The Rode VideoMic Pro+ and the Rode VideoMic NTG are two of the dozen on-camera microphones that Rode currently has on the market. With all that choice, it can get pretty tricky to pick the one that will work the best for your needs.
Rode has been leading the charge for over a decade in low-cost, high-value products that have transformed the overall quality of many productions. They’re a titan in the audio space with a massive catalog of audio products; and to their credit, they’re all pretty fantastic and offer features that simply weren’t available before.
Scott McKenna put together this quick and informative look at some of the differences between these two models to help draw some contrast.
Sound can often be overlooked but having good, clear audio is probably more important than making sure your lens is in focus. If your audience can’t clearly hear what is being said, they’ll likely turn their attention to something else, or shut your video off entirely.
If you’re a content creator who flies solo, you want something quick and easy that will give you fantastic results and in certain situations (vlogging, interviews, etc) an on-camera shotgun mic is a perfect solution. The VideoMic Pro+ and the VideoMic NTG are the best directional microphones from Rode that don’t require phantom power and use a 1/8″ audio jack.
VideoMic Pro+ Key Features
- Shotgun Mic with Directional Sound Pickup
- Easy Hookup to Camera
- Versatile Power Options – 100Hr Removable Battery or USB Power
- Automatic Power On/Off
- 3-Stage Gain Control
- Selectable Safety Channel -10dB lower on Right channel
- 10 Year Warranty
- Price $299
VideoMic NTG Key Features
- Shotgun Mic with Directional Sound Pickup
- Full USB Functionality – Record directly over USB-C to computer
- Headphone Monitoring
- Continuos Variable Gain
- Selectable Safety Channel -20dB lower on Right channel
- Internal Rechargeable 30-Hour Battery
- Automatic Power On/Off
- 10 Year Warranty
- Price $249
The most notable difference between the NTG and the Pro+ is the NTG’s ability to dial in gain adjustments from 0-15. The Pro+ has 3 fixed gain stages of -10 dB, 0 dB, and +20 dB which means that fine adjustments will happen in camera with potentially weak pre-amps which could add noise. The NTG offers much more flexibility for gain adjustments to allow you to set your audio levels exactly where you want them, and it’s easily tunable while filming.
The NTG and the Pro+ offer good off-axis sound rejection. The NTG is slightly longer, and comes with a sliding plate that lets you get the microphone closer to the end of the lens. Sound is always best when the microphone is closer to the subject, and the NTG’s capsule design opens it up to more options for mounting on a boom.
Both the NTG and the Pro+ feature a 1/8″ jack and a TRRS cable that allows you to record directly into a phone or tablet. You can also plug either the NTG or the Pro+ into the Rode Wireless Go system for a quick wireless boom option.
The NTG, however, has the added connectivity of USB-C, which is fully functional and enables recording directly into a computer at 24bit – you can record voiceovers and podcasts with the same mic you take into the field.
Overall, these are two fantastic on-camera microphones. I think the NTG wins the match for having the added USB-C connectivity, and the dial-in gain adjustment knob. The Pro+ has a removable battery, which could be more advantageous for shooters who are on the go.
I can’t stress enough how important good quality audio recording can be, and we’re lucky to be living in a time when we have so many options. No matter the features, however, appropriate mic placement is the key to capturing clean, discernible recordings that will help your audience engage with the content.
[source: Scott McKenna]
Order Links:
Rode VideoMic Pro+ (B&H, Amazon)
Rode VideoMic NTG (B&H, Amazon)
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate partner and participant in B&H and Adorama Affiliate programmes, we earn a small comission from each purchase made through the affiliate links listed above at no additional cost to you.
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