NTG-2 for interviews

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Dreadlington

Member
I'm buying a Rode NTG-2 as my camera mounted mic. I'm going to be doing a sit-down interview and will be mounting a shotgun mic on a stand just out of shot for audio. The NTG-2 will be more than adequate to use for the shotgun mic, won't it? I'd rather use that mic than pay extra for a 416 for now. Will there be a huge difference in quality?
 
I have used the NTG-2 on tons of my projects and I do a lot of my company branding videos in a mini-doc style platform so I have used it for interview setups quiet a bit. My clients have always been extremely happy with the sound quality. EQ in post and boost volume a little with a lite pass of mastering (all can be done right in Premiere) and I'm sure your client will be happy.


Ash von Chamier
www.RoughCutProductions.com
 
Dreadlington said:
I'm buying a Rode NTG-2 as my camera mounted mic.
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Bad idea. Any mic in that kind of setup (camera mounted) won't perform well.
Dreadlington said:
I'm going to be doing a sit-down interview and will be mounting a shotgun mic on a stand just out of shot for audio.
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Depending on the room where you're recording, especially indoors, a shotgun might not be a good idea because of the reflective environment (walls causing reflections, echo).
Dreadlington said:
The NTG-2 will be more than adequate to use for the shotgun mic, won't it?
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The NTG-2 is very good for the price of course. I own one and I'm very happy with it.
Dreadlington said:
I'd rather use that mic than pay extra for a 416 for now. Will there be a huge difference in quality?
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Better to cry one, than investing twice. But depending on your budget, yes, the NTG-2 can work for now, but comparing it to the 416 results in a possible upgrade in the future. Both are very good mics, but I'd say the Sennheiser is better from what I've read/heard.
 
Here is a video that used a NTG-2 in a room with hardwood floors and two medium sized windows.

http://ontarionewswatch.com/onw-news.html?id=531

While it's not the ideal mic, the use of blankets on the floor helped quite a bit. Also I find that when you are positioning the mic above the frame, don't settle for the first try. Have a listen, then tweak the mic's angle a bit (while always keeping the tube pointed at the same area on the subject, I like the upper chest myself), and listen again. You'll find that doing this will sometimes get rid of refections (echoes).

Regards,
Craig
 
Craig,

Nice. I only used the NTG2 once and it was indoors but in a very soft room. It wasn't my choice I was booming as a favor and they wanted to use their mic... I was pretty impressed with it then, since I am too familiar with the "shotgun indoors" issues, and the tracks were fine and very clean.
This room looks like it has a LOT more hard surfaces so, good job. I have heard some classically bad tracks done with a NTG2 so I know it's not a given on interiors.
 
Thanks for the replies, I think I'll go with the NTG-2 for now then as it's adequate. Will keep an ear out for any problems indoors. And on a completely different note: When I buy a lav mic, are the G3s still the one to go for? (I'm sure there are better ones that cost a lot more but I have an average man's budget)
 
Damm Scott...thanks for the accolade. I've been following the sound forums closely so I owe it all to you guys who post great advice.

Regarding the G3, quoted from the must-read sticky in this forum:

"The Sennheiser Evolution G3 ENG system runs around $600 per channel as of this posting. This is by far the leader in price-to-performance for budget wireless."

"The stock lavaliere mic that comes with the system is probably sub-par, so plan on an extra $150 - 400 for a lav upgrade. (There are a few lav shootouts and reviews around here, so be sure to check those out.)"

C



 
The bungled ME2 the comes with the EW-112 ENG G3 system is 'usable' but many folks upgrade to better mics. OST mics are highly regarded and affordable. The TL40 is an end-address lav, while the 801/802 are side-address Tram like. For just over $200, the mic with a 3.5mm locking connector, AND a XLR Phantom Power supply for hardwired work is available. I certainly wouldn't use a wireless for sit down interviews if a hardwired version of a mic is available.
 
If you have gone to a camera of that level the Rode NTG-1 / 2 are way below the standard you are looking for..... the MINIUM I would suggest is the Rode NTG-3. There is NO point of using a top level camera and bottom level audio gear.... clients WILL notice.
 
416? ..... Absolutely, they make excellent camera top mics, put 'softie' windshield on it, you will be very happy with the result.
Take it off and put it on a boom arm just out of shot for interviews, don't try and do interviews with still on the camera.
 
Yes 'As new' or 'Display stock' coming from China is normally the hint it is a fake....
You will need the 416 48P / 416 P48 version as the 416 12T versions will NOT suit your camera and will be unusable.
 
OzGizmo said:
If you have gone to a camera of that level the Rode NTG-1 / 2 are way below the standard you are looking for..... the MINIUM I would suggest is the Rode NTG-3. There is NO point of using a top level camera and bottom level audio gear.... clients WILL notice.
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I would actually disagree on this.

In terms of Quality of the recorded sound that has a LOT more to do with how the mic is used. A 416 or a NTG-3 isn't going to improve your quality, all they will do is make the top end of the quality that your boom op and mixer can get a little bit higher. In inexperienced hands the unflattering off axis sound of the 416 could give you worse sound. And the NTG-2 is certainly NOT the "bottom level" gear, there are plenty farther down the ladder.

The last sentence is true in a visual sense IF the clients even notice what mic you are using. That is however a political choice not a "quality" choice.

You could deal with 99% of the political choice by finding some Neuman logo and gluing it on the NTG-2.

If you have the man power and the budget by all means step up, they will get a bit more out of it. If you deal with a lot of "brand name focused" clients who actually quiz you about what your equipment is then you do need to upgrade (or find a badge and some glue), but the choice then is about appeasing their egos not improving your audio. And the last IS a reality so if that's your case do it.
 
Dreadlington said:
Isn't it worth going for the NTG-2 instead?
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THey are the same mic. The NTG-2 is slightly longer because it has an internal battery and the NTG-1 doesn't. Other than the option to power the NTG-2 with an internal battery they are the same.

You don't need the internal battery since your camera can provide 48V phantom power.

Given that I would probably go with the shorter NTG-1
 
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