using at897/ considering rodes at DVinfo.net

Jim Stamos · July 19th, 2012, 01:11 AM

just shot my first 35 minute short film using the at897. i was pretty impressed with it for its overall performance. the rode ntg2 is in the same price range and the ntg3 is alittle more. since im still in the 30 day return window, im curious from those that have used these mics, should i stick with what i have or go with one of the other 2? i will mainly be using it for films and docs.

Robert Turchick · July 19th, 2012, 03:16 AM

Never used the AT so can't speak on that but the NTG3 is a beast of a mic. Keep in mind it requires external phantom power. The ntg2 can run on an internal AA for power. If you have a preamp or camera with power the 3 is worth the extra money. I use it with a Sound Devices MM-1 which gives me a heck of a signal path rivaling my studio mics/mic pre's. The NTG2 is still a great mic but sounds a bit thinner to my ears.

Big thing is if you're happy with the AT why spend the money? Playing the return merchandise game is a way to check out the performance though. I'm always on the side of improving gear when the budget allows!

Seth Bloombaum · July 19th, 2012, 02:46 PM

In *rough* terms, the 897 and NTG2 would be considered roughly equivalent. Both would have their adherents, I've used both, I happen to own an NTG2, it is a great mic on a budget.

The NTG3 is a step up in performance, certainly a better mic on a higher budget.

Ryan Jones · July 19th, 2012, 05:53 PM

I've got an NTG3 and was convinced to buy this over the NTG2 as I was told the NTG3 was heavier duty and would deal better with outdoor use.

Allan Black · July 20th, 2012, 05:19 AM

The price difference between the NTG-2 and the NTG-3 will give a clue and the G-3 is designed to cope with humidity better
and comes with a protective aluminium tube.

Rode have sold thousands of both.

Cheers.

Bob Hart · July 20th, 2012, 10:05 AM

Slightly offtopic. Allan. Did Rodes finish developing their long NTG style mike which was about the size of the Sony C74 or Sennheiser 816?

I suggested they make a joiner ring for two of their blimps to accommodate longer mikes, I don't know if they took it seriously or not. I never did arrive at an ideal enclosure for my C74s and was expecting they might make a longer blimp for their new mike which I thought I could use for my own long mike. Sony's own had no shockmount inside. My own invention worked well enough but gave me the shakes from the weight after a few minutes of holding on a pole.

Allan Black · July 20th, 2012, 05:56 PM

Hi Bob, yep here she is, clever add on from the Rode crew at Silverwater here ..

RDE Microphones - Blimp Extension

Available now .. http://www.videoguys.com.au/Shop/c/3...p-systems.html

The NTG-8 is here now ..

RDE Microphones - NTG8

Cheers.

Bob Hart · July 20th, 2012, 09:01 PM

Thanks Allan.

Looks like they did even better than I thought they could on both items. I guess the next cab off the rank will be a parabolic.

Rick Reineke · July 21st, 2012, 11:25 AM

The NTG-8 looks to be a long (shotgun) version of the NTG-3. I had a Sennheiser 815 and still have an AT-4071, I found both to have very limited usage. But it's nice to have when you need it.

July 19th, 2012, 01:11 AM	#1
Jim Stamos Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 565	using at897/ considering rodes just shot my first 35 minute short film using the at897. i was pretty impressed with it for its overall performance. the rode ntg2 is in the same price range and the ntg3 is alittle more. since im still in the 30 day return window, im curious from those that have used these mics, should i stick with what i have or go with one of the other 2? i will mainly be using it for films and docs.

July 19th, 2012, 03:16 AM	#2
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Re: using at897/ considering rodes Never used the AT so can't speak on that but the NTG3 is a beast of a mic. Keep in mind it requires external phantom power. The ntg2 can run on an internal AA for power. If you have a preamp or camera with power the 3 is worth the extra money. I use it with a Sound Devices MM-1 which gives me a heck of a signal path rivaling my studio mics/mic pre's. The NTG2 is still a great mic but sounds a bit thinner to my ears. Big thing is if you're happy with the AT why spend the money? Playing the return merchandise game is a way to check out the performance though. I'm always on the side of improving gear when the budget allows! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

July 19th, 2012, 02:46 PM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Re: using at897/ considering rodes In rough terms, the 897 and NTG2 would be considered roughly equivalent. Both would have their adherents, I've used both, I happen to own an NTG2, it is a great mic on a budget. The NTG3 is a step up in performance, certainly a better mic on a higher budget. __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

July 19th, 2012, 05:53 PM	#4
Ryan Jones Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 124	Re: using at897/ considering rodes I've got an NTG3 and was convinced to buy this over the NTG2 as I was told the NTG3 was heavier duty and would deal better with outdoor use.

July 20th, 2012, 05:19 AM	#5
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,937	Re: using at897/ considering rodes The price difference between the NTG-2 and the NTG-3 will give a clue and the G-3 is designed to cope with humidity better and comes with a protective aluminium tube. Rode have sold thousands of both. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

July 20th, 2012, 10:05 AM	#6
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	Re: using at897/ considering rodes Slightly offtopic. Allan. Did Rodes finish developing their long NTG style mike which was about the size of the Sony C74 or Sennheiser 816? I suggested they make a joiner ring for two of their blimps to accommodate longer mikes, I don't know if they took it seriously or not. I never did arrive at an ideal enclosure for my C74s and was expecting they might make a longer blimp for their new mike which I thought I could use for my own long mike. Sony's own had no shockmount inside. My own invention worked well enough but gave me the shakes from the weight after a few minutes of holding on a pole. Last edited by Bob Hart; July 20th, 2012 at 10:09 AM. Reason: error

July 20th, 2012, 05:56 PM	#7
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,937	Re: using at897/ considering rodes Hi Bob, yep here she is, clever add on from the Rode crew at Silverwater here .. RDE Microphones - Blimp Extension Available now .. http://www.videoguys.com.au/Shop/c/3...p-systems.html The NTG-8 is here now .. RDE Microphones - NTG8 Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated. Last edited by Allan Black; July 20th, 2012 at 06:10 PM. Reason: availability.

July 20th, 2012, 09:01 PM	#8
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	Re: using at897/ considering rodes Thanks Allan. Looks like they did even better than I thought they could on both items. I guess the next cab off the rank will be a parabolic.

July 21st, 2012, 11:25 AM	#9
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: using at897/ considering rodes The NTG-8 looks to be a long (shotgun) version of the NTG-3. I had a Sennheiser 815 and still have an AT-4071, I found both to have very limited usage. But it's nice to have when you need it.