Deity V-Mic D3 Review | Musician Nerd
Updated on Mar 16, 2022
Table of Contents
The Deity V-Mic D3 is one of the most popular camera-mounted shotgun microphones on the affordable market today. Many people considering this mic are looking for an affordable option to get them off the ground, and Deity develops great products for this market.
Deity V-Mic D3 Super-Cardioid Directional Microphone
There are two editions of the Deity V-Mic D3 & the Deity V-Mic D3 Pro. For this review, we'll be sticking to the base model, however, we have worked with both. The pro model does deliver all of the same positives as the base model, but with a noticeable bump in quality. However, as it is double the price, there may be better alternatives for that market.
So today we will review the base model of the Deity V-Mic D3, one of the most affordable microphones on the market. We will see how it stands out from others within the same price range, and whether it's the right choice for you. We will run you through the pros and cons, and finish off by discussing alternatives for those with a little more room in their budget.
Why It's Great
The Deity V-Mic D3 offers incredible sound quality given the price point. The off-axis sound rejection offers better background noise control than any built-in microphone could provide, and while it's not perfect, I've found it to be the best at this price point. They use side-slots within the microphone capsule to cancel out the noise from the sides & rear of the mic, focusing only on what's in front.
Picture Of Deity D3 Super-Cardioid Directional Microphone
When it comes to capturing the audio of your target, the Deity V-Mic D3 comes with a high-grade Signal-To-Noise Ratio (SNR) of 78dB. This describes the relationship between signal power & noise power. While the higher the better, I find anything above 75dB to be a good rate for preventing noise. On that same topic, the Deity D3 has a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) of 134dB, which allows us to record loud sound sources without distortion.
Like most microphones used in film, the Deity V-Mic D3 has a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) rate of 20kHz - 20Hz, covering the full frequency range of the (average) human ear. This allows our microphone to capture the highest level of depth in our audio, giving us the rawest, realistic samples.
Super Cardioid Pickup Pattern On Deity D3
The D3 also uses a super-cardioid pickup pattern, giving us a strong level of directionality from the front of the capsule. The pick up pattern will control what part of the capsule is responsible for capturing sound waves, and we usually find shotgun microphones using super-cardioid patterns.
This mic also boasts incredible battery life. A single AAA battery can last anywhere from 150 hours to 208 hours. And that is while the microphone is in use! On standby mode, it can last over 6300 hours! The standby mode is automatically set every time you shut off your camera.
Lastly, the Deity V-Mic D3 is very lightweight, so you won't feel your camera being weighed down. And desipite being so light, I've found it's pretty durable. A lot of microphones in this price range feel cheap, and while this one doesn't feel like the highest quality, it's definitely not cheap in material.
What It's Good For
The Deity V-Mic D3 was designed specifically for use in a film. It's battery-powered & capable of plugging directly into your DSLR camera. Better yet, it includes a Rycote Shockmount that can connect right to the top of your camcorder, making it really easy for beginners to get set up with their audio device.
While you would be able to use it as a boom microphone, I've generally only seen the Deity V-Mic D3 as a mount-on audio device, and would generally recommend you use it within that capacity.
Adjustable Cold Shoe Mount On Deity V-Mic D3 Microphone
While we know it's used for film, it's not going to be the best choice for everyone. So rather than talk about what it's good for, let's get into who it's good for. If you're deep into a filming career or working for a studio, the odds are you have a higher budget, so Deity is really aiming at beginners or hobby filmers. I've seen many high school film students use the Deity V-Mic D3 for their projects, and it does an incredible job at that.
I've also worked with people setting up a small filming studio in their basement, and they'll mount the V-Mic onto their home camera and make their own production. For those on a budget, you're going to get a lot out of this microphone versus some others in the same price range. While every project is different, and affordable shotgun microphone like this one might be a better alternative for you than a standard studio microphone.
The Downsides
My first critical point about the Deity V-Mic D3 is something that's going to apply to any boom microphone in this price range. It doesn't always offer the best background noise suppression, which comes down to the phase cancellation from the side slots. This effect is supposed to cancel out noise from the rear of the microphone, but at this price range, it will only do so much.
The second issue I have with the Deity V-Mic D3 would be the capacitive-touch power button. This is a pretty minor detail and not something I would use as a dealbreaker. However, if you do buy this microphone, be mindful of the lack of responsiveness on the power button.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High SNR & SPL
- Great Sound Depth
- Battery Life
- Affordable
Cons
- Poor Capacitive Touch
Best Used For
- Beginner / Intermediate Film
- Film Students
- Home Projects
Alternatives
The Audio-Technica AT897 is a great choice for those looking for the best boom microphone under $300, that's not only reliable, but still short enough to keep out of the shot. Audio-Technica is one of the best brands on the affordable market, and the AT897 has always been a popular choice.
Audio Technica AT897 Shotgun Boom Microphone On Stand
This microphone offers a short length of 11", and can be mounted on either a boom pole or digit camera. The audio sensitivity comes in at 41dB, so you'll pickup the full environment of your shot, while still maintaining a strong amount of directionality, thanks to the powerful sound rejection from the sides and rear.
I've worked with the Audio-Technica AT897 many times over the years. For students and intermediate film workers, this microphone has been an amazing addition to their setup.
The Rode Video Mic Pro is by far one of the most popular choices in the Under $500 market. I've worked with it plenty of times, and always recommend it for those looking to keep their budget low.
Rode Video Mic Pro On Camera And Boom Microphone
The biggest advantage of this microphone over the Deity is the low noise with high sensitivity. The difference in cost is reflected in the higher quality components and better design of the capsule, offering powerful sound rejection and high directionality. It's no wonder we see the Rode Video Mic Pro used by so many, as it's definitely a step up amongst the other affordable microphones on the market.
Again, this is one of the best shotgun microphones under $500, so if you're looking to go a little higher than the Deity microphone, definitely give this one a try.
Summary
Overall, the Deity V-Mic D3 is a fantastic choice for both beginners and intermediates. It's no surprise a wide variety of people from students to hobbyists are turning to Diety for their microphone needs. Yes, at this price range it's really limited what you can accomplish, but compared to the others at this same budget, it's a no-brainer.
Let us know what you think. Are you going to give the Deity V-Mic D3 a try? Make sure to stop back here and let us know in the comments what YOUR thoughts are! We value your feedback as it helps us better improve on what we're recommending for readers like you. Also, if you have any exciting content you've created and you wanted to share, post it below!
Posted on Aug 12, 2021
Recording Streaming
Have questions for us? Email us at info@musiciannerd.com