Rode Videomic Pro R Vs Videomic Pro Plus

Today we are comparing over $1,700 worth of shotgun mics: Rode VideoMic NTG vs. Rode VideoMic Pro+ vs. Sennheiser MKE 400 vs. Sennheiser MKH 416.

The Rode Videomic NTG is the new top of the line mic form RODE, and it packs quite a few interesting features. It's part of the VideoMic series which is unremarkably for on-camera use, but it's also an NTG which is usually used for the company'due south high-end mics. We tested the microphone, and we can see why it's both an NTG and a VideoMic. For our thoughts on the features and on the sound quality, hit the bound.

VideoMic NTG Features

The first thing I noticed is the high-quality build of the mic. Unlike the Videomic pro+ that feels kinda plasticky, the Videomic NTG is all made out of aluminum and feels really sturdy.

The VideoMic NTG has the usual Rycote Lyre support to reduce handling noises, but information technology also has a gear up of snaps to dampen whatsoever cable noises.

The mic comes with a 3.5mm output and a digital USB-C output. You can apply the digital output to connect to a computer. Simply you can besides use it if some reason you tin can't monitor sound on the camera. Or even if yous just need a quick reference. Information technology's likewise useful for when you run and gun or when your camera doesn't have a headphone port.

Another not bad feature for running & gunning is the safe channel. When yous record, the mic volition actually output two separate channels, the first 1 is just the "regular" proceeds. The second aqueduct outputs a 20db lower stream to save you when the audio clips. Speaking of clipping, there is a little blinking light that goes off when information technology gets also loud for the mic.

The last run & gun feature which I absolutely love is that the NTG turns on when your camera turns on, and turns off when your camera turns off. This drastically saves on battery life and avoids the problem of battery drain for accidentally forgetting to turn the mic off.

Controls

Looking at the controls the NTG has all the controls that the previous VideMic Pro+ has like the 75 and 150 low laissez passer cutting, but information technology does one better for gain control.

The Pro+ has a push to select +10 or -20 db, the NTG has a -20db pick. Only it as well has a dial that you can utilize to precisely nail the proceeds to your preference. For example, you can turn the knob all the way upward to avoid using the internal photographic camera pre-amps which are usually pretty crappy.

Comparison with other microphones

We did three tests for these microphones:

1. The first exam is to hear the audio quality and signature of each microphone. We'll be speaking into the microphone very closely then that nothing can disrupt the quality of the audio.

I love the audio phase of the NTG. Information technology is very balanced, rich, flat and clear. At least for my ears, it has a very like signature as the MKH416.

2. The second exam is about rejection. How well the microphone picks upwardly what in front of it, while ignoring what'south backside it. We did this past setting an Ultimate Ears Smash 2 pretty loudly betwixt the camera and the mic rig. The microphones are directed away from the speaker then my voice should exist pretty clear. Here too, the VideMic NTG aces the test. The MKH416 is pretty like in performance.

3. The final test is a signal-to-dissonance ratio exam. In this test, we'll hear the noise that the microphone makes by itself. This is called the racket floor. The less noise you hear, the better the microphone. If you recorded your audio also low, you're gonna accept to prepare it in post. When yous raise the gain, you lot likewise increase the volume of the dissonance. Good mics have a depression noise flooring, and so when you amplify in post, you lot don't hear a hiss. Especially when it'due south quiet.

Again we're impressed with the NTG, the noise floor is far ahead of the other ii mics and very close to the $i,000 Sennheiser.

Determination

Out of the four; the RODE Videomic NTG is hands down the best value for coin. The NTG tails the 416 at merely a quarter of the price. It has a nice flat and desirable sound signature. It has bang-up clarity and directionality. It also performed about equally well as the 416 in terms of signal to dissonance ratio.

The MKE 416 probably has the best sound of the mics we tested. Information technology's no wonder this microphone is so loved by the film industry. But there are other considerations likewise. The cost of the 416 is about quadruple from the NTG at $999. It's also relatively heavy and big, which makes information technology unsuitable for mounting on top of a photographic camera.

If you compare the NTG to the 416 they both sound amazing, only the NTG is all the same slightly backside. On the other mitt, the 416 just isn't as versatile as the NTG.

Using this mic has been such a pleasant surprise. Between the size of the microphone, the weight, and the blueprint, information technology tin adapt to then many different situations.The Rode Videomic NTG makes a great on-camera mic and a very high-quality boom mic. At $250 it wipes out any competition in its price bracket.

Alright guys thanks for watching, I hope you enjoyed watching this video. If you did, make sure you lot hit that like button, and consider subscribing for some more awesome content. If you have any questions, striking us up in the comments below. I'g Adam Frimer from diyphotography.net and i'll be seeing you, in the side by side video.