Approximately 15 years ago, the RØDE VideoMic series made its debut for the first time when the wider content industry shifted to portable DSLR cameras.
These multi-functional, multi-purpose cameras provide more cinematic images with a more compact footprint than their full-size predecessors, thereby making video production more flexible in the field. But for the new camera technology, it’s not all smooth sailing. Obviously, their weakness is the rough and simple built-in microphone that most models have. As a result, the video production looks worth one million dollars, but it sounds similar to a two-dollar store. .
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The RØDE VideoMic series was born to solve this problem. It is a perfect after-sales accessory that can improve the audio quality to the standard we see on the screen. As a product line, the VideoMic series sets the standard for microphones in the DSLR camera field.
At the other end of the evolutionary tree is another well-known product line of RØDE, the highly touted NTG series, which is a series of affordable and high-quality shotgun microphones, mainly for the professional film and broadcasting market, which is its absolute success The market is digging and feeling its existence.
It is through the combination of these two different product lines that we have the new VideoMic NTG, which is a directional capacitor shotgun designed to improve the audio capture capability of any compact camera.
Out of the box, you will notice that VideoMic NTG is as light as a feather, only 94 grams. This is important when it is most likely to appear on your camera, which means that the shock mount that keeps it stable does not have to work hard, thus ensuring longevity and ease of use. The slide rail allows you to move the microphone exactly where you need it, avoiding any contact with viewing through the viewfinder without having to install it on the cage. It does this by using "aviation-grade aluminum", so if you are already impressed with the quality of the price tag, hold on to your socks, because this microphone is ready.
Compared with RØDE's two-way products that are most suitable for live/atmospheric recording and ASMR, VideoMic NTG is suitable for showing to cameras or active work talents. Supercardioid polarity is very suitable for use on cameras, because most of the magic of video production lies in inserting the audience into the scene and hiding the production seams (except for meta-film production or documentary). The inside of the microphone adopts the same acoustic design as the NTG5 microphone, and uses a shorter and more portable tube. The basis of this design is a pressure gradient electret capacitor that captures the frequency range from 30Hz to 18KHz with 24-bit quality. The shock mount keeps the microphone stable, and the smart electronic device minimizes its own noise. This is a microphone suitable for shooting, running and gun styles, and its audio shaping function further proves this.
The low end of the frequency response has rolled off at 18Hz to reduce the turbid sub-frequency, and a switchable 75Hz or 150Hz high-pass filter can be used in gusty conditions to minimize wind rumble. There is also a high shelf boost to increase the details of complex natural sounds or to balance the effects of dead cats or airship shields. Variable gain control allows you to dial in the perfect original signal before the audio reaches the camera’s sometimes noisy preamplifier, and if the headroom you happen to leave is too small and your audio is distorted (the small peak LED will flash to let you know Hear), there is a safe channel for recording, with a low gain of -20dB, which can save the day. All of these functions are easy to use. Use the buttons to select the filter or pad option (or any combination of these options) you need. It is smooth and simple; it is more reminiscent of technology equipment than traditional audio equipment.
You can avoid using annoying adapters because VideoMic NTG will automatically detect whether it is connected to the TRS input of the camera or the TRRS input of a mobile phone or tablet. In addition to these applications, it can also be used as a USB microphone, directly connected to your computer via the USB-C port. Multiple functions make it well adapted to the variable workflow of modern content creators.
Through a USB-C connection, VideoMic NTG is compatible with RØDE Connect, which is their free podcast and streaming software. The software is basically built for creators, acting as a digital mixer that can record and stream audio captured with RØDE microphones, while allowing computer audio such as music and sound effects to be added to the mix. This feature further expands the range of use of this multifunctional microphone, which means that it can be used both on site and in studio audio capture.
In addition, RØDE has released more accessories to further expand the capabilities of content creators. The DCS-1 dual cold shoe mount is used to mount two microphones or cold shoe accessories to equipment with a single cold shoe. The SC11 Y splitter cable can connect two mono 3.5mm outputs to a single stereo 3.5mm input. Other versions include SC10 TRRS to TRRS cable and SC16 USB-C to USB-C cable. After obtaining the MFi certification, RØDE released the SC15 lightning protection cable, which is fully compatible with iOS devices.
We tested RØDE VideoMic NTG with Sony Alpha series mirrorless cameras. After connecting it to the TRS input and ensuring that the internal gain is set to minimum, capturing clean, detailed audio becomes a breeze. Use the top button to easily adjust the settings, and simply turn clockwise to adjust the gain. This is in stark contrast to relying on a camera's sub-menu or clicking a noisy button on an external video recorder. The microphone's highly directional pickup is very suitable for reducing leakage from unwanted sources, and its neutral character proves its exquisite design. Gone are the days of accidentally running out of battery power due to forgetting to turn off the microphone, because it has the convenient automatic shutdown function provided by VideoMic Pro+. The built-in battery can run for 30 hours and can be fully charged in just two hours.
RØDE is famous for its video microphones-they are ubiquitous among behind-the-scenes photographers and event photographers, and for good reason. Obviously, they have made great progress when using VideoMic NTG. RØDE's NTG series is designed to compete with the industry's beloved Sennheiser MKH416, and introduce this technology into camera microphones at such a moderate cost, making it easy for videographers to buy this microphone.
Check RØDE's website for more information.