Rode NTG-1 + NTG-2

S

Shaw

Veteran
Hey guys,

Looking at shotgun mics at the moment. I can't for the life of me figure out what the difference between these two mics is. The only thing I can determine so far is that the NTG-2 can run on either battery or phantom as opposed to the NTG-1 which is phantom only? What am I missing?

Has anyone had the opportunity to test either of these against the AT987?

EDIT: Just realized that these haven't quite hit the marketplace yet (B&H has them listed but mentions they are yet to come - which I missed).

Still, anyone know the difference?
 
Hi Shaw

I have been looking at the same mics, and I believe that the only difference is the one you've mentioned - phantom + battery or phantom only. This is based on info from speaking to Videoguys in Melbourne, who have the mics in stock - with any luck my NTG-2 should arrive tomorrow! They have some info on their website:

http://www.videoguys.com.au/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1457

Hope this helps.
 
kool i was just looking at these instead of the panasonic MC100 - not knowing much about mics myself.... would u guys say those mics are better? video guys sells both - the panasonic actually sells for more than the NTG-1 and just below the 2....


EDIT:

btw Fritz - been following your research into the mics :)

do u mind me asking how much u got the mic for? (in the other post u said they were on special for 299 - but when i called they said it was never that price...)

also did get anny accessories and such?

EDIT again - just realised u r based in sydney as well - perhaps we could meet up or work together.... sending u an email/message :)
 
Hey Justin

Well, I have to admit my mic buying research involved speaking to people and reading stuff rather than actually testing any mics, so I can't say for sure which mics are better than others.

The guy I spoke to at Videoguys (George) was comparing the Rode mics to the Sennheiser ME-66, and he basically said that there is not much difference between them in terms of performance, so why pay double for the Sennheiser? He also said that the Rode mics pick up less handling noise, which I think is a definite positive for someone reasonably new to sound recording!

It was someone else who had the figure of $299 - I never saw them for that price. I paid:
$399 for the NTG-2
$490 for the Rycote softie with pistol grip/mount
$49 for a 50cm lead
$30 for a 10m lead
$16.50 for the overnight freight from Melbourne to Sydney

grand total $984.50

It's sitting up at the post office right now - can't wait to pick it up tomorrow! :thumbsup:
 
NTG-2 is Awesome

NTG-2 is Awesome

Got my Rode NTG-2 and am impressed with its low handling noise as well as its ability to reduce off axis sound sources. I had the NT2000 for my recording studio and couldn't resist. $249 B&H Photo. I chose the battery option so I can slap on my samson wireless gear when needed.
 
Hey Shaw, I don't know if you get over to DVinfo at all but Spot has the new Rodes and is testing them. Last I heard from him, they were ok, but I think he liked the AT897 better.

I don't know if you've had a chance to play with an AT897 but is a surprisingly good little mic. To be clear, it's not going to compete with the big boys and if you can spring for the 4073 you should, BUT for what it is? I think it's a great little mic. Part of this is expectations though you know? When I heard a 416 I wasn't blown away because it was what I expected, great. When I heard the 4073 I was partially blown away, because it sounded great for it's price point, but I already knew it would based on everything I've heard, not the least of which were tests done by MattST. The 897 blew me away, not because it's a great mic, but because it's a really decent mic for less than $300.

I'm glad to see that you budgeted for the Rycote stuff, I have it and love it. But you might want to consider just getting the Zep kit and being done with it. I think it works great.

Here's my thoughts on mics for low budget filmmakers. I very rarely hear bad audio on this, or other boards, that I think would be better had the filmmaker used a better mic. The reason for this is because the audio is so bad in other areas, like wind control, or mic placement for example, that the subtle differences that make one mic better than another never even come into play. I'd rather see someone use an 897 or a 4073 on a real boom pole with a Rycote system then someone use a 416 naked on a painter's pole. Audio is like a chain, actually audio chain is a common phrase. And like all bad chain analogies, it is only as good as it's weakest link. So, if you have a superb mic placed too far away from your actor, or in the path of an air duct, you're still going to get bad audio. Granted better mics will give you better off-axis rejection, but still my experience has always been that the mic is never going to give you enough to overcome the operator's shortcomings. Once you get to a point where you are getting consistently good results from an 897 then moving up to a better mic will provide you with benefits.
 
MattC said:
Here's my thoughts on mics for low budget filmmakers. I very rarely here bad audio on this, or other boards, that I think would be better had the filmmaker used a better mic. The reason for this is because the audio is so bad in other areas, like wind control, or mic placement for example, that the subtle differences that make one mic better than another never even come into play. I'd rather see someone use an 897 or a 4073 on a real boom pole with a Rycote system then someone use a 416 naked on a painter's pole. Audio is like a chain, actually audio chain is a common phrase. And like all bad chain analogies, it is only as good as it's weakest link. So, if you have a superb mic placed to far away from your actor, or in the path of an air duct, you're still going to get bad audio. Granted better mics will give you better off-axis rejection, but still my experience has always been that the mic is never going to give you enough to overcome the operator's shortcomings. Once you get to a point where you are getting consistently good results from an 897 then moving up to a better mic will provide you with benefits.
Click to expand...

Nice Post. Very succinctly and articulately put MattC. (am I being redundant and repetitive?)
 
Thanks Matt. I do have the AT897. I was just curious about these mics because Rode usually makes good stuff and they are a little cheaper than the 897 (not by much). I'm thinking about getting a second boom mic and was curious if the new Rodes were better than the 897. Doesn't sound like that's the case though. I do stop by DVinfo but I haven't been around the audio forum much.

I would love to hear spot's reaction to the little mics and his tests! Do you know when he plans to do this? I don't want to miss out on it.
 
Not sure when it's planned, but when it hits I'll let you know. I agree I like Rode's stuff. I recently shot a sit down scene which was basically a monologue and I had to shoot the whole thing myself. I really needed the audio to be good. I decided to experiment and I rigged a Rode NT1-A above the actor just out of frame. Believe it or not, the audio came out pristine. Very full and natural with no VERY little noise. In fact only one shot had any discernible noise - it was almost too perfect. So it always pays to experiment. Obviously, this only worked because it was a monologue, but still it worked.

Have you played with the Oktava mic? I just picked one up and started experimenting with it. This mic really does blow me away, MUCH better than the price would indicate. Again, it's not in the same league as the big boys, but it puts you in their neighborhood at a FRACTION of the cost.

Matt
 
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