RODE NTG3 Shotgun Microphone | One Year Later

The NTG3 is the flagship 'shotgun' microphone from Australia's RODE Microphones. I've used RODE microphone primarily for the past 5 years, switching from the NTG4 to the NTG3 as my microphone of choice 2 years ago. After battle testing the NTG3 for 2 years across the country, I'm left really liking it, but other preferring other, non-shotgun options.
My One Year Later reviews are aimed at providing real feedback on a product after using it in the field for a while. With most products, there are a TON of reviews by popular KZbinrs before the product is even released. I'm a video producer first and a KZbinr 5th or 6th. These are my most honest reviews of my battle-tested projects.
HUGE UPDATE: I reached out to Lensrentals.com and asked for a coupon code I could share. In addition to providing a 15% discount code, they also gave me affiliate status. So if you wanted to try any microphones (or anything else), use this link and I'll get a tiny share of the cost. And use the coupon code TRYSTUFF15 to get 15% off when you, umm, try stuff...
bit.ly/3gHxmzl
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[@johnhwang8881]

What a refreshingly honest and genuine review. Thank you for this. Really helpful in my decision making.

[@ShaunHautly]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ICACJ]

I have both a NTG3 and a MKH416. I'd be able to identify the difference on same source solely by the enormous bass boost in the ntg3. They really do have different sound signatures.

[@ShaunHautly]

True. I trust my NTG3, but more often I use an NT5 Pencil Condenser. Way less Bass in its signature, too.

[@smydie]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the NTG3 It was this video that pointed me in the right direction for my needs .

[@ShaunHautly]

Glad to hear it!

[@RebelTech1990]

I use my 416 a lot and definitely run into those phase issues in untreated environments. Over the years i've leaned some tricks to avoid the phase issues but they are still a pain to deal with. I started doing research on pencil mics and I ordered a Oktava MK-012. Curtis Judd did a comparison video and it was my favorite out of all of the ones he showed. I'm gonna put a video together, in a couple of weeks, just need some time with it to test. I feel this one will be a good combo with the 416. Great video, I really enjoy your take on gear!

[@ShaunHautly]

Thanks, Dude! Likewise!

[@claudioagmfilho]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻, Best mic ever! Just as good as the MKH 416...

[@aprilwatts-voiceoverartist8744]

Fellow St. Louisan, thank you for this review.. I have a 416 and am considering adding this to my arsenal

[@ShaunHautly]

My pleasure! If you've got a working 416, you don't need an NTG3 unless you're just trying to have multiple mics simultaneously. I can't think of a situation where you'd deliberately choose one over the other. What sort of work to do you?

[@aprilwatts-voiceoverartist8744]

colonelshaun I am a Voice Over artist and LOVE my 416 but sometimes their are projects where I might want a softer tone if that makes sense......I was also considering the Neumann TLM103

[@anandsystemsengineering9142]

Great review man

[@ShaunHautly]

Thanks. I didn’t get into the nitty gritty, but hopefully the general usability is what I helped address.

[@anandsystemsengineering9142]

Since you spoke about the pencil condenser for in-house recording , I am looking at the Samson c02 , how does that compare to the rode nt5 which you mentioned ?

[@ShaunHautly]

I’ve never used it, so I can’t say. But if you buy from Adorama, you can always try stuff and return it if it isn’t the mic for you.

[@YessiWaters]

Thank you so much for this video! What do you use to record the audio with this mic?

[@ShaunHautly]

For the past year, I've been using my Zoom F6 Field Recorder and recording in 32-bit float. It's been wonderful. Next week, I'm uploading a video all about my entire audio setup from microphone to recorder. Stands. Clamps. Cables. Everything I use to make audio happen.

[@rajanya7408]

@@ShaunHautly hey Shaun, which is better out of ntg5 vs ntg3 for in indoors. Please reply.

[@ShaunHautly]

@@rajanya7408 It really depends on the "indoors." Carpet, curtains, couches, etc. make a huge difference.

[@BrewReview]

Neither. You want a small diaphram condenser for indoor audio.

[@lordlightdob1509]

Please Please tell me please do i need cable XLR F to XLR M to use my NTG3 with ZOOM H8 when i use the Blimp and The Boom RODE ? And which one you think is the best for filmmaking and cinema ? NTG3 or NTG4+ ? Thank you sooooo much ❤ Great work . thank you

[@ShaunHautly]

Sorry that my reply is 7 months late. I hope you've since found an answer. If not, yes. An XLR cable (standard F to M) is what you'll need to connect almost any mic to almost any recorder. As far as NTG4 vs NTG3, it's less about the mic and more about how you'll use it. In GENERAL, the NTG3 is better for more voice frequencies, and the NTG4+ is better for sound effects, atmosphere, ambience, etc. You'd have to be a pro to really hear the difference. I use the NTG3, but I use my NT5 even more.

[@lordlightdob1509]

@@ShaunHautly Thank you so so so so so much . This is great from you . iam so thankful 🙏💗

[@Jgheiler]

Do you use the cloudlifter with the interface with that mic? And how does it sound compared to the SM7B? Thanks!

[@ShaunHautly]

I don't use the Cloudlifter. I plug it straight into my Zoom F6 and I usually record in 32-bit Float. It gives me a really good, flexible file. For me, I can't compare it to the SM7B. The SM7B gets used practically AGAINST someone's mouth and they speak directly into it. The NTG3 ends up being used as an off camera mic that's slightly further away. I've only used the SM7B in studio settings, never outside, with wind, or in any adverse, loud conditions. So it's tough to compare. In general, I'd say the SM7B ends up getting more bass, but that's mostly because it's SO close to the speaker's mouth.

[@sarasoueidan]

What _do_ you recommend for shooting videos and audio in rooms with echo? I'm currently looking into the Shure Sm7b at the moment and am not sure which is the better option for recording talks, video couses, and conferencing in an office room. Thank you

[@ShaunHautly]

That’s a great mic, but the biggest help will be to treat the room a little if you’re going to be making a lot of videos. Put blankets around on the walls and ground behind the camera, even invest in some sound foam if you have the budget. No mic can cancel echo. Some mics give a more natural sound in echo vs others, but your best bet is it just try and dampen as much echo as you can.

[@sarasoueidan]

colonelshaun I'll work on that. Thank you! Given some work on echo dampening, would you then recommend the Rode or the Shure? I'd love to be able to record talks and speak without needing to stick my mouth to the microphone, and I heard the sm7b requires that I be too close to it. Thanks for replying i really appreciate your time 😊

[@ShaunHautly]

Yeah, the SM7b is not a mic you can hide off camera. You gotta be close to it. Both Shure and Rode have different mics that would do well in a well-dampened room. I really like my RODE NT5 and I've been using it more than I've been using shotguns lately for almost all my interviews. It's a very natural sound. I've only used a handful of Shure mics over the years, and only their shotguns and SM7b. I haven't used any of their other mics that might do better in a place with more echo. And I haven't yet tried it, but the Deity S-Mic 2S has been getting some love for jobs like this. It's a shorter shotgun, so it's a little bit of both worlds: Less muddy issues, but still somewhat directional. It's the next mic I'd like to try.

[@DJKSWIFT-vw3xb]

Hey, great video. I dj a lot of comedy shows where i have the comics mic going into my mackie mixer to record their live direct audio but i want to step it up & get a shotgun mic to get more of the laughter of the audience. Would this Rode ntg3 be good for what i need it for? Also just to get a general idea a lot of the comedy spots i dj for, they hold about 100 people

[@ShaunHautly]

I don't think the NTG3 would be the right choice for you. I made a video about how shotgun mics work and their limitations in most situations. I imagine a semi-echoey comedy spot would have a lot of reverb and you'd end up getting very muddy sound out of any shotgun, regardless of how good it is. A shorter cardioid pattern mic is probably a better solution for recording a room like that. I love my Rode NT5, but there are a ton of great mics from other companies which can do great work of recording in untreated rooms. If you're interested, here's the video I did about WHY shotguns aren't usually the best choice: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWitlqSCjMmcaLc

[@DJKSWIFT-vw3xb]

@@ShaunHautly thank you, i greatly appreciate the response. I'll check out the video

[@Andrew-jq9eq]

Great video, I am looking for a mic which will just be sitting over my monitor - price is not an issue - should I get the ntg3 ? Many thanks !

[@ShaunHautly]

Thanks for the happy comment! But, probably not. Probably not any shotgun. It really depends on the acoustics of your room. Any shotgun mic can be really muddy if you've got a room without sound treatment. Shotgun mics do not sound great indoors, usually. I can't recommend a mic without knowing what the room is like, but this video may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWitlqSCjMmcaLc

[@Andrew-jq9eq]

@@ShaunHautly watched suggested video but still confused! it's a normal size living room with a couch if it helps a bit ! I could email you a photo if you wish :)

[@ShaunHautly]

It's really tough to say, if you've got the budget to be buying an NTG3 and audio interface for use above a monitor, you should try it and see how it sounds. If it's great, great! If it sounds off to you, return the mic and try another. For most of my desk stuff, I get away with my Deity V-Mic D3 Pro. $199. Short shotgun. Works great for me and as an on camera mic when needed.

[@photo-markus]

Compared to deity d3 pro how does ntg 3 perform? I know they are from another category. Would you compare it with NTG-5?

[@ShaunHautly]

That's a tough question to answer scientifically. Here's my best shot: The Deity sounds warmer and more like a final file right out of the microphone, but lacks a lot of the flexibility to play with the frequency after it's been recorded. The NTG3 sounds a bit overly crisp sometimes, but has tons of flexibility with the frequencies it records. It's more about the acoustics of the room, the complexity of your setup (do you want to run sound directly into a camera, or into a recorder), and personal preference. My theory is: try the less expensive one first and use it for a couple weeks. If it's not cutting it, return it and try the other one. And I've never used the NTG-5, so I can't speak to it.

[@photo-markus]

@@ShaunHautly Thks a lot. I thought you would say ntg3 is much much better and can’t compare, so I was pleasantly surprised of your analysis!

[@Art_slaap]

I am planning to buy the Rode Videomic NTG (For music recording) and contacted Rode dozens of times on the shotgun mic topic. Now i am a bit hesitating on which mic i should buy. Looking at the windy place the Videomic NTG is the best option, but i still need to know if there are better options. So do you (Or anyone that wants to help) have any tips?

[@ShaunHautly]

Sorry for the delayed response, I hope this isn’t coming too late: Depending on what you’re recording, I think the VideoMic NTG might not be the best: If recording quality is your primary concern, get a mic that’s meant for it. The Video Mics are meant to be off camera and pickup things a few feet away while canceling other off axis noise. This can affect the tone of your recording. Getting an instrument mic (NT5, AT2020, Shure SM57) those mics are all different, good recording mics. Depending on your instrument, one of those (or something similar) will probably get you better results than a video mic.

[@sungkim465]

whats a good alternative shaun? maybe the sennheiser 600?

[@ShaunHautly]

Depends what you’re doing with it. What sort of stuff are you recording? What’s the room typically like?

[@sungkim465]

@@ShaunHautly i mainly do interviews, testimonial work, some rooms wide open, some small

[@ShaunHautly]

The MKE 600 is a great mic. It seems like you might not want a shotgun as your only mic, though. An indoor dialogue mic is going to be way better for the smaller, untreated rooms.

[@sungkim465]

@@ShaunHautly oh whoah, this is my first time hearing about indoor dialogue mics, is it bad to use a shotgun for interviews?

[@ShaunHautly]

It 100% depends on the room. Outdoors: shotgun. Indoors with sound foam, blankets, and/or soft walls: shotgun. Indoors with hard floors, hard walls/windows: NOT shotgun.

[@ArikGST]

Personally I think Audio-Quality barely matters anymore considering the vast mayority (according to YT, 70+%) of media consumption is on poor audio Smartphones. What really matters is how to work with the gear you`ve got. That`s why I went back to a simple on camera-microphone, it`s just easier and it`s cheaper. Ofcourse in the Pro World you have different needs but I see all these KZbinrs working with NTG4s and 3s, or with Sennheiser 416s, and honestly: Yes, me sitting here with 200$ headphones and a proper soundcard I can actually hear some of that. But if I watch on my Smartphone, it might as well be a Rode Videomicro xD

[@ShaunHautly]

Yeah, unless I'm making a video about a particular microphone, I record everything with my Deity V-Mic D3 Pro. It sounds way better than the RODE Video Mics, and it's only $200. I plug it straight into the camera, but mount it on a boom pole over my head. Simple, clean, (relatively) cheap. And you're right: no one without $200 headphones will know.

[@sixsoxsex1]

Does it require a preamp?

[@ShaunHautly]

I've only used recorders that have built in pre-amps (like the zoom series). You cannot plug it straight into a DSLR or Mirrorless camera without some extra equipment (and you'll need phantom power), but this will work directly into almost any video camera that has XLR inputs with phantom power, or any Zoom or Sound Devices recorders.

[@thomasroux_th]

what about the ntg5 ?

[@ShaunHautly]

What ABOUT the NTG5?!?!? To be honest, I haven't tried it yet let alone for a year. Curtis Judd has a good initial review, though. Seems solid.

[@ajproductionsky]

Was it just me, or did anyone see the glitch at 0:50?

[@ShaunHautly]

You don't think that was an artistic choice I made?? Really though, I had not noticed that. I checked the original file and it's not there. So it must have been something from KZbin's processing that got added. Oh well!

[@ajproductionsky]

@@ShaunHautly lol, yeah I’ve had those in my videos too. And no mater how many times I re-upload, it’s messed up. But yeah, great video!

[@rickmg2552]

Great review, but it is so hard to take you seriously with that hat!! :-D

[@ShaunHautly]

Well, I wore the hat every time I used the mic, so I thought I'd keep the consistency.