Rode NTG-2 vs Rode NTG-3

M

Miles Levin

Member
I've been researching rode mics lately and have been unable to find good enough compare/contrasts and pros vs cons for the NTG-2 and NTG-3. I am a filmmaker who has used the NTG-2 in my last film. It sounded alright to me, and I'm wondering if the NTG-3 delivers anything special in comparison.

If I put in the money for an NTG-3, am I going to get a great sound quality out of it? Or is the difference minimal, or not big enough to spend an extra $400? I know it (NTG-3) has a lower floor for bass, is that worth the extra money? Should I go for the 3 or stick with the 2?

Thank you for any help you can offer me.
 
I think you might gain insight if you read threads comparing the Sennheiser 416 vs the Rode NTG3. Also I think Chadfish has done some videos of the NTG3 I think - he sings really well and seems like a good guitar player! Just a do a search.
 
Miles Levin said:
I've been researching rode mics lately and have been unable to find good enough compare/contrasts and pros vs cons for the NTG-2 and NTG-3. I am a filmmaker who has used the NTG-2 in my last film. It sounded alright to me, and I'm wondering if the NTG-3 delivers anything special in comparison.

If I put in the money for an NTG-3, am I going to get a great sound quality out of it? Or is the difference minimal, or not big enough to spend an extra $400? I know it (NTG-3) has a lower floor for bass, is that worth the extra money? Should I go for the 3 or stick with the 2?

Thank you for any help you can offer me.
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One of the mistakes I made was buying the NTG-2 first and not the NTG-3. The NTG-3 is noticeably better than the NTG-2. I've A/B'd the 416 and NTG-3, and I think the NTG-3 sounds better to my ears although its pickup pattern is a bit wider than the 416. Sell the 2 and get the 3. Call it a day.
 
prexdealer said:
I think you might gain insight if you read threads comparing the Sennheiser 416 vs the Rode NTG3. Also I think Chadfish has done some videos of the NTG3 I think - he sings really well and seems like a good guitar player! Just a do a search.
Click to expand...

The 416 is a bit too expensive for me, but you're right, it is good insight.
 
To me the NTG3 sounds fuller and noticeably better. Also it seems stronger if you can't get too close to the subject. I think it offers better peace of mind too if you only get one shot to get the sound. Another option would be to go to vimeo and search on ntg2 and ntg3 and hear them. Just keep in mind that video you see (most likely) has had the sound cleaned up. Another way to think about it is if people didn't think the NTG3 was worth the price difference than 1) the price would have fallen or 2) no one would be buying them. But before you think of making the switch have you considered other gear issues like mixer, recorder, sound protection etc?

I get what you are asking is it worth the extra money. And I am suggesting that the question gets expanded to how to use $400 bucks to better your sound. Here ia another thread that a person was asking how to upgrade from his current kit. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...00-Another-1000-towards-Audio-Guidance-needed
 
Miles Levin said:
And on a similar note, what makes the ntg 3 so much more expensive than the 2? They sound pretty close.
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The Rode NTG-3 has more expensive components and is more costly to make than the NTG-2 hence the price difference. But Rode have now sold many thousands of both mics to happy customers.

The slightly wider pattern of the NTG-3 makes it easier for newer boom ops to cover the talent.

Cheers.
 
One thing that you should keep in mind is that the NTG-3 DOES NOT have the ability to supply it's own phantom power like the NTG-2. So your mixer or recorder will have to supply the phantom power. If you are using a low budget unit like the H4n or DR-100 you will be draining the batteries at a ferocious rate (every 60 to 90 minutes). So you may want to add battery packs or a separate phantom power supply to your need-to-buy list if you get the NTG-3.

Most of all, however, is the skill with which you use the mic. If you don't have a really good boom-op you probably won't hear any difference, and you'll regret spending all that money.
 
Miles Levin said:
...I'm wondering if the NTG-3 delivers anything special in comparison.
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Compared to NTG-2, NTG-3 offers 2 distinct advantages:
1) is designed to withstand moisture and bad weather conditions.
2) is 6 dB more sensitive, which is significant (as it allows you to get about the same signal level that NTG-2 does, even after the recording distance is about doubled)

But has 1 distinct disadvantage
1) cannot be self powered as NTG-2 can (well, this only matters if you find it troublesome to supply phantom power)

NTG-3 is better in many ways. But if you don't need moisture resistance or extra sensitivity and if you don't do recording in bad weather, I think NTG-2 should be about as good as NTG-3.


Here's a quote from Rode Mic's official website:
“I wanted to let you know how amazing your products are - my apartment burned down a few months ago and one of the only things I recovered was my RØDE NTG-3 because of the amazing case! All my other mics like my Neumanns and Shures were fried from the flames and the firehoses. It still sounds as great as it did when I first got it!”
- Anthony Marino, USA"

So, if you need some sort of fire resistance, between the 2 mics NTG-3 is the only way to go.
 
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