$250-300. Outdoor ENG/Sports shotgun mic. NTG-2 or AT897 or other?
 

I have about $250-300 to spend on the mic alone for a shotgun mic that I will be using 90% of the time outdoors doing ENG interviewing and also doing some sports videography (soccer games, etc). I need the mic to do very well close in for interviews and that far away when things like the soccer action is on the other side of the field. Eliminating wind noise is a definite emphasis. Basically footage youd find the local sports desk performing.

Im looking at the Rode NTG-2 and the AT-897. The Senn MKE300 also peaks interest. Am I looking in the right family or do I have my Ps and Qs all screwed up?

Any suggestions? This will be XLR use on a JVC DV5100U.

Thanks

The Rode and the AT outclass that particular Senn. The Rode is more sensitive than the AT. None of them will amplify the sound from the far side of the field, of course, but they're all probably focused enough to isolate field action from crowd noise satisfactorily.

I think that the more focused AT835b, at the same price point as the AT897, would be a better choice than any of the above if you don't mind a few more inches of length.

Wind is no trivial matter. The foam windscreens that come with mics don't do much. You can try making yourself a "sock" that slips over the foam windscreen from long hair furry material purchased from a crafts store. If that doesn't suffice, expect to pay as much as your mic budget for something like a Rycote Softie.

Why do you suggest the AT835b instead of the AT897?

and if you want a really sensitive mic, get the at 4073a.

I have audio samples of some of thes in my online archive in the audio folder.

Regards,

Ty Ford

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It has a narrower pickup pattern--more rejection of signals from the sides, which may be desirable in Chris's Soccer application. Also, it's a bit more sensitive. You can compare the specs at audiotechnica.com. Choose products/mics by type/shotguns

No suggestions, but I just found some reviews NTG-2 and AT897 with sound samples you can download:

http://pana3ccduser.com/category.php...ipment-Reviews

if you haven't ordered yet.

Cheers, Erik

Hi Chris--

I can't speak for the Rode NTG2, but we've been using the AT897 for less than a year now with pretty amazing results.

At it's extreme, our AT was mounted on a boom with a Rycote Softie, picking up an interview outdoors with heavy gusts of wind in Monument Valley, Utah. Unfortunately, the softie didn't hold up as the wind was too strong, and you could definitely hear the wind gusts in post. But the interview was audible and used some of it.

The AT's price point, and advice from forum members, was the deal breaker for us.

Good luck,

--JA
www.madjavaproductions.com