Rode NTG-2 vs Sennheiser ME-66

wreck2

wreck2

Active member
I have a DVX100B and will be shooting a 45min comedy. We will have both outdoor and indoor shots, including a party scene. (I was thinking of recording a party for 10min and just layering the sound of the party over the dialogue with actors dancing and "acting" to be partying.)

I was looking at this combo for the Rode NTG-2 for $500 (Rode NTG-2, Rode Boompole, K-TEK Zeppelin windscreen, Rode Shockmount, and cables)

Or

Getting a Sennheiser ME-66 alone for $480 and maybe making my own boompole... The Sennheiser gives a more clear sound that I like, but cost the same as the Rode combo JUST for the microphone...

What do you guys think?

(another guestion about 35mm adapters if you could help
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=130947)
 
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Haven't used the ME66 but I have used the NTG2 on multiple occasions in multiple locations and environments and it performed beautifully.
 
Well, it's not a fair comparison. In terms of price/quality of sound you get, the Rode NTG-2 wins all the way. ME66 could be an okay mic, but having a chance to avoid it to buy another mic that is 1/2 the price is a no brainer. ME66 sounds much harsher and less life compared to the NTG-2.
 
Thank you Guy for the audio comparisons. I have the ME66 and MKH416. If you consider "warmth" as being better, then the NTG-2 is warmer than the 66 and 416. By all means, buy the NTG-2 if you want warmth. However, your own tests reveal that the NTG-2 is noisy (hissy) compared to the 66 and 416. Well, what do you want, warmth or quiet, it's your choice. I realize the 66 isn't the best sounding mic, and sometimes I complain about it's thinness, and I was just about to dump it for the NTG-2. But your tests compel me to reconsider. There's a lot of hoopla out there about the NTG-2, but nobody mentions noise. That's why people avoid some AT mics.

Another word about Rode mics. I have a pair of NT5s and NT3s. I thought the NT5s sounded really good until I recorded my acoustic guitar. I thought it was the guitar, so I was about to sell it. Then I recorded the guitar with a low-cost EV RE510 mic. It sounded great, so I kept the guitar. Be careful with Rode mics. They're cheap for a reason.
 
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raqcoonmammal said:
Thank you Guy for the audio comparisons. I have the ME66 and MKH416. If you consider "warmth" as being better, then the NTG-2 is warmer than the 66 and 416. By all means, buy the NTG-2 if you want warmth. However, your own tests reveal that the NTG-2 is noisy (hissy) compared to the 66 and 416. Well, what do you want, warmth or quiet, it's your choice. I realize the 66 isn't the best sounding mic, and sometimes I complain about it's thinness, and I was just about to dump it for the NTG-2. But your tests compel me to reconsider. There's a lot of hoopla out there about the NTG-2, but nobody mentions noise. That's why people avoid some AT mics.

Another word about Rode mics. I have a pair of NT5s and NT3s. I thought the NT5s sounded really good until I recorded my acoustic guitar. I thought it was the guitar, so I was about to sell it. Then I recorded the guitar with a low-cost EV RE510 mic. It sounded great, so I kept the guitar. Be careful with Rode mics. They're cheap for a reason.
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You're welcome. :)

The tests were recorded directly into the camera, a Canon XL2. Which is most likely why you're hearing noise. The Sennheiser ME66 is known as a "hot" mic and probably why it has the reputation it does for ENG. Rugged and hot....<insert funny joke about how I like my women here>
Jokes aside, what I mean is that the me66 mic has a low impedance of 200 ohms, so it takes less work from the camera or mixers pre-amps to bring up the level. Resulting in a.... ta dah - cleaner sounding side by side camcorder mic comparison. A low impedance mic is great for most of the under $5,000 camcorders on the market.
According to the manufacturer specs on the Sennheiser and RODE sites, they show the ME66 Equivalent noise level is 16 dB and the RODE NTG-2 is 18 dB. Not too much of a real world difference.
If you have a camera with good pre's, you won't hear much hiss under normal circumstances, only really quiet recordings. If you have a consumer grade camera and no mixer any of the $500ish shotguns are going to sound noisy. I probably should probably do a test with a good mixer to run the tests again.

Actually, that's what I'm on the look-out for next is an inexpensive, great sounding, portable pre-amp to go with the NTG-2 to really make it a compelling package. Know of any?

BTW, I'd record acoustic guitar with the NT3, over the NT5, there's a 3/4" capsule on the NT3. Not sure why you're bashing RODE especially if you own an NT3. The acoustic guitar and vocal samples of it on the RODE site and in our example, seem to indicate that it is a very, very nice mic for the $269. I'd put it against anything out there in that price range. 10 year warranty too...
 
I am rocking the me66 and me67 I love them. I was thinking about buying another power module for the 67 so I can rock multiple mics..
 
I definitely agree with Guy. I dont think your getting anymore with the ME66, and I think you would benefit more buy having those extras you can afford.

And a word on Rode mics. They are produced in Australia, and are relatively inexpensive. Not because they are not good but because Rode cant afford to lift prices to compete with the very established heavy weights. I dont own a rode, but I have seen them and heard them (talking ntg1 and 2 here) and for many applications they are fine (as fine as an ME66). The ME66, for the reasons guy mentioned, is one of the reasons you will see it in film schools etc.
 
saneproductions said:
Do not get the ME66 it sounds WORSE than the NTG2 and costs twice as much. Do a search!
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Yeah, one of the first things I stumbled into when joining this site was the hot signal issue with the ME66 and DVX. Sane, Matt and others definitely herded me in the right direction and saved me from some costly mistakes---a number of times!.
Like Sane said, "Do a search!".
You'll be glad you did.:thumbup:
 
Ill add / confirm with my experience. I have used the ME66 for a couple of shoots then switched to the NTG-2 with great results. The ME66 really does sound like crap compared to the RODE.
 
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