If you are interested in starting to vlog your activities or you are looking to replace your old DSLR microphone with the new one, then you are in the right place. Today we will review two microphones that are specialized as DSLR microphones, which you can use for your activities. We are talking about the Rode VideoMic Pro Plus and the Deity Microphone V-Mic D3 Pro.
Rode VideoMic Pro Plus
First, let us talk about the Rode VideoMic Pro Plus. This microphone is a shotgun microphone. It means that you have to aim your microphone to the source of the sound, otherwise the recorded sound quality will be bad. If you previously use any other type of microphone, you better remember that well. Read also: Rode VideoMic Pro Plus vs Shure VP83 LensHopper.
Although the VideoMic Pro Plus looks like it is heavy, due to the sheer size of the microphone, it is actually quite light in weight. The Pro Plus actual microphone can be considered as short, as the length is only 5.6 inches or 14 cm long, and only when you add a foam windshield that it will become longer at 7.2 inches or 18 cm long. Talking about the windshield, The VideoMic Pro Plus has also come with a foam windshield, so you do not have to buy a new one if you yet have one.
| Rode VideoMic Pro Plus | Deity Microphone V-Mic D3 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 4.3 x 6.69 x 2.59 inches | 9.41 x 8.23 x 3.23 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 4.3 ounces | 11.8 ounces |
| Shop now at Amazon | click here | click here |
The Rode VideoMic Pro Plus is an upgrade from the previous VideoMic Pro series. In the Pro+, the microphone has the ability to turn itself on and off following the camera or the device that you connect it to. Other than that, the VideoMic Pro Plus has a better frame to hold it compared to the previous Pro series, giving it better stability when moving or being shaken. It also increases the battery life to around 10 hours making it suitable for a long duration of run ‘n’ gun filming.
What is interesting from the VideoMic Pro Plus microphone is the advanced audio option this microphone has. At the back of the microphone, you will see a few buttons to set the microphone in the manner that you would like it to record. In the Pro Plus, you can gain of the microphone between +20 to -10. It also has a safety channel, which will help you a lot if you plan to record your audio outside with plenty of noise from vehicles or such. The Pro Plus recording frequency range is from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with the maximum sound it can record is in 133 dB SPL. This is quite high for a shotgun microphone. The microphone itself can be said as quite with it only generating 14 dB of self-noise, making it close to those microphones used professionally.
Deity Microphone V-Mic D3 Pro
Now let us talk about the Deity Microphone V-Mic D3 Pro. I know, it is a long name for a product. The Deity Microphone is also the same type of microphone as the VideoMic Pro Plus, which is a shotgun microphone. Therefore, you have to aim it at the source of the sound to function well.
The Deity Microphone V-Mic D3 Pro comes in a nice casing for packaging. Inside, there is everything you need to use the microphone, from the microphone itself, the foam windscreen already on the microphone, and the connector cable. If you take off the windscreen, you can see the body of the microphone itself is housed in all-metal housing, giving it an expensive feeling.
The Deity microphone length without the foam windscreen is about 7.5 inches or 18 cm long, which is more or less equal to the Rode Pro Plus. While with the foam windscreen, it becomes 8 inches or 20 cm long. The Deity D3 Pro is also coming with a unique slider between the microphone and the connector. This slider functions as an adjustment to when you want to use the manual aim in the camera, you can slide the microphone forward so that it does not bump into your forehead.
Another unique feature that the Deity D3 Pro has is a knob at the back of the microphone to adjust its gain. The adjustment itself can be made from 0 or the base level to plus 10 with ease, which is equal to 0 to 20dB of gain. You can also adjust it in between predetermined levels. This microphone is also compatible with various devices such as DSLRs, smartphones, laptops, tablets, and many other devices that can receive 3.5mm audio jack. Same with the Rode Pro Plus, the Deity D3 Pro is built in such a way that it can stay focused when it is shaken, as to not lose the focus when recording sound. The battery on the Deity D3 Pro can be said to be long-lasting, with the battery can last for about 50 hours. The microphone also has a standby mode, whereas if you turn off your camera and not turn it back on for 5 minutes, the microphone will automatically turn itself off.
The Deity Microphone V-Mic D3 Pro is equipped with a high pass filter, located on top of the microphone. The high pass filter is set into two options, the 75 Hz and 150 Hz. It has a frequency range from 50 Hz to 20 kHz and the maximum sound it can record is 130 dB SPL, which is lower than the Rode Pro Plus.
Rode VideoMic Pro Plus vs Deity Microphone V-Mic D3 Pro
Conclusion
All in all, if what you are looking for is an affordable DSLRs specialized microphone, then I would suggest you pick the Deity Microphone V-Mic D3 Pro as your choice. With the price tag of $200, which is cheaper than the Rode VideoMic Pro Plus $300 plus, and adjustable connector, it will be the best choice for your recording activity. The adjustable gain knob will also provide you with personalized gain that you can choose when recording audio to fit your need, compared to the Rode Pro Plus static plus 20 and minus 10 gain option.