Rode NTG 2

Tony Fogarty · March 2nd, 2010, 10:32 AM

Hi

I've just received a new Rode NTG 2 shotgun mic. When I've come to connect an XLR cable it doesn't seem to "click" fully into place, ie the little button on the XLR cable doesn't pop fully out. I also notice that one of the 3 XLR pins in the mic is longer than the other 2.

All that said, the mic works, but I'm concerned that the cable will just pull out if tugged.

Any other NTG 2 users have this issue or is it a fault?

Tony

Colin McDonald · March 2nd, 2010, 11:02 AM

I can confirm that the xlr pins on the NTG-2 are meant to be different lengths, presumably to protect the circuitry so that they connect/disconnect inthe right order.

As for the plug not seeming to latch properly, I have noticed that some makes of xlr are better than others. I have had to push some cables in quite firmly to get them to latch in my NTG-2, while others seem to fit more easily. Neutric connectors are generally regarded as among the best. My DIY cables made up with Neutrics are fine, but some of the ready made cables I have used seem to have this problem.

I am pretty confident that it wouldn't be the mic that is causing the problem. Did you get the cable with it?

EDIT: Belated welcome to dvinfo BTW. There's quite a lot of us Brits active here - dont know if you have seen this thread http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/these-pe...ml#post1488252

Tony Fogarty · March 2nd, 2010, 11:23 AM

Thanks for responding so quickly Colin,

I have two XLR cables bought over time. The most recent was certainly ready made (Maplin), the older one I can't remember but probably. Neither as far as I can tell have Neutrics connectors.

I guess my next step is to get my hands on a Neutrics to see if that clicks.

Cheers

Edward Carlson · March 2nd, 2010, 02:04 PM

I have an old Neutrik cable that doesn't click in all the time. I've also had to push the button down to get it to go in all the way. Sometimes it's the rubber o-ring on the connector that is out of place, if yours even has one (the Neutriks do.)

About the XLR pin: http://usa.rodemic.com/support.php#q10

Jay Massengill · March 2nd, 2010, 02:23 PM

If you've inserted the XLR connector firmly into the jack and the catch hasn't clicked yet, sometimes just gently nudging the catch itself foreward is all it takes to make it click in. There's usually some foreward play in the spring-loaded catch and it can be nudged into position even though the XLR connector is fully seated.

Ron Wilk · March 2nd, 2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Fogarty

Hi

I've just received a new Rode NTG 2 shotgun mic. When I've come to connect an XLR cable it doesn't seem to "click" fully into place, ie the little button on the XLR cable doesn't pop fully out. I also notice that one of the 3 XLR pins in the mic is longer than the other 2.

All that said, the mic works, but I'm concerned that the cable will just pull out if tugged.

Any other NTG 2 users have this issue or is it a fault?

Tony

I have noticed, most recently with the Rode NTG 3, that there is a black rubber insert deep within the XLR. The manufacturer states that it can be removed if a good connection cannot be achieved—check to see if there is one on your mic's XLR plug and if so, you might try removing it.

Rick Reineke · March 2nd, 2010, 02:34 PM

On some mics, the Octava's for instance, it's very difficult to get the tight fitting Neutrik (NCFX) in far enough to latch. I removed the 'O' ring which helped until I made dedicated cables with Switchcraft XLR-F.

Tony Fogarty · March 7th, 2010, 01:32 PM

Thanks for all the help so far.

After trying a variety of combinations, I took the mic to a colleague with some Neutrik XLRs, and after removing the rubber element from inside the Rode mic and the rubber ring from the Neutrik it finally clicked.

I guess a new XLR cable will be in order!

Peter Manojlovic · March 21st, 2010, 11:24 AM

With the blue ring gone, can you expect any unwanted noise (vibration), or was this simply a fix for any XLR adapters that might be slightly loose?

Looks like i'll be removing mine also....

Tom Morrow · May 3rd, 2011, 03:22 PM

I just received a Rode Micon XLR connector, and they shipped it with the blue spacer in a bag, uninstalled. Their little pictogram instructions didn't help me understand what it was for, but this thread cleared it up for me. It seems like it's for tightening up the connection if the cable inserts too far, causing cable noise as it pulls in and out while locked. I tried several cables I had and didn't find any play; they all fit fine without the blue spacer, so I'm just going to put it in the junk drawer.

March 2nd, 2010, 10:32 AM	#1
Tony Fogarty New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 21	Rode NTG 2 - XLR connection Hi I've just received a new Rode NTG 2 shotgun mic. When I've come to connect an XLR cable it doesn't seem to "click" fully into place, ie the little button on the XLR cable doesn't pop fully out. I also notice that one of the 3 XLR pins in the mic is longer than the other 2. All that said, the mic works, but I'm concerned that the cable will just pull out if tugged. Any other NTG 2 users have this issue or is it a fault? Tony

March 2nd, 2010, 11:02 AM	#2
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	I can confirm that the xlr pins on the NTG-2 are meant to be different lengths, presumably to protect the circuitry so that they connect/disconnect inthe right order. As for the plug not seeming to latch properly, I have noticed that some makes of xlr are better than others. I have had to push some cables in quite firmly to get them to latch in my NTG-2, while others seem to fit more easily. Neutric connectors are generally regarded as among the best. My DIY cables made up with Neutrics are fine, but some of the ready made cables I have used seem to have this problem. I am pretty confident that it wouldn't be the mic that is causing the problem. Did you get the cable with it? EDIT: Belated welcome to dvinfo BTW. There's quite a lot of us Brits active here - dont know if you have seen this thread http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/these-pe...ml#post1488252 Last edited by Colin McDonald; March 2nd, 2010 at 11:28 AM. Reason: Added

May 3rd, 2011, 03:22 PM	#10
Tom Morrow Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 416	Re: Rode NTG 2 - XLR connection I just received a Rode Micon XLR connector, and they shipped it with the blue spacer in a bag, uninstalled. Their little pictogram instructions didn't help me understand what it was for, but this thread cleared it up for me. It seems like it's for tightening up the connection if the cable inserts too far, causing cable noise as it pulls in and out while locked. I tried several cables I had and didn't find any play; they all fit fine without the blue spacer, so I'm just going to put it in the junk drawer.

March 2nd, 2010, 11:23 AM	#3
Tony Fogarty New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 21	Thanks for responding so quickly Colin, I have two XLR cables bought over time. The most recent was certainly ready made (Maplin), the older one I can't remember but probably. Neither as far as I can tell have Neutrics connectors. I guess my next step is to get my hands on a Neutrics to see if that clicks. Cheers

March 2nd, 2010, 02:04 PM	#4
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	I have an old Neutrik cable that doesn't click in all the time. I've also had to push the button down to get it to go in all the way. Sometimes it's the rubber o-ring on the connector that is out of place, if yours even has one (the Neutriks do.) About the XLR pin: http://usa.rodemic.com/support.php#q10

March 2nd, 2010, 02:23 PM	#5
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	If you've inserted the XLR connector firmly into the jack and the catch hasn't clicked yet, sometimes just gently nudging the catch itself foreward is all it takes to make it click in. There's usually some foreward play in the spring-loaded catch and it can be nudged into position even though the XLR connector is fully seated.

March 2nd, 2010, 02:34 PM	#7
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	On some mics, the Octava's for instance, it's very difficult to get the tight fitting Neutrik (NCFX) in far enough to latch. I removed the 'O' ring which helped until I made dedicated cables with Switchcraft XLR-F.

March 7th, 2010, 01:32 PM	#8
Tony Fogarty New Boot Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 21	Thanks for all the help so far. After trying a variety of combinations, I took the mic to a colleague with some Neutrik XLRs, and after removing the rubber element from inside the Rode mic and the rubber ring from the Neutrik it finally clicked. I guess a new XLR cable will be in order!

March 21st, 2010, 11:24 AM	#9
Peter Manojlovic Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 769	With the blue ring gone, can you expect any unwanted noise (vibration), or was this simply a fix for any XLR adapters that might be slightly loose? Looks like i'll be removing mine also....