NTG2 power and H4n

[Brian Reynolds]

The NTG2 is a budget level mic….. Even if you connect it to the worlds best audio recorder you still have a budget mic… The Rode NTG3 is of different design and is MUCH better sounding than the NTG 1 or 2.
Rode NTG3, sennheiser MKH 416 or 600, some AudioTechnica models etc would make a much better start than the NTG2.
Recorders have come a long way recently with Tascam of various models or the new Zoom H5 or H6.

[Clyde Villegas]

I see. Looks like I need to erase the entire equation and purchase a different set.

Here is another setup that I wish to try before buying a new recorder (we have a project next Saturday and were not yet ready to buy new equipment; maybe in two months). My partner has an Zoom H1 and I found it’s 3.5mm jack quite good. The problem is the shotgun mic that we’re about to rent has XLR connector. I was told that if I use an adapter (XLR to 3.5mm) the whole length of the XLR cable will be “unbalanced”. Is this true? Will sound suffer big time?

Thanks a lot! God bless!

ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus

[Brian Reynolds]

Yes it will be unbalanced…. But that’s not a problem for short cable runs ie; 1-2 m
How is the shotgun mic powered?

[Clyde Villegas]

I’ve used that microphone before but I failed to ask for the model. It’s a sennheiser with battery. I remember it has a very long cable, probably about 3-4 meters. Will that affect sound quality (or get interference noise from other electrical equipment) if it gets unbalanced?

ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus

[Brian Reynolds]

It will be fine, just stay away from things with motors or switch mode power supplies in them …… Like refrigerators, microwaves ovens, computers, tv etc.

Monitor the signal with headphones and you should be ok

[Clyde Villegas]

Thanks Brian! Do you think office fluorescent lights (with ballast) will affect interference? Though this is less of a problem because I can switch them off (except for other office rooms beside it). Will just use studio lights (LED, CFLs, and tungsten).

ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus

[Brian Reynolds]

Quite possibly a problem with fluorescent lights….. Use headphones to monitor the audio…… But be prepared to turn the lights off.

[Clyde Villegas]

Thanks, I’ll do that. Do you think looping the unused part of the cable will somehow help (or add to the problem)?

ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus

[Brian Reynolds]

Every thing now is trial and error……. But I’m very insistent ….. Monitor the signal !!!!!!!
You wouldn’t use a camera without a viewfinder …… Don’t use an audio recorder that you don’t monitor the signal.

[Clyde Villegas]

Thanks Brian, I really appreciate your help. Yes, we monitor all the time. It’s just that we can’t do a lot of trial-and-error once we get there.

A year ago, we once shot in the same location and I got really annoying buzzing sound (good thing I was able to fix that in post). We were using a wired lav back then. It’s a highly restricted pharmaceutical research lab so it’s kinda difficult to get in and out to test equipment. Not to mention that we cannot test unless we already paid for the equipment rentals. In other words, we will need to pay for the rentals of several different equipment for the trial and error so we can bring them all in inside the lab. Yes, there will always be trial and error but if I can already weed out several obviously wrong options before renting equipment, that would be very helpful =)

ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus