New Rode NTG-3

Pietro Impagliazzo · July 2nd, 2008, 03:45 AM

Ty, do you have any comments on the NTG 3?
Will the price point be justified?
Did you get to test it?
Will you get one?

Thanks.

Ty Ford · July 2nd, 2008, 06:53 AM

Hello Pietro,

No I haven't heard it yet.

I've known Peter Freedman for six+ years. I have a lot of respect for him. He's very dedicated to getting things right and he's an innovator. He's very price sensitive. He understands the market.

I don't always agree with what some of his mics sound like, but that can be said of any mic.

I use his video mic dead cat over my schoeps cmc641 and B5D on outdoor shoots and it works very nicely. I have an NTG-1 and NTG-2 that I use for audience Q&A mics when I record meetings. I use an NT2a as a tom mic when recording music.

The Podcaster Mic with headphone jack on the mic is a simple but brilliant solution to USB latency.

The Video and SVM mics are great for low budget cameras looking to instantly improve their audio.

I've got a little omni (I forget the number) that I've used to quickly record a whole drum kit when placed properly. (The drummer was very surprised during playback.)

Will the NTG-3 be a 416 killer? I can't say. It shouldn't be any brighter than a 416. It shouldn't be any peakier than a 416. It shouldn't have more low end than a 416. It shouldn't be any noisier than a 416. We'll see. :)

I also have Neumann, Schoeps and Sennheiser mics and really like the AEA R84 ribbon mic that's visiting now.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Craig Irving · July 2nd, 2008, 07:08 AM

I was very close to buying the AT4073a recently, but since this NTG-3 is coming out soon I thought there was a good reason to wait. I guess it's a safe bet to assume the NTG-3 will be better than the AT4073a since it's possibly even better than the MKH-416.

Craig Irving · July 2nd, 2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ty Ford

Over here B&H is about to launch several kits with the NT3. Looks like a copy of my "Audio Bootcamp Field Guide" will be in one kit.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Looks like both kits will be including it.

Ty Ford · July 2nd, 2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Irving

I was very close to buying the AT4073a recently, but since this NTG-3 is coming out soon I thought there was a good reason to wait. I guess it's a safe bet to assume the NTG-3 will be better than the AT4073a since it's possibly even better than the MKH-416.

Peter is very good a making his mics perform well at a price, but there's a big difference in price between the NTG-3 and a 416. Time will tell.

There's a huge user base of 416s. I have a 416 and an 816, though I rarely use the 816.

Regards,

Ty

Jamie Allan · July 4th, 2008, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Wilkinson

Thanks for the confirmation. Have fun and let us know how it sounds soon.

Jigsaw24 (DVinfo's new UK sponser) have just told me thay have 5 on order and I should know by tomorrow an approx. ETA for this mic.

We now have 2 in stock having sold 3, including Andy's :)

Craig Irving · July 8th, 2008, 04:38 PM

Well I just heard the Rode NTG-3 at the DV Shop here in Toronto and after hearing it I immediately purchased it.

If I knew a lot about audio, I would write a review...but I don't really know what I'm talking about from a technical standpoint, nor have I heard any mics like the MKH-416 to compare it to so you're best off waiting for Ty Ford's input.

All I compared it to was the Rode NTG-2 and the Sennheiser ME66 and obviously it blew them both away. They didn't have any higher end mics to compare to, but I was confident with what I was hearing that I wanted to buy it right away.

The pattern does seem to be wider than the other shotguns, but if this is similar to the MKH-416 that people are comfortable with then I have no concerns.

The only other mics I'll be able to compare it to tonight is the new AT4053a I just got, and my old Rode NT3 (both of which are obviously not shotguns, but I'm still curious).

Anyone have any idea what kind of shockmount I can use with this? There's not a lot of space at the back after I attach a Rycote Softie 14cm, and both the Audio Technica and Rode SM3 shockmounts are too far back for it to balance properly (even though Rode does recommend the SM3/4/5 accessories).

Allan Black · July 8th, 2008, 05:50 PM

Craig, you're lucky, you got one before the first production run of 5000 is gone.

At present I'm mounting it in the Audio-Technica AT8415 mount with stronger rubber bands but you're right there's only 3 1/2 inches space for a mount at the rear. With the SM3-4-5 you have to decide what it's going to attach to before getting one.

It's a great mic and going to make serious waves at $US699. Out of interest what serial number did you get?

Cheers.

Craig Irving · July 8th, 2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Black

Craig, you're lucky, you got one before the first production run of 5000 is gone.

Great... what does that mean, though...I'm not sure. Is there something different if it's first production run?

I do feel lucky, yeah. Apparantly there's only 10 in Canada right now and the store had two of them. My serial number is 000253 and I just registered it for the 10 year warranty (amazing).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Black

At present I'm mounting it in the Audio-Technica AT8415 mount with stronger rubber bands but you're right there's only 3 1/2 inches space for a mount at the rear. With the SM3-4-5 you have to decide what it's going to attach to before getting one.

I just tried it with my Rode SM5 and it seems manageable, but I was just using the supplied windshield, not a Softie.

I just compared it to the 4053a and they both sound great (they're both new mics to me I just got in the last couple days so I've been trying them both out). They're both great at what they do. Now all I need is an audio expert to tell me that I did the right thing choosing the NTG-3 over the AT4073a and I can relax :)

I was going to buy the Rycote Invision 7 but it doesn't seem like it'll fit my AT4053a (even though it's the same diameter as the AT4073a and that one is listed). I fired off an e-mail to them, hopefully they'll answer soon.

Allan Black · July 8th, 2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Irving

Great... what does that mean, though...I'm not sure. Is there something different if it's first production run?.

No, no difference except the next availability might be a month or two away. Anticipating demand in some areas can be difficult.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Irving

I do feel lucky, yeah. Apparantly there's only 10 in Canada right now and the store had two of them. My serial number is 000253 and I just registered it for the 10 year warranty (amazing).

I have serial 242. For anyone reading this who has registered for the 10year guarantees, go to RODE and check yours. When I registered my NTG-3 my other warranties had vanished. Might be something to do with their revamped site.

Cheers.

Craig Irving · July 8th, 2008, 07:11 PM

Actually looking into it further I think the Rode NTG-3 is only rated to work with the INV-7 if you adjust the bar from 70mm to 25mm (which effectively turns it into the INV-6). As I understand it, the INV-7 can be used in both those positions, so I really don't understand the reason for the INV-6 (or any reason that the NTG-3 wouldn't be on the compatibility list for it). If I've misunderstood and the bar only works in the "long" position of 70mm. Then I don't understand how they can recommend it for the NTG-3.

Their website says "INV-7 & INV-8 have both been designed for either boompole or static use. They have a long bar that allows the lyre webs to be mounted 70mm (as supplied) or 25mm apart."

In order for the NTG-3 to be used successfully it would have to be used at the position 25mm apart, like the INV-6 which is only 25mm. If the INV-7 is adjustable between two positions though, I'll grab that since it would mean being compatible with a far greater selection of microphones.

Is it that simple, or is there something I'm overlooking?

Marty Wein · July 8th, 2008, 07:43 PM

Technically, all the accessories that fit the Sennheiser MKH-416 will fit the NTG-3 since the Size is pretty much identical.

That said the INV-7 at the 70mm position is the correct mount for the NTG-3 (See Shotgun Pictures at INV-7 Tab) and while according to Rycote you can change position, it is not at all practical to keep on changing them on the fly.

Also in your case that you are using it with a Softie, the INV Series mounts are not recommended by Rycote.

Instead you can get either the AT8415 mount or the Rycote Softie Mount (Small Hole) which is available in a few flavors.

Craig Irving · July 8th, 2008, 08:11 PM

Thanks for the reply. I don't have to use a Rycote Softie, I just figured that was the most popular one to use. I can get a Rode Deadcat if it'll be good enough.

I only measure 35mm from the end of the mic up until where the microphone opens up (I don't know what the technical term is that you would call it, grills?).

I guess they're saying it's okay to cover some of the side of the microphone with the suspension and it won't affect sound pickup/rejection noticeably?

Marty Wein · July 9th, 2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Irving

I only measure 35mm from the end of the mic up until where the microphone opens up (I don't know what the technical term is that you would call it).

Did you measure the NTG-3 or another mic :)

I measured this mic as well and it is just over 3.5" which means 88.89mm

Craig Irving · July 9th, 2008, 10:32 AM

I thought I had to avoid covering the side where the microphone begins. The grills, or whatever. But I guess it's no big deal. I'm sure a little shock mount clip won't really affect pickup/rejection.

July 2nd, 2008, 03:45 AM	#16
Pietro Impagliazzo Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rio de Janeiro, BR Posts: 170	Ty, do you have any comments on the NTG 3? Will the price point be justified? Did you get to test it? Will you get one? Thanks. __________________ Pietro Impagliazzo flickr.com/photos/impagliazzo

July 2nd, 2008, 06:53 AM	#17
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Hello Pietro, No I haven't heard it yet. I've known Peter Freedman for six+ years. I have a lot of respect for him. He's very dedicated to getting things right and he's an innovator. He's very price sensitive. He understands the market. I don't always agree with what some of his mics sound like, but that can be said of any mic. I use his video mic dead cat over my schoeps cmc641 and B5D on outdoor shoots and it works very nicely. I have an NTG-1 and NTG-2 that I use for audience Q&A mics when I record meetings. I use an NT2a as a tom mic when recording music. The Podcaster Mic with headphone jack on the mic is a simple but brilliant solution to USB latency. The Video and SVM mics are great for low budget cameras looking to instantly improve their audio. I've got a little omni (I forget the number) that I've used to quickly record a whole drum kit when placed properly. (The drummer was very surprised during playback.) Will the NTG-3 be a 416 killer? I can't say. It shouldn't be any brighter than a 416. It shouldn't be any peakier than a 416. It shouldn't have more low end than a 416. It shouldn't be any noisier than a 416. We'll see. :) I also have Neumann, Schoeps and Sennheiser mics and really like the AEA R84 ribbon mic that's visiting now. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

July 8th, 2008, 07:43 PM	#27
Marty Wein Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 229	NTG-3 & InVision Mount Technically, all the accessories that fit the Sennheiser MKH-416 will fit the NTG-3 since the Size is pretty much identical. That said the INV-7 at the 70mm position is the correct mount for the NTG-3 (See Shotgun Pictures at INV-7 Tab) and while according to Rycote you can change position, it is not at all practical to keep on changing them on the fly. Also in your case that you are using it with a Softie, the INV Series mounts are not recommended by Rycote. Instead you can get either the AT8415 mount or the Rycote Softie Mount (Small Hole) which is available in a few flavors.

July 8th, 2008, 08:11 PM	#28
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	Thanks for the reply. I don't have to use a Rycote Softie, I just figured that was the most popular one to use. I can get a Rode Deadcat if it'll be good enough. I only measure 35mm from the end of the mic up until where the microphone opens up (I don't know what the technical term is that you would call it, grills?). I guess they're saying it's okay to cover some of the side of the microphone with the suspension and it won't affect sound pickup/rejection noticeably? Last edited by Craig Irving; July 9th, 2008 at 10:30 AM.

July 2nd, 2008, 07:08 AM	#18
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	I was very close to buying the AT4073a recently, but since this NTG-3 is coming out soon I thought there was a good reason to wait. I guess it's a safe bet to assume the NTG-3 will be better than the AT4073a since it's possibly even better than the MKH-416.

July 8th, 2008, 04:38 PM	#22
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	Well I just heard the Rode NTG-3 at the DV Shop here in Toronto and after hearing it I immediately purchased it. If I knew a lot about audio, I would write a review...but I don't really know what I'm talking about from a technical standpoint, nor have I heard any mics like the MKH-416 to compare it to so you're best off waiting for Ty Ford's input. All I compared it to was the Rode NTG-2 and the Sennheiser ME66 and obviously it blew them both away. They didn't have any higher end mics to compare to, but I was confident with what I was hearing that I wanted to buy it right away. The pattern does seem to be wider than the other shotguns, but if this is similar to the MKH-416 that people are comfortable with then I have no concerns. The only other mics I'll be able to compare it to tonight is the new AT4053a I just got, and my old Rode NT3 (both of which are obviously not shotguns, but I'm still curious). Anyone have any idea what kind of shockmount I can use with this? There's not a lot of space at the back after I attach a Rycote Softie 14cm, and both the Audio Technica and Rode SM3 shockmounts are too far back for it to balance properly (even though Rode does recommend the SM3/4/5 accessories).

July 8th, 2008, 05:50 PM	#23
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Craig, you're lucky, you got one before the first production run of 5000 is gone. At present I'm mounting it in the Audio-Technica AT8415 mount with stronger rubber bands but you're right there's only 3 1/2 inches space for a mount at the rear. With the SM3-4-5 you have to decide what it's going to attach to before getting one. It's a great mic and going to make serious waves at $US699. Out of interest what serial number did you get? Cheers.

July 8th, 2008, 07:11 PM	#26
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	Actually looking into it further I think the Rode NTG-3 is only rated to work with the INV-7 if you adjust the bar from 70mm to 25mm (which effectively turns it into the INV-6). As I understand it, the INV-7 can be used in both those positions, so I really don't understand the reason for the INV-6 (or any reason that the NTG-3 wouldn't be on the compatibility list for it). If I've misunderstood and the bar only works in the "long" position of 70mm. Then I don't understand how they can recommend it for the NTG-3. Their website says "INV-7 & INV-8 have both been designed for either boompole or static use. They have a long bar that allows the lyre webs to be mounted 70mm (as supplied) or 25mm apart." In order for the NTG-3 to be used successfully it would have to be used at the position 25mm apart, like the INV-6 which is only 25mm. If the INV-7 is adjustable between two positions though, I'll grab that since it would mean being compatible with a far greater selection of microphones. Is it that simple, or is there something I'm overlooking?

July 9th, 2008, 10:32 AM	#30
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	I thought I had to avoid covering the side where the microphone begins. The grills, or whatever. But I guess it's no big deal. I'm sure a little shock mount clip won't really affect pickup/rejection.