NTG-1 or NTG-2 on HMC150

J

jrod81

Veteran
I am wanting to go with the NTG-2 so that I can either put it on the camera or use it as a shotgun mic on the end of a boom. But is the 2 going to be too long on the HMC150? Is it going to get in the shot or can you just push it back? Who is using this mic on the HMC150- chime in for me.
thanks
jared
 
i use an hmc150 with a rode ntg1, i like it because its shorter. my other shotgun is an mkh60. both of those mics require phantom power but either my camera or mixer provide phantom power for the mics. i'd only be concerned with having a battery powered mic if i were using a mini recorder(zoom, tascam, etc..) as their preamps aren't as good and usually will kill the batteries on those recorders, if they even do have phantom power.
 
Some NTG-2 info .. don't leave the battery installed and forget it when you go 48Volts all the time, it's the second biggest call Rode get when the battery goes flat and leaks .. that's not covered by warranty.

One advantage of the NTG-2 over the NTG-1 is its battery option when you come to sell it .. the 2 outsells the 1 by far.

Cheers.
 
i'd only be concerned with having a battery powered mic if i were using a mini recorder(zoom, tascam, etc..) [/QUOTE]
That is going to be my application... shotgun either on the camera (HMC150) or going straight into the H4n if using it overhead w/ boom pole.
 
Raster said:
Some NTG-2 info .. don't leave the battery installed and forget it when you go 48Volts all the time, it's the second biggest call Rode get when the battery goes flat and leaks .. that's not covered by warranty.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the heads up but I don't completely follow... I apologize but could you elaborate? Are you just meaning that if I am running it to the camera I need to take the batteries out?
 
your h4n can provide phantom but its going to eat the batteries up. i'd go with the ntg2. i think what raster was referring to is when batteries leak they kill the mic, so don't leave the battery in the mic.
 
Yep I am .. some ppl buy an NTG-2 and run it with a battery for their gear that doesn't supply 48volts. Then after they get a camera that does supply 48volts, they power their mic with that and forget to remove the battery, and maybe forget about it altogether .. it goes dead and some leak battery acid.

If it's not too bad it won't necessarily kill the mic .. and once you remove the battery, you might be able to kill the acid by rolling a damp rag in some baking soda and running it through the battery compartment. Google this first, take much care and use gloves .. of course Rode and I are not responsible if this doesn't work, and the mic is dead. As I said above, it's not covered by any warranty.

Don't forget to register your new NTG-2 on line at Rode for its 10yr warranty, there are folk forgetting to do that too.

You might also look at getting a http://www.rodemic.com/accessory.php?product=WS6 Never leave the WS6 hairs lying flat, always brush them up so they stand out and do their job properly in the wind.

BTW the biggest number of calls Rode get is ppl complaining their mic uses too much battery .. turns out they're not turning it off before putting it away.

Cheers.
 
FWIW:

Another thought about a battery powered mic like the NTG-2 or AT-897 is that a self powered phantom mic can be used with a G-2 or G-3 wireless which doesn't provide phantom. I have a AT-897 for a backup shotgun, and this capability has served me well several times using the senn butt plug.

Grant
 
jrod81,

I have no insight regarding battery installation on the NTG-2 because I've always used it with either my camera or my Tascam DR-680 providing phantom power.

I often use a Panasonic AG-HMC40 with the Rode NTG-2 and I have never had a problem with the NTG-2's length. I've used it with both the NTG-2 mounted on the standard shoe attachment with the Rode shock mount on the HMC40's handle as well as on the shock mount that comes with the AG-MYA30G, Panasonic's two-channel XLR interface box. The length of the Rode NTG-2 has not been a problem.

Good luck with your decision.
 
I have a ntg-2, and have rarely mounted it to a camera. But the few times I have, it hasn't gone into frame. I have never used the ntg-1. However, I have heard they are exactly the same minus the battery compartment. Thus the interference tube would be the same length, and this would allow you to push the ntg-2 further back into the mount. This might make the mount more stable.

Either way, I think it's safe to assume that the tube (part of the mic you don't want in the mount) is close to the same size, meaning both mics would be the same on your camera. So, the only thing for you to consider is the battery, and for $20 I think the ntg-2 is worth it. It gives you protection from gear that won't provide phantom power, and retain it's value better. But, if you're sure that the gear you use will always provide phantom power the ntg-1 isn't a bad choice.

Battery issue: I'd say don't leave batteries in any piece of gear. One AA battery costs $0.50, and if you're getting paid that's generally a small percent of what you're getting paid. If it's unpaid (or very low pay) get the production to pay for them. The cost of batteries are low and the cost of gear is high. Waste a few dollars to protect a few hundred/thousand dollars.
 
Seemed to be so close to the topic here, so I'm adding a NTG-2 related question:

I concider the NTG-2 mic, and will also use it with a zoom h4n. I've heard that the h4n preamps aren't outstanding, and turning on phantom power (which it supports) will make it worse. Any opinions about if it's better to use the NTG-2 with a battery instead of using phantom power on a zoom h4n?

EDIT: Searched the forum some more and found a great post related to my question. Seemes like using battery in the mic results in better audio quality on the h4n.
 
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We used one a while back, it wasn't the NTG-2 but it was a battery powered shotgun and it did better with the battery in it for sure
 
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