Hey guys, does anyone have the rode NTG-1 and does it fit well on the A1?
Thanks!

Hi Suzanne,

for noise-related reasons,
I suggest you forget the camera mic holder
and put your NTG-1 on a shockmount.
I use this one (with my NTG-2):
Azden | SMH-1 Shock Mount for Shotgun Mics | SMH-1 | B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/225809-REG/Azden_SMH_1_SMH_1_Shock_Mount_for.html)
and it does the job.

Best

Vasco

Hey guys, does anyone have the rode NTG-1 and does it fit well on the A1?
Thanks!
Many, many threads - here's some:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xh-series-hdv-camcorders/129523-camera-noise-picked-up-ntg-1-a.html
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xh-series-hdv-camcorders/133664-ntg-2-xh-a1-mic-holder-will-i-regret-not-using-shock-mount.html
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xh-series-hdv-camcorders/99326-what-mic-fits-xh-a1-slot.html

Try the Google search box at the bottom of the pages

Aside from the camera noise issue when mounted in the on-camera mount, which would likely manifest itself with any mic, an NTG-1 wearing foam and a dead cat will drape hairs in frame at Z0.

Get a shoe mounted mic holder and both problems vanish. Don't buy the Rode holder. It's cheaply made rubbish. The one that came with my NTG-1 broke after about three uses. I replaced it with this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/326967-REG/K_Tek_K_CAM_SM_Camera_Shoemounting_Shockmount.html). Much better even if it is a bit dear.

I'd suggest that you go for the NTG-2. The only difference is that it's battery powered which would let you use it without external power. If I had it to do again, I would. Other than that, I think, for the price the NTG-1 is brilliant.

Here are two examples of the NTG-1 used for interviews in two different environments. This (http://vimeo.com/1412285) one is loud. This (http://vimeo.com/670152) one is fairly quiet except for the last interview where the loudspeaker was cranked.

Both the NTG-1 and 2 sound exactly the same .. great for the price.

One of the biggest advantages of a prosumer buying the NTG-2 over the NTG-1 is...when you come to sell it, and you will one day, you'll have far more chance because it has the battery option.

Suzanne, if you do buy the NTG-2 follow its instructions.

NEVER leave the battery in it if you run 48V all the time....and the biggest *complaint* RODE get is .. people leaving the NTG-2 switched on when they put it away.

They field daily calls about high battery usage....amazing but they do.

Cheers.

Thanks so much, all of your information was extremely helpful!
let me ask you this though, I just realized I am using the shoe for my frezzi mini fill light, obviously I don't want to use the camera mount from all you've said about noise problems...now what?

and the biggest *complaint* RODE get is .. people leaving the NTG-2 switched on when they put it away.
Where's the on/off switch on the NTG-2? The only switch is the 'windcut-filter'.

I just realized I am using the shoe for my frezzi mini fill light, obviously I don't want to use the camera mount from all you've said about noise problems...now what?
Suzanne, i use the Rode SM5, it's a shockmount that can be put in the A1's micholder. Even with a WDH72 wideangle lens i have no fur in the frame.

Where's the on/off switch on the NTG-2? The only switch is the 'windcut-filter'.

Thanks Hubert, no power switch as such, I should have said ... RODE recommend you remove the battery before you put the NTG-2 away for a time. It drains power when installed.

Cheers.

Thanks so much, all of your information was extremely helpful!
let me ask you this though, I just realized I am using the shoe for my frezzi mini fill light, obviously I don't want to use the camera mount from all you've said about noise problems...now what?

There are other options. You're not alone in wanting to mount a mic and a light at the same time. If you poke around the B&H site you can find bits that will let you do that. I've seen fittings that go on the shoe and others that attach to the bottom mounting plate. Also, don't be afraid to mount the mic in the on camera mount if you're not using the dead cat (or not zooming out to Z0). I've only found the camera zoom motor noise audible in the most quiet of situations with audio levels set to auto so I'm not afraid of the on camera mic mount.

Brilliant! Thanks guys, again... great advice.

Thanks so much, all of your information was extremely helpful!
let me ask you this though, I just realized I am using the shoe for my frezzi mini fill light, obviously I don't want to use the camera mount from all you've said about noise problems...now what?

Suzanne,

one option is to buy a J-rod (twin-mount):
thej-rod.com (http://www.thej-rod.com/)

You can put your Frezzi on the camera shoe,
yet you still have two more shoes, one for
your mic & shockmount,
one for your wireless receiver...

How about that?

Best

Vasco

very interesting!, have you used this before? That's a really good solution!

very interesting!, have you used this before? That's a really good solution!

very interesting!, have you used this before? That's a really good solution!

Yes, Suzanne, and it works!

There are other options. You're not alone in wanting to mount a mic and a light at the same time. If you poke around the B&H site you can find bits that will let you do that. I've seen fittings that go on the shoe and others that attach to the bottom mounting plate. Also, don't be afraid to mount the mic in the on camera mount if you're not using the dead cat (or not zooming out to Z0). I've only found the camera zoom motor noise audible in the most quiet of situations with audio levels set to auto so I'm not afraid of the on camera mic mount.

Tripp, do you use the camera's battery to power the shotgun through the XLR, or just internal AA batteries?
Thanks!

I'll throw in my 2 cents. I have the NTG-2, but I've never used it with the battery, it's always been phantom powered by the camera, so in hind sight I wish I had purchased the NTG-1 instead. Because it's a bit shorter and a better fit with the XHA1. I'm getting an NTG-1 as we speak for my second camera.

I use the Rode SM3 shockmount.
Rode | SM3 - On-Camera Shockmount for Shotgun Mics | SM3 | B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/398316-REG/Rode_SM3_SM3_On_Camera_Shockmount.html)

When mounting the mic and a light I use the cool-lux adapter.
Cool-Lux | MD-3000 Light and Sound Bracket | MD3000 | B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/126229-REG/Cool_Lux_MD3000_MD_3000_Light_and_Sound.html)

Let me know if you want to see pics of any of this gear attached to the camera. It might give you a better idea of how it all goes together. Hope this helps.
-Kevin

Sure Kevin, definitely send a picture of how you have it connected...thanks!

Tripp, do you use the camera's battery to power the shotgun through the XLR, or just internal AA batteries?
Thanks!

I have the NTG 1 which doesn't have batteries so I don't have that option.

Although I've not needed to use the Rode connected to a source without phantom power, I would get the NTG 2 if I had it to do over again.

well, i have gone between the two as i have not yet purchased, but may in the near future. i'm wondering...if i decide to mount the mic on-cam, and shoot relatively close, mainly in family situations, such as parties, if i properly monitor my levels, will the mic cut out enough background noise to hear the intended voices well enough, or am i kidding myself? sorry for the run-on sentence, but i'm not going to be walking around with a boompole at a barbeque. i'm just not sure if i should just deal with the onboard mic, or get an NTG1/2 and have my audio sound distant and noisy. i just don't wanna buy a mic and be unsatisfied with the whole idea when i can't hear my 3 year old tell me some cool story on video.

thanks for any guidance, and i'm sorry if i hijacked this thread. it was not my intention. i'm just tired of plopping music over-top of my video to compensate for bad audio.

Chris
Chris Light on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/chrislight)

hello, I use the ntg-2 with my xl-h1 and love it. It seemed like the best mic I could find in that price range. It also comes with a shock mount and wind screen. I've been using mine for a year and the mic and shock mount are both holding up fine.

well, i have gone between the two as i have not yet purchased, but may in the near future. i'm wondering...if i decide to mount the mic on-cam, and shoot relatively close, mainly in family situations, such as parties, if i properly monitor my levels, will the mic cut out enough background noise to hear the intended voices well enough, or am i kidding myself? sorry for the run-on sentence, but i'm not going to be walking around with a boompole at a barbeque. i'm just not sure if i should just deal with the onboard mic, or get an NTG1/2 and have my audio sound distant and noisy. i just don't wanna buy a mic and be unsatisfied with the whole idea when i can't hear my 3 year old tell me some cool story on video.

thanks for any guidance, and i'm sorry if i hijacked this thread. it was not my intention. i'm just tired of plopping music over-top of my video to compensate for bad audio.

Chris
Chris Light on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/chrislight)
Chris - it sounds like you already know the answer. A camera-mounted "short shotgun" mic, such as the Rode NTG-1, is not as good as getting an independent mic in close to your subject (on a pole, clipped to clothing, in the speaker's hand...) but should normally be an improvement over the built-in mics, provided that it's in a good shock-mount. Check the many threads in the Audio forum for chapter and verse.

One word of caution - short shotguns are best in large spaces and the open air. In smaller or reverberant spaces, they can pick up odd reflections sometimes. You may find a "hyper cardioid" is a better response pattern - still much more directional than the almost-omni built-in mics.

I'll second Tripp's advice about getting the NTG-2 in preference to the NTG-1. Even if you only use battery power a couple of times a year, it makes the mic much more versatile. This is especially true if you later build up a collection of mics, and the Rode becomes your second or third choice for the camera.

I'm aware that many people think the built-in mics are "bad", and should never be used, but I think that's a little unfair. I've been listening to some tests I've done recently, and they are a lot better than most built-in mics. Their frequency response is pretty good and they have a certain amount of shock protection built in. They do hear the camera motor a bit too much, and will pick up rough handling, but in moderately noisy situations, if you are careful, they are quite usable. They are good for recording background ambience or in situations where you are not trying to pick out the sound of a particular subject. Maybe you have separate mics feeding a minidisc or other recorder, or more than one camera on a shoot.... Or maybe you are in a hurry, trying to keep up with what's happening. One problem, though, is that if you normally use an XLR mic, you have to go into the menu to switch from XLR to built-in/unbalanced circuits, and vice versa.

HTH

I would think the built-in would be just fine for family videos. The NTG-1 will be a step up for family situations. Boomholder not required. The NTG-1 will reject more than the built-in. Even backyard barbeques will be fine...for family videos. If you want to produce a professional interview in a noisy environment, a lesson from TV reporters is in order. Use a handheld mic. A Shure SM58 or Sennheiser Evolution dynamic will do the job nicely. These mics are rugged, don't take power, and pickup basically just sound close to the mic. Background noise will sound like, well, background which is what you want I think.

As for NTG-1 vs NTG-2, I found the longer NTG-2 a pain as it interferes behind the mount due to it's length. Don't worry if you laready ordered one, you can sell it on eBay as they are a very popular mic. An NTG-1 and a right angle coiled XLR makes for a nice tight rig. I trimmed my deadcat a little and can use the Canon mount without resorting to an extra mic holder. YMMV.

Mark and Ernest...thank you for your reassuring and informative replies. Mark you just about nailed it, and i almost made up my mind to NOT purchase a mic, but then i thought "am i going to want to be stuck only doing family videos, or music oriented videos?" the answer is no. by building a small but effective audio kit, i may just be more inclined to try more formal techniques like interviews, or even acted-out scenes. i'm trying to get better at this, and i think if i avoid these slight upgrades, it may be detrimental to my advancement.

thanks again guys!!

Chris
Chris Light on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/chrislight)