Benro

Phoneographer P1 Smartphone Gimbal + RODE Wireless GO Microphone Vlogger Kit

3-Axis Gimbal + Compact Wireless Microphone System + SC4 3.5mm TRS to TRRS Adapter Kit

More than meeting the basic needs of vloggers want to record smooth footages accompanied by quality audio recordings, this Vlogger Kit brings together the Benro Phoneographer P1 Smartphone Gimbal, the RODE Wireless GO Microphone System and the RODE SC4 3.5mm TRS to TRRS Adapter to literally expand the range of recording and to provide the freedom offered by the wireless capabilities of both the Phoneographer P1 and the Wireless GO.

The Benro Phoneographer P1 is a smart gimbal designed to complement your smartphone's videoing capabilities. Built for easy transportation and storage, the Phoneographer P1 features a unique foldable design and can effortlessly folded down to half its size by collapsing the handle. With a payload of up to 310g, the gimbal can support most mobile phones plus some additional accessories.

The Phoneographer P1's comfortable physical design features a 4-way joystick and customisable buttons for complete user control. As a versatile gimbal, the P1 offers a range of different operation modes - horizontal mode (left-right pan), omni-directional mode (up-down tilt plus left-right pan), quick-follow mode (increased speed for tracking fast subjects), and direction lock mode (phone position always points in same direction).  A trigger button at the front of the gimbal can be used activate the various gimbal modes or lock the tilt and pan axes. Featuring a 360° pan rotation, you would not miss a moment's of action when your subject is dancing circles around you, or if you are videoing indoor track cycling from the centre of the action.

With a press of the "M" button on the side of its handle, the P1 offers an easy switch between the 16:9 landscape video perspective (for Youtube) and the 9:16 vertical perspective (for Facebook and Instagram). In addition, there is a button to start and stop recording and another to switch between various photo and video modes on the companion smartphone App that works in conjuction with the gimbal.  Besides a wide range of video and photo functions that include time-lapse, hyper-lapse, panoramic photos, and long exposure still functionality, the aforementioned partnership between the gimbal and app also enables firmware upates, recalibration, face tracking and more.

To further enhance user experience, the 2000mAh battery that powers the gimbal not only deliver up to 24 hours of run time, but can also be used to recharge your mobile device via a cable or even wirelessly (if compatible). TRRS audio passthrough ports are incorporated for filmmakers to send audio from an attached microphone to a compatible phone.  A USB-C to USB-C cable, a Lightning to USB-C cable, an audio cable, a power cord, a mini tripod and a storage bag are all included in the box to support and enhance the use of the gimbal.

Here, the gimbal is kitted here with the RODE Wireless Go Compact Wireless Microphone System, which ticks the boxes for those who wants to achieve quality audio recording on the go, over a much larger distance range.

Designed with portability in mind, this compact and lightweight system comprises of a transmitter and receiver that measures about 44 x 45 x 18.5 mm and weighs only 31g each, enabling them and accessories to fit comfortably into the supplied pouch that is small enough to fit into your pocket. Taking only two hours to charge the built-in batteries from empty to full to provide an approximate 7 hours use, using the Wireless Go is then as simple as powering up, pressing a button to pair and positioning the transmitter and receiver to start recording. The transmitter and receiver both feature an integrated clip, allowing the miniature transmitter to be clip on easily to clothing, belt or a pocket, while enabling the ultra compact receiver to be mounted on camera, placed in a sound bag, or a mobile device. In addition, besides the power on button, the overall minimalistic design on the pair includes high contrast LCD display and LED indicators to allow you to keep tabs of pertinent information such as battery status, audio level and signal level.

Complementing the portability and simply efficient form factor of the Wireless Go, the transmitter houses a high caliber, pre-polarised, and omnidirectional lavalier mic to deliver broadcast-quality audio even when mic placement is less than ideal. Voice clariy, intelligibility, and consistency are afforded as sub-bass tones such as rumble and boominess are naturally attenuated by the 50 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range. In the case where an external lavalier might be desired, a 3.5mm TRS input with plug-in power is provided. The input passes through a wide-band audio from 20 Hz to 20 kHz to the internal mic preamp whereby no settings or parameter adjustments are required to achieve a robust dynamic range.

Utilisng a 2.4 GHz frequency band and RODE's optimised transmission algorithm, the Wireless Go provides for a consistent and strong transmission wherever you are, at a recommended line of sight distance of up to 70 m between the transmitter and receiver. This means that you can actually capture high quality audio recording of your subject as they move away from the phone camera, offering a different and dynamic perspective for your vlog. Additionally, three receiver gains settings (0 dB, -6 dB, and -12 dB) are available for a quick, simple, and effective signal level optimisation. For more complex, multi-subject setups, up to 8 Wireless Go systems can be operated in the same location at the same time.

A USB Type-C port on both the transmiitter and receiver provides for battery recharging, powering up via the an optional external battery pack, and firmware updates. Two USB Type-C to USB Type-A cables are supplied for charging the pair simultaneously while the two included fur windshields can be used to keep noise from wind and rustling clothes to a minimal.

Thanks to the mic-level signal that the receiver's 3.5 mm TRS output sends out, the receiver is compatible with an array of recording devices that includes DSLRs, portable audio devices, and moblie devices. Here, the kit includes a RODE SC4 3.5mm TRS to TRRS adapter for connecting the wireless receiver unit to the gimbal's audio passthrough microphone jack, or direcly to your smart device, should such an occasion arise. This SC4 adapter is compatible with most iOS and Android devices.