RØDE NTG5 Review
Long-Term Test
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RØDE recently debuted the NTG5 shotgun microphone and we evaluated it for three different applications, field recording, concert recording and video production. The NTG5 features some noteworthy advances in the crowded shotgun market, which merits attention and praise. Foremost, RØDE delivers a technically advanced product with quality sound reproduction and plenty of accessories at a price point that almost anyone can afford. We employed three different reviewers for our long-term test, their comments in quotes below.
One of the biggest things you’ll notice about the RØDE is its size and weight. At just 76g, it’s very lightweight compared to other shotgun microphones, as well as quite diminutive in length at 203mm. “I thought my Sennheiser MKH 8060 was lightweight, but the NTG5 makes it look heavy,” commented our field recording specialist. The weight and size is serious consideration for many users who either hand hold the mic, or use it at the end of a boom pole for location shooting, and even a small drop in mass will be much appreciated after a long work day. The size and weight reduction are also beneficial for concert recording. Less weight also means that mics positioned on top of tall stands are less affected by extraneous factors, which can cause adverse sonic artifacts and quality issues. This was confirmed by our live concert tester who welcomed the form factor (as well as the Dead Cat accessory) during a recent recording.
“Funny enough, I ended up encountering really poor recording conditions, including rain and gusty wind when testing the NTG5’s at an amphitheater in addition to my regular rig (Sound Devices MixPre-10, custom 15′ stand, matched Neumann KMR 81 i MT’s —Ed.). The weather called for simply cloudy skies, but a squall came in, which sent the tapers scrambling to ditch their rigs, including myself. I quickly packed up my Neumann’s, but left the RØDE’s on the stand and added the included Dead Cats. Considering I was the only one left with mics in the air, I received a lot of questioning looks. However, after listening to both recordings in my studio, I was pretty amazed how well the NTG5’s handled the adverse conditions, as well as the quality of the recording, considering the circumstances.” Our evaluator did comment on the flat bass response of the NTG5’s, “compared to the fuller Neumann’s.” He was able to sweeten the low end in post, but would have welcomed a bit more “presence” and “thickness.” That said, he did add that he would rather “enhance the low frequencies, instead of contending with a muddy bottom” when recording live music.
The NTG5’s depart from the traditional linear slots found on most shotguns by employing circular ports in their aluminum chassis. RØDE claims this acoustic design provides “a more natural, uncolored sound.” While there are many factors that determine a microphone’s openness and air, our field recording specialist did note the NTG5 felt “expansive, yet detailed” in his wildlife recordings, which support RØDE’s profile. The NTG5’s design was directly influenced by RØDE’s other recent microphone, the TF5, developed with Tony Faulkner, a noted recording engineer from the UK. The mic features a new capsule design with a perforated vent as well as RF-bias technology, which make the microphone “moisture resistant,” showcased in our concert recorders observations above.
RØDE NTG5 Features:
» Acoustic Principle: RF-bias condenser
» Active Electronics: RF-bias demodulation
» Polar Pattern: Supercardioid shotgun
» Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
» Frequency Response: 80 Hz – 20 kHz ±3 dB
» Output Impedance: 25 Ω
» Signal to noise Ratio: 84 dB
» Equivalent Noise: 10 dB SPL (A-weighted, as per IEC651)
» Input SPL @ 1% THD: 130 dB SPL (1kHz @ 1% THD, 600 ? load)
» Power Requirements: 2 mA @ 48V phantom power
» Sensitivity: -23.5 dB re. 1 Volt/Pascal or Better (66 mV @ 94 dB SPL @ 1 kHz)
» Dimensions (L x W, mm): 203 x 19
» Weight: 76g
Our reviewers all mentioned the NTG5’s build quality, which most felt is “a high-water mark for the [Australian] company.” Indeed, RØDE’s manufacturing abilities have matured over the course of their history and the NTG5 demonstrates that they are able to exceed more expensive options in the RØDE portfolio, namely the NTG3. One of RØDE’s weaknesses, which has plagued some of their large-diaphragm condensers in the past, is the XLR connection housing. Over time, the connection either becomes loose, or stops working. This connection on the NTG5 is quite different. Plugging in your cable is firm with a tight grip and a positive snap. It feels secure and didn’t create any problems for our evaluators over the course of our long-term test.
“A High-Water Mark For RØDE”
As mentioned previously, the NTG5 comes with a lot of nice accessories that you’ll end up paying extra for when considering another brand. The polymer pistol grip features dual Rycote Lyre mounts to provide isolation from any handling vibrations and comes with RØDE’s PG2-R Pro Cable that snakes through the pistol grip and attaches to the back of the NTG5. Although, three of our testers found the cable to be “suddenly quite thin where it attaches to the microphone,” the cable “worked as advertised” and eliminated “wear and tear on the NTG5’s rear XLR connection…a good idea.” It also comes with the RM5 Microphone Clip, a standard, non-shock mount for static stands, and a small vinyl carrying case. Rounding out the wealth of accessories is the aforementioned Dead Cat and a basic foam wind/pop screen.
Touching again on field recording, our reviewer found the supercardioid polar pattern “worked especially well for picking out specific wildlife, including birds and a very vocal owl.” He felt the off-axis response was “natural and gentle,” allowing him to spotlight certain sounds, while “still remaining open and authentic.” He went on to record a variety of sounds, including footsteps in the snow, which made him comment that the NTG5’s should also be considered for foley work.
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In our next application test, we gave a documentary filmmaker the NTG5 to test in her studio and on location. She praised the NTG5 over the NTG3 for sounding “less boomy” in her loft and its “accuracy in vocal reproduction,” as well as it’s “low self-noise.” However, she warned that “you have to pay attention and really follow your talent if they’re moving because the vocal frequencies tend to fall off suddenly and get muffled if the mic goes 20° off-axis.” She found the rear rejection of the polar pattern worked “best outdoors, if you close mic your subject” but “it could be troublesome in a non-treated studio” where “certain frequencies have a tendency to poke into your recording.” She also noted the lightweight, smaller size and arsenal of accessories that come with the NTG5’s.
Conclusion
It’s great to see RØDE pushing the envelop on the technology, value-proposition and price point for their new NTG5 shotgun microphone. The new microphone has a lot to offer and should make an impact on an already saturated market, which says a lot. “While the naysayers may point to some of the microphone’s deficits, stating it ‘doesn’t even come close to my Schoeps,’ savvy consumers will simply chalk that up to toxic internet haters and realize they don’t need a shotgun costing five times the price of the NTG5 to get great results,” summed up one evaluator. We agree. Highly Recommended!
Rating: 94%
Cheers:
+ Build Quality
+ Quality Of Results
+ Accessories
+ Weight & Size
+ Value
Jeers:
– Off-Axis Vocal Frequency Rejection
– Deep Bass Response
RØDE’s NTG5 costs $499 and is available now.
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The Future:
Kudos to the Aussies for really delivering the goods on the NTG5! We love where RØDE is going with their new acoustic design and their better build-quality. We’d love to see a version of the NTG5 with Mono, Stereo & Wide Stereo Modes, allowing you to use a single mic for the variety of applications we tested.
