NO NOT BUY THIS: Rode NTG 2 Microphone
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- Опубліковано 16 сер 2020
- Everyone reviews stuff you should buy. Here's why I think you should stay away from the popular Rode NTG-2 shotgun microphone.
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I'm very happy with mine. Taking the battery out is annoying, but gives it power supply flexibility. In fairness to the manufacturer, it would be better if your problems with sound were demonstrated in the video, given the boldness of your complaints.
This is interesting. I have 2 NTG2s and I admit I've hardly ever used them. At all. Mostly I have one sitting on my C200 to get scratch audio. However, last week the job we were on required a boom pole and boom mic, so I used one NTG2. This is the first time I've had to use it to capture the main audio on a project. I ran it into the Zoom H5, had phantom power on and the gain set to between 5 and 6. And the audio was superb. We were in a large echoey room, but the audio from the interview was mellow, warm and detailed.
This is exactly the combo I'm looking to buy. Thanks for reassuring me!
That's exactly how I use it, and I've had the same excellent results.
Yep! Since I had it for a long time before, I use the NTG2 with the Zoom H6 and it works wonderfully. For me so much more important is the know-how, how to record great audio with any mic and recorder. A simple thing like getting the mic as close as possible, angling it correctly will eliminate most problems, including noise since you're capturing the main subject louder and making the backround noise quieter :)
ive been using a ntg2 for a while, still prefer it to newer rodes. maybe you just got a lemon
Absolutely fantastic content - thanks very much for taking the time to create and post!!
Yes thank you!! i thought i was doing something wrong, this mic brings up so much white noise. you are a life saver and just earned a new subscriber
I can really feel you. The NTG-2 was my first shotgun microphone I bought six years ago.
I was used to the MKH416 from other jobs but couldn't afford it at this time.
A year later I bought the NTG3. I can remember how I sat on my bed in my room in a flat share, put these two microphones next to each other, attached both to a recorder, spoke a few words and played the result back. It's been lying around in a drawer since. I opened it today and removed the leaked battery.
Unlike many other classics of all categorys like MKH416, SM58, U87, MD416 and so on the NTG2 didn't aged well.
Still good enough to have it as a backup or loaner for customers tight on budget though.
I've had the NTG2 for over 10yrs and rarely use it. I use the Videomic NTG to record all my videos and love it. I recently pulled out the NTG2 and paired it with a small battery powered Saramonic preamp and although I didn't get much noise I had to turn the gain up all the way on the pre and still could not reach -12db on my meter which makes it unusable compared to the Videomic NTG. Putting it on E-Bay tomorrow. The Videomic NTG blows it out of the water plus it's much more versatile.
Thank you for this... I’ve been debating on getting the NTG2 or the Sennheiser MKE600
Buy the Sennheiser. It is VERY good.
I have 4 years old NTG-2 I got new for very cheap price. I use still use it paired with ZOOM H6 and I always have super solid audio out off it. Used it as an overhead mic on single speaker set (even commercials and the sound was always up to the modern standards, not once I had a complaint), some interviews aimed from waist up and close voice-overs. Always solid sound. Not saying that it's the best mic out there, of course it isn't considering modern options today. But it does good job for me.
You got to love an honest review, and this was the most honest review on utube!
Thanks for the review....I actually have the NTG2 but I don't use it , might sell it to you for the cost of S&H so you can do a modified review actually using this mic. Just heard about the NTG5 and considering making that purchase. My interview shoots I typically only use my Sennheiser wireless lav but the other day the scan produced no available frequencies....someone must have been playing with plutonium in the adjacent office space....fortunately I had the Rodelink pack as back up and all was right with the world. But the Producer suggested getting a boom mic as safety net. This is where the new NTG5 looked promising
Thank you for not being click bait! Almost bought it til this vid
To be fair, it actually has the same sensitivity as the mighty Schoeps CMIT5, but also a much higher noise floor. We have gotten good audio with a NTG-2, but that is while using a Mixpre which is practically silent itself. Many use it with a H4N or similar, which is less than ideal.
Nice Joe. I gave the same warnings 16 years ago in some German filmmaker forums. The Sennheiser ME66 was a much better alternative back then. The weak output from the NTG-2 made it so problematic - and so many people bought it - only to find out about it's shortcomings.
Personally I started with the ME66 and the NTG-3. Now I do have three Rode NTG-3, two Rode NT2-A, a Rode Videomic NTG, and a Schoeps Colette.
thank you for your opinion so may I know what is ideal signal to noise radio, when reading the manual on the specifications
I no longer use my NTG2 for booming, but it is still a fantastic voiceover mic. I also have a Shure SM7-B and an ElectroVoice RE-20 (commonly thought of as high standard spoken word mics) and the NTG2 blows them away for warmth and detail. I admit, I bought the NTG2 at least six years ago, so I don't know what I'd buy if shopping now. But it sure gets no hate from me -- I've earned money and awards with it. Different strokes for different folks, and every creative should use the gear that makes them happy!
Thanks, now I can't sell mine!
Can't help but laugh as I still get compliments on my audio and I pretty much only use the NTG-2 as it's the only mic I've had no real problems with. I got mine for what I think was a good deal all those years ago. Couldn't tell you what I paid but it's still going strong!
I don't disagree with your title or the point, though, considering modern options. However I would've appreciated a short bit explaining the proper way to increase the S/N ratio, which is pretty much the number one point for any mic good or bad: Get. The mic. Close. Ta da, your shitty mic sounds better, no matter what it is!
Well, yeah, but as you said...that's true of any mic. 😉
The NTG5 is a magnificent upgrade, it absolutely retires the NTG2 for good. Having said that the NTG2 was the best budget on camera microphone of its time and ist still useful for voice over work with a nice velvety bass sound when you are within 5 feet of the speaker, but be wary of the high floor noise levels when you project too far. I still keep mine in my 3rd camera kit.
Fethead , cloud lifter and SE Dynamite all work a treat with raising the gain with a lower noise floor for this mic. As long as you can send 48v to the preamp, you can use the battery to power into the Fethead, cloud lifter and SE dynamite 🧨 and it sounds great
Not really practical on set, and why bother when there are mics that don't cost any more that perform well without the extra cost and fuss.
Ntg5 or mke600 straight to pocket? Or the ntg4? Some good advice?
I'm from Brazil, I'm getting together to buy NTG 3 until someone said that the best cost benefit would be NTG 2, because NTG 3 is really expensive ... But you convinced me with this video, that is, you saved one Brazilian to be sad with this microphone, now the question is ... Should I pay more than double for NTG 3? Or is there a more affordable professional option for making short films and films for television?
ntg4 and ntg5 are considerably better than the ntg2. and not as expensive as the ntg3.
I think the points you make are true and fair, especially given what's on the market these days. However, the NTG2 can sound very nice as a voiceover or podcasting microphone, and it's also worked well for me on a boom for on location interviews paired with a Zoom H5. So I won't be ditching mine, but if I were in the market for a new microphone I would be looking at newer models for the battery issue alone.
I just bought a NTG2 for $81 bucks in 2023. Still a bad deal?
I still use it and I love it.
Idk I don't hate it.
Had great results with it. It's just not versatile -at all.-
It has been my backup mic for a decade now.
But I am running some pretty hefty broadcast grade preamps on both the location side as the studio.
As for the batteries, that's why I bought it back in the day. Not because I thought I'd ever gonna use it (especially since the output is muuuuuch lower) but because it might save my ass one day and funnily enough, it did last week on a small gig where I'd had to use the build in XLR of a camera which was just teeerrible.
thanks dude checking out the 4 and 5
Heh... I bought the NTG-2 about 6 years ago second hand from someone from the HV20 community (remember that one?). On top of that, I paired it with the Zoom H4n, which is now known to be a really bad combo (since its pre-amps are also not strong). Thankfully, I was able to save the situation with a Fethead. I bought the unpowered one last year for $80, and the clean signal went through the roof. I shot a narrative short film with that combo and I'm really happy with it. But indeed, without the Fethead, that combo was unworkable.
I did literally the same exact thing omg. Do you recommend anything
@@carlosroman8947 The Fethead.
It is a normal Fethead, or a Phantom Fethead?
I ask it because one person said that the normal works; but the phantom fethead produces noise.
Thank youu
Respect! The truth must come out. I thought I was dissatisfied with NTG2 alone.
I am looking for other microphone. With which microphone are you satisfied?
Also loose play between metal parts near xlr connection makes it useless on the moving boom pole. Had to put some paper between parts to cancel that play.
I bought the NTG-2 a few years ago and I was frustrated every time when I had to edit the audio from it.
Your daughter resumes it pretty well at the end! I've tried the NTG-2 and compare it with the Oktava MK 012.. and the Oktava wins by far !
PS about the "flash" titles, maybe too many..? maybe too fast..? ha ha ha just my feedback in case you want to have some. Other than that, nice video! I hope your chanel goes up soon ;)
Thanks for the feedback. I guess I use the flash frames as a crutch because I'm not comfortable talking on camera. I'll tone them down next time!
Sou do Brasil, estou juntando para comprar o NTG 3 até que alguém falou que o melhor custo benefício seria o NTG 2, pois realmente o NTG 3 é extremamente caro... Mas você me convenceu com este vídeo, ou seja, você salvou um Brasileiro de ficar triste com este microfone, agora a pergunta é... Devo pagar mais do que o dobro pelo NTG 3? Ou há uma opção profissional mais em conta para se fazer curtas metragem e filmes para televisão?
Comica VM20
I have 2 NTG-2 that I use for ambient mics they work fine. Battery is not a problem as I use phantom power exclusively
Did you ask Rode to replace yours or use more than one unit? It could have been a bum one. I've been happy with mine and can get good levels without noise even when it''s out of frame. As in, record in a library for an interview with no noise sort of quiet. That's mostly been with a DR-40 and DR-680 supplying phantom power but a battery has been fine too. And I'd contend best practice if you rely on AA batteries for mic or anything is to have a pack with you and change them out or at least test them at a new job. Not paying a few bucks for batteries doesn't seem worth risking a job.
Hey Mark, You can see from the comments that low levels are not a problem unique to one copy, but instead a "feature" inherent in the design. Sure, remembering extra batteries is the solution...but why have the problem? How many other battery powered devices do you own without an off switch? 😉
What if I could get for $100 and I have phantom power? I'm still trying to get better audio quality in my videos but it is freaking expensive and I still don't know if it will help with my background noise from my computers and servers in my home office.
I wouldn't recommend it, even at $100. You're going to have to crank the gain, which will equally amplify the background noise. Check out the Movo VXR10 Pro for under $100. It's a pretty loud microphone. Regardless, your best bet for minimizing the ambient noise is to get as close to the mic as posible.
@@Humcrush with zoom H6 and close miking I don't see any problem for voice over projects, no noise problems... Yes if you are trying to capture the sound of a clock then it is a different story...
What I am trying to figure out is if you only use a battery and not phantom 48V power from a good pre-amp/zoom H6, is the mic then more noisy? I will test it tomorrow perhaps...
@@pieterpauwelbeelaerts5995 I got a Blue Yeti World of Warcraft edition and with the software that comes with it I get really good audio with minimal background noise. The Logitech G-Hub does a good job and works with their lights and stuff too.
Great review/warning. I've been using the Synco d1 and an older Sony shotgun mic. For me, mics are more investments than purchases. A great mic (like a great lens) should last you a career instead of a year or two. There's just no reason apart from having the cash to go with a bad mic.
What are your thoughts on the D1? I've been looking at it and the D2 as well. At the price point it is super tempting.
I’m here because I’m looking for a new mic after the ntg2. Everything he’s saying is truthful.
This is great. All the videos talk about good reviews of some products. This is real thing. But I'm gonna buy this. I can liv with microphone issues.
There are better mics for the same price! Don't do it.
But what if it's only $50?
Do what should i buy in the same price?
I mention some alternatives in the video, but if you want to stick with Rode, the Videomic NTG is better in every way for basically the same price.
Dang. Mine just came in the mail tomorrow for a concert tomorrow. I wish you would have included audio evidence to show why.
Hopefully it's a loud concert. 😉
Julie I have used the NTG2 heaps of times as an on camera microphone to film concerts and it does great but yes you need some volume.
I was considering this mic so thank you.
I'm just curious if you are always running the mic off battery? The impedance jumps from 250 to 350 when you run it on battery which would indeed lower the output and increase the signal to noise ratio... phantom power is generally 48V so of course that's going to be a better power source than a single 1.5V AA battery. As far as having to take the battery out, it seems pretty amateurish to not start a shoot with a brand new battery. There should be about a 6-8 decibel difference between battery power and phantom power. Of course the NTG5 is a better microphone, It is twice the price. Although the NTG5 doesnt even have battery power as an option, and that is because phantom power is a much more professional solution and with the better microphone they probably assume you have good enough equipment to not need battery power.
1. Yes, used both ways. It's been so long since I've used this mic that I don't recall exactly, but I seem to recall it having a poor SNR regardless.
2. Forgetting about an internal battery might be "amateurish" for a dedicated audio tech, but for a one-man-band indie filmmaker, it's just one of countless things to remember. Since it is so easy to eliminate this from even being a consideration, why have the bother?
@@Humcrush I can understand forgetting occasionally and that explanation makes sense, but again, I wouldn't ever put a battery in it just as you don't put a battery in your NTG5. I am using an NTG2 running on phantom power from my Mackie mixer right now with pretty fantastic signal to noise for a $250 mic. I also like that the microphone has a pretty good max SPL. I can definitely understand why you like the NTG5 so much more as its sensitivity stats look excellent, it just seems like your review was awfully harsh on a microphone that I find has quite a lot of good going for it
@@sublime335 I just can't think of any reason to choose it over better, similarly priced options. I think many people assume it is "better" or "more professional" than Rode's NTG line-up, but other than having an XLR connection, it's just not.
@@Humcrush Maybe include similarly priced alternatives in the review then? All I heard you suggest instead were higher end microphones. When looking at similarly priced microphones like the AT8035 the specs are almost identical. Also, different mics are good for different situations. The low output of the NTG2 can be really great for recording loud sounds. Having the lower output and sensitivity from the mic means I need far less compression when recording something like drums, car crash, gun firing, etc., which ultimately means better dynamic range.
if price is a factor to be considered, is NTG4 worth buying instead of 5?
For a budget option, or if you want to go straight into camera, I'd strongly consider the VideoMic NTG. Sounds great and incredibly versatile.
@@Humcrush Thanks but did you mean NTG4? You didn't state if 4 or 5
@@larryFWD No, neither 4 nor 5. The "VideoMic NTG" is a specific microphone all on its own.
@@Humcrush Ah I see.I've just checked that out now. Seems it's a camera mic more than it is a boom mic, or can it double as both quite nicely? Sorry for the endless questions
@@larryFWD Works great as a boom mic. Comes with a good shock mount. Only downside is that it uses an internal battery or USB power, it is not phantom powered. But, it can sense the camera's power state and turns itself on and off accordingly.
Still within the return window.... can't get it to work with the H4N
Not gonna work well unless your recorder has very hot pre-amps.
Yes it low output, but noise became from bad preamps.
The SoundDevices Mix-Pre 3 II is a bad preamp?
@@Humcrush I don't know :) never touched it. But if it can't handle ntg-2 - somwhere must be better preamp :)
@@Humcrush but I'm agree, that ntg2 is weak.
@@Leemuzhko The Kashmir pre-amps are *very* good. If you've got a noisy signal through a Mix-Pre, it ain't the Mix_Pre.
I love this kind of video. You should make more like this "No Not Buy This:..." kinda videos. You really saving our time and money. LOL Thanks
Wow you just save me time and money ! I was about to buy that
microphone!!
Thank you very much
The NTG5 is roughly double in price..you might expect it to be better quality? The NTG2 is no good compared to what? Surely any review is relative to price and the job you need it to do. The ME66 is not exactly miles better & it's from a comparable time & price range if my memory is correct.If you aren't using phantom power and relying on a AA battery I think it's a bit slack to have one run out on a shoot. They provide a lot of hours and it's easy to replace them long before they are due to run out...it's not a prohibitive cost. I appreciate you aren't a fan of the NTG2 but like any relatively inexpensive kit it has it's limitations. Without any alternatives being offered I don't really see this as a balanced assessment.
Except I do offer a better alternative...Rode's own VideoMic NTG.
The floor noise on the NT2 is Soo loud compared to all my other mics - when I bought it I didn't know any better.
Wow, a bit over the top. Check out Curtis Judd's review or VOscripts comparison to the Sennheiser 416. Both unbiased reviews. Dead batteries is a rookie mistake, if you've had it happen multiple times, well that's on you. No audio pro starts a shoot without fresh batteries.
Have you ever experienced rattling noise issues with the ntg 2? Am i the only one??
Sorry, for as many problems as I have with this mic...that's one I never experienced.
thank you. I had a good offer for the NTG-2 ($80), but after you mentioned low level/high noise floor, I decided not to buy it. Better to save the money for something that will last, pay more, and get usable sound quality.
Thank you. I will stay with my NTG1. Not sure how bad it is - have nothing to compare with.
He’s right just did a 3 hour Pod with the rode just to be out performed by 2 other 10 dollar target mics
When you say you got out of your relationship with the NTG2? Did you throw away, give it away, or sell it? If you sold it then you should give person who bought their money back lol!!! 😂 I personally like this mic, have used on multiple projects with success. You should have some sample audio from your NTG2 from projects you’ve used in on as a demonstration of your experience since your relationship was so long.
Funny to compare ntg2 to ntg5. Why don't you compare solaris to x5 ? Each mic has its limitations due to its price. ntg2 is really worth its price. It doesn't have much noise and no-one who shots professionally uses AA battery. This is an alt option that rode provides you, not a basic power source.
Using the battery raises the impedance 100 Ohms, something to consider.
thanks for this advice, i was about to buy it.
Try the VideoMic NTG if you don’t need XLR. Audio Technica has a similarly priced self powered XLR option.
Thank you so much!
You need to adjust for thr s sounds...
Love it We dig it!
didnt listen to the video but did he just compare the ntg5 to the ntg2 a 500€ mic vs a 100-170€ mic? and no i wont even listen to the video i got bored after the first 2 seconds
I made the mistake of buying the NTG-2 and regret it. At first I thought it was the rest of my setup that was causing such low pickup (don’t judge, this was my first go at audio). I bought a new Scarlett interface, cloud lifter, etc. to no avail. It never dawned on me that the mic was garbage. Shame on Rode for selling it. I’d re-sell it but I have too much integrity to saddle someone else with it.
I'm not suggesting you do this, but many people don't match their mics with their mixer or camera input impedances.
I’m confused.. it’s crap.. hate relationship.. etc yet at 1:23 ish you say if you could only have 1 mic you’d pick the NTG 2...? Huh...?
I meant the Rode **VideoMic** NTG. Not the NTG-2. Very different microphones.
Your title is spelled wrong. Not sure how it's been over a month and it hasn't been fixed.
And you're just obviously reading a script. Can't do it man. Step up your game.
F#ck this noise at 02:52 scared me a lot! Apart from that nicely done :D
Was one step away to purchase NTG2, thanks for sharing!
i won't buy those eyeglasses either.
Your telling my exact story!
I'm so sorry to hear that! 🤣
Damn... I just bought two 😣
You saved me. Thank you. 🙏🏽
I have a long history of 'saving' money by buying things I end up needing to replace with something that actually works.
I the NTG4 better?
It's better. But I don't think it's a great choice for the money. I went with the NTG5. Check out this useful comparison: ua-cam.com/video/_QSQ-61z5l4/v-deo.html
@@Humcrush NTG5 costs here 2,5 times of the NTG4.
@@underwoodblog Understood, but you can hear in Caleb's video that there are other mics around the NTG4 price range that sound better. Deity, for example. I've spent a lot of money over the years trying to save money. 😉
saved! thank you
Well, basically it comes down to: 100 EUR used NTG 2 that does the job in certain situations vs. 450 EUR used NTG 5, that some think is better. Heard a lot of opinion, less (technical) facts why it's weaker/stronger. But to cut it: If a Ford is good enough to get to the grocery store, why buy a Porsche?
I bought it. Your right. But its all i have to use
Sell it on eBay and get the VideoMic NTG. Better mic all around.
NTG2 is fine, it’s how you use it
I bought a rode ntg2 about 5 years ago and everything you're saying is true. The amount of noise reduction you have to do in post to get decent audio is ridiculous. This video has convinced me to pick up an ntg3 or ntg5 in the near future.
the ntg2 is nowhere near what he is saying
I had a big laugh over your video, you know by making this video you actually promoting the NTG-2 ;-)
By the way you know that the GH4 has a TRRS 3.5 MIc input right? using a normal XLR to TRS cable doesn't work....
JuicedLink Riggy Micro 333. Great little pre-amp well regarded for its low noise.
damn nigga, i want those blue glasses.... where'd you get them ???
thanks
You're talking about this microphone the way someone talks about a prison rape. Show us what the long black microphone did you. Can you point on the doll where it entered you?
Just buy a used Sennheiser ME66 instead 😅
Thank you, You saved at least just 1 .... that me, I didn't buy it and won't.
Yeah... but the NTG2 is 260$ and the NTG5 is 625$.
If that's your price range, the Videomic NTG is a much better choice from Rode, and several other manufacturers make similarly priced mics that all outperform the NTG2.
your audio is really low
And somehow this mic was best in its class 5 years ago :)
You saved me
No proof and why you keep it for that long??
Both points explained in the video. 😉
I don’t even know if I agree, but that was really funny!
I think you had a bad NTG2! I have one and it's not as bad as you say!
I might agree if so many others haven't had the same experience. What are you comparing it to?
@@Humcrush The NTG2 I bought years ago is totally clean with the battery or phantom power! It is the only one I have ever used so I personally can't compare it to any other RODE! But, I use the Sennheiser 416 all the time at work and prefer it and I can usually get my RODE NTG2 to get close to it through processing but raw you can hear the difference but I can't say it's as bad as you feel it is! I use them mainly for voice overs mostly but have used them for field work and I have to say I prefer the MKH 416 when it's available! But the NTG2 will do in a pinch for professioanl level work! At least the copy I have will!
jajajajaja me encanta la niña al final DON'T !!!!
Rode Video Mic GO is also a pile of crap that you have to manually ground in order for it not to pick up electro signals around the room.
Yes, I have this microphone too. It's just a shit.. I will never ever buy any RODE microphone.
I have to buy MKE 600
"If could have only one microphone, I'd pick ... the NTG2!" Um?
When you call your current GF by the name of your ex ...
HA! That's exactly how I felt.🤣
Subscribed, lol.
it is true...
I found this after searching "Why is rode ntg2 level so low"
Ha. I'm on Google's radar.
hilarious. So good.