NTG-3 and RODE Blimp - your take?
 

Given the PHENOMENAL "buy an NTG-3 and get the Blimp for a buck" deal, I was wondering what folks who have used the RODE blimp with the NTG-3 have to say? I did my Google search and got some promising feedback on the Blimp but I'm looking for specifics about the combo.

Any workaround issues with the Blimp? Easy to access the mic? I've used some blimps that require the end user to have an engineering degree to get the bloody thing open...

Overall compared to other solutions out there, the RODE blimp is a solid piece of gear. Being a RODE dealer, I've listened to customers that have switched over from other brands and among the noteworthy issues were:

- Hair sheds more so than other wind muffs (I say, use the included brush and give it a good combing then take it for a ride out the car window at 60mph)
- Tail cable grommet can get lost. I wish they would include a couple of spares
- Some have mentioned that an extra pair of screws on the suspension rings would be nice to be able to move the mounts quickly while out in the field.

Other than that, over the Sennheiser blimp system, I like that you can slide the position of the mic closer or further to the front of the blimp. The whole system comes apart quickly and easily. Very user friendly and strong. I've intentionally stepped, dropped and thrown our sample blimp to make sure it would hold up - passed with flying colors! I also like the fact that it's only $1 instead of $800 on this special - and get this:

Mention DVinfo when you buy an NTG-3 and we'll give you your choice of K-TEK KE79, 89, or 110 boom pole - With internal cable! That means you'd have a complete location sound system: high quality mic, blimp, and boom pole for $699 + $1. How's that for an incredible special only for DVinfo.net members? RODE NTG-3 Shotgun Mic Special

Thanks Guy! And to return the favour: I own an internally wired KTek 110 and LOVE it for the work I do, which is mostly documentary stuff. A fantastic deal made even better!

Now comes MY hard decision - buy locally or buy from Guy... Hmmmm...

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to providing excellent knowledge and great deals to us DVI alumni.

I bought that combo and LOVE it.

Hi Guy the Blimp is now being shipped with a few spare grommets included, spares can be obtained free from Rode support.

Guys, I knocked this case up, easy to do and in hindsight I'd make all the pipes 2-3" longer, mainly to better accommodate the accessories in the top pipe.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ode-blimp.html

Cheers.

Awesome. I always say that if you talk to someone locally that takes the time to show you a product, it's best to buy from them. I like the fact that the local stores are around when I need 'em.

Allan - thanks for the tip about the grommets. There must have been a few of us that "misplaced" 'em :) Nice job on the case too.

That sounds like a great deal for sure! Do you ship to Canada?

Myself? I've read the reviews and I'm definitely buying one. You can also enroll in "Rode University" and hear/see them demo it whilst they teach you how to best use one.

I got an M3 for $1 with a Podcaster during their last promotion. Only used it twice so far but I absolutely love it. A cameraman mate of mine was also impressed ... night and day compared to his camera mounted mic.

Apart from Rode having such awesome products, it's also cheaper for me to purchase locally! :-)

Andrew

Thanks Guy appreciate it. The Blimp lives and travels permanently inside the case with its fur Wombat at the back of the main tube. No moisture dust or dirt ever gets to them.

Having installed the NTG-3 before going out, it takes less than 2 minutes to set up on location and we're good to go. Cheers.

Not sure how to purchase it for 699 it comes up as 899 for me and then i used "dvinfo" code and it only takes off 5%. Help please?

Thanks
Nicole

Hi Nicole,

Thanks for your interest. Here is how to take advantage of the free boom pole offer:

1. Add the NTG-3 to the cart at RODE NTG-3 Shotgun Mic at DVcreators.net
2. In the comments field during checkout type "DVinfo.net free boom pole ______" note which model you would like from these choices:

K-Tek KE79CC
Max Length: 6′ 6″
Weight: 1.452 lbs

K-Tek KE89CC
Max Length: 7′ 6″
Weight: 1.6 Lbs

K-Tek KE110CC
Max Lenght: 9′ 2″
Weight: 23.5 oz


It's that simple! Please do not apply any further coupons as the free boom pole offer is already a stunning deal as is. We like to offer great deals, however can't give away the whole farm! We want to be around to serve you for years to come. This is definitely an amazing package to pick up right now - these kind of deals rarely come along on new equipment. So jump on it! (if you're reading this in 2010, sorry you missed out!)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who screwed up this ordering process =). Thanks again Guy for helping me out!

Thanks a lot Guy! Couldn't resist such a great sound kit offer. Almost cheaper than my NTG-2 an kit a few years ago–you guys really threw in the kitchen sink with this one!

Hey Guy,

That is an incredible deal!

I don't need another shotgun mic system (I already have several Senny 416's), but this is such an incredible offer for DVInfo users, and as I believe in supporting the forum sponsors, I will order that kit right now. X-mas is coming up, and I can definitely use that kit to make one of my sound persons a great gift.

Thanks for doing that. And BTW, the reviews I have read over the past few months on the Rode NTG-3 vs the Sen 416 say that they are equal or slightly tilted toward the Rode. If I didn't already own several 416's, I would definitely go Rode.

Done...
 

Deal!

Just placed the order. Went smooth as silk.

Thanks again Guy.

Update on the Rode NTG-3 mic + $1 blimp offer.
 

I ordered one of these kits the minute I saw Guy Cochran's post about the incredible deal he was offering to DVInfo users via the DVeStore. The order went very smoothly, and I received a confirm email a few minutes later.

Two days after I placed the order, I received the "kit" K-Tek KE110CC boom pole (really not much heavier than the K-Tek K-202CC Graphite Fiber I now use, which was a surprise to me).

One day after receiving the pole, I received the Rode NTG-3 mic. In all, three days from order to door. EXCELLENT service!

Yesterday, I gave my Sennheiser MKH-416 and the Rode NTG-3 to my production sound mixer friend to test out and give me his opinion on the differences. He also added one of his Schoeps CMIT5U mics to the mix. I am NO sound person! Two cans and a string sounds good to me.

In his opinion, the Rode is not as "sweet" as the Schoeps, and not quite as sensitive, but he liked it much better than the Sennheiser. He said the Rode has more range, and is not a "top button" mic like the Sennheiser is. He also said the Rode has a more isolated sound, and does not pick up as much off axis sound as the Sennheiser. He also noted that the differences between the 416 and the NTG-3 were very slight and subtle, and for all practical purposes, pretty much identical to each other,

We tested the mics "bare" (with just foam windscreens), since the $1 blimp offer (like almost all these types of offers) is honored by Rode after registering the mic (gets you a 10 year warranty as well).

So all in all, an excellent mic and sales experience all the way around.

Thanks for the glowing report Enzo!

RODE has begun shipping the $1 blimps. As of today there were 5 people who took advantage of this offer. Thank you guys. For those on the fence, if you order, we will send the Serial Number of the mic via email so you can fill out the online form right away and you'll get your blimp about 1 week faster! https://www.rodemic.com/onedollarblimp.php?pg=1

And yes, we do ship to Canada and RODE will ship the blimp there too. Cool eh!

Also, here is another audio example of the RODE NTG-3 with the Canon 5D Mark II

Guy, Is this offer also for europe? I think rode offer is worldwide but don't know if yours is

Blimp arrived!
 

Hey Guy, thank you!

Great offer. I'm surprised you only had 5 users take advantage of it so far, it's really an incredible package deal. Maybe the users here are not aware that a $250 (street price) internally wired K-Tek boom pole is a part of the deal.

Got the Rode Blimp yesterday (shipped from California). It's as well or better designed and built as the Senny Zeppelins I now use, and it has a 10 warranty on it. Fantastic!

Got the complete set (K-Tek, mic, and blimp) within 6 business days of ordering it. That's great customer service!

Hi Carlos,

Thanks for asking. I just confirmed with RODE, that yes the $1 blimp can be shipped to Europe. DVeStore ships all over the world daily. I hope that you can get in on this great deal!

Guy that was a great comparison between the two microphones! I'm also surprised only five people here took advantage of the deal. The NTG 3 arrived first, then the boom pole arrived last Tuesday, and the blimp was sitting outside when I got home today. Man this blimp looks awesome!

Thanks again Guy for helping me out with the order I screwed up!

wow.... such a great deal I can't pass it up either!

Hey Guy.... Thanks for always being here... you are such a great presence around here.

witzke gallery

The NTG-3 has a slightly wider pattern than the MKH416. The low end is less apparent in the NTG-3.

Due to SMT (surface mount technology) the NTG-3's shorter component leads may help it be more resistant to EMF. The grounded body of the NTG-3 surrounds the capsule more than the MKH 416. This may also help with EMF.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Ty, that picture shows a very very old MKH 416 with a crystal.

It must be at least 10 years old, if not more.

Sennheiser stopped using crystals years ago to improve reliability.

The latest MKH 416 also uses surface-mount devices and looks totally different inside.

Thanks for that John,

I hadn't received notice of a design change. You'd think they'd want to do that, especially if there was an obvious advantage. I wonder what else changed. I'll have to call them and see.

Having said that, the MKH 418S sounded quite a lot like my 416, with a bit more HF extension.

Regards,

Ty Ford

An interesting detail to consider when reading the reviews. Is the MKH 416 an antiquated version or the current revision ?

Kirk,

That this is the first time I've heard of a difference would tend to make me think, if there is a difference, it's not very big. Sennheiser went a different way with their MKH 50, 60 and 70 some years ago. Not everyone liked that sound. Many stayed with the MKH 416 and 816, simply because they liked the sound.

What may have bearing is if there is and difference in the rf resistance or moisture resistance.

And, John, 10 years old is not "antiquated" for a mic. Mic technology doesn't change as quickly as camera technology. In fact, some can argue that some of the older designs were not improved upon by their successors. The km 84 is much more natural sounding than the km 184.

The U 87i came into being because the company that supplied Neumann with the vacuum tube for the U 67 stopped making the tube. And there are people who prefer the U 87i
over the redesigned U 87ai. Whether that's because of the circuit change or difference in capsule age, I don't know. One person in particular is very careful about how he handles his mics, so I'm fairly certain it's not an abuse issue. I have heard the differences. I don't remember if the U 87i used a PVC diaphragm in the earlier issue, but I have heard that PVC diaphragms harden somewhat with age, which could change the sound of the mic.

Although, from Neumann:

"Electrical features
The letter A in the name indicates a more recent generation, as compared to the U 87 i microphones that were built from 1967 to 1986. Modifications apply to the electronic components of the microphone only; the capsule remained unchanged.

The present-day circuitry increases the operational headroom of the U 87 Ai by supplying the bias voltages for the capsule through a reduced resistance. The result is a higher sensitivity of 10 dB for identical sound pressure levels, and an improved S/N ratio of 3 dB."

I have emailed Sennheiser for clarification.

Regards,

Ty Ford

There has not been a "design change" and an old 416 should sound the same as a new one.

However, over the years there have been small changes in the construction of the capsule and in the PCB itself.

Removing the crystal meant that the frequency would not drift with temperature and would be more rugged as there was no crystal to break if the mic. was dropped.

None of this changed the published spec.

If you want to know all the specific changes you will have to talk to the Sennheiser Service man in your country.



That's exactly what it is - a 416 with a side mic. to do MS.



Not antiquated at all - there should be no real difference from a 416 of 1975 vintage and today.



The 20/30/40/50/60 symmetrical-capsule series are much better mics. far lower distortion and much quieter. People who use the MKH 60 and not the 416 find the 416 very coloured when they go to the older model.



RF is the same, but the front plate makes the symmetrical series very slightly worse in moisture resistance - very very small, but there.



I didn't say that, Kirk did. I consider my 24-year old MKH 20/30/40 as new mics.



It's not that different - the 84 rolls off earlier than the 184 and the sensitivity is different. When you take both of these into account, the differences are far smaller than first thought. (Though personally I prefer the MKH 40 and MKH 8040).



The differences between the U87i and U87Ai are extremely small after you have taken the gain difference into account. You will find more differences between different U871s than differences from the Ai - don't forget that sticky deposits will build-up on the diaphragm over the years which will affect the sound - people tend to forget this.



If you really want to know the differences, talk to Martin Gathard at Sennheiser UK (mgathard) - Martin has been servicing Neumann mics for over 30 years and knows more about them than almost anyone.

Or contact Martin Schneider at Neumann Berlin.

Hi Kirk,

Matt put up a side by side example of a Sennheiser MKH-416 and RODE NTG-3. YouTube - Sennheiser MKH 416 vs. RODE NTG-3 I confirmed that these mics were both fairly new - they sound quite similar.

I find it astonishing that a 10 year old MKH-416 like Ty Ford's older model still sounds like new. A testament to a well designed, high quality, battle tested microphone.

It looks like there is also a similar special with the Sennheiser system this month.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...dec-promo.html
Sennheiser MKH416 Pro Package includes
Qty 1 MKH416-P48 Super-Cardioid Short Shotgun Condenser Interference Tube Microphone
Qty 1 MZW 415 Windshield
Qty 1 MZH 60-1 Long Hair Wind Muff
Qty 1 MZW 60-1 Blimp Windscreen
Qty 1 MZS20-1/216 Blimp Shockmount Pistol Grip

Dec Promo Price: $1,195.00

Compared to the RODE Promo until Dec 31, 2009

$699 RODE NTG-3
$1 RODE Blimp (pistol grip, blimp, long hair windmuff included)
--
Dec Promo Price: $700.00

Plus, as stated earlier in the thread, when you mention DVinfo.net in the comments field during checkout you get a free boom pole.

$700 vs. $1195 and you get a free boom pole. Not just any boom pole either - a high quality internally cabled USA made boom pole.

I'm not knockin' the Sennheiser system. It is a solid kit and has been the standard for a long time. But, man, this $1 blimp promo is just too good of a deal to pass up!
Hopefully some of the folks that have received their RODE Blimp can chime in to let us know what they think?

If you value the boom pole at $200 this is $1198 worth of gear for $700 holy cow! Now that's a special.

"I find it astonishing that a 10 year old MKH-416 like Ty Ford's older model still sounds like new. A testament to a well designed, high quality, battle tested microphone. "

Guy,

You're showing your video bias. :) Good microphones last a LOT longer than cameras if they are reasonably well taken care of. 20 years is not long in mic years, whereas 2 years can be too long for some cameras.

Regards,

Ty Ford

I totally agree - I have lots of mics all over 20 years old and still as perfect as the day they were bought.

And most of them are still in current production.

No secret that you guys are looking after them.

There's a huge difference between mics used by their owners and those used by non owners from mic lockers in TV stations, newsrooms and similar places.

Having said that, the mic room at Abbey Road has mics available for their regular studio use, from the 1930s.

Cheers.

Alan,

You speak the truth. I get gigs from Maryland Public TV and generally find their audio gear pretty beat up. Of course I'm not sure how old it really is. I think they still believe a C battery is used to power the grid on vacuum tubes. :)

Regards,

Ty Ford

I got my $1 (Australian) Rode blimp yesterday. Thanks Guy! Great deal and great service. Unlike every other manufacturer's rebate deal I've ever experienced, Rode shipped the blimp right away from a web form; no waiting, no mail-in forms involved.

I love that the blimp comes with it's own dead wombat brush - check both ends of the box for bits packed in the styrofoam.

My first impression is that the blimp is the size of the Hindenberg and that at the end of the 10' Ktek boom it weighs as much as a freight train. I'll have to hire a weight lifter as a sound guy... I haven't used the blimp yet but the quality is fine.

Oh, the mic - just playing with it so far but it sounds way different than the ME66 I've been using. It feels like a quality piece of equipment and the heavy-duty aluminum case that comes with it can be used to beat back one of those Transformers robots if they ever attack you. The NTG3 is the opposite of the ME66 - warm and timbre-ful instead of bright and brittle. I like it.

I haven't received mine yet, but I'm personally looking forward to adding a couple of eyes and a tongue to the front end of my "dead wombat". Anyone I interview is bound to either be put at ease, or crack up laughing at this thing on the end of a stick, or think I'm an idiot.

That's the funny kinda guy I am. :-)

Andrew

Does anyone have a mic stand solution for the blimp?

I need something that can screw onto a mic stand (as a typical mic holder does) that has a screw that fits the handle on the blimp. This would allow me to do a one-man-band style shoot of talent talking outside, avoiding sennheiser wireless, and leaving my hands free to run the camera.

I got the mic and love it! I am suprised how well it does indoors. I mounted it on my EX1 for Thanks Giving home movies, and the sound had little coloration from reflections. Quite directional, as you could hardly hear my smart assed comments as I wandered around. I have not done a side by side, but I think it may even do better indoors than my NT3 hyper.

I have not used the blimp yet, and the boom pole is due on monday. I feel great about this purchase as I got 525.00 worth of stuff for free for buying the NTG-3.

Chad, the RODE Blimp pistol grip handle has a 3/8" screw hole in the bottom so you can mount it on a standard stage mic stand.

Ideal for solo op work, add weights at the base of the stand to keep it stable.

Cheers.

Hey Allan. I am a professional musician, with many mic stands, and they are all 1/2". My boom pole has a 3/8" screw you can use while booming, but no stock mic stand has this little screw that I know of. Even the mic clip that came with the NTG-3 has a 1/2" threaded female to take a standard mic stand.

So I'm looking for a 1/2" female to a 3/8" male I guess. Alan do you have a link to a mic stand with 3/8" male on the end?

Try these Chad, shop locally save freight :) Ronstronics 2451 Buhne St Eureka, CA 95501-3206 (707) 445-1810

Northcoast Audio | Custom Audio Video - Home Theater Installers | Eureka, CA

Welcome to Sound Advice Eureka - Northern California's Home Theater Specialists

or good 'ole BnH.

K&M | 21800N Threaded Adapter | 21800-000-01 | B&H Photo Video

Cheers.

Thanks Alan. I actually just got back from a local music store. They didn't have one, but they ordered one for me. And I picked up a tenor Ukulele too! I have to be careful going into music stores....