BATTLE OF THE BOOMS - MKH416 vs NTG3 SHOOTOUT!!

I use Epidemic Sound, sign up for a 30-day free trial here - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
These mics share a LOT of similarities, though sound isn't one.
Does one sound better than the other...or just different?
There is one major difference though...price!!
Buy the SENNHEISER MKH416 -
US LINK - amzn.to/3gosiVQ
Canada LINK - amzn.to/3MOUddM
UK LINK - amzn.to/3sgfXpp
Buy the RODE NTG3 -
US LINK - amzn.to/3F1evPf
Canada LINK - amzn.to/3z043DZ
UK LINK - amzn.to/3F1yXzl
Join the Dark Corner Studios Discord!! - / discord
My Instagram - @darkcornerstudios
My Twitter - @DarkCornerYT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Gear -
Mics - RODE NT2A - amzn.to/2WWQTnn
- TZ Audio Products Stellar X2 - amzn.to/3gHTj0X
Mixer - Arturia Audiofuse Studio - amzn.to/33kSBnq
Secondary Boom Arm - amzn.to/2WBhveB
Camera - Canon T7i - amzn.to/2X3yTYi
Lenses - Canon 50mm 1.8 - amzn.to/2LxiI0k
Canon 24mm 2.8 - amzn.to/2zF96Ok

[@bolttracks]

You can definitely tell which is the NTG because of its noticeable bump in low-end

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

I was only trying to decide which produced the sound I liked more, without worrying about which was which mic. I liked Mic B for the in front and close proximity tests, but Mic A for the 2 feet away and just above the camera position. Since I already own one of these, I now know how I'll position it. Thank you!

[@OptiVR]

Called it! the close in vocal test was what did it, the rode stumbles a little there just like my NTG-1

[@docstaplesshow]

Really helpful. I liked Mic B a little better throughout as it had more clarity and seemed a bit more neutral, while Mic A was a little darker and not quite as crisp at the top end. Wasn’t really surprised by the reveal as a consequence. But the two mics are definitely closer than one might expect given the cost difference.

[@johnwozniak9279]

Hey, thx for your videos. I found this one easier than your 416/Synco D2 comparison. These two mics are very different in the consonant range (2.5khz - 4khz ). The 416 came through clear as a bell. The Rode was little flatter... a little darker. I also found the Rode a little tubby in the low end on your voice. It's not terrible, but the Sennheiser would win if I were the engineer on your voice session. That said, your A/B of the Synco D2 was actually shocking. Shhoooooccckkkinnnngg. Thx again!

[@mind-brainstudio927]

Got it right. The high end is what I noticed and what I was surprised by when I got the MKH 416 in my studio. That thing is BRIGHT! I prefer the overall sound of the Rode for VO.

[@djmidnightwolf]

I did get it right. The sound is very close. The subtle nuances of the mkh made it sound like it had a slight eq gain on mids and highs but that didn't detract from how good it sounded. Both are pleasant and I would go with the Rode.

[@jpcarde]

great test thanks ! I prefer mike B because has more hight frequencys sensibility and this is usefull when you add radical windshilds that damper hight frequencys....

[@sui-fanwong6878]

I guessed correctly based on which one sounded more natural. One mic had a bit more of a high-freq. presence, which (to me) made it sound less natural. Obviously, a quicK EQ adjustment can take care of that depending on which mic you have and which sound you prefer. A suggestion I politley put forward is to have your music come in a bit lower (perhaps 4 to 6 dB), so the percieved volume difference between the spoken word and the music is not as jarring. Thank you for producing this video. It is helpful.

[@fragnet7673]

Very helpful! Thank you so much for the effort. The Sennheiser gets my vote. I'm not into bassy, boomy or otherwise low freq stuff. That said; wondering if there are others that have a 'best of both' result. Still love this test. Thanks!

[@rastAsia]

I guessed right. But its also because I own few 416s for some 20 years.. I also do own the NTG3 and like what it does. I think the only way to be able to tell which is better is to be in the same room with the person who's voice you're hearing. You'd then notice straight away (with proper mic placement and distancing) that the 416 would give you least discolored recording. But once you know the difference between the 2, you can EQ them to sound somewhat similar in post. I have an EQ preset for Male / Female to match both mics. That way, you're all good and dandy.

[@nirvana4698]

I guessed it right. 416 definitely has an edge over rode. Great video.

[@NSA.Monitored.Device]

Really like your comparison videos, not just the blind test approach but also how much of a difference the position makes. Never really minded that THAT much (atm: Rode NTG-2 in use and thinking about switching to the MKH-416 or Synco D2 because I'm kinda annoyed of PP), since I thought: Well as long as it's pointed towards your face. Have a lot to learn. Great channel!

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@velvetsound]

Yeah it was easy to pick but I’ve got a recording studio with 30 or so mics. I’ll pickup a 416 now having heard this review’s tests - thank you.

[@djmatt1]

It was easy to tell which was which, the Rode is noticeably muffled sounding while the Senny was just clear in the higher frequencies, simply more pleasing to the ears, that said of course without doing a side by side comparison I highly doubt anyone could tell the difference.

[@davidsillars3181]

I liked B because it seemed to have more definition and A seemed a bit darker maybe. The 416 is definitely a professional class mic and worth the investment. The NTG 3 a great value contender for small budget ops though.

[@QuantumGamingUploads]

I would go for the Sennheiser. I like the clarity of it in fact way better than tlm 102 and tlm 103 as well. I did get it wrong though. Good Job Rode and great video as always Sir.

[@The-Logician]

I had picked Mic B as the Sennheiser 416, having identified it through the low end characteristics that I am familiar with being a 416 owner, but I gotta say, that NTG-3 sounds really nice too. The price difference is not warranted given the similarity of the mics, but the price difference might be warranted for immediate acceptance of a 416 a little more universally than showing up with the NTG-3, your mileage may vary.

[@lunarvue]

I have several other Sennheisser mics, and they've been great. I REALLY like that 416 and want one. The other day on a set, I heard a NTG3 and was shocked how great it was. Which brought me here. I have to say, I guessed MIC A was the Rode. It was also the one I liked more. Just a rounder, more robust sound right out of the gun (pun intended). I have some soul searching to do....I've been such a Sennheisser purist, but I think I'll pull the trigger (again, pun intended) on the Rode.

[@JasonToddRoberts]

Yes I got it right. the 2 has a fuller sound. Have you ever played with a live spectrogram?

[@LanceBlairVO]

I guessed right because I primarily use the NTG3 for my voice overs and it has more of a proximity effect and more low end. Otherwise, it's very similar, especially once you engage a HPF. I used to be a field audio engineer and I prefer the MKH 60 and MKH 50 over the MKH 416. The MKH 50 and the new MKH 8060 are phenomenal for voice over. Great test, thank you very much!

[@marcusmcdougald]

I guessed right which is a bummer because I was hoping to save some money. The timbre/color/warmth of the 416 stands out to me. Seems like it handles the mids a bit better than the Rode.

[@kenyontech]

I clicked like before I started looking at the video. Well needed video.

[@andrewrice9383]

It’s going to depend on the situation, including the playback system. I can’t choose. A has a bit of boom, B has a bit more of a upper midrange type sound.

[@JasonToddRoberts]

I love the sound of the NTG3. I still have an NTG2 and have been looking to upgrade.

[@CreepypastaChronicals]

witch eq on the ntg3 you can get much closer to the mkh416 :)

[@ScottOtt]

The proximity test gave it away for me.

[@seanwebb605]

You grew horns out of your head.

[@MystiqWisdom]

I've tested a bunch of mics now, over 10, pencil mics and dynamics. The NTG3 is like a smoother version of the AKG C451B, less boomy, and sounds very similar to the RE20 but is much better in the high ends. The RE20 gives some kind of minor distorting when going to higher pitches. It's only apparent to me in direct comparison to the NTG3.

[@jansafarik313]

Any comparison to the new "poorman`s 4017" shotgun DPA 2017 ?

[@arhon888]

Thanks for sharing. Clever comparison. It took a little while before I realised that the whole video end-to-end was a test, letting the mics speak for themselves. I guessed correctly, but I have fallan in love with the NTG3 again. I am a big fan of the 416 but do agree, one is not necessarily better, they are just different. I can see myself tweaking either in post ever so slightly depending on the person's voice or as part of a creative choice, but that is it. The workflow for either is going to be a breeze. Mmm, do I buy my shotgun mic now, or do I watch another 1000 comparison videos? 😊

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Got a video on the new Deity S-Mic-3 coming out soon fyi

[@garyembar4774]

Having done this, I’d love to see you do the “416 Eq for NTG3” …and make that EQ settings accessible to all of us; that’d be cool, useful and a video-of-value

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Interesting...never thought of doing that. Let me see if I can do that

[@sung_yun]

It was easy to know. Rode NTG3 is just another quality sounding Rode mic. MKH-416 has a clear and distinct and attractive sound signature.Thanks for the video.

[@chrisabboud3949]

Isn't the point of the MKH416 the superior off axis rejection though?

[@mentalrey1]

there's a resonance in low mid on the NTG3 (strong in the front test), which is completely absent in the 416. Depending on the environment in which you normally record, this may be enough for some to choose the Sennheiser.

[@hyunjoonkim]

While I like the clarity on the Sennheiser, the "s" sounds on MKH 416 can be quite sharp and sibilant. Depending on the voice, NTG3 can work just as well, if not better. Do you have NTG5 to compare with?

[@billweaver2549]

The Rode NTG 3 is generally obvious in these tests because of the extra bass. The NTG 5 has slightly less bass than the 416. The 3 might sound better at a greater distance but the 416 will usually sound better up close.

[@IanHowardIsCool]

I picked it. I can hear the slight hump at 8k, on the 416. There Ntg3 sounds a bit richer in the low end.

[@liquidvelvetliterature]

The 416 sounds better on you, to my ears. But that’s only from years of headphones and microphones. To an engineer, I’m sure the difference is way bigger and much faster to detect. After enough time obsessing over mics, I’ve stuck to two, the U87ai and the 416. But… really interested in trying the Soyuz 017 Fet, as well as the Sphere DLX, and the WA-67. Be good to hear you run through any of those, man. Especially the Soyuz on your voice.

[@BangsNaughtyBits]

I picked the Sennheiser rather easily. It was distinctly clearer in the high end. This on Anker Soundcore Bluetooth earbuds at 2x speed. !

[@rean8899]

I love Mic B and I guess it's Rode NTG3😁. So this video is very helpful for me to choose one

[@Pejjabers204]

I am an owner of the 416 for the past 2 months. Listening to this, I still had to think about it after a couple minutes but then I was sure that A was NTG3 and B was 416. A lot of the rodes have this extra touch of bass that I can almost always pick up on. However, depending on your budget, I think spending $400 more is worth it since they will last you a long time. I will also note to others who may be thinking about getting a new mic, and are on a budget and cant get the 416, or even the NTG3, its more about PLACEMENT than the cost of your microphone.

[@emergingloki]

I'd love to see a much broader comparison. A blind test, just mic A mic B etc. A handful of budget XLR and usb mics, a couple of mid ranges and a high end or two. No post, and not revealing what is what until the following week. (I'd disable comments after the results too to really piss off the 'oh of course I knew what was what' brigade). I'd bet with smushy KZbin sound the results would be surprising.

[@aprilwatts-voiceoverartist8744]

I thought the B was the 416. While I haven't used the NTG3 I use a 416 for VO and love it. I also have the NTG5 but in my opinion it doesn't cut through the mix like the 416. I have heard tht if your in VO and do dubbing studios are now requiring the 416 because it's what is used on set. Thanks for this awesome comparison.

[@ThatCapnGeech]

Anyone else catch mic A/B reveal around the 2min mark?

[@danfos9053]

I heard that the NTG3 had more low end presence, so I had my suspicions. Would be interested to hear your thoughts on the NTG4 as I prefer to go to the movies on Tuesdays. We traditionally call that Tighta** Tuesday here in Australia. :D

[@Andrewc87563]

You look like the Martin with antennas out from the tv show “My Favourite Martin”. God knows why my memory brings up a show more than 40 years old.. Old with a good memory… now where are my car keys?

[@MichaelW.1980]

Well… I knew from the start, that the NTG3 would be more bassy. For that reason, I got this right. But which one would be better? I suppose that’s personal preference.

[@electronicbox6990]

While I love my 416 and always is my favourite mic, I have to say that here I was pleasantly surprised by RODE, to me it sounds like the mic has better dynamic range, more spacious and a bit collared sound in a good way, I hope that is your opinion as well. Great comparison!

[@dalebishop2632]

I thought mic B had a slightly better sound. Not for twice the price. Oh, and leaving the Rhode labeled windsock on kind of spoiled the guessing part :)

[@maxgotts5895]

I was cringing at the sharp high pitches on the 416 right from the beginning. This helped my decision massively-NTG3 all the way. (I hate high-pitched hisses and squeals-not sure why, just the way my brain was built. So dark, richer it is.

[@matthewmoore6756]

This is me. Everyone raves on the 416. I know it’s good but to my ears those high miss are just ugly. Over pronounced.

[@method341]

Mic B sounds a bit distorted so I expected it to be the cheaper one but WOW! I got it wrong.

[@brianglock3099]

Guessed correctly the 416 was B. They are very close the 416 slightly more definition but the NTG a bit more warmth . Don’t think you can go wrong with either one. . Would be interesting to try with the ntg5. Thank you for the test

[@Lyander25]

dunking this comment in halfway through the video but other than the in-front with the foams test, I think I categorically prefer Mic A. B's got a fair bit of sharpness to it that I can see as being highly fatiguing on some more sibilant voices and also a weirdly nasal midrange that is distracting by comparison. The foam does take the edge off by shelving the treble frequencies down, but the treble overall just seems uneven still by comparison. A's got too much boominess in that in-front test, so the elevated treble actually works in B's favour. The 2ft away test actually is a bit of a tossup, A has some weird boominess with an elevation somewhere around the middle mids; B is a bit thin and very forward sounding, ergo a bit more fatiguing but also a bit more intelligible. B still has some of that sharpness to it though.

[@joaopedroalbernaz]

For a moment, as soon as I started watching, I thought you had implanted some horns.

[@josephshelleyphotographer]

Noticed the difference through my crappy iPhone speakers. The proximity effect was one of the giveaways. But the MKH just sounded more clear, with less distortion and “wooliness”. That being said, the ntg3 still sounded decent. It’s definitely useable, but (if possible) I’d go with the mkh for any “critical” applications. It would be nice to hear each one on an actual boom being held by a person, and going into a decent field recorder. But I should also use decent headphones or monitors when listening to stuff like this 👻💩.

[@Holtenstein]

I didn't guess which mic but I did prefer B. It had less Boomy bass.

[@ejimihe8010]

Close proximity test gave it away, Clearly written Rode on the mic..

[@MystiqWisdom]

I am currently A/B testing these two mics and I cannot get the 416 to sound good with my voice. The NTG3 is much better, just no harshness in the high end compared to the 416. Maybe it's my vocal technique? But out of the box the NTG3 is much better. I just prefer that smoother low end sound, like the RE20 gives.

[@humble_integrity]

pretty easy to tell the difference. rode has a harsher sound, sennheiser sounds more natural and more details. i still like the rhode a lot (and in fact i have their wireless camera mic). but i'll be choosing the sennheiser. thanks for the video

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

LOL. It looks like you have a pair of horns sticking out the top of your head. Dark Corners indeed.

[@seanwebb605]

I bought the MKE 600 and knew that I was going to regret not just waiting and spending the extra money on the 416. I can be so impatient.

[@shem44]

I bought the NTG3 when it was released in 2008 and have been using it till now. Get the best mic you can afford and it may last your whole career if you take care of it. Buy once and forget it.

[@seanwebb605]

@@shem44 Well during the first days of Covid lock down I was making a danger pay premium and all of my expenses went down. I banked cash in a big way. And when the world seemed like it would never open up again I spent some of that cash on some really good microphones.

[@bigmoomusic]

sounded almost identical until you put them 2 feet away (real world application) and then the 416 was head and shoulders above the rode

[@Paulywogg]

Great mic/camera placement 😈

[@danasdas6683]

I was thinking it, too!

[@Tewahedo]

I guessed it right! I couldn't decide between the two, so I went into debt and bought both of them.

[@wpkambiancesounds]

Same here.

[@QuantumGamingUploads]

I went in debt and got exited with the tlm 103 and it turned out to be a major dissapointment in a not well treated environment. Tlm 102 was much better.

[@Tewahedo]

@@QuantumGamingUploads I feel like my next debt is gonna be Austrian Audio OC818 🫣

[@QuantumGamingUploads]

@@Tewahedo now that is worth going to debt over. I have tried the OC18 and that was fantastic.

[@zechenwei1139]

I could tell there’s a difference, mic A is like 5% harsher and less stable in suboptimal situations.

[@kimeriksson7445]

I though mic A sounded better, and thus guessed it would be the more pricey Sennheiser. That wasn't the case.

[@MystiqWisdom]

I got it wrong for this one. Mic A sounded better to me, to be honest. It still costs a pretty penny though...

[@Ratabavlaski]

I am wrong. So surprise. I prefer the sound of A , I own B and stay with because it is durable, built like a thank, work well outside and smaller. But the sound.... I definitively prefer A and I think will fit with me. Thanks

[@danielgaudet6114]

Listening on my M1 iPad Pro 12.9’s speakers, there was a pretty big difference between the two with mic B sounding a lot better, especially in the mid to high range. I’ll need to check it out again on my near-field monitors later to see if I come to the same conclusion.

[@brianglock3099]

“Guessed “ correctly. The 416 is a very nice mic, but the NTG3 holds its own well. On your voice the 416 is brighter, the NTG less edge and has more warmth. 🙂 my luck is the NTG. Which then leads to I would look at the NTG 5 😊. Thanks for the comparison, I’m looking at adding to my Sony VG1 and it’s between a Rode or the 416. Your comparison has me leaning more Rode

[@AliceVixie]

I guessed right because of slightly warmer sound.

[@MoatazBillehMednini]

I got it right. For my average person ear, B sounded a tad crisper

[@Bas20hz]

I was totally wrong the whole time.

[@pjansenmusic]

Got it right on my iPhone 14’s phone speakers 😅

[@jochenretter]

Although I guessed it right, but the difference is barely hearable for me, but nice comparison!

[@paulconway1176]

The Emperor's New Clothes - for non-nerds they sound the same!

[@TheHalfmanofOz]

Preferred the sound of mic A on your voice, don't know result yet.

[@tinylittlefilms3043]

Many VO talent get up real close to the 416. I'm thinking that's not correct and giving it more space as you have isnbetter for sound quality.

[@arande3]

I think the 416 just “has that sound”

[@PauloGurgelAudiovisual]

mkh is smooth, awesome

[@pag5210]

I liked more Mic B, the voice is clearer and has a more natural feeling. I was not 100% sure which mic is which and now I see it is the 416. interesting. I own the NTG3 and bought it because it’s very similar to my voice in comparison to the 416 and it’s nearly half the price. But I have problems with the NTG3 together with my SD Mixpre field recorder. There is a oscillating noise at startup at sometimes within the recording. It’s the third NTG3 now and the Mixpre also checked. All ok. NTG3 on other interface no issue, SD Mixpre with other mic no issue. This combination has a problem and this sucks. Maybe it would be better to get the 416. or an other mic. Don’t know. But the tools must work and this combo isn’t.

[@jameswelburnnorway]

Hei there, did you get to the bottom of this? Is it still an issue for you with the NTG3 and Mix Pre combination?

[@pag5210]

@@jameswelburnnorway This is an issue. I also have the same problem with NTG3 on a MOTU M2 interface when I use battery power of the MacBook. For me it seems that the NTG3 is not working on battery powered devices. All other microphones I own are working great. I think for serious work with a microphone a NTG3 is the wrong tool. For me I need a reliable system, NTG3 isn’t.

[@jameswelburnnorway]

@@pag5210 Thank you for your reply. May I ask which types of Batteries you are using? Are you using regular AA batteries or using a DTap adaptor to a Lithium Camera battery pack - such as SWIT or Hawk-Woods? Best regards James

[@pag5210]

@@jameswelburnnorway I am using NP batteries with the NP adaptor.

[@Andrewc87563]

Hey Aiden check the RodeNTUSB+ Rode comments! On KZbin!

[@mar7838]

I thought A sounded better here. I somehow liked it more on your voice.

[@claudioagmfilho]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻, I got it right!

[@CarlosDiaz-ne2rf]

For me is only the price

[@petero1068]

Yes, the 416 sounds much clearer.

[@evolvingevrday]

Rode is just known for that soft bottom. A little bit darker too. I watched movie master of the 416's. They basically made it sound more like the NT3. Almost like they went for a more finished sound down under. An actress came in to do a double-take. The studio had a black pill mic in the shape of a 2020. (Probably 40 series) I asked what kind of was? The engineer said he forgot, as long as it's quiet. Goes to show you, if you have a decent mic and good technique, it's all in the mastering. He showed me some new AI software. You can use your phone as a microphone and it will sound like a million bucks. I think it was a Adobe speech enhance. They all work the same. Separate your voice from a noise and put your voice back. I think microphone companies are going to take the biggest hit with this whole Ai thing. Anything over $100 going to be in music studios. There's a video of somebody talking until one of those $8 joke microphones, and it sounds like a re27nd.

[@mcLynguist]

Heard it before, Not happening anytime soon. “You can’t polish a turd, and expect to make it into something else” . Also I can’t help but disagree with you when you say “it’s all in the mastering”

[@seanwebb605]

Who has a lock on their closet?

[@BangsNaughtyBits]

Mrs. DarkCorner. She lets him out to do the videos. !

[@seanwebb605]

@@BangsNaughtyBits Dr. Dark Corner (I understand she is working on an advance degree) keeps him chained in the basement. The green monster is locked in a closet.

[@danasdas6683]

Some folks have strange uses for their closets, it seems

[@kr8s]

Do they reject environmental noises such as laud fan, street noise. Or should I stick with my sm58. It has served me well

[@aprilwatts-voiceoverartist8744]

While the Sennheisher is good and rejecting off axis noise. If there is a loud fan, it's definitely going to pick it up. It also depends on what environment you're using it in. I don't pick up cars driving by but I have a neighbor who has a really LOUD subaru and the mic does pick it up.

[@kr8s]

@@aprilwatts-voiceoverartist8744 thanks ... I will appreciate if you can make these kind of videos they help by in large everyone looking to purchase a microphone 🙏🙏🙏 cheers

[@uncle-english]

wrong guess Orz

[@shem44]

I have NTG3 and is considering getting a 416. This video shows that it has higher clarity in the mid and high end. No one mic is better than the other when it comes to 416 vs ntg3. The best scenario is to own both and to switch depending on the voice of the talent you are filming. If the talent is male and has deep voice, 416 may be better to bring out the clarity in the mid and high. If the talent has high pitch voice, NTG3 will be better suited to inject more bass.

[@psynema]

The whole point of the MKH 416 is noise cancellation, a LOT OF MICS will sound GREAT in a controlled environment. Can you redo this test in Starbucks LOL.

[@alienwisconsin]

I got it "correct" I have the NTG3 and although I agree the 416 is better it isn't enough to make me willing to spend the money. I came from a cheap $100 dollar shotgun and NTG3 is worlds better, the 416 is a little better than the NTG and that isn't enough for me.

[@alephnull8377]

Mk 416

[@TheDoooden]

I got it right because the NTG3 is more bassey than the mkh416

[@pianosfilipem]

Neither. the ntg5

[@leemski]

Sennheiser sounds better.

[@orlandoventor1754]

If anyone is interested I'm selling a MKH416

[@DarkCornerStudios]

If you want to do this...join the discord

[@DarkCornerStudios]

That said...I will always caution my viewers to not buy used gear they haven't tried out...so doubtful you will get any bites

[@orlandoventor1754]

@Dark Corner Studios I totally agree with you,problem is i live in Portugal so...