As I said in my previous post on the Great Wireless Mic Shootout, great location audio will make your film shine. To ensure a proper sync with any second-system audio however, you need great source audio on an external recorder and from the camera. Luckily for us DSLR shooters there are plenty of options for on-camera mics out there. And if you're not a fan of all that second-system syncing in post, you're in luck -- now through December 31st, RØDE is packaging PluralEyes 3 -- a $200 value -- with the purchase of their Stereo VideoMic Pro or their VideoMic Pro. Hit the bump for an informative video from Aahron Rabonowitz of Red Giant/Creative COW fame:
Here's my take on this whole deal. If you're filming on your DSLR, the audio you get out of the camera is going to be really bad, with high noise floor and lots of shutter noise if you're on a Canon. You'll want to use an on-camera mic to ensure it's even usable, as well as a second-system running a boom or wireless lav. Syncing those two sources requires tools, and this deal provides those tools. It's a win-win.
The rebate process, as denoted in this PDF, is simple. Just buy a mic from an authorized dealer like B&H Photo, register for the free ten-year warranty on RØDE's site, and use the provided serial for your software.
I've personally used RØDE mics on just about every DSLR film I've made. The VideoMic Pro has always been the bell of the ball, and the regular vanilla VideoMic has also produced outstanding results for me personally. The value for the sound quality is impeccable (as demonstrated online by their Soundbooth Broadcast). I do have to admit I haven't used the Stereo VideoMic pro, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it in a heartbeat either, taking into account the polar pattern is a bit wider at cardioid vs supercardioid.
This deal combining RØDE mics with a free copy of PluralEyes 3 is a very smart move for both companies. I've used it in Final Cut Pro 7 and Premiere Pro CS6 to outstanding results. The software just saves so much time when using an external recorder.
If you're pulling the trigger on this deal, there are two things to keep in mind while shopping:
- This deal only runs until December 31st
- This deal is not for the regular VideoMic
Any of you going to jump on this? Anyone else a fan of PluralEyes/RØDE?
