rode ntg2/AT897 at DVinfo.net

Jim Stamos · April 7th, 2011, 12:06 AM

really want the ntg3 but cant afford it now.
how does the ntg2 compare to the at897 and is the ntg3 noticeably better than the 2 give the much higher price
i will be going xlr to mini into my sony cx550 hd camcorder. does going minijack still keep the good audio? seems it wouldnt

Vincent Oliver · April 7th, 2011, 12:53 AM

I have several microphones including a NTG2, NT1a, Sony, Sennheiser etc. It is surprising how subtle the differences are. I want to emphasize subtle. If you are producing DVDs or web based videos etc. then I am more or less 100% certain that your viewers will not know if the sound track was recorded on a $50 or $500 mike.

If you are supplying studio shots for broadcast, then invest in the best you can afford. For the equipment you are using the NTG2 will be more than sufficient, maybe even an overkill.

Colin McDonald · April 7th, 2011, 01:29 AM

While the Rode NTG-2 and the Audi-Technica 897 can be powered by internal battery or phantom power, the Rode NTG-3 is 48V phantom only and I don't think this camera supplies that through the plug in power jack. It will almost certainly be a much lower voltage for consumer electret mics. By the time you add a Beachtech or Juiced Link you are talking a sizeable chunk of the cost of the camera.

Chad Johnson · April 14th, 2011, 10:36 AM

The NTG-2 beats the AT897 IMO.

And I like the NTG-3 much more than the NTG-2 (I have both). Here's a video I made with both. There are also other mics in the demo, but you get a chance to hear the 2 against the 3, though not in the most appropriate environment.

Vincent Oliver · April 14th, 2011, 10:55 AM

This test reminds me of an LP I used to own, "The Glory of Cremona", the violinist Ruggerio Ricci played 12 outstanding violins made by Stradivarius, Guarnerius, Amati etc. After track two you couldn't tell the difference between any of the violins.

Chad, your mikes sound great, move the Rode NTG2 a few inches closer than the NTG3 and I doubt if you or anyone else will be able to tell the difference.

I too have tested many mikes over the years and have come to the conclusion that mike placement is probably more important than the actual hardware.

D.J. Ammons · April 14th, 2011, 07:10 PM

I don't know about the AT897 but I have owned the NTG2 for a couple of years and I really like it. I also own the Rode Videomic and it is a great microphone also. I have the new Rode Videomic Pro on order.

April 7th, 2011, 12:06 AM	#1
Jim Stamos Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 563	rode ntg2/AT897 really want the ntg3 but cant afford it now. how does the ntg2 compare to the at897 and is the ntg3 noticeably better than the 2 give the much higher price i will be going xlr to mini into my sony cx550 hd camcorder. does going minijack still keep the good audio? seems it wouldnt

April 7th, 2011, 12:53 AM	#2
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	Re: rode ntg2/AT897 I have several microphones including a NTG2, NT1a, Sony, Sennheiser etc. It is surprising how subtle the differences are. I want to emphasize subtle. If you are producing DVDs or web based videos etc. then I am more or less 100% certain that your viewers will not know if the sound track was recorded on a $50 or $500 mike. If you are supplying studio shots for broadcast, then invest in the best you can afford. For the equipment you are using the NTG2 will be more than sufficient, maybe even an overkill. __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

April 7th, 2011, 01:29 AM	#3
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	Re: rode ntg2/AT897 While the Rode NTG-2 and the Audi-Technica 897 can be powered by internal battery or phantom power, the Rode NTG-3 is 48V phantom only and I don't think this camera supplies that through the plug in power jack. It will almost certainly be a much lower voltage for consumer electret mics. By the time you add a Beachtech or Juiced Link you are talking a sizeable chunk of the cost of the camera.

April 14th, 2011, 10:36 AM	#4
Chad Johnson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arcata, Ca Posts: 750	Re: rode ntg2/AT897 The NTG-2 beats the AT897 IMO. And I like the NTG-3 much more than the NTG-2 (I have both). Here's a video I made with both. There are also other mics in the demo, but you get a chance to hear the 2 against the 3, though not in the most appropriate environment. Hyper & Shotgun Indoor Shootout: AT4053b Vs. Rode NT3 AND NTG-2 Vs. NTG-3 on Vimeo __________________ My Work: http://www.youtube.com/ChadWork1 Sony FS5 :: Panasonic GH4 :: Sony PMW-EX1 :: FCPx :: AT4053b :: Rode NTG-3,

April 14th, 2011, 10:55 AM	#5
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	Re: rode ntg2/AT897 This test reminds me of an LP I used to own, "The Glory of Cremona", the violinist Ruggerio Ricci played 12 outstanding violins made by Stradivarius, Guarnerius, Amati etc. After track two you couldn't tell the difference between any of the violins. Chad, your mikes sound great, move the Rode NTG2 a few inches closer than the NTG3 and I doubt if you or anyone else will be able to tell the difference. I too have tested many mikes over the years and have come to the conclusion that mike placement is probably more important than the actual hardware. __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

April 14th, 2011, 07:10 PM	#6
D.J. Ammons Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 506	Re: rode ntg2/AT897 I don't know about the AT897 but I have owned the NTG2 for a couple of years and I really like it. I also own the Rode Videomic and it is a great microphone also. I have the new Rode Videomic Pro on order.