Rode NTG2- upgrade to ___? (suggestions needed)

Randall_Oelerich

Randall_Oelerich

Veteran
Looking for a suggestion on a shotgun microphone in the budget range of $500-$999. I shot a couple of short films using the Rode NTG2 shotgun and also Sennheiser wireless lavalier system and would like to upgrade to a better shotgun mic than my existing Rode. Any suggestions? I have to save i was completely blown away by the sound quality of my Sennheiser wireless lav mic system, so if upgrading to a Sennheiser or similar shotgun mic would be as impressive the cost would be well worth it. Would I reap significant benefits e.g. if I upgraded from my $300 Rode NTG2 to some sort of $1000 Sennheiser? Better pickup, less noise, etc?
 
...I am guessing that you already have a hyper-cardioid mic to record sound indoors? ( if not, you might consider adding a hyper-cardioid to your kit )
 
I have an NTG-2 and NTG-3. The 3 really is a logical upgrade to the 2. Depending on a potential deal you may find... the Sennheiser 416 (used) is another good option in your price-range. The NTG-3 performs slightly more like a hyper then the 416, which has a clearer on-axis to off-axis difference in sound quality. If both the 416 and NTG-3 were the same price (even if the 416 were used, but like-new)... I'd go with the 416, but you can typically get an NTG-3 for a couple hundred less than even a used 416... and then I think you're getting more bang for your buck with the NTG-3.
 
TheDingo said:
...I am guessing that you already have a hyper-cardioid mic to record sound indoors? ( if not, you might consider adding a hyper-cardioid to your kit )
Click to expand...

Lay it on me Dingo! Suggestions for a high quality hyper-cardiod? Until now I have shot ALL outdoors (easy location access up here in northern MN, plenty of woods and the trees and forest do not hassle me for filming permits), but I am gearing up (pun intended?) to shot an indie feature that will be 99% all indoors. So yes I probably need a hyper-cardiod, something to complement my wireless lavs and existing Rode NTG2 shotgun.
 
MattinSTL said:
I have an NTG-2 and NTG-3. The 3 really is a logical upgrade to the 2. Depending on a potential deal you may find... the Sennheiser 416 (used) is another good option in your price-range. The NTG-3 performs slightly more like a hyper then the 416, which has a clearer on-axis to off-axis difference in sound quality. If both the 416 and NTG-3 were the same price (even if the 416 were used, but like-new)... I'd go with the 416, but you can typically get an NTG-3 for a couple hundred less than even a used 416... and then I think you're getting more bang for your buck with the NTG-3.
Click to expand...

Just checked amazon, $999 for the Senn, $700 (marked down) for the NTG3. If the NTG3 is a pretty decent boost in S:N and has more of a cardiod pattern that might be the one to get? But if the extra $300 for the Senn really gets me an even better S:N than the NTG3 I would find a way to fork out the extra $300.
 
Adding a hyper is a very good suggestion. May I also ask; what is the reason that you are not satisfied with the NTG-2? Is it noisy, picks up too much background sounds, handling noise etc? Also, what do you plug it into (the NTG-2 has low output and will be bad on noisy preamps)? While there are many mics that can be regarded as an upgrade to the NTG-2, the actual usage of the mic is much more important, and the rest of the signal chain can have a big impact on noise.

Also consider that you are comparing the sound of a lav to that of a shotgun, which are two very different things.
 
I have the ntg 2 for my shotgun, for my hyper I use either the octava or avantone ck-1, I really like that mic alot, has a very crisp edgy sound, I also find the handling noise isn't as bad as the octava is for some reason. If I can get in super close, I like the octava, but for more distance 2.5-3'ft, I like the avantone a bit more.

I can't justify spending any more on a mic, When you need more than an Ntg2 and octava, (my opinion) your best bet is to hire a boom op that has a kit. I think the field mixer and recorder play almost as much a roll as the mic it's self, nevermind the talent behind the gear, No kit can substitute a professional boom operator. Especially when your shooting a feature.
 
Jema said:
Adding a hyper is a very good suggestion. May I also ask; what is the reason that you are not satisfied with the NTG-2? Is it noisy, picks up too much background sounds, handling noise etc? Also, what do you plug it into (the NTG-2 has low output and will be bad on noisy preamps)? While there are many mics that can be regarded as an upgrade to the NTG-2, the actual usage of the mic is much more important, and the rest of the signal chain can have a big impact on noise.

Also consider that you are comparing the sound of a lav to that of a shotgun, which are two very different things.
Click to expand...

NTG2 is very good, just that i was blown away by the quality of the Senn wireless system, and I have heard in the past that moving up to something like a $1000 wired/boompole mic is a leap above say the NTG2. I use the Zoom H4N for recording; almost tempted to buy a second Senn wireless sytem, then i could record 4 actors all wireless, all recorded on separate channels on the H4N. :) All without a boom operator in a pinch.
 
I kinda see three options here. I think the NTG-2 is basically a good sounding microphone, but is compromised a little by its low output that makes it noisy when used with the Zoom's weak preamps. I don't think there's any reason to replace it based on its sound alone.

1) You could upgrade to a Rode NTG-3, which is a higher end shotgun with a higher output level.

2) You could add a good hypercardioid to your kit, maybe the Oktava, or AT-4053b, for indoor boom use primarily, and keep the NTG-2 to use outside.

3) You could get a good mixer with fine preamps like the Sound Devices MixPre or 302 (probably a used 302 to stay in your budget). This would let you continue to use the NTG-2 without the noise issues if connected in front of your recorder.

A budget-busting choice would be the Sanken CS-3e, which is one of the few shotgun mics that performs well indoors. But it's about $1450, new.

- Greg
 
I had an NTG1 the phantom only version and sold it as I did not like the sound, I upgraded to an AT875r and have never looked back as I now have five of them!

A general purpose short shotgun that sounds great inside and outside!
 
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