Get a Takstar shotgun mic: amazon (only $27 USD!!)
To anyone other than video / audio professionals, the audio quality difference is unnoticeable when compared to the rode video mic pro. Just tried it out for the first time on a wedding a couple weeks ago and it was fantastic. Incredibly useful investment.
Yeah, make sure it's charged. Try to test it with a phone. The way it splits into two looks gimmicky, I suspect you have a bad mic or something isn't plugged in right. You might want to send it back for an exchange.
If you can't do a Rode Video Micro, this alternative has good reviews: Movo VXR10 Universal Video Microphone with Shock Mount, Deadcat Windscreen, Case for iPhone, Android Smartphones, Canon EOS, Nikon DSLR Cameras and Camcorders https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0723D3FVL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ZDdMDb5BMNV1V
This is an even cheaper mic, a bit larger, but it's surprisingly good, rivals the original Rode VideoMic: TAKSTAR SGC-598 Interview Microphone for Nikon/Canon Camera/DV Camcorder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E58AA0I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KGdMDbNG7HMBK
Here’s my 2 cents from someone who has done both professional video and amateur photography. Don’t get any of those kits. Almost everything is cheaper/better quality buying separately.
First, the body. I love the rebel series so I think a T7 is more than fine with what your trying to do right now. As someone who also has a “family camera” (aka I do all the family photos and some video), I personally have a 70D but I have used the T’s a lot and they are decent. My only recommendation is to by a referb from canon directly. They are usually $100-$200 cheaper and (from what I have seen) no difference in quality.
As you rightly pointed out, lenses are going to be the most important and most expensive thing that you buy (more than likely). Personally for a first lens, I would go with a nifty fifty (canon 50mm 1.8). It’s about $100 and it is fantastic for both photos and video for that price point. Plus, unless you are planning on getting a light kit of some sort you will probably want the addition aperture room for low light (unless you are doing video outside). There is a reason why it is the most recommended lens for amateurs. I personally have shot tons of portraits, music videos, and just other general video/pictures with this lens and even though I (now) have a few others I keep coming back to this one.
I don’t know much about audio, but I have heard some decent things about the rode mic. There is also an off-brand version of the rode mix (what I use) called [Takstar](TAKSTAR SGC-598 Interview Microphone for Nikon/Canon Camera/DV Camcorder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E58AA0I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_S1M1BbAP1Z3QC). It seems to be pretty decent for amateur stuff, so it might be good enough for your purposes with the added bonus of being 1/3 the price. But I’m sure that someone can speak more to the audio than I can.
One place to absolutely NOT skimp on/don’t buy in a kit is a tripod. For the most part, the more expensive a tripod is, the better quality it is. Not always true, but for the most part the materials that are used to make tripods are just expensive. If you want a metal tripod, which you probably do since the plastic ones wear out easily and can’t hold much weight.
Anyway, just my thoughts!