Which is The Best Rode Mic To Buy - (Videomicro II, VideoMic Go II, VideoMic NTG, NTG5, NTG3)

Today I compare the various sounds of the Rode Shotgun microphones to look for the best value and best sound from the lineup.

TimeStamps
0:00 Intro
1:35 - Mics Used
3:30 Blind Audio Test
4:16 Answers Revealed
6:38 - 2nd Audio Test

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Music

#ride #shotgun #best

[AudioHotline]

MY KIND OF VIDEO!!! Love it!

I really like the NTG3! I personally think it's the best sound on your voice compared to the others in this video. I mean, I should like it the most though 🤣since it's the most expensive. It's definitely the most expensive for a reason. It has a very nice full low end and a pleasant amount of clarity. I missed having one, so I actually just re-bought an ntg3 the other day, and I am going to have it in a comparison video really soon!

I agree, the VM Go II is an incredible value though! The fact that you can plug it in as a USB mic and change the onboard DSP, is so awesome!

It seems like the Micro II has a much better bass response than the original micro... but for an extra $20 it makes sense to get VM GO II just simply due to the extra features. As far as sound goes the VM GO II and the VM Micro II actually sound very similar. I wonder if they use the same capsule...

I am just not the biggest fan of the NTG5 at that price. I do love the NTG though. I got one a while back and have used it a bunch!

Good analysis of these mics!

[thefilmalliance]

Now this was a thorough, clear and concise video to help me with my next audio purchase. Thanks Mark

[reyjes]

I picked the most expensive mics as the best 🤦 but I don't they're worth the steep price difference. Talk about the cost of diminishing returns! Oh and I like how you hypnotized us into only seeing you as handsome and intelligent. I think it's working.

[AllThingsFilm]

Great comparison. I have the Rode NTG5, which I like. But, because I already have a deep voice I will often switch to my Sennheiser MKE 600. Which I used on a feature film I was DP and sound man on. The MKE 600 records a very natural sounding audio for most voices. The Sennheiser MKH 416 is popular, and costs about three times as much as the MKE 600. But, to me, I cannot tell the difference between the two.

I also have the VideoMic GO II, which I use for all of my YouTube videos. And it captures excellent audio sound and is must have for me.

Great job as usual.

[tomazzaman]

Thanks for the overview, Mark. I was pleasantly suprised at the original VideoMic - great clarity for the price. I've done quite a lot of testing myself as well, and settled on two: Sennheiser MK4 for regular computer chat and Neumann KM185 for YouTube videos. The latter I think is quite an unsung hero that's (in my opinion) quite similar to the holy grail (Sennheiser MKH50) at half the price - it even scores top 3 with Bandrew from Podcastage who's the ultimate mic Chad. :D

[melvinthinks]

Awesome video! I really like the VideoMic Go II - sounds great for the price. I have a Rode NT1 (had it over 20 years!) but want a shotgun mic in my arsenal as a new creator/YouTube person. This video review has sealed it for me. Cheers, buddy!

[aaronballard]

The NTG is the one I would go with....however I am a baller on a budget so I went with the Comica VM-20. Its basically the chinese version of the NTG and sounds phenomenal. I pair that baby boy up with the Hollyland Lark 150 and turn it into a wireless boom mic. Love my setup.

[Kryptic]

I got the Rode headphones for Christmas. Super comfortable. I wear them 8+ hours a day.

[TheLifeOfABroski]

Had the same problem with the peaking issue on my VideoMic NTG. It was so annoying! the -20 pad and tinkering with the gain knob defo helped thanks you mate!

[jamiehayes]

Great session. For us visuals, it would have been great to have a table showing features and prices. Many thanks

[CES]

Great comparison, side by side. Thanks Mark!

[briancunningham]

Bought and set up the VideoMic Go II last night, then saw this video in my recommended this morning and got instant validation in my purchase. Haven't adjusted any settings but already my audio quality has improved vastly over the random $30 amazon mic I was using before. Would be interested to see your recommendations for audio settings though, even what Audio Rec Level is ideal to get the crispest sounding voice

[somethingfishytamil]

I am watching all your old videos about sony zv e10.. It's so confusing to choose lens.. For vlogging and low light video which lens is good?.. Sony 11mm f1.8 or sigma 16mm f1.4.. Thanks in advance

[tonybrilliance.]

I enjoy watching your videos. You are the best reviewer of tech I've come across so far. Shout out from Kenya.

[gcprost]

On a recent shoot my VideoMic NTG quit. I shoot multicam so I was able to sync the cameras by looking at the footage closely. I was watching your video and contemplating a replacement, then it occurred to me to check the cable. Sure enough the mic was fine only the cable failed. I saved myself some bucks. I did enjoy your video by the way and I think your evaluations are credible.

[PhilEVignolaJr]

Thanks for another great video. i just picked up the Vidoe Mic Go II for $79 on sale and it's an amazing mic and an amazing value! Works great for both my camera setups and in the studio. A great budget all purpose mic option.

[quirkworks]

Every time you pop up in my notifications I smile ear to ear (although I have found watching your stuff expensive...LOL).

[HobbiesHire]

Great job on the video Mark! Thanks for making it. I got myself an XLR-K3M a while back for my a6400, and I've been doing a lot of testing with it vs using the 3.5mm jack and I am consistently blown away by the difference it makes. Even when I adapt the 3.5mm from most of my available mics to the 1/4" that the K3M recognizes, while I can't really tell too much of a sound quality difference in the non-XLR mics, the ability to have physical dials to adjust my levels instead of having to dive into the settings on the camera is a huge plus. Now if only I had more XLR mics...

[JamesPrinceB]

I liked the sound from NTG3. almost like mkh416. All though I use Rode video mic NTG. I have to roba bank to buy Rode NTG3

[arthurw]

I agree that the VideoMic Go II punches above its weight, and is the only 3.5mm I liked in the blind test... I'm partial to XLR though, and if money was no object I'd get an F series Zoom (F3 or F6) with 32b float recording so that you literally can't clip or even need to worry about setting levels, and probably a Senn MK4.