Good sounding Shotgun mics? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Cook · November 25th, 2014, 05:48 PM

I am looking for a good shotgun mic for interviews. I would like to feed the mic into a Zoom H4n. I have noticed that some mics are powered by both battery and or phantom power. And some only phantom power. Are the ones that are powered strictly by phantom better? I was looking at the Rode ntg-1 which is phantom only. Any suggestions? I would like to stay under $250. Thanks in advance.

Brian P. Reynolds · November 25th, 2014, 08:01 PM

Sending phantom power from the H4n will reduce the battery life of the recorder, The Rode NTG1 is phantom power only, the Rode NTG2 is both phantom / battery powered but before you get your hopes up both of those mics have a fairly low audio output level and by raising the gain in the H4n will give you lots of hiss in your recordings.... so the Rode NTG1 / 2 are a bad combination with the H4n. There many posting on forums to verify this.

My suggestion is to either go up market a bit more for the mic or the recorder. (or both)

Jeff Cook · November 25th, 2014, 08:56 PM

Actually b and h is selling the tascam d 60 recode for only $100. Would that work well with the Rode ntg-1?

Brian P. Reynolds · November 26th, 2014, 12:44 AM

The Rode NTG 1 / 2 are a low output microphone and need good preamps to get the best results, a better mic like the NTG 3 or Sennheiser 416 will deliver MUCH better results.

I have never used the Tascam recorders but there are many reviews on this / and other forums.

Gary Nattrass · November 26th, 2014, 05:43 AM

Have a listen to the Audio Technica AT875R I always prefer it to the NTG1&2, phantom power only but a good strong signal and ideal as a general purpose short shotgun for inside and out.

I also use mine with a rode PG2 grip and a W/S softie.

David Dixon · November 27th, 2014, 12:52 PM

...and for Black Friday deals B&H has the AT 875r on sale for $129 - just ordered one as a backup to and alternative to my AT 4053b.

November 25th, 2014, 05:48 PM	#1
Jeff Cook Major Player Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Fresno, Ca Posts: 214	Good sounding Shotgun mics? I am looking for a good shotgun mic for interviews. I would like to feed the mic into a Zoom H4n. I have noticed that some mics are powered by both battery and or phantom power. And some only phantom power. Are the ones that are powered strictly by phantom better? I was looking at the Rode ntg-1 which is phantom only. Any suggestions? I would like to stay under $250. Thanks in advance.

November 25th, 2014, 08:01 PM	#2
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	Re: Good sounding Shotgun mics? Sending phantom power from the H4n will reduce the battery life of the recorder, The Rode NTG1 is phantom power only, the Rode NTG2 is both phantom / battery powered but before you get your hopes up both of those mics have a fairly low audio output level and by raising the gain in the H4n will give you lots of hiss in your recordings.... so the Rode NTG1 / 2 are a bad combination with the H4n. There many posting on forums to verify this. My suggestion is to either go up market a bit more for the mic or the recorder. (or both)

November 25th, 2014, 08:56 PM	#3
Jeff Cook Major Player Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Fresno, Ca Posts: 214	Re: Good sounding Shotgun mics? Actually b and h is selling the tascam d 60 recode for only $100. Would that work well with the Rode ntg-1?

November 26th, 2014, 12:44 AM	#4
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	Re: Good sounding Shotgun mics? The Rode NTG 1 / 2 are a low output microphone and need good preamps to get the best results, a better mic like the NTG 3 or Sennheiser 416 will deliver MUCH better results. I have never used the Tascam recorders but there are many reviews on this / and other forums.

November 26th, 2014, 05:43 AM	#5
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Re: Good sounding Shotgun mics? Have a listen to the Audio Technica AT875R I always prefer it to the NTG1&2, phantom power only but a good strong signal and ideal as a general purpose short shotgun for inside and out. I also use mine with a rode PG2 grip and a W/S softie. __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

November 27th, 2014, 12:52 PM	#6
David Dixon Major Player Join Date: May 2011 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 495	Re: Good sounding Shotgun mics? ...and for Black Friday deals B&H has the AT 875r on sale for $129 - just ordered one as a backup to and alternative to my AT 4053b.