Rode NTG2 Review
Shotgun Microphone
- For Indie Films, TV & Documentaries
- AA Battery or Phantom Powered
- Selectable 80 Hz Low-Cut Filter
- Low Handling Noise
- High Maximum SPL Before Distortion
- Slight Presence Boost
- Windscreen Reduces Wind Noise
- Lightweight Metal Housing
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 25,067 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Rode NTG2. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Rode NTG2. For example, 85% of 5,357 users who have commented on the Sound quality of the Rode NTG2 have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 505 Reviews
Very good short shotgun for the price
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Zan Shin on B&H Photo Video
First, IGNORE every comment by someone who thinks it's a good idea to leave a battery inside a piece of electronics... they are truly ignorant rookies and will someday wake up to find leakage has damaged their gear. You should ALWAYS take the battery out of everything it goes into when you're finished. In fact, if you're conscientious about your work, you'll start with new batteries every time you pull it out to use it. That said, if a microphone isn't plugged into a circuit, it's not converting sound into signal quietly, so any usage with battery inside while you reset a stage or move the camera doesn't need to be turned off - you can literally use an NTG-2 for DAYS without needing to change the battery... but you still should. Imagine the thrill of hitting record, the actors are speaking, the music is playing, the scene is playing out right before your eyes... but because you wanted to use a single AA battery for 6 to 9 months to reduce your operating overhead, you accidentally left the mic turned off... and now it's all gone on without you. Not very professional. Consider that a mic using phantom power doesn't have an on/off switch... why not? It's using power supplied by a mixer or a camera or SOMETHING... shouldn't it have an on/off switch? Mics costing thousands of dollars do not have on/off switches, the NTG-2 doesn't need one either. Next, consider the folks that couldn't figure out why they have hum, or worse, that the mic doesn't fit their holder on their camera. No professional sound person in the world will tell you it's okay to run around with a microphone near enough to record the constant electro-mechanical whirrs and clicks of your camera. Shotgun mics are by definition a mic that's designed to be 2 feet or less from the sound producing orofice you are recording... not standing 10 feet away, or across the room. They are, in fact, designed with a very narrow pickup to LIMIT ambient noise and get better recording of the speaker you are 2 feet in distance from. They are NOT designed for use in a closed room where reflection will bounce around. The NTG-2 mic is a very good mic for most outdoor ambient conditions. There are better ones but not for the money. The ability to have both battery powered and phantom powered modes makes it far more useful in a broader range of circumstances than most. It has a professional XLR connection because that's what it's supposed to use, not a consumer 3.5mm TRS plug that will crack, break and fail. If you want a decent mini-jack mic for your DSLR, get a Rode VideoMic, you'll be happier. If you want to do video production right, get the NTG-2 (or the much better and way more expensive NTG-3), but never kid yourself that one mic is suitable for every situation. I've seen a dozen reviews here saying it didn't work for this and it wasn't great for that and NONE of them were what a shotgun mic is designed for. But put it on a pole, not the camera. If you think having a mic sticking out in front of a video camera looks cool, just paint a dowel rod black, stick it in the holder and use the built-in mic. Most people won't know the difference in sound quality and you'll save money. ... More
One Of The Best Shotgun Mics
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Lee Okami on B&H Photo Video
When I dove head first into the world of filmming with DSLR's I was told I would need to get my sound in an external manner since the audio off the DSLR isn't that great. I knew the RODE products were known for quality so I got the B&H RODE NTG 2 Kit. The choice I made was definatly the right one. The sound out of the external mic is fantastic. My film projects finally looked like films and now sounded like them as well. I use this as my main source to capture sound on all my shoots now. The price for the kit is more then resonable especially once you hear the kind of quality you get out of it. There is honestly only one real problem though. It comes in the form of low audio gain when used with the Zoom H4n. Seperatly the devices are amazing but together the problem arises. I was definatly worried when I saw the audio levels were not breaking -6 (it should be around -12) when I was recording at mic volume of 100! I read around and found I would need a preamp but being the director, director of photography, co-sound guy, and art director I didn't want to carry around a pre-amp that needed to be plugged in (I was filming by a river). Luckily RODE has made something to help this situation in the form of the RODE D-Powerplug. It adds 20db gain which is way more then enough to get the right audio levels. So with the Zoom H4n, the RODE NTG-2 and the RODE D-Powerplug I saved easily over $300-$500. ... More
Australian Quality; Industry Performance
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by ziziphus on B&H Photo Video
PROS: After purchasing several Rode mics, I can say that the construction quality of all their units is extremely high, and the preformance is consistently good. Other positive attributes are the price and the fact that the mic does not need phantom (preamp) power when the internal battery is used. This is nice when using it with small hand-held recorders. Overall, I found it ideal for on-camera video, voice-over, and overhead boom for dialogue. Also, the company is very accessible and stands behind it products like IRON! ADVICE: You will definitely need a better dead cat than the one that comes with the unit. This mic is quite sensitive for a Super-Cardiod, and picks up the slightest air movement. ... More
The BEST for the PRICE.
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Uir W. on B&H Photo Video
The best shotgun mic in this price range. Simply as that. If you are a videomaker and want a good quality audio for studio or outdoors and have about 300,00 to spend on a mic THIS IS THE MIC. It has a very good off axis rejection, and a very good tone and volume in the axis. It is build very solid, certainly can take location heavy duty. Its not the best mic ever thou. For (a lot) more there is the seinheiser 416, the best mic in its class, but it costs 5 times more. The NTG-2 does have room for a internal AA battery that can provide Phantom Power. This class of MICs need a power supply to work, as they are super sensitive. Normally this power is provided by the camera or the mixer, or even a HD recorder. In these days, as digital SLRs use grows , providing a very good quality image, becomes a MUST to capture a good quality audio too, and the internal mics of Slrs are very very poor. The digital slr cameras does not support to provide phantom power, making the ntg-2 a very good choice, as they can run on Phantom power provided by another equipment or directly by an AA batt. The sound is Very good for noise, footsteps and conversation, as these sounds repond differently, this mic handles very well a wide range of tones. As I said the best for its price. A very worthy upgrade, you can even mount it to the camera, if there are no boom guy in the set, and even in that way it will capture a thousand times better than the camera MIC. ... More
Versatile tool for intermediate video
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by lensmeister on B&H Photo Video
I purchased this mic to use mostly for web video, mounted on a Canon DSLR. I had a difficult time deciding between this and the RODE VideoMic, but the NTG-2 felt like a more versatile choice. The kit I purchased came with the shock mount and 1/8 adapter. As an SLR-mounted mic, the NTG-2 makes a world of difference in the audio for these videos. It completely eliminates the camera noise (whirring and clicking sounds) that dominated the original camera microphone. It upgraded an amateur video to a semi-professional quality clip. If you're looking to target one voice with no background noise, this is not the mic for you - a lavaliere mic would probably be best in this price range. This mic WILL pick up some room noise, but does a good job focusing on the subject you point it at. One thing I noticed with this mic is it will pick up a light static noise in the background of most areas I've used it. This is fairly easy to fix with Adobe Soundbooth or any other audio program, but it's something to watch out for. Overall, I would definitely recommend this mic. It feels sturdy, records great sound for the cost, works with DLSR and more high-tech cameras/audio equipment, and is very easy to use. It's perfect for anyone looking to step up their video quality without breaking the bank. ... More
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It works!
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Although it's not the best sounding mic I have ever heard, all other shotguns that I've worked with cost at least three times this one, so I don't think it's fair to compare them. In today's urban cities, noise is always a problem, but I was able to get great, focused sound outdoors, which is where this mic shines. It doesn't deal too well with reflections, so indoors the sound can get muddy. This is a problem inherent to shotgun mics, but I find it's more pronounced in this one. The solution? Acoustic treatment or consider investing also on a hypercardioid. I like the NTG-2's output with phantom power better than with batteries. I thought it would be just the opposite, but I found that with P48 it needs less gain, which is the way to go if you're using a Zoom H4n. So, if you do not really need the battery feature, consider the even lighter NTG-1 your boom arm will thank you. Self-noise sounds very acceptable to me, but I didn't use it in a really quiet environment yet. There's a weird phasing sound when moving the mic that I attribute to off-axis coloration. An alternative to this mic would be the Audio-Technica AT897, check that one out too. ... More
BEAUTIFUL!!
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Condenser Mic
Reviewed by Tyler Langford on Guitar Center
As soon as I pulled this mic out of the box, the first thing I said was, "Beautiful!" Then I actually hooked it up and through my headphones on. It absolutely is the best shotgun for the money. Most in this price range have a frequency response that cuts you off between 40 and 80 Hz. This goes all the way down to 20 Hz with the optional roll off. Perfect for when you need low end frequency for Foley work and the optional roll off comes in very handy when you need to pick up actors lines clearly and without background noise. This is one mic you have to have just to hear it. ... More
An Amazing Shotgun Mic!
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Jason on B&H Photo Video
Great sound quality for an intro level mic. I had researched a lot of mics before landing on the NTG2, and I have to admit that I had absolutely no buyers remorse after testing it out. Normally I pair it with my Tascam DR-60mkII, however, even with a little painters tape to increase the diameter, I've been recently attaching it directly to my Canon C100. This mic is great for dialog, interviews, and commonly use it for voice overs and podcast work when attached to a boom arm. My only disappointment (and it was really an unreal expectation on my part) was that it, while being an amazing directional microphone, did not cut out as much echo from rooms as I had thought it would. Yes, I'm guilty of recording in completely empty rooms with hardwood floors. However, even in conditions where that same room was relatively dressed, our equipment off to one side, and about eight people, there was still some ambient echo. More a testament to the power of this microphone (and my neglect to put up sound blankets). ... More
Excellent value, pro result
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by gunzzel on B&H Photo Video
This is an excellent 'in-between' kind of shotgun for the serious amateur or prosumer on a budget. I've heard many people say that in narrative film-making second-rate, slightly over-exposed or out-of-focus footage will be tolerated by an audience. However, if the sound blows, then people totally switch off. This mic will stop people switching off- it is ideal for bigger cams, and also hand-held off camera use. I am using it on a tripod with a Sony PCM D50 for an audio documentary but it actually will sit atop my HV40 camcorder, also- although on such a dinky camera, it kinda looks like overkill. The sound quality is fantastic- there's a very smooth bottom end and low mid-range, a clear presence, and the top end is sibilant enough for broadcast without being over sensitive to disgusting salivary sounds. I haven't owned the mic long enough yet to comment on battery life or durability, but the build quality is certainly pro-standard. I would recommend this to anyone it's an excellent mic at any price, but especially at it's listed one here!. ... More
Cant beat it for the price!
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
This mic has already proven its worth to me after only two weeks of ownership. For the most part I use it for location sound, but I have done some dialog tests and it works pretty well for that too. Pros: Its lightweight, something that is EXTREMELY important to me as I do alot of biking and skiing and hiking with my gear. Its also incredibly simple and doesn't require any power from the camera, although it can use phantom power if its internal battery dies. So far, it seems to be extremely robust. Cons: There are pretty limited controls on the mic, the power can not be turned off without extracting the battery, and it has a shorter then ideal pickup range for some applications. ... More
tried and true but DSLR users beware
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
RODE NTG 2: There's already hundreds of reviews on this mic. I've used the NTG 1 for years and it is an excellent pro quality mic for the price. Without doing enough research, I bought this phantom powered Rode specifically to mount on a Canon 5D mk2. Wrong mic. You need a preamp or a beachtek or juicedlink or something along those lines, to add to the set-up, otherwise forget it. No volume. Therefore you need to add another 400 bucks to price. The 'most liked review on this B&H forum says they saved the day using a RODE D-Powerplug. Bad news is that Rode have, for some reason, discontinued the line. My guess is to force you to buy their new mic specifically designed for DSLRs. It would be worthwhile doing a little research on combining this mic with a Zoom. Mixed reviews. Testing the NTG 2 beside the NTG 1 - I noticed significant reduction of power when using batteries. When using phantom from a video cam it sounded the same as the NTG 1. That was unexpected but I tried different batteries with the same result. Great mic for the price but I'm not sold on using it for DSLR. ... More
Works Well
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Dominick on B&H Photo Video
We took this microphone out to the middle of noisy Times Square shortly after purchasing it, and it did not disappoint. We recorded ENG-style interviews directly into a Panasonic HPX-170, and the sound was very clear. We used the microphone both mounted to the camera in a Pearstone DUSM-1 Universal Shock Mount and with someone simple holding it off camera. It worked well in both situations. We also had the interviewer wear a wireless lav, but in most cases we wound up using the shotgun audio for both him and the interviewees. Of note, I purchased this microphone in a kit that included the Pearstone DUSM-1 Universal Shock Mount and Kopul Premium Performance 3000 Series XLR M to Angled XLR F Microphone Cable - 1.5' after reading that the mount that comes with the microphone leaves something to be desired, and I haven't yet tried the mount that comes with the microphone. The kit is a very reasonable way to use this microphone effectively without the compounded expenses that add up when purchasing the accessories separately. ... More
Not as good as expected
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Aaron on B&H Photo Video
Returned this mic for the senheiser. It was well worth the extra $100. I just expected better pick up per subject distance and the senheiser was better.
An Amazing Microphone
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Dave on B&H Photo Video
This is a really awesome microphone I ordered to go with my Canon Rebel T2i. It has AMAZING sound quality and looks really professional. This microphone will make everyone's head turn. The only problem is that you will very likely need to buy a sound recorder or a camera that can change audio levels because quality is lost when the audio is recorded directly into the camera. I would also recommend getting a secondary shock mount because the plastic knob to attach to a hot-shoe wore out the first day I used it.
Beautiful!
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Philip on B&H Photo Video
This is a great mic, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It lets you capture professional audio on-the-go and in a small form factor. I love that you can just pop in an AA battery and go, no phantom power needed, although optional. I bought this along with a XLR to 3.5mm mini jack, big mistake! Testing the mic I was kind of disappointed of all the noise until I understood it's actually my 5D m3s fault, the preamp within the camera is horrible and will cause a lot of noise and I thought it was the microphone's fault. What you need along with this device is something like a Juicedlink or Beacktek box, then it will really shine. I highly reccomend buying something like a Juicedlink RM202, XLR from mic to Juicedlink, and then a coiled 3.5mm from juicedlink to camera. That will produce the best audio for the money. ... More
Most bang for the buck
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by LesterCohn on B&H Photo Video
I have been shooting, producing, directing and editing video for over 15 years. In my time I have used a lot of equipment so when I recently found myself with a need for a new shotgun mic I thought about a few things. First off there are plenty of cheap shotgun mics that sound like garbage, this mic however sounded easily as good as a sennheiser that would have cost near a grand. No kidding...I was very pleasantly surprised after putting the NTG-2 to the test at the Chicago Polar Plunge, I was in some pretty hectic crazy environments and the mic performed flawlessly. I was in some very noisy background conditions and the pattern on this mic did fantastic at isolating the person who was being interview clearly. VERY IMPRESSED. I think for the money anyone would be a fool not to try it, I will be sticking with this mic for a while or until proved otherwise. The proof is in the results and mine were great. ... More
Some minor peccadilloes, but overall a good bargin
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Uncle Trency on B&H Photo Video
The NTG2 is a great mic for the price, though it does lean a little bit on the low end for my liking. That being said, I have no real complaints about it. It just works well, which is all I could ask. The rest of the kit is pretty standard. The dead cat works well and I haven't noticed any detectable amount of quality loss when using it, the cables are all good. The mount is nice and does it's job. My only problem with this kit was the Auray boom pole. The one that arrived had a broken connector in the handle, causing the cord to coil up inside. My replacement came quickly, but I noticed that when the pole is completely extended there, the coiled cord rattled LOUDLY against the inside. I could see this being a big issue when I need full extension, though that hasn't had to happen yet. Over all, I am happy with the bundle. ... More
First job worked like a champ
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Gene on B&H Photo Video
First, I had bought the Rode VidMic Pro, but returned it because it was so difficult to change the 9 volt battery in the poorly engineered battery cage. I upgraded to the NTG2 that has an easier to change battery and am glad I did because I like simplicity in the late, great Steve Jobs style. I'd give this mic 5 stars after only one gig, but did not only because it lacks a warning light should the battery go low. But that is not a big problem thanks to today's lithium batteries and I can use a $10 battery status checker to know before I go out on a job. In an ideal world, the design engineer would also have put the battery on the end where it would be easier to change when mounted on the universal shock mount. And when the user puts on a Dead Cat over the foam part of the mic, it would have been a better design to have the one little mini-mini slider gauge farther back, as now I can't get to it on the job if needed without a lot of effort. ... More
Fantastic Audio Quality for the Money
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by Asiwa on B&H Photo Video
As an amateur filmmaker I am on quite a tight budget (as most amateurs are) and was looking for the right shotgun mic for flexible recording situations (echoey rooms, outdoors, etc.) My search eventually led me to the NTG-2, which (through way of YouTube and reviews) seemed to be the best choice for the price range I was in. Being more specific, the side rejection on the mic is fantastic. The mic also has fantastic bass response, which is something that I had read about but was not expecting to be too impressed with. The high pass filter is very useful in those well...high-pass needy situations (I have only encountered a couple) and the attenuation of the bass is not too shabby. I love the ability to run the mic off of a 1.5V AA battery, although with a 48V phantom power supply the self-generated noise is greatly reduced (to the point where it's noticeable). I use the mic mainly for my amateur films as well as voiceovers and marching/jazz band music recordings. ... More
Excellent shotgun mic
Rode NTG2 Shotgun Microphone
Reviewed by A Person that Edits Video on B&H Photo Video
I am not an expert on microphones, but here is what I do know. The stereo mic on my Panasonic HMC150 leaves me disappointed many times. I purchased the Rode NTG-2 initially for a specific project. I was to interview subjects related to a development project in West Africa. The interviews were strictly run and gun and ambient noise is a tremendous issue. So far, I have been extremely please with how the mic preformed. Ambient noise is still audible, but I can clearly hear the interviewees. I used this mic with the optional Dead Cat wind silencer. (The wind silencer presents a trade off in wide angle shooting as it shows up with the HMC150 in the upper right hand corner.) and had no issue with wind (granted wind wasn't as strong where I shot). So, the bottom line. It's an excellent mic for the money. Anything better quality is going to cost quite a bit more. I have seen this mic used all over the place and now I know why. ... More
