RØDE VideoMic Pro+ On-Camera Shotgun Microphone

What this exact package is for

This is the VideoMic Pro+ / VMP+ standard package, identified by ASIN B0749GV5L3. It includes the LB-1 battery, detachable 3.5mm TRS audio lead and Micro USB cable. The appeal is straightforward: put directional audio into the camera recording while retaining several power and level-control options. [5], [2], [7]

The strongest fit is a nearby subject, supplementary sound or a shoot where a closer microphone is impractical. Both Newsshooter and ProVideo Coalition stress placement. For dialogue with a distant camera, use the threaded mount and a suitable longer lead to move the microphone closer, or consider a lavalier or closely positioned boom. [7], [4], [6]

Power, wind protection and handling in the field

Use the included LB-1, two AA cells or USB power. The LB-1 charges in the microphone; rechargeable AAs do not. RØDE advertises over 100 hours of continuous LB-1 use. Photography News reported two shooting days at IBC without recharging, but did not give controlled powered-on hours. Newsshooter did not test the advertised endurance. Keep those distinctions when planning a long shoot. [2], [7], [3], [4]

The high-pass filter offers 75 Hz or 150 Hz settings, plus off, to reduce low-frequency rumble. The high-frequency boost adds 5 dB above 7 kHz and is described as useful with wind protection. Listen to the resulting balance instead of enabling every control by default. Newsshooter found that the older VideoMic Pro's furry windscreen does not fit the larger Pro+ windshield, so check exact accessory fit. [7], [4]

Photography News reported less lens, internal and handling noise with the suspension mount. The retained battery door and detachable lead also make field changes more convenient. RØDE lists a 122 g net weight and dimensions of 111 mm high, 66 mm wide and 170 mm deep. Treat those as specified dimensions, and check how the microphone and cable sit on your own camera rig. [2], [4], [3]

Directional sound, with ratings kept in context

RØDE specifies a supercardioid line-gradient design, a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range, 14 dBA equivalent noise and 133 dB SPL maximum input. These are manufacturer ratings. They describe the microphone's design and nominal limits; they do not establish how much background noise a particular room, camera or shooting distance will leave in the recording. [2], [6]

Newsshooter's listening impression was slightly warmer sound than the preceding VideoMic Pro, rather than a dramatic change in acoustic quality. The official documents also give slightly different sensitivity figures, both with a stated tolerance. That difference is preserved as a documentation uncertainty; it is not evidence of a distinct hardware revision. [2], [1], [4]

Check the input and the automatic-power trigger

Audio leaves through the 3.5mm TRS output as unbalanced dual mono. The Micro USB connection is documented for power and charging. Before buying for a computer or another host, verify the complete analogue recording path rather than assuming USB microphone functionality. Photography News used a Fujifilm X-T3, and ProVideo Coalition documented a direct Sony PXW-X70 connection; neither report is a compatibility guarantee for every camera. [2], [7], [3], [6]

Automatic power-on depends on the camera or recorder supplying plug-in power at its microphone input, with the feature enabled on the Pro+. A matching socket alone is insufficient evidence. Test the camera's actual power sequence and confirm that the microphone is active before a take. [7]

Set microphone output and camera input together

The output settings are 0 dB, -10 dB and +20 dB. A stronger microphone output can let you reduce the camera recording level and its preamp contribution, as Newsshooter explains. Start from the actual source and camera, then check the loudest expected passages; do not treat the boost setting as a universal recommendation. [7], [4], [2]

ProVideo Coalition provides a useful worked example: direct connection to a Sony PXW-X70, manual camera audio, and Pro+ demonstrations using +20 dB output gain with different filter settings. The raw Pro+ clips were reported at approximately -21 LUFS, and the demonstrations were later normalized to -16 LUFS. Those values describe that recording and post-production workflow, not a measured signal-to-noise improvement. [7], [6]

Understand what the safety channel can save

Safety Channel lowers the right side of the dual-mono output by 10 dB. To use that protection, the recorder and editing workflow must preserve the channels separately so you can select the quieter one when needed. It is a second output level of the same signal, not onboard backup recording. Do not assume it can undo overload earlier in the signal path. ProVideo Coalition explicitly did not test this function in its demonstrations. [7], [2], [6]

The purchase decision and remaining unknowns

Choose the Pro+ when its removable power options, analogue recording workflow and conditional safety features solve a real shooting need. Prioritize closer placement if your problem is distant dialogue. The retained evidence does not establish an independent self-noise test, controlled full-battery endurance, a weather-resistance rating, current regional warranty conditions or a systematic long-term fault rate. Those gaps should temper claims about laboratory superiority or all-weather durability. [2], [7], [4], [3], [6]