Mixing NTG2 and NTG3 Audio Together

[Fidelio]

Hi all,

I have a question regarding Rode's NTG series microphones.

How much of a difference is there between the NTG2 and NTG3 microphones? Is the difference so dramatic as to exhibit a very clear rift between that of audio recorded by the NTG2, and the NTG3? I only have access to either mic on one of two days respectively and I will be shooting the same material (fictional narrative, requiring continuity.) The location is also next to a road, and I've read that the NTG3 has better off-axis rejection than the 2. My question is, would it be so much more effective as to cause an audible difference between audio recorded between the two, making a coherent mixing and matching in post more difficult, or would the difference be noticeable but still permissible to use together? All other variables constant.

Thanks,

F

 

[ggrantly]

Having heard both mics, and owning a NTG3, I think you will notice a difference. The NTG3 is much fuller in the lower frequencies and has significantly more gain. If you are cutting back and forth, that might not be good, especially with a male voice. Maybe one of the post wizards could offer suggestions to improve or reduce the difference.

Grant

 

[Egg Born Son]

The difference is massive. The NTG2 sounds fantastic, until you try an NTG3 and then it sounds really noisy and less flattering to the spoken word. The NTG2 may even be more accurate but like the Sanken Cos11 the NTG3 makes the talent sound better than in real life to my ear. Both are good by themselves but I wouldn't want to be the sound editor on a job that cut between both. For what you describe I wouldn't mix and match. Within a scene anyway. If you use one at one location and the other at another it should be okay. The ambient sound will be the biggest audio cue for the audience, a lounge room doesn't sound like a field beside the highway so it won't stand out as long as you stick with one or the other at each location. A better audio guy than me might have a way to compensate and make them sound the same but I'd keep it simple.