6 Reasons to add the RODE VideoMic NTG to your kit.

by Mark Dumbleton

I recently had the opportunity to test the RODE VideoMic NTG Hybrid Analog/USB Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone and it hasn’t been taken off my camera once in the past six months. As photographer, videographer and qualified sound engineer, I know how important sound is, and I know that quality equipment makes a big difference. The success of a video can be destroyed by bad audio.

I have used this RODE on-camera microphone in many different scenarios, capturing clear dialogue in the studio, ambient natural sounds and direct sounds of animals and birds.

The RODE VideoMic NTG is a Hybrid Analog/USB shotgun microphone that provides exceptional audio quality in a lightweight, compact design. It requires no additional equipment to connect to your camera, mobile phone or computers. In my personal opinion it is the perfect microphone for video content creators – it’s truly an all-round, great investment into your sound production and it worked flawlessly with my Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera.

Let’s have a look at the important specifications of the microphone and then we’ll look at the features I love so much.

Specifications:

• Highly directional shotgun microphone (super cardioid polar pattern)
• In-built rechargeable lithium-ion battery with 30+ hours use (350mAh)
• 3.5mm auto sensing output for cameras or mobile devices
• USB audio compatibility for direct connection to computers
• Low self-noise / flat frequency response
• Auto power on/off
• Variable gain control
• Switchable pad (with a -20dB cut)
• Safety channel (second channel recorded at -20dB incase main channel clips)
• High Frequency boost
• Two stage high-pass filter: 75Hz, 150Hz
• Weight: 94 g
• Frequency Range: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Frequency Response: 35Hz – 18kHz ±3 dB
• Dimensions (L x W): 171 x 21.6 mm

These are the items that are included in the box:

• RODE VideoMic NTG Hybrid Analog/USB Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone
• SM7-R Shoe Shockmount
• Foam Windscreen
• SC10 3.5 mm TRRS Cable
• USB Type-A to USB Type-C Cable
• Limited 1-Year Warranty

When shooting outdoors, it’s highly advisable to pair the RODE VideoMic NTG with the WS11 deluxe windshield (sold separately). The windshield protects the microphone from wind distortion and provide clear audio.

The Rode VideoMic NTG has many great features, but there are a few worth mentioning which I found worked so well for me and set this microphone apart from many other on- camera video microphones available.

1. Auto On & Off Switching
The Rode VideoMic NTG has a built-in 350 mAh battery (chargeable via USB-C port), without an on and off switch. It offers a battery saving feature, which means I never have to worry about remembering to switch the microphone off and on. Battery life on the microphone is excellent, about 30 hours of continuous use. You can’t remove the battery and the charge time is roughly 2 hours from flat to fully charged.

2. Safety Channel
The Rode VideoMic NTG has a safety channel feature which records a -20dB signal to the right channel on your camera or recorder. The main unaltered audio is sent to the left channel. This feature is excellent, because if you clip your main audio signal, you have a backup track to use that won’t be clipped. A feature that has saved me on many occasions!

3. Lightweight
I really appreciate how feature-packed this microphone is, but even more, just how light-weight it is. I never once felt the weight of the mic when it was mounted onto my camera, and I walked many, many, kilometres with this microphone attached to my camera. The microphone never felt unbalanced either. At under 100 g, the microphone is built from aluminium alloy and feels premium and robust.

4. Smart Connection
When using a camera and microphone combination, you generally need to use a TRS cable. When using a microphone with a smartphone, you need a TRRS cable. This normally means you need to carry 2 different cables around or an adaptor depending on your application. However, the Rode VideoMic NTG has an auto-sensing output that detects what device you have plugged your microphone cable into (TRS or TRRS input) and adapts the signal accordingly. You don’t have to worry about having the correct cable, simply use the supplied cable for any camera or smartphone input. Additionally, you have a USB-C output on the microphone, you can plug a USB-C cable into this and plug it directly into a computer or smartphone too.

5. Variable Gain Dial
The Rode VideoMic NTG has a variable gain dial which allows you to fine-tune the signal going into your camera or recorder. This is invaluable in achieving the very best audio signal quality possible. I used this dial in the 8-10 range, with the audio level set in camera manually quite low. The microphone has a very low self-noise level and I was always able to achieve very clear, noise free audio. The variable gain dial at the very bottom of the microphone, easily adjustable for precise audio levels.

6. Great Audio Quality
The final, most important feature I like about this microphone, is the audio quality. No feature-packed microphone is good if the audio quality is subpar! I found this microphone to have great frequency depth with a well-rounded natural sound with very little noise. The microphone is directional which helped capture sounds of animals and birds in the direction I pointed the microphone and less of the surrounding sound. The Rode VideoMic NTG is also an excellent performer in the studio and captured crisp, well rounded speech with great low and high frequencies.

To summarise my feelings about this microphone, I really love it and will find it difficult to find a more well-rounded, professional microphone in this price range and size. A true winner in my books!