NTG2 power and H4n

[Brian Reynolds]

The NTG2 has a lowish audio output level compared to other better quality mics and if used with the H4n the input gain needs to be raised to get a good level on the recorder.

The H4n has poor preamps…. so if you raise the gain you will get lots of ‘hiss’.

The Rode NTG1 has similar gain to the NTG2 except the 2 can run on an internal battery this give the H4n a little better battery life which is quite poor when running ANY phantom powered mics.

So in brief the Rode NTG 1 & 2 make a poor choice when used with the H4n. The Rode NTG3 is a much better choice.

The Rode NTG1 & 2 and Zoom H4n came onto the market at about the same time and in theory make an ideal combination…. BUT in reality they dont.

[Clyde Villegas]

Thanks Brian! Do you know of any shotgun mic at the price range of the NTG1 but with a high audio output level?

ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus

[Brian Reynolds]

You may want to have a look at the Sennheiser MKE 600 – Shotgun Microphone… do a try before you buy.

Keep in mind a RF bias mic is MUCH better than a condenser mic, What are you going to be using it for, Fx or dialogue?

Mounting a mic on top of the camera is actually the worst place to mount it, it’s near the camera handling / lens noise…..
It is virtually impossible to get good quality dialogue from a mic mounted on top of the camera regardless of what mic you use.

[Clyde Villegas]

Thanks Brian! I use mics most frequently for interviews.

This is actually my problem: it’s difficult to try because from where I live, I only have very few choices. In fact, most stores here only sell the Rode NTG2 and other Chinese made mics. That’s why I had to rely on reviews on the web and make purchases online.

Has anyone here tried the Sennheiser MKE600 with the H4n?

We always use a lav mic when filming. Last week, we rented a Sennheiser on a boom pole and attached it to the H4n. (I wasn’t able to ask for the mic model number.) The audio output was great. The only problem was the H4n quickly drained its batteries.

ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus

[Brian Reynolds]

ANY mic running on phantom power with the H4n (and most other recorders)will drain batteries quickly. The only way to get around it is power the mic some other way, either from its internal battery or a mixer then feeding the signal to the recorder.

No I havent tried the Sennheiser 600 mic at all yet.

The only way to get quality sound from the spoken voice is get the mic close………. either Lav mic, hand held mic or shotgun mic…BUT they need to be less than 500mm from the mouth.

[Clyde Villegas]

[Brian Reynolds] “ANY mic running on phantom power with the H4n (and most other recorders)will drain batteries quickly. The only way to get around it is power the mic some other way, either from its internal battery or a mixer then feeding the signal to the recorder.”

Wait a second, if I turn on NTG2’s power, does this mean I will now get decent volume without pushing H4n’s gain to high levels? Will this introduce noise, like electrical or something, because both equipment are now powered?

Thanks a lot!

ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus

[Brian Reynolds]

The Rode NTG2 has a fairly low o/p regardless of how it is powered (either phantom or battery).
The H4n has poor preamps (its actually getting an old design these days)

Many years ago I though it might have been the ideal location kit (NTG2 + H4n) but as time has proven its actually quite a poor combination.

[Clyde Villegas]

Sorry Brian, what’s “o/p”?

ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus

[Brian Reynolds]

o/p = OutPut

[Clyde Villegas]

Thanks. What if I buy the NTG2 and look for a new recorder instead? What’s a good recorder in the H4n price range that will work nicely with the NTG2?

ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus