RØDE Microphones has just announced the brand new NTG5 to their line of shotgun microphones, featuring an all-new design for a natural, uncoloured sound that also results in the mic being significantly lighter than previous generations at only 76 grams (2.5oz) and just 203mm (8″) in length.
Key features
- Revolutionary acoustic design, delivering a natural, uncoloured sound.
- Extremely lightweight (just 76g), short shotgun microphone (just 203mm), making it far easier to handle on set than other shotgun mics, especially when used on a
boom pole. - Tailored frequency response and very low self-noise of just 10dbA, making it ideal for location recording, professional filmmaking, and other critical recording situations.
- Highly directional supercardioid polar pattern and smooth off-axis response.
- RF-bias technology and conformal coating ensure superior performance in adverse weather conditions.
- Comes in a complete location recording kit with windshield, pistol grip and other accessories – the NTG5 is ready to take into the field right out of the box.
Revolutionary Acoustic Design
The NTG5 is the fifth microphone in the NTG line up. It is positioned above the previous flagship NTG3, as a broadcast-grade microphone.
One of the main differences you will notice is that the NTG5 has circular acoustic ports instead of linear slots. According to RØDE, this is the result of many months of specialised acoustic testing that began during the development of the TF5 microphone with engineer Tony Faulkner.
The new design results in a natural, uncoloured sound with acoustic transparency when recording.
Shorter & Lighter Design
Compared to the NTG3, the NTG5 is much shorter and lighter. At only 203mm long and 72 grams, it is 52mm shorter and 91 grams lighter than the NTG3.
While 91 grams may not sound like much, it will make a huge difference when holding a boom arm up for hours on end.
Frequency Response
As a shotgun microphone, it has a supercardioid polar pattern for directional pick up and as you can see from the frequency response chart, it is very flat in the midsection with a slight bump in the high frequencies, tailored for the vocal response.
Just like the NTG3, the NTG5 features RF-bias technology for use in rough conditions and make it more resistant to interference.
The metal housing and internal design gives it high resistance to wet conditions, high humidity, severe cold and dust.
Technical Specifications
| 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 // 50 Hz – 20 kHz ±6 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 Ω 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 (LxWxH): NTG5 PG2-R | 203 x 19 117 x 60 x 240 |
| Weight: NTG5 PG2-R | 76g 224g |
What’s included?
The RØDE NTG5 is priced competitively at $499 USD.
It comes in a complete location recording kit, featuring the new WS10 windshield, redesigned pistol grip and other accessories.
For comparison here are some other broadcast grade shotgun microphones:
RØDE NTG3 – $699 USD
Sennheiser MKH-416 – $999 USD
Shure VP89 – $899 USD
Schoeps CMIT 5U – $2,199 USD
