Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered mic at DVinfo.net

Suzanne Lucas · February 26th, 2011, 09:54 PM

I am looking at purchasing an Azden SGM-2X I just discovered it takes a battery instead of phantom power, does this make a big difference. I am as independent as independent filmmaking can get and I have to try and purchase lower cost yet try to get good quality. I have been looking on line and finding good reviews of this mic as well as the Rode NTG2. There is a $100.00 difference between the two and that is enough to make me hesitate in my current situation. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Chris Barcellos · February 26th, 2011, 10:22 PM

Actually, the NTG-2 also takes battery power. It also will take phantom power if you are feeding it.

See this thread about the Azden:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xh...otgun-mic.html

I think real issue is which mic provides that sound quality you are looking for.

I started with the Sennheiser ME66, good but bit hot mic. Then I got the NTG-2, it has a bit mellower tone but does better indoors, I think. Then, in a contest, I won the phantom only NTG 3-- a $ 700 mic, and the difference is clear to me. It sounds great.

Robert Rozak · February 27th, 2011, 09:48 AM

The same microphone which can be use from both phantom power or its own battery, will usually have slightly better specifications from phantom power for things like the maximum input SPL handling.

The real question between the two microphones that you are inquiring about, is how good is the noise performance. Check out the specifications on them.

I have used both microphones before. You will be much happier with the NTG2 (Instead of the SGM-2x) because of its better noise characteristics.

The NTG2 is the sweet spot in the price / performance curve for shotgun microphones.

Benjamin Maas · February 27th, 2011, 01:57 PM

Robert is absolutely correct. The other thing is that the higher quality mics out there will only work on Phantom. There are precious few better quality mics that will take a battery, rather the mics require phantom and the user will carry a battery powered preamp (ie Sound Devices or similar).

--Ben

Suzanne Lucas · February 27th, 2011, 05:34 PM

Thanks so much it looks like I will need to rethink things. The audio has always been my weakest link and I know it is one of the most important. I will do some more research and look into the mics you have mentioned. Know of any contests I can enter to win the NTG3???

Chris Barcellos · February 27th, 2011, 07:54 PM

You missed it ! Right here at DVInfo, DV Charity Challenge, 2009-2010.

Shooting with a DSLR, I am shooting separate sound for a lot of things. I use a Sign ENG 44 and line feed a simple Tascam DR-07 recorder for a poor mans recording system. The SignENG 44 has gotten some decent review. The combo captures some pretty cleans sound at a fairly low expense. Of course the proper mic for the situation is a great big factor, too.

Suzanne Lucas · February 27th, 2011, 08:19 PM

This info on Amazon says the NTG2 can run off of either. The NTG2 provides a balanced low impedance output stage and operates either from an internal 1.5 V battery (AA) or 48 V phantom power.
I am thinking I might just have to go with this one.

Paul Elertson · February 28th, 2011, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzanne Lucas

This info on Amazon says the NTG2 can run off of either. The NTG2 provides a balanced low impedance output stage and operates either from an internal 1.5 V battery (AA) or 48 V phantom power.
I am thinking I might just have to go with this one.

Note the first reply to your thread, Chris states this as well.

Sam Mallery · February 28th, 2011, 12:15 PM

Suzanne - What are you plugging the microphone into?

As to your original question "Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered mic," the answer typically is no. There isn't a big quality difference between battery powered and phantom powered mics (of the same model, anyhow).

Robert hinted at this earlier. Look at the Rode NTG2 and the NTG1. They are essentially the same mic, except that the NTG2 has the battery option, and the NTG1 does not (it requires phantom to operate). There are three differences:

1) The NTG1 has a slightly better sound. Because it doesn't have the additional circuitry for the battery, it has a slightly lower noise floor, and a slightly cleaner sound.

2) Because the NTG1 doesn't have the battery slot, it's physically shorter than the NTG2.

3) The NTG1 should be $20 cheaper

In this case, if you don't need the battery option, the NTG1 could be a better choice.

Suzanne Lucas · February 28th, 2011, 07:22 PM

Sam,
I am plugging it into a JVC GYHD100U. Thank you so much for all the information

Steve House · March 1st, 2011, 05:47 AM

Just to be clear, it's not that phantom provides better sound than battery or vice versa. It's just that designers of the top-shelf mics on the market tend to opt for phantom only powering, probably because they anticipate that their products will be used in conjunction with professional-grade preamps, mixers, or recorders and it's virtually universal that such pro gear will have phantom power available.

Sam Mallery · March 1st, 2011, 10:53 AM

Suzanne - Nice camera! I would definitely go with the Rode NTG1. It's shorter than the NTG2, so it would be a good mic for you to use mounted on your camera, and also good for boompole work. You should make some room in your budget for a shockmount, and if you're going to shoot outdoors with it then you should definitely get some wind protection too.

Steve - Agreed, but I think the #1 reason why top-shelf shotguns don't have a battery option is to keep their noise floor down.

Jon Fairhurst · March 1st, 2011, 02:09 PM

One advantage to in-mic battery power is that the mic manufacturer can optimize the battery circuit for the specific mic design. Battery life is generally very good. On the other hand, a true +48V phantom circuit in a preamp or recorder can drain the preamp battery pretty quickly. Having the option to run the mic battery and turn phantom off is nice when working far from civilization.

Jay Massengill · March 2nd, 2011, 09:08 AM

A battery powered mic can also be helpful if your plug-on wireless transmitter doesn't have phantom power or if you have a need to use a Y cable with a mic and you have to avoid doubling the phantom power going into the mic by totally switching phantom power off.
A battery powered XLR mic can also be adapted to a stereo mini mic input (using the correct adapter cable) that doesn't have either phantom power or plug-in power (or the plug-in power can be turned off so it doesn't cause noise).

Pete Cofrancesco · March 5th, 2011, 11:29 PM

Like others said its not really a question of sound quality its what your using it for and whether your equipment provides phantom power. For example, if its out on a boom your not going to want the extra weight of a battery. Or if you plug your mic into other ppl systems and can't depend on them providing phantom power. Ppl tend to sweat the small stuff.

February 26th, 2011, 10:22 PM	#2
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m Actually, the NTG-2 also takes battery power. It also will take phantom power if you are feeding it. See this thread about the Azden: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xh...otgun-mic.html I think real issue is which mic provides that sound quality you are looking for. I started with the Sennheiser ME66, good but bit hot mic. Then I got the NTG-2, it has a bit mellower tone but does better indoors, I think. Then, in a contest, I won the phantom only NTG 3-- a $ 700 mic, and the difference is clear to me. It sounds great. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

February 27th, 2011, 09:48 AM	#3
Robert Rozak Sponsor: JuicedLink Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Posts: 47	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m The same microphone which can be use from both phantom power or its own battery, will usually have slightly better specifications from phantom power for things like the maximum input SPL handling. The real question between the two microphones that you are inquiring about, is how good is the noise performance. Check out the specifications on them. I have used both microphones before. You will be much happier with the NTG2 (Instead of the SGM-2x) because of its better noise characteristics. The NTG2 is the sweet spot in the price / performance curve for shotgun microphones. __________________ - Promotion: Win a Canon T3i !!! Drawing Oct 3, 2011 - President of juicedLink ... DVinfo sponsor

February 27th, 2011, 01:57 PM	#4
Benjamin Maas Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 150	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m Robert is absolutely correct. The other thing is that the higher quality mics out there will only work on Phantom. There are precious few better quality mics that will take a battery, rather the mics require phantom and the user will carry a battery powered preamp (ie Sound Devices or similar). --Ben __________________ Benjamin Maas • Fifth Circle Audio • Signal Hill, CA http://www.fifthcircle.com

February 27th, 2011, 05:34 PM	#5
Suzanne Lucas Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 44	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m Thanks so much it looks like I will need to rethink things. The audio has always been my weakest link and I know it is one of the most important. I will do some more research and look into the mics you have mentioned. Know of any contests I can enter to win the NTG3???

February 27th, 2011, 07:54 PM	#6
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m You missed it ! Right here at DVInfo, DV Charity Challenge, 2009-2010. Shooting with a DSLR, I am shooting separate sound for a lot of things. I use a Sign ENG 44 and line feed a simple Tascam DR-07 recorder for a poor mans recording system. The SignENG 44 has gotten some decent review. The combo captures some pretty cleans sound at a fairly low expense. Of course the proper mic for the situation is a great big factor, too. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

February 26th, 2011, 09:54 PM	#1
Suzanne Lucas Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 44	Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered mic I am looking at purchasing an Azden SGM-2X I just discovered it takes a battery instead of phantom power, does this make a big difference. I am as independent as independent filmmaking can get and I have to try and purchase lower cost yet try to get good quality. I have been looking on line and finding good reviews of this mic as well as the Rode NTG2. There is a $100.00 difference between the two and that is enough to make me hesitate in my current situation. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

February 27th, 2011, 08:19 PM	#7
Suzanne Lucas Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 44	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m This info on Amazon says the NTG2 can run off of either. The NTG2 provides a balanced low impedance output stage and operates either from an internal 1.5 V battery (AA) or 48 V phantom power. I am thinking I might just have to go with this one.

February 28th, 2011, 12:15 PM	#9
Sam Mallery New Boot Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Hoboken, NJ Posts: 22	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m Suzanne - What are you plugging the microphone into? As to your original question "Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered mic," the answer typically is no. There isn't a big quality difference between battery powered and phantom powered mics (of the same model, anyhow). Robert hinted at this earlier. Look at the Rode NTG2 and the NTG1. They are essentially the same mic, except that the NTG2 has the battery option, and the NTG1 does not (it requires phantom to operate). There are three differences: 1) The NTG1 has a slightly better sound. Because it doesn't have the additional circuitry for the battery, it has a slightly lower noise floor, and a slightly cleaner sound. 2) Because the NTG1 doesn't have the battery slot, it's physically shorter than the NTG2. 3) The NTG1 should be $20 cheaper In this case, if you don't need the battery option, the NTG1 could be a better choice. __________________ Tascam DR-40 vs. Zoom H4n

February 28th, 2011, 07:22 PM	#10
Suzanne Lucas Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 44	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m Sam, I am plugging it into a JVC GYHD100U. Thank you so much for all the information

March 1st, 2011, 05:47 AM	#11
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m Just to be clear, it's not that phantom provides better sound than battery or vice versa. It's just that designers of the top-shelf mics on the market tend to opt for phantom only powering, probably because they anticipate that their products will be used in conjunction with professional-grade preamps, mixers, or recorders and it's virtually universal that such pro gear will have phantom power available. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

March 1st, 2011, 10:53 AM	#12
Sam Mallery New Boot Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Hoboken, NJ Posts: 22	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m Suzanne - Nice camera! I would definitely go with the Rode NTG1. It's shorter than the NTG2, so it would be a good mic for you to use mounted on your camera, and also good for boompole work. You should make some room in your budget for a shockmount, and if you're going to shoot outdoors with it then you should definitely get some wind protection too. Steve - Agreed, but I think the #1 reason why top-shelf shotguns don't have a battery option is to keep their noise floor down. __________________ Tascam DR-40 vs. Zoom H4n

March 1st, 2011, 02:09 PM	#13
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m One advantage to in-mic battery power is that the mic manufacturer can optimize the battery circuit for the specific mic design. Battery life is generally very good. On the other hand, a true +48V phantom circuit in a preamp or recorder can drain the preamp battery pretty quickly. Having the option to run the mic battery and turn phantom off is nice when working far from civilization. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

March 2nd, 2011, 09:08 AM	#14
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m A battery powered mic can also be helpful if your plug-on wireless transmitter doesn't have phantom power or if you have a need to use a Y cable with a mic and you have to avoid doubling the phantom power going into the mic by totally switching phantom power off. A battery powered XLR mic can also be adapted to a stereo mini mic input (using the correct adapter cable) that doesn't have either phantom power or plug-in power (or the plug-in power can be turned off so it doesn't cause noise).

March 5th, 2011, 11:29 PM	#15
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,996	Re: Is there a big quality difference in a battery powered mic vs a phantom powered m Like others said its not really a question of sound quality its what your using it for and whether your equipment provides phantom power. For example, if its out on a boom your not going to want the extra weight of a battery. Or if you plug your mic into other ppl systems and can't depend on them providing phantom power. Ppl tend to sweat the small stuff.