Usually I don't do more technical test for anything, but all of these Rode microphones got me thinking, was it really worth getting a used Rode NTG-2 instead of 3 brand new Videomicro/go's? So I did a total of 5 different tests with the mics that I had on hand, a Rode NTG-2, a Rode Videomic Go, and then finally a Rode Videomicro. For the NTG-2, I used a pop filter for the first test, then no pop filter. For the Go, I just used the foam cover that is stock on the mic, no deadcat. Then the Videomicro, I used it without the deadcat, and then with the deadcat. With a little bit of counting, that adds up to five different audio tracks. When I listened to them, honestly, they were very very similar. For reference, all of them were plugged into a Tascam DR-60D mkII, so a relatively nice recorder, with good preamps, and phantom power (which is how I powered the NTG-2). Overall, the least amount of hiss came from the NTG-2 without the pop filter. With that mic, I only needed to set the gain to high, and there was plenty of room to still adjust the gain via the dedicated dial. On the other hand, the Go and Micro needed to have the gain set to high+ to get to around -12 dB. So inherently, the Go and Micro will have more noise from the start, but it wasn't too bad.
All of the mics performed pretty well, but the Go was by far the worst sounding microphone. It sounded distant and a little hollow. Overall, not too great. However, the Micro could really hold its own against the NTG-2, but it was still lacking. The bass was not there, the sound was simply not as rich as it was with the NTG-2 (pop filter or not). The deadcat on the Micro did not affect the audio quality nearly as much as I would have thought. A little muffled, but for the most part, negligible. The Micro was definitely better than the Go. Looking back now, the Go was a mistake to buy. I got it really cheap ($55) and it was my first microphone, so I didn't really know what I was doing. It has served me well, but it has no advantage over the Micro. The Go feels fragile, as if it could break very easily, and it takes up a lot of room in my camera bag in comparison to the Micro, which brings me to the biggest advantage of the Micro: It's size. The NTG-2 is much nicer on a boom because of the length of the tube. You are able to get it closer to the talent without having to get the boom stand closer to the talent. So the Micro and NTG-2 will be my microphones of choice. The NTG-2 on a boom or studio work, and then the Micro for run and gun stuff since it is so easy to pack. I could fit two Micros in the space that was once taken up by my Go. If you have skimmed this post and are looking for the heart of the article, the Rode NTG-2 provides the highest quality sound, while the Rode Videomicro is best for travel/run and gun because of it's size. Now for the big question: Is it worth it to get the NTG-2 over the Videomicro? I would say, for youtubers or hobbyists, the Micro will pretty much fit the bill. You could save the $100-150 to buy other gear, or two Videomicros to create a stereo microphone if you do in fact need stereo, which would cost $400 using NTG-2s versus a mere $120 for two videomicros. And of course, you cannot forget that the Micro does not need phantom power to sound great. So the Micro is just simpler. No need for audio recorders or preamps with the Micro, so that is why I would recommend it, especially for event videography. The NTG-2 will come with me on select shoots, while the Micro will be with me for every shoot.
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