Rode NTG5 Shotgun Microphone Kit

Rode created the NTG5 with a very specific target in mind. The working professional. At $500, this mic isn't aimed at low budget work. It's quite capable of producing excellent quality recordings both in the field or in the VO booth. Similar in sound and performance to the venerable Sennheiser 416, this mic shares many of the same qualities without the higher price tag. For field work, it's lighter design is perfect for dangling from a boom but it's frequency response is nearly identical to the 416, the gold standard in film, field and VO work for over 20 years. It includes a pistol grip shock mount and deadcat for field work but could be just as easily used in the studio for promo and VO work. An exceptional value! I've only had mine for a month but so far I've ... MoreRode created the NTG5 with a very specific target in mind. The working professional. At $500, this mic isn't aimed at low budget work. It's quite capable of producing excellent quality recordings both in the field or in the VO booth. Similar in sound and performance to the venerable Sennheiser 416, this mic shares many of the same qualities without the higher price tag. For field work, it's lighter design is perfect for dangling from a boom but it's frequency response is nearly identical to the 416, the gold standard in film, field and VO work for over 20 years. It includes a pistol grip shock mount and deadcat for field work but could be just as easily used in the studio for promo and VO work. An exceptional value! I've only had mine for a month but so far I've been using it with the Zoom F6 as a lightweight portable rig and I've been extremely happy with results. This is one purchase you will not regret.

2 Unusable Microphones

So far I have received 2 of these microphones and both have not functioned properly. First off it came with only 1 of the 2 shock mounts. Once I received the mount I moved the mic around and could hear a screw rolling in the barrel. I had it replaced from Rode and the second mic will only pick up static, rf type noise and cuts in and out of picking up vocals.If you have this issue return straight to B&H because I am told I can't get a refund now that my mic has a new serial number.Don't buy this mic, there are too many users who get duds.

Excellent value; very good performance compared to industry standard mics

I own a RODE NTG3, a Sennheiser MKH 8060 and a Schoeps CMC641 (not a shotgun mic, but an industry standard boom mic for dialog) in addition to the RODE NTG5. The NTG5's performance holds its own against the other three mics (which retail for $700, $1250 and $1650, respectively). The NTG5's sound has a clarity and naturalness that is better than many other mics I've used that cost two or three times as much. It doesn't sound quite as good as the MKH 8060 or the Schoeps, but it's close and it makes a great backup mic for situations when I don't want to risk damage to or loss of the more expensive mics. Compared to the NTG3, the NTG5 is an amazing value, considering the bundle of accessories that come with the NTG5. Both mics sound terrific, with the NTG5 having a ... MoreI own a RODE NTG3, a Sennheiser MKH 8060 and a Schoeps CMC641 (not a shotgun mic, but an industry standard boom mic for dialog) in addition to the RODE NTG5. The NTG5's performance holds its own against the other three mics (which retail for $700, $1250 and $1650, respectively). The NTG5's sound has a clarity and naturalness that is better than many other mics I've used that cost two or three times as much. It doesn't sound quite as good as the MKH 8060 or the Schoeps, but it's close and it makes a great backup mic for situations when I don't want to risk damage to or loss of the more expensive mics. Compared to the NTG3, the NTG5 is an amazing value, considering the bundle of accessories that come with the NTG5. Both mics sound terrific, with the NTG5 having a little more bass frequency roll-off and slightly less reach and directionality. I highly recommend the NTG5.

Fantastic Shotgun Mic

I just came off of a small feature doc project where we used 2 of these microphones for interviews, and they both sounded INCREDIBLE. Great frequency response, low noise floor. This kit also comes with a TON of accessories. The shock mount is fantastic and is great at isolating. Build is solid on everything. Very similar sound signature to more expensive mics like the 416.

Greatest thing since sliced bread!

I thoroughly researched specs, reviews and prices. This mike comes with everything you'll need and works great. Extremely versatile, indoors or out, in good weather or bad. Can you do better? Yes, with a full blimp and specs that in most cases you can't hear outdoors anyway, (and for some, not even indoors unless it's really quiet) if you want to spend more -- much, much more. Any glitches? It would be nice if a shock mount - with lyres - could attach directly to a boom pole instead of via the pistol grip. Incidentally, this is one of the very few and lightest mikes available at any price. Also thumbs up to the B&H representatives for expert knowledge and guidance, for those of you who aren't an audio engineer.

Highly sensitive

I originally used this as a boom mic for interviews, and for that purpose alone, it's very good. Especially since it comes with a very good shock mount. But when using it as an on-camera mic, it picked up far too much camera and handling noise. I also discovered it was easy to over-drive this mic. When shooting a very loud scene such as a sporting event with lots of cheering, I was unable to get my recording levels low enough to avoid clipping.I replaced this with a Sennheiser 416, which works fantastic, but is twice the cost and a bit longer and heavier. I miss the small size/weight of the NTG5.

Perfect On-Camera Mic

I spent weeks (months?) trying to decide on a decent on camera mic for my C200. The NTG5 was my final decision and I am really pleased with it.The mic is very sensitive and has really strong output. It has no internal battery and lacks some of the bells and whistles some other products have but matches in that regard with much more expensive mics (EG the Sennheiser 416). Since the C200 has phantom power the battery thing wasn't an issue. The NTG5 has a very natural sound and doesn't have that radio announcer's voice at the bottom end.I looked at the Sennheiser MKE 600, the Deity, the NTG 4+ and an NTG3. The NTG 5 won out in the end because of the value. The sound is competitive with the others I looked at but it also ships with a Rycotte pistol grip, a cable, the ... MoreI spent weeks (months?) trying to decide on a decent on camera mic for my C200. The NTG5 was my final decision and I am really pleased with it.The mic is very sensitive and has really strong output. It has no internal battery and lacks some of the bells and whistles some other products have but matches in that regard with much more expensive mics (EG the Sennheiser 416). Since the C200 has phantom power the battery thing wasn't an issue. The NTG5 has a very natural sound and doesn't have that radio announcer's voice at the bottom end.I looked at the Sennheiser MKE 600, the Deity, the NTG 4+ and an NTG3. The NTG 5 won out in the end because of the value. The sound is competitive with the others I looked at but it also ships with a Rycotte pistol grip, a cable, the standard foam screen, and also a 'dead cat' plus a mic clip for a stand or boom pole. It also brags a ten year warranty. It is moisture resistant and since I work outside all the time that is a bonus for me.

Spent a bit extra but happy I did

This mic was at the top of my budget. I could have gone with something a few hundred dollars cheaper but I figured this was the only mic I was going to get for a long while so put a but extra in to get the best quality in the price range. This is a plug and play mic. There are no bells or whistles to it, I do wish it had a power indicator or some type of visual feedback that it was connected. I can just tap on the mic to see levels or hear it throw headphones but not the end of the world. Some other mics have gain controls on them but I will be able to set those controls on the FX3 top handle. This is a short shotgun mic so you don't usually see controls on this length mic. I wanted a short XLR mic and so far very happy with this.If you are pairing this with the ... MoreThis mic was at the top of my budget. I could have gone with something a few hundred dollars cheaper but I figured this was the only mic I was going to get for a long while so put a but extra in to get the best quality in the price range. This is a plug and play mic. There are no bells or whistles to it, I do wish it had a power indicator or some type of visual feedback that it was connected. I can just tap on the mic to see levels or hear it throw headphones but not the end of the world. Some other mics have gain controls on them but I will be able to set those controls on the FX3 top handle. This is a short shotgun mic so you don't usually see controls on this length mic. I wanted a short XLR mic and so far very happy with this.If you are pairing this with the FX3 this mic is smaller than the mic holder on the FX3 top handle. This is not the fault of the mic. I knew there may have been an issue with this even before I got it. I read that you can get rubber spacers on Amazon for the mic. I went that route but still with one rubber spacer it still was too loose. I added gaffers tape over the spacer to make up for the extra room and it works very well now. I decided to add the rubber spacer first so I didn't gum up the mic directly with gaffers tape. I also am happy with all the extras that come with this kit. Boom mic holder, Dead Cat. Nice kit.

Terrible RFI. Tried 2 different NTG5's with same results.

I really wanted to like this mic. Checks every box: good off-axis rejection, small size, light weight, etc. However, the radio inference it picks up makes this mic completely unusable. The interference is baked into the recording so there's nothing you can do.The first NTG5 I ordered had this issue so I returned it and ordered it from B&H in case I got a bad batch. The second one had the exact same issue. Using 24V phantom power instead of the required 48V seems to make it go away but the mic becomes noticeably less sensitive. If you search on Youtube you can hear examples of this.Many people are experience the same issue according to the comment section. I reached out to Rode and this was their response after I received the second NTG5:At this time, I'm ... MoreI really wanted to like this mic. Checks every box: good off-axis rejection, small size, light weight, etc. However, the radio inference it picks up makes this mic completely unusable. The interference is baked into the recording so there's nothing you can do.The first NTG5 I ordered had this issue so I returned it and ordered it from B&H in case I got a bad batch. The second one had the exact same issue. Using 24V phantom power instead of the required 48V seems to make it go away but the mic becomes noticeably less sensitive. If you search on Youtube you can hear examples of this.Many people are experience the same issue according to the comment section. I reached out to Rode and this was their response after I received the second NTG5:At this time, I'm afraid we do not have any further information regarding this issue, but rest assured we have notified our developement team about this and they are in the midst of investigating this issue at this time.So pretty much they know about this issue but have done nothing about it so far. I would hold off on your purchase and wait for a fix.

Unfortunately, have to update the review.

At first this mic was great. Three months in and perhaps 5 uses, dead. Nothing but static. This would not be much of an issue but for the abysmal return process. This unit was returned / signed for at RODE on October 20th. Made it to the service department on the 25th. They state a two week turnaround time (pretty bad to begin with). No communication, no response to emails- must call. Given run around- no ETA. Nice mic when it works, unfortunately the company seems to be consumer level and not for the professional market at all. Again- this microphone-- three months old and barely used.