Design flaw in Rode NTG-2 shotgun

P

Peter Reynolds

Well-known member
I just purchased a Rode NTG-2 after doing serious research to find an
affordable shotgun microphone. Turns out it has a serious design flaw. An XLR
cable will not "click" securely into the back of the microphone.

Now the "male" end of the XLR cable does attach to the "female" end of the
microphone, but it just sits there. It can fall out easily and is anything but secure.

I called the dealer, and they told me it's something all new Rode mics
experience. There's a blue "washer" inside the connector that doesn't allow
the cable to go in far enough to "click". Now, some cables will click when a great
deal of force is applied, but not all.

It's hard to believe that Rode would create a mic that cables don't securely
attach to, but after a quick Google search it seems to be the case. I can't
even imagine what it would be like to boom with something where the cable
can pop out at any time.

If anyone knows of a brand of cable that will fit, I'm all ears. Otherwise, I'd
stay away from the Rode NTG-2.

P.
 
My understanding is it's just in the new Rode microphones. Do your Rode mics have the blue washer inside the connector? That where the problem seems to lie.

P.
 
I used to own a NTG2 and I had the opposite problem: the connector would not only "click" in place but was so loose that it was wiggling, creating unwanted noises every time I swung the boom a bit fast. It was so annoying that I ended up putting some moleskin at the bottom of the mike's plug, which helped a little. Maybe the newer series tried to address this problem by adding the blue washer?
 
phudsontx said:
Have you tried a different cable?
Click to expand...

I tried 3 different cables. Only one "clicked" when force was applied. When I
say force, I mean a real effort of pushing and twisting to get it to click. Not
something I want to have to rely on.

Noel Evans said:
Cant the blue washer just be removed?
Click to expand...

It can't be removed easily. It seems to be part of the assembly. Regardless, I
just hate to mess around with a brand new microphone. Who knows what
taking it out will do.

I'm upload a photo tomorrow. Maybe someone has an idea of a solution.
 
Peter Reynolds said:
I called the dealer, and they told me it's something all new Rode mics experience. There's a blue "washer" inside the connector that doesn't allow the cable to go in far enough to "click". Now, some cables will click when a great deal of force is applied, but not all.

It's hard to believe that Rode would create a mic that cables don't securely
attach to, but after a quick Google search it seems to be the case.
P.
Click to expand...

No Rode don't and never will and anything you read via Google is not always correct.

As Noel says remove that blue washer from inside the cable end of the mic but put it away safe in case you get a loose fitting XLR some time in the future. Rode are now shipping new mics with that washer and its instructions in a separate packet.

FYI one of the most frequent calls Rode get is folk putting a battery in the NTG-2 then forgetting to turn it off and/or remove it when they start using 48V to power it. When some batteries go flat they leak and that's not covered by the Rode warranty. Go on line to register for your 10yr warranty and have fun.

Cheers.
 
Last edited:
Raster said:
No Rode don't and never will and anything you read via Google is not always correct.

As Noel says remove that blue washer from inside the cable end of the mic but put it away safe in case you get a loose fitting XLR some time in the future. Rode are now shipping new mics with that washer and its instructions in a separate packet.

FYI one of the most frequent calls Rode get is folk putting a battery in the NTG-2 then forgetting to turn it off and/or remove it when they start using 48V to power it. When some batteries go flat they leak and that's not covered by the warranty. Go on line to register for your 10yr warranty and have fun.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Thanks Raster. Upon further research, I found a video on Rode's website
explaining what the "blue washer" was, and how to remove it.

Here's the link: http://www.rodemic.com/support.php#q22

I'm going to pass this info along to the dealer I purchased the mic from.
If he had no idea, I'm sure their are a lot of people who purchased a
Rode recently and were as concerned as I was.

I happy I don't have to return the mic. All my research said it was a great
mic for the price.

P.
 
phudsontx said:
Great! Problem solved.
Click to expand...

I'm glad the problem is solved... blue washer... if you see it some cables may not click all the way in. Got it.

I've got an NTG-2 that's about a year old... and it's been a dream... it's actually become one of my go-to mics in many situations where I don't want to employ a $1K shotgun... and so far nobody has noticed... always sounds great.

Buy cables with Neutrik connectors. Switchcraft's are between Neutrik and no-name, but I'm no fan of those connectors. Neutrik will never let you down... and usually clicks in securely when others don't.
 
Peter Reynolds said:
I just purchased a Rode NTG-2 after doing serious research to find an
affordable shotgun microphone. Turns out it has a serious design flaw. An XLR
cable will not "click" securely into the back of the microphone.

Now the "male" end of the XLR cable does attach to the "female" end of the
microphone, but it just sits there. It can fall out easily and is anything but secure.

I called the dealer, and they told me it's something all new Rode mics
experience. There's a blue "washer" inside the connector that doesn't allow
the cable to go in far enough to "click". Now, some cables will click when a great
deal of force is applied, but not all.

It's hard to believe that Rode would create a mic that cables don't securely
attach to, but after a quick Google search it seems to be the case. I can't
even imagine what it would be like to boom with something where the cable
can pop out at any time.

If anyone knows of a brand of cable that will fit, I'm all ears. Otherwise, I'd
stay away from the Rode NTG-2.

P.
Click to expand...

If it's a wriggly washer at the bottom of the connector - it's there because of the Switchcraft XLR (Neumann used to do this as well).

If you are using a Neutrik XLR (like most people do) then just remove the washer and all will be fine.

It's not a design flaw, just something that the Switchcraft connector needed.

PS - if you can, use the Neutrik EMC connector. These minimise any RF interference and have "teeth" round the female XLR. These really hold the mic. securely with no risk of movements. I am using these in all new cables I get now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top