01Aug Aputure V-Mic D1 DSLR Shotgun Microphone – First impression
Audio is a pretty important part of film making and there are a lot of different approaches when you’re trying to achieve good sound on a budget. In the past I’ve talked about audio adapter boxes and camera microphones like the Rode Videomic pro but what if you want to save a little money on a lower price alternative? Over the next week or so I’ll be taking a closer look at the Aputure V-Mic D1 on camera microphone. At a price of just $115 ( $110 less then the Rode Videomic pro) it could end up being a very affordable alternative. After all price doesn’t always dictate quality, for example the cheapest boom mic on the market sounds pretty decent for a $35 microphone.
Unlike the Rode VideoMic Pro, the Aputure V-Mic comes with an independent shock mount. The microphone can be inserted into the shock mount by removing the foam windscreen. The shock mount feels a little more sturdy then the one used on the VideoMic and with the Aputure design you don’t have to worry about little nubs of rubber slipping out of their cradle.
Another thing the Aputure V-Mic includes in the price is a full windscreen. Most microphones require you to buy one sprightly at a price of $30 or $40. It’s a nice bit of value added to the microphone and I wish more manufactures would include it in the price.
The Aputure V-Mic runs on two AAA batteries. The battery compartment is easy to reach and the two batteries do a good job of balancing the microphone out when it’s attached to the included shock mount adapter. You’ll also notice that the cable is made of a braided material which adds to the build quality. The design feels solid in the hand and seems like it might hold up better than ultra thin cables used on other mics.
When you set the Rode VideoMic Pro next to the Aputure V-Mic, you’ll notice that they are both about the same size and profile. You’ll also notice that Aputure included a removable swivel base, while the VideoMic Pro has a stationary mount. Sometimes you need to mount a microphone like this to an arm or place it at an odd angle. With Rode’s offering any mounting position besides up and down can cause the microphone to knock up against it’s cradle, while the Aputure V-Mic can easily be readjusted to the proper position using it’s swivel base.
The other nice thing about the shock mount system used on the Aputure V-Mic is that the cold shoe and swivel mount can be removed from the shock mount. This leaves you with a female 1/4 20 mount for attachment. It also reduces the profile of the mic by about an inch and half.
The windscreen, covers the entire microphone and leaves you a single opening at the bottom for the microphone cable and cold shoe adapter. Just like the Rode VideoMic Pro, the windscreen slides over the top of the foam windscreen you’ve seen above. To cover up the back end of the microphone Aputure actually gives you a second section of windscreen to slide over the back of the unit. The look and quality of the windscreen seems to be very decent and when you consider it’s included in the price of this $115 microphone, the Aputure V-Mic starts to look like a real bargain.
I have a shoot coming up tomorrow in Omaha and I’ll be bringing the Aputure V-Mic with me for testing. From the schedule it looks like I’ll have an hour or so of down time while the makeup artists is getting things setup. When I get a chance I’ll sit down with one of the actors or actresses and shoot a couple of quick audio tests. If everything goes well I should have some audio samples up for you to check out on Saturday. Until then, more driving and more filming. I’m starting to miss my weekends.
August 1st, 2013 at 9:24 pm
[…] Aputure V-Mic D1 DSLR Shotgun Microphone – First impression […]
August 1st, 2013 at 10:31 pm
Glad to see a serious contender to the Rode VMP. Hopefully it sounds great!
August 2nd, 2013 at 12:40 am
Aputure V-Mic D1 DSLR Shotgun Microphone
I saw it in Shanghai PE exhibition,it is great.
I am waiting the video review.
August 2nd, 2013 at 12:34 am
As long as it’s better than the camera mic, I’d buy this since I usually do dual system sound when shooting with a DSLR. Thanks for the tip and look forward to the review.
August 2nd, 2013 at 1:01 am
Why to pay 120US$ to NO NAME brand and not to buy RODE VIDEOIMIC for same price
August 2nd, 2013 at 9:05 am
I have 2 rode videomic pro’s Thought I’d try out some other lower price brands to see how well they compare.
August 2nd, 2013 at 9:16 am
You can buy VIDEOMIC it is half the price of VIDEOMIC PRO with very good quality
August 2nd, 2013 at 10:31 am
I started out using the original Rode VideoMic 7 or 8 years ago. It’s a great microphone, but there are a few issues. First it doesn’t have as much output gain which means it doesn’t work great with all dslrs, second is it’s size. When you set the VideoMic next to the pro you notice right away that it’s more the double the size which can be an issue in some configurations. The last bit about the VideoMic that causes issues is the suspension system. If there’s a lot of movement the mic will start to bounce around enough that noise is generated in your recording from the mic cable rubbing against the frame.
I’ve done a lot of shooting with the original Rode VideoMic and the Pro. It’s nice to test some other brands to see whats out there.
August 2nd, 2013 at 11:42 am
You right about the issue of suspension system but Rode change all this part with the new one.You can see the difference the new one comes with red color.If you compare the specification of the V-Mic D1 with Rode Videomic you will not see any differences.So with the same price you can buy those two mics what do you prefer one with long good reputation with 10 years limited warranty or the other one with one year warranty with no history.If the V-Mic D1 was the half price of RODE or it was with much better specifications may be you right.But I prefer the one that I know what I pay and what I get.
August 2nd, 2013 at 4:09 pm
That is nice that Rode licensed Rycote’s lyre bands. That’s the best shock mount around. But the non pro version is still pretty big and it runs on a 9 volt battery which really sucks. Plus it doesn’t come with a deadcat. Any on camera mic isn’t going to be great anyways. I’m still interested to hear about the Aperture mic.
August 3rd, 2013 at 2:59 am
As you wrote that’s the best shock mount around. I agree that it is size is too long and the battery is 9V but in this price range I didn’t find anything better than RODE VIDEOMIC all the microphones with smaller size with better quality are much more expensive.I will be happier if the price of RODE VIDEOMIC PRO was 120US$.
August 3rd, 2013 at 3:44 am
By the way if you are looking for a cheap one check this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SG-108-DV-Stereo-Microphone-for-DSLR-Camera-Canon-EOS-5D-550D-60D-600D-T3i-T2i-/400456171405
Only 25US$
August 3rd, 2013 at 7:00 am
Not sure it’s worth using a mic at may not give good result. Here are a few reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Camera-Professional-Stereo-Microphone/product-reviews/B006M7G6YE/ref=cm_cr_pr_top_recent?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
August 3rd, 2013 at 5:27 pm
I don’t think I would trust a mic like that. It doesn’t include a shock mount, and looks pretty shifty. On top of that it looks like they are using a none standard battery type.
August 3rd, 2013 at 10:29 pm
Aputure V-Mic D1 and this look like same stuff.
I don’t know how you see that Aputure V-Mic D1 good shock mount.
What I am trying to say both of them not AZDEN, Sennheiser or RODE.
Those are 3 best DSLR manufacturer and I don’t think we have to gamble for 120US$ for no name mic
August 4th, 2013 at 12:50 am
I have Sennheiser and Rode mics. But the NTG3 is too big and only phantom powered. Plus, I’d never waste a higher end mic on top of a dslr. I’d always boom or lav my mic’s to get best sound. I just want something small, battery operated and better than the camera mic that I can put wind protection on and use to sync sound. I’d never buy anything from Azden. Audio Technica and even Shure make better mics than Azden.
August 4th, 2013 at 9:27 am
Ruby, something to think about. I’m testing microphones and spending my money so that you don’t have to. If it bombs I’ll let you know, if it sounds pretty good I’ll let you know as well. Hopefully the results will help people out there trying to decide what they want to buy.
August 4th, 2013 at 11:23 pm
Sorry if I make you angry. I have no intend to do this .I am reading most of your articles and they are very useful. Again thanks for all the job you are doing for us.
August 4th, 2013 at 1:00 am
Of course Audio Technica is a very good brand.
But how come someone who generaly use something like NTG3 which is one of the best in his category can work no name brand just come out first of August.
No one knows if it is durable.From the pictures it has no shock mount.For that reason I will still choose the Rycote’s shock mount VIDEOMIC. It is little bulky but with the best shock mount with perfect sound quality for it’s price range and with 10 years warranty.Who wants to change this mic to Chinese no name brand with same price.
August 4th, 2013 at 3:31 am
You didn’t read what I wrote. I just wanted something small and battery operated that offers better performance than camera mics. I don’t have high expectations since this is for my b-cam which doesn’t have phantom power. There are not that many choices in this form factor and the Rode is too big. It sounds like you rely on your on camera mic to be your main sound. I don’t. I do dual system sound so the NTG3 is usually on a boom and connected to an external recorder or I use wireless. So if this mic works, I’ll give it a shot. I mix a lot of non brand stuff with name brand stuff. I’m no brand snob.
August 4th, 2013 at 9:38 am
No problem,all my experience in past with the Chinese cheap stuff was so bad that’s all.I was also very happy if they make some good gears with this price.I am working as a photographer long time I will also not buy any no name lenses they are also cheap but quality
is so bad.I am not a snob but very realistic.
August 4th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Great work Deejay, thanks for testing out whats out there in the djungle…
Really interesting to know how it compares…
August 5th, 2013 at 12:32 am
really interest to know how the sound quality & dead cat perform, I do work a lot at field, without dead cat you record nothing.
August 5th, 2013 at 7:11 am
I look forward your comparison with the Videomic pro
December 22nd, 2013 at 6:01 pm
I got a V-mic D1 and am getting an annoying buzz while using it on a Canon 5D Mk II. Has anyone else had this problem?
June 3rd, 2014 at 8:16 pm
I just noticed the mic pick up louder audio from the back than the front.
August 31st, 2015 at 5:36 am
[…] on both mic’s any room noise has basically disappeared. Again the audio quality coming from the Aputure V-Mic is pretty impressive for a microphone in this price range (around $100 on ebay). The signal level […]