the microphone via RØDE Connect, RØDE Central and RØDE Reporter. This is an easy way to quickly adjust the input level if you are recording a particularly loud sound source or are speaking into the microphone at a close distance. We recommend having the pad activated when recording a podcast or in any other situation where your mouth is close to the mic.

High-frequency Boost

The VideoMic GO II also features a high-frequency boost. This has been specifically tailored for retaining detail and clarity when using the RØDE WS12 windshield.