There seems to be a problem with the Rode NTG-3 (some or all?) . It shuts down when it is used in a cold environment.

People talk about the problem here. Anyone else experiencing the same?

The Freesound Project :: View topic - Is my microphone freezing due to cold weather? (http://www.freesound.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=30786)

"have an NTG-3, it has been -3 -4 degrees celcius in London tonight and I was on a film shoot. The microphone would work for a short while and then it would sound awful. Loads of noise and quiet recordings. Is this normal? Can I just keep it warm before a take or will this damage it more? I was recording into a Fostex FR2-LE. "

"Wow. I lend the NTG3 some days ago from the university I am studying and it had the same problems: lots of noise and quiet recordings.
It`s been in my car for about 2 hours, it wasn`t that cold (round about 4 to 5 degrees celcius)."

"When using the Rode NTG-3 in cold weather (<5 - 8 degrees celcius) it almost shuts down after about 5 minutes. The input on the camera shows and hears lots of noise and almost inaudible audio. When i take it back inside the house (where the temperature is nearly 20 celcius) the rode starts working again with no problems after a 5 - 10 minutes warm-up. "

"the last test i did was to put the NTG-3 in the fridge (4 degrees) and take it out after 15 minutes. Same problem. All other components were at room temperature (xlr cable, juicedlink cx231, camera, camera battery, juicedlink battery). Before this test NTG-3 was working. After 15 minutes of being in the fridge it was not. I attached it to the XLR box, turned on camera, etc and listened with headphones what would happen. After 5 - 10 minutes warm-up i started hearing breaking noises and hiss. The next following minutes the sound slowly recovered and the breaking noises and hiss went away. During this test i also connected the Sennheiser EW100 G3 XLR on the same and second XLR port. No problems."

I found this pdf that mentions the mic working fine at -2c, so I bet that's the low operational temp.

aus.rodemic.com/downloads/ntg-3/NTG-3_AT.pdf

Hi Chris,

I don’t have NTG-3 but I was thinking to get one and this post intrigued me because where I live its cold 5 months out of the year.

Perhaps the reason the microphone stop working is because any humidity trapped in the microphone freezes on components that should still be able to move due to sound pressure. The only solution I can think of is to keep the microphone in a plastic bag with the ‘moisture absorbing gel’ and let it cool down to the working temperature. You then take it out of the bag and use it as usual (remember to do the same on the way back). This is a trick I learned long time ago when we were going back and forth (hot/cold/hot) with cameras and it prevented frost from building up on lenses. It is not a fast solution because you need to allow the equipment to cool down or to worm up, but it may be the only solution.
I would be very interested to hear if that works for you.

Hi Robert,

Rode (via European distributor) has asked me to return the microphone. They will replace it for a new one. When the replacement has the same problems i wil try your good idea. Thanks. But i hope it has not. This means i basically can't use it from oct till march due to weather conditions.

The sennheiser 416 & 816 are listed to go to -10 deg C, years ago a crew went to Antarctica with no problems with the gear apart from the Miller fluid head tripod being SUPER stiff.

The sennheiser 416 & 816 are listed to go to -10 deg C, years ago a crew went to Antarctica with no problems with the gear apart from the Miller fluid head tripod being SUPER stiff.

Sennheiser MKH series microphones have been regularly used at both the north and south poles with no problems being reported.

Hi Chris,

The NTG-3 has been extensively tested at sub-zero temperatures (rated to -12 degrees). We have many reports of the microphone being used free of any performance issues in demanding environments including arctic regions.

Like all RØDE broadcast mics (and the Blimp) the NTG-3 comes with a 10 year warranty following online registration, so if you are experiencing any issues please contact your local service center to arrange a warranty service.
(RØDE Microphones - International distributors and service agents (http://www.rodemic.com/distributors.php))

I believe you've already done this as our Service Manager is expecting the microphone to arrive from the service center. Once we receive it we'll run tests to isolate the cause of the failure.

If I can be of any assistance please just let me know.

I have used both my NTG 2 and NTG 3 in the winter time in 11 degress F (-10 C) with no problem.

Its common practice (and sense) to slowly cool down the gear prior to using it in very cold conditions and vice versa for very warm conditions. I find that putting my Kata bag in my garage for 1-2 hours prior to leaving allows the camera to come close to outdoor conditions and at a slow pace due to the bag acting as insulation.

Rode spent 2yrs with the design of the RF biased NTG-3 which includes the capability to operate as advertised in sub-zero temperatures.

At Rode HQ, even in the busy Xmas period they have placed high priority on this question and an answer will be forthcoming asap.

Cheers.

A thought, maybe it's not the cold per se, but moisture condensing on the mike element, caused by the cooler temperature than that at which it was kept....condenser mikes don't like moisture.

One of mine, an instrument mike, came with a warning that using as a vocal mike, with the attendant breath moisture, would cause symptoms much like those you describe. Possibly letting the mike acclimate to its surroundings before removing from it's nice metal case would help?

My RODE NT-1A came with a small desiccant package that changes color when wet. The recommendation is that the user bake the desiccant in the oven until it changes color, and that the mic be stored in its pouch with the desiccant near the condenser.

It makes sense that if there is moisture on the element that it would freeze below 32F, which would reduce the signal, if not eliminate it.

At least with the NTG 3, it comes with the metal case and I am sure it holds all moisture inside so maybe its best not to use the case to store the mic. Others have stated that using the airtight camera cases are a bad idea as well because it holds all moisture inside, which is why I stopped using my EX1 Storm case.

Resurrecting this older thread to add that I just had some issues with my NTG 3 as well. Got to a location (an abandoned building with no heat) and when I wired all my gear up, the NTG 3 gave me no signal at all. Only sound it made was a hollow thump noise when I tapped on the XLR connector at the base of the mic. Ended up pulling out my other shotgun for the shoot, which worked fine on the same equipment and cables. After I got home, I tested the Rode again, and it worked fine.
It wasn't too cold in the building. I'd guess maybe in the mid 40's Fahrenheit in the morning. I guess I'll be sending it back to Rode for replacement.

I used the rode NTG2 and NTG3 in very cold environnements a lot without any problem. specifically, in february I was the soundman on a shoot on a frozen lake. I used the NTG3 plugged in a ZOOM H4n. The temperature where below -30 celsius, and the wind was very strong. The crew where pretty affected by the temperature, but the rode? Not at all. It performed strong for 12 hours straight (but had to replace the batteries in the H4n every 20 minutes...)

We are returning the mic for replacement. Most likely just a defective unit, but it seems to have happened to more than one NTG 3. Still, its a great mic when its all working good. I'll miss it until the replacement gets here!

[QUOTE=Battle Vaughan;1598675 Possibly letting the mike acclimate to its surroundings before removing from it's nice metal case would help?[/QUOTE]

That's right .. to confirm their design specs Rode ran their initial testing like that without problems. How long you wait is a question, somewhat depends on the ambient temp.

Cheers.

My experience was that the mic didn't work at all at a temp of around 45 Fahrenheit. I got to the location about 10 AM, started setting up and checking my gear about 11 AM. Mic was dead at that time. I checked it again after lunch, and it was still no good.

I've heard directly from Rode about this issue. Thanks, Allan! I must say, this is some great customer service. We bought the mic as an open box demo unit at a discount. We are returning it to the seller in exchange for credit toward a new, un-opened unit. I'm glad to help the folks at Rode figure out any potential issues with either the design or manufacture of these awesome little mic's.

Mics going back for replacement early next week. I'll miss it while its gone, for sure!

I've heard directly from Rode about this issue. Thanks, Allan! I must say, this is some great customer service. We bought the mic as an open box demo unit at a discount. We are returning it to the seller in exchange for credit toward a new, un-opened unit. I'm glad to help the folks at Rode figure out any potential issues with either the design or manufacture of these awesome little mic's.

Cheers Andy.

BTW when you're down this way in Sydney here's a few things you must do .. not necessarily in this order.

1. Tour the Sydney Opera House, just an amazing building. As a bachelor I bought a one bedroom unit right opposite on the harbour in 1970 and had a party for the big opening. We supplied a harbour tugboat with hot water for their tea by passing a kettle across to the bridge out our front window.

2. Take the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, book on line or soon as you get here. The Bradfield Highway across the bridge is designated as a Travelling Stock Route which means that it is permissible to herd livestock across the bridge, but only between midnight and dawn, and after giving notice of intention to do so. In practice, owing to the high-density urban nature of modern Sydney, and the relocation of abattoirs and markets, this has not taken place for approximately half a century. Not so sure about that last bit .. last new years eve ... but that's another story.

3. Go and visit the Rode Plant at Silverwater, a 30 minute drive from the CBD. The coffee alone is well worth the trip. RØDE Rockin' Roast (http://www.roderoast.com/) Peter Freedman does that extremely well too.

Sounds like fun! Let me know if anyone wants to hire me as a boom op down there! Where did I put my passport?