Hi there Kristie, I'm glad you found the video helpful, it's been a great mic for me for the past 2 years, I still use it daily. Good luck, happy meeting and recording!

Thank you! I’m glad the video helped you :)

Hi there. Thank you so much!! I'm glad my videos are helping you! Cheers :)

You're welcome, I'm very glad it helped :)

Hi there. Thank you very much, I appreciate the kind words and feedback. I'm doing the best I can to grow organically, just putting content out there and tagging as much as I can......and of course, hopefully getting better as I go. The Video Mic NTG has been a great mic for me thus far, no complaints as of yet, great mic. Good luck to you in your microphone search, and happy recording and streaming :)

@@MarcusHutsell Thanks for the tip!

It’s been the best mic and best-value mic for me for over 3 years now. Love this thing!

Hi there Blink. I'm so glad the video helped, and thank you so much, and you are welcome :)

@@MarcusHutsell I'd suggest adding keywords like zoom, video conference, video call, work from home etc to your video. That's what I was searching for a long time before finding this video.

Hi Blink. Thank. I did have some tags and keywords on the video, but I’ll certainly add some more! Thanx for the suggestion.

I've been wanting to test/use the D3-Pro, and I was looking at that mic when I bought the VideoMIc NTG. But having the ability to use the VideoMic NTG as a USB-direct mic as well has been great for working here at home. I keep a USB cable always running up at my mic and I just reach over and plug the other end of that USB cable into my Thunderbolt dock real quick and I'm up and running for a quick virtual meeting. Anyway, really glad your D3 is working well for you!

Hi there Blas. Thank you, and yep, all your points are spot-on. I used to think that my GH5 camera preamps weren't that bad, but, the more I use them, the more I "Hear" them, and the noise. I find that the VideoMic NTG is very clean when connected via USB, and, it's I often get a different sound when it's connected via USG as well, despite the microphone being in the exact same location and proximity to me. For headphones, I actually have a 1/8" extension cable going from my camera down to my Mackie Big Knob control unit so I can easily monitor my audio from camera without always having to plug headphones directly into the camera, and my Gh5 is almost always wired up and ready to go. Regarding the Camlink and recording directly into the computer, I actually bought the Camlink originally to to JUST that. I wanted to record directly into the computer vs ON the camera because I wanted to just be able to edit quickly. However, I found that I got a lot of jitter issues (using OBS). I didn't get as much jitter using WireCast, but I didn't want to pay for wirecast, AND, with my old 15" Macbook Pro, the fans of course started spinning up quite loudly due to the comptuer encoding video, which obviously that fan noise got into my microphone and was quite loud. and yeah, the quality could have been an issue, but I never used it to record much because of the jitter and the noise issues. It was about that time that Covid lockdowns started to hit (March 2020), so I just kept the camlink and started using it for virtual meetings, etc. So, that's my 2-cents on that! Thanx Blas, cheers

You're welcome!

Thank you so much!

Hi there. I always wear headphones or my Airpods when on virtual meetings. Why? Because the meeting software will "hear itself" through your mic if you're using open speakers near the mic, and it will do its best to apply echo cancellation, but, I find that it often cuts off my vocal too much when it's my turn to speak. I actually talk about this very thing in this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r9mKpMliyLDXZGQ.html So, I would certainly recommend ALWAYS wearing some sort of headphone or earbud when having a virtual meeting. However, I also recommend NOT using the Airpods as your microphone, in this video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fr6Td82pmMW5aY0.html because you'll never get good mic-quality out of the current generation of Airpods and bluetooth microphones. But, they still work GREAT only as a speaker so you can hear the meeting. Good luck :)

Chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga-TOOOOT-TOOOOOOOT!!! (that was my best QWERTY train impression). And yeah, if I were recording something other than my voice, like trains, I certainly wouldn't have any filters on my mic either! gotta get that low end bass......happy recording, cheers!

@@MarcusHutsell LOL - ok thanks

Hi there. Thank you. So, I would recommend you watch my latest video, because I speak about the best way to combat what you're talking about: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gcyBn6uYv5eamX0.html You MAY not like my suggestion, (wearing headphones), but that is truly the best way to get rid of any echo-problems (as long as you're talking about "echo" in terms of the meeting audio coming OUT of your speakers and being heard by your microphone). To answer your question, "does this mic do a good job of blocking out sound that comes from behind a speaker?" I will assume you mean "does this mic do a good job at blocking out sounds that comes from A SPEAKER LOCATED BEHIND THE MIC?" To which I would say, no, and yes. The VideoMic NTG (like most shotgun mics) has a Super-Cardioid polar pattern (pick up pattern). And with ANY super-cardioid mic, it actually picks up a little bit more sound DIRECTLY behind the mic. So, if you have a single speaker DIRECTLY behind the mic, this mic, and any super cardioid will actually hear that MORE than a cardioid polar pattern mic. Cardioid polar patterns do not have this slight rear-pick up like Super-Cardioid mics. However, if you have (2) speakers (left/right perhaps) that spread your audio a bit wider, but STILL behind the mic, then that's better for any super cardioid mic.......get the sound behind, but a bit left-and-right of the direct rear of the mic instead of directly behind it. If you are not open to wearing headphones, then you'll have to keep the audio from your speakers low, as microphones simply aren't magic, if there are sound waves in the area, mics will hear them. Yes, they will hear sounds from behind them LESS than sound that's in front of them, but, they can still hear them, ESPECIALLY if you are in a reverberant or "echoey" room. If your room is very reverberant ("echoey," think lots of windows, hard floors, tile, all hard walls, no art work or other things on the walls to diffuse the sound waves) then sound is going to bounce all over your room, and that bounced sound or reverb is going to be picked up by any mic more because it's being bounced off of hard surfaces and those bounced waves then hit the front of the mic. Granted, they're a lot lower in volume, but, dampening your room (carpet, blankets, even foam on the walls) will help dampen those reflections. I will hopefully have time soon to do a mic sound/position test with some speakers to show how this (and some of the other mics I have) pick up sound from speakers like this in my home office........just gotta find the time to record that! I hope some of that helps, cheers!

Also, I have a question. How do you use your mic and laptop/speakers physically? What is the physical layout on your desk? (this will help me in understanding your mic position, your speaker position, etc). For example, is your laptop directly behind your mic (AKA, is your laptop directly in front of YOU?) Or do you use your laptop maybe on a dock off to one side, and then have stereo left/right speakers on your desk? And, in either of these situations, where do you use the mic? Directly in front you? or sitting on a small desk stand off to one side? Or, like mine, mounted up an over you also possibly off to one side?

So for others who have this problem, I figured out Question #1. When you plug the Videomic into USB, the 3.5mm jack goes into headphone mode and outputs at LINE level. If you would like to keep both plugged up, you will need a cable that converts LINE level to MIC level like this one: amzn.to/3S9BBHO. I still don't know the answer to question #2.

Hi Brandon. Apologies for my late reply, I've been busy!! So, you've mostly figured it out, but let me expand on that. So yes, WHEN the mic is plugged in via USB, the 3.5mm output DOES change level......however, it then follows the level you have set on the computer. That would be in "System Preferences" (Mac) or "Windows Sound Settings," and, if you're listening on headphones (plugged into the NTG directly), and if you then move the slider on the computer to set the USB-gain, you will hear the level coming out of the headphones change, even though you haven't touched the rear knob. So, when using the mic via USB, you always have to set the USB gain first (in the comptuer), and THEN adjust the knob on the back of the mic itself to get a good level OUT of the 3.mm jack, whether that's to headphones or over to a camera. It's ALL about signal flow and gain structure and it sounds like you've figured out part of it before my reply. There's no reason you SHOULD get any distortion at your camera when having the mic hooked up via USB and going to your camera via a 3.5mm cable. Just set your mic gain first via System preferences, then use the knob to send more/less level to your camera, always making sure to also check your camera's audio input setting/level. And yes, you can absolutely use an attenuator cable if needed, I also have one. And yes, with my mic set properly in software, the 3.5mm output is much stronger and even with the output knob on the back ("gain knob") at its lowest on the mic, the level is ALMOST too much for my GH5 even with my GH5's audio inputs set at their lowest. I will say this......I have tried doing the same thing, and I almost always get a weird, digital noise at/on the camera. It isn't distorted, just a weird digital noise. But I think that's mainly because i have my GH5 on a dummy battery, so, it has its power running to a power strip, and I have my laptop hooked up to a Thunderbolt dock and I always plug my mic into the USB port on my Thunderbolt dock, and I think something is weird with the way my desk, my laptop, my Thunderbolt dock, the mic, the GH5's dummy battery ........something doesn't play nice with the power when I try to do this and it induces a strange, high pitched noise and a ground hum.......so, I almost always just use my VideoMic NTG EITHER USB or in my camera, not both, but again, I think that's just a quirk of my equipment set up. Because I don't generally have a problem when running the mic directly to my laptop with a single USB cable. Now, for the sound quality question. Yes, the audio sounds more full using the mic via USB. That's most often, primarily because the 3.5mm PREAMP's on our cameras is not very good and is altering the sound a bit, and of course, the preamp on the camera is adding more noise from the preamp itself. I did a whole video which I'll link to below, where I use a USB audio interface and an SM58 mic to feed that audio into my computer and the USB-direct audio definitely sounds better, and more full, so, the preamp on my Sony A7iv does the same thing.......it's not a fault of the videiMic NTG, it's just the small, "cheap" preamp circuits on the cameras. All right, I hope that helps, cheers, and happy recording! Rode Videomic NTG full walk through: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z7yEp6yD1dmriIk.html USB Audio interface into camera: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z5uEpbN70qq2cmg.html

@@MarcusHutsell Thank you so much for the thorough response! I retested this and oddly changing the audio levels in MacOS didn't affect the NTG's monitoring. I think there is a certain amount of distortion inherent to monitoring via the NTG. Based on your recommendation, I tried unplugging my Macbook and just plugging a single USB-C directly between my Macbook and the NTG and then a 3.5mm cable from the NTG to my Zoom F2 and it still has some distortion even with the Macbook's Audio set to minimum and the NTG volume knob all the way down. The input levels coming into the F2 were not high at all, but it still has that noise you were mentioning. You were also spot on about the preamps on the cameras. I did a side-by-side comparison of the USB recorded audio and the audio recorded by the F2 and they both sound equally full. That USB Audio interface video was incredibly helpful, and I had already binged the VideoMic NTG walkthrough a few times. Thank you again for all of your help.

HI there. Although I've been wanting to try out the Deity D4, I haven't had a "need" to buy one just yet. I'd recommend Dunna Did It's review, as I also think the D4 sounds great based on reviews and tests that I've watched. As far as USB being superior (or not) to the 3.5mm jack.......it depends. Sometimes when I use my Rode VideoMic NTG via USB, I have noticed while editing (with headphones) that I sometimes get a very high pitched sound in the audio file that doesn't seem to be there when I run directly in to my camera. I can only attribute this to something with my setup at home, where my laptop is plugged into a Kensington Thunderbolt Dock and EVERYTHING runs through that dock, including my VideoMic NTG when I use it via USB. The high pitched sound was minor, and I don't get it ALL the time, so, it may have had to do with other peripherals that I have plugged in to the dock, because there are a lot of them, including about 3 USB hubs with various card readers, an HDMI-USB Capture card, monitors, sound cards, ......lots of stuff plugged in to that dock, so, something in the power or peripherals may have been causing it. And, I was able to edit most of it out in post in Adobe Premiere, but I still heard it......but I really had to listen carefully with good headphones to even notice. That being said, generally the USB connection is WAY cleaner than using 3.5mm jack, it just depends on what device or camera you're plugging the 3.5mm cable into. For instance, I get WAY more noise when using the NTG with a 3.5mm cable and my GH5, because remember, all cameras will then be using their 3.5mm microphone preamps, which are generally a lot more noisy than going USB direct. So, I'm always having to do audio noise-reduction in editing when I record into my GH5. So, it just depends on WHAT you're plugging the mic INTO to record using a 3.5mm cable, and how noisy that NEXT piece of equipment is. USB is almost always cleaner, assuming there's no digital noise that can be affected by what else you have plugged into the computer.

Hi there. You're welcome, I'm glad the video helped. I don't have any sync issues using my camera and mic going through a Camlink or other HDMI capture card.......as long as you run the mic into your camera! And then pull the audio and video into your computer from the Camlink. That is, if you're using a DSLR/Mirrorless camera for video, run the mic into that, don't just plug the VideoMic NTG into the computer via USB, because yes, if you use DSLR via camlink for video, and USB mic direct to computer, you'll have sync issues. However, if you DID need to do that, you can run the audio and video through OBS and delay the audio with OBS, then use the "Virtual Webcam" option in OBS to send out your audio and video, then Zoom, Teams, etc, can pull it's audio and video from "OBS Virtual Camera" and it will then have the fixed audio. It takes some audio/video routing and signal flow knowledge to know how to do that, but it can be done, as I do this all the time. Also, I've had issues with my Camlink lately and my M1 macbook Pro. I haven't used the Camlink a lot this year after I got my M1 Macbook Pro (13" model) because I think I was using my ATEM mini at home more and just didn't get my camlink out of my bag much. But, apparently, it looks like the Camlink has issues NOT working with either my specific M1 Macbook pro (Apple Silicon) or my version of the operating System (Big Sur), and basically the camlink won't work with my laptop right now. HOWEVER, I also have one of those cheap, $20 HDMI capture cards and THAT works just fine (although it adds more contrast and saturation, but that can be fixed by adjusting the camera settings). Anyway, as far as my setup/gain when using my videomic NTG with my camera(s), I have a GH5 and a Sony A7iii, and usually the GH5 audio preamp is turned ALL the way down to -12db, and then I set the gain/output on the mic accordingly per the visual audio meters on the GH5. For my Sony A7iii, i usually keep the audio gain on the CAMERA around 5, then set the videoMic ntg Gain/output accordingly, again, watching the meters on the A7iii to hit about 75% of maximum when I'm speaking (but I have to use a little mirror-hack-cold-shoe thing to see the screen on the back of the A7iii if I'm filming myself). Don't worry so much about "what number" your mic is set at (you said "set it at 10"), but honestly, I'd start withOUT the Pad. If you need it, sure, use it, but if your camera's audio input is set at 5 on the Sony, then start with the pad on the mic OFF, and start with the gain/output knob on the mic at 1, then just start increasing the mic gain/output to get good levels on the camera. If you use the pad, then you may need more gain on the camera for good levels, and that generally will add more noise. I almost NEVER use the Pad on the mic because for general speaking,/webcam use, my voice just isn't loud enough to warrant using a 20db pad. the 20db pad may come in handy if you're in a loud environment like a crowded place or somewhere with amplified music, but, generally, not for just a human voice. Basically, good audio practice is "don't use something you don't need," because it may introduce more noise. I hope some of that helps!

Hi there Ryan. So, technically yes you CAN connect your VideoMic NTG to your computer via USB and then use the 3.5mm port to connect to your camera. That's how you would use headphones.....Mic via USB, then plug headphones into the 3.5mm output port. I've tried this, but unfortunately, when I connect to either of my cameras with a 3.5mm cable, I get a bit of weird noise at the CAMERA (the noise isn't apparent in the USB audio signal). This has to be something with the cameras, maybe DC power differences or something, because I don't get this weird noise when I just use headphones from the 3.5mm port on the mic when connected USB. This seems to happen whether my camera is on an AC/DC dummy battery or whether it's on a regular battery. Odd, especially since this noise only shows up when I connect a camera and not headphones. As far as sync-issues, you'd have to record yourself with Zoom, Teams, OBS, or something on your computer and see if you have any sync issues. I don't have any Canon cameras and I don't use the Webcam options on my GH5 or my Sony A7iii, I use a cheap HDMI capture card for HDMI video into my computer and I usually use the NTG via USB......and I get about 3 to 5 frames of video delay......but, I run both my audio and video through OBS first and I just add audio delay in OBS to fix the sync issues......that way my audio/video to Zoom/Teams is in Sync.

@@MarcusHutsell Thank you for the very thoughtful and detailed response. I really appreciate it!

@@MarcusHutsell does this mean its better to record using camera + mic using usb cable? my set up is just a6400+rode videomic ntg using the default jack, i get a lot of hiss and i also get to record dogs and chickens from a few blocks away. am i using my rode wrong? i had to rely heavily with noise reduction to get the desired results, just little context i make asmr cooking videos, and recording kids playing more blocks away dogs and chickens is bit annoying.

Hi there. Yeah, the internal battery is a concern. To be honest, I have my VideoMIc NTG connected to my computer almost 24/7. I have it mounted and I use it for all my virtual meeting and I rarely unplug it from USB......so, I've "forgotten" about it a bit. That may or may not be good for the long term life of the battery, but this is the unfortunate world we live in with all companies moving towards in-built batteries. I honestly haven't taken my VideoMic NTG out of my home studio in a while, I'm sure the battery is still good, I've had the mic almost 4 years, but, just don't use it outside of my home studio much these days. The last time I used it on site for a client recording was over a year ago, and I had it mounted up high over the talent......and every day when I came in to record, I had to get a step ladder out and turn on the mic, it was just something that led me to get a different mic for client recordings.......so I got a Rode NTG-5 and a Zoom F3.......I found a "returned" NTG-5 on Amazon so it was about $100 cheaper than a new one......I wanted a mic that will last me a LONG time, and the NTG-5 is just a standard XLR, phantom-powered shotgun mic, so, as long as I take care of it, it will do me good indefinitely. The audio signal chain of NTG-5 and Zoom F3 is so quiet.......albeit pricey when you add the cost of the mic and the F3, but, I wanted to upgrade my audio. You'll get a cleaner sound out of the NTG by using/recording it directly via USB for sure......because if you use the 3.5mm output, then the device you plug INTO will affect your audio. For example, the 3.5mm preamps on my GH5 and my Sony A7iv change the sound differently....so even if I use the Video Mic NTG with both the GH5 and the A7iv separately......the audio will sound a bit different on the GH5 recording vs the A7iv recording and the noise floors will be different because it's still using SOME of the 3.5mm preamp on the cameras. Aaanyway, probably more than you wanted to hear, but, so far, so good on keeping my VideoMic NTG plugged in to USB almost all the time :)

Excellent detailed and very helpful reply. THANK YOU! I'm just starting to upgrade my mics, so hearing your options options was insightful. I did briefly look at the NTG5 because of it's no-battery setup, but the price difference from the NTG stopped me. Sounds like the NTG is a good place to "start" as it's an extremely versatile mic! I did find this battery replacement video. Having seen his mistakes, it doesn't appear too challenging: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bNqTmLZ5ztDbl5s.htmlsi=19NyTUWFNtgVgm9O

Hi there. Yeah, I've definitely seen the VideoMic Go II, and I've been wanting to try it, but just haven't had a need. It's definitely something more simple for those users that don't want to or don't understand all of the features of the VideoMic NTG. Maybe one of these days I'll get the Video MIc Go II.....but my new Deity D4 Duo has recently taken that portion of my mic budget ;)

You’re looking for a boundary style mic.

Hi there. Great thought process, and yes, it's typically best to try to run audio through your camera. And yes, the Rode VideoMic NTG is specifically made to #1 work directly with cameras because it has a 3.5mm output instead of XLR (and it has a built-in battery to power it), and of course to use via USB Directly. These days I just use the VideoMic NTG via USB while using my Sony A7iv also directly via USB. I run my audio and video through OBS first before I send it out to anything like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc. and I will say that there's very little audio delay these days with my setup......however, the a6400 may have MORE video delay than the A7iv when it's used via USB as a webcam. Since I run my audio and video through OBS first I probably have put 1 or 2 frames of audio delay in OBS. This is something you can test by recording with Zoom, doing a clap-test (be sure all of the special Zoom audio "enhancements are turned off because Zoom will often "mute" things like clapping or loud noises)......then dump that zoom recording into free video editing software (like Davinci resolve) and counting the delay between your visual "clap" and the audio waveform to see if you HAVE any delay you need to fix. But, your thoughts on "can I use an AT875R with my A6400" are correct.....that mic needs phantom power and there is no special cable that will allow that mic to plug directly into a 3.5mm jack. However, there are SEVERAL ways you can still route that AT875R into the 3.5mm jack of your a6400. Number 1, I made a video on how to do this, you can watch it here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z5uEpbN70qq2cmg.html, but it will require something like a USB audio interface to do this. Or, you can also use any small audio recorder to provide phantom power to the mic (think Zoom H4, Tascam DR-40, Zoom F3), then use the 3.5mm headphone jack output of the recorder and feed that over to the 3.5mm input of the camera. Lots of ways to do it, but yes, you'll need phantom power. I hope some of that helps, cheers, and good luck!

​@@MarcusHutsell Hi Marcus, Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. So informative and on the money in all cases. However an important aspect I left out or didn't mention was the fact that the ultimate goal for me is to push OBS over to Zoom so that I can engage in virtual meetings while utilizing the breadth and power of OBS studio (think graphical displays, animations, lower-thirds) as opposed to just using Zoom alone. Tho the funny thing is the audio set-up works in Zoom. In the interim after leaving my comment, I bought an XLR to 3.5 mm cable and plugged it into the side of my a6400. Then I opened Zoom, voila! My voice boomed over my speakers. However when I opened OBS, ONLY video, no audio was achieved, which I learned was b/c apparently a VB Audio cable plug-in download is needed to accomplish that. I did download it, but I have yet to finish this, in the middle of it. Ultimately this just defaults everything to a more traditional way or set-up, for a mic / USB interface (I could use a condensor mic if I wanted, but like you, I want it out of sight and hovering above). Now a distinct advantage of using the VB audio set-up is that one can manipulate the audio quality of the stream with all the controls whereas, with Zoom alone I'd be at the mercy of the default sound. I have not found anyone demonstrating using the VB Audio Cable with on-board mic from the camera. Or, just capturing audio to OBS THEN over to Zoom. Thus, subsequently I am in the process of setting up my Audient (id14 usb) in order to push the AT875 separately, yet to finish this in the middle of. Now MIND YOU I COULD just forgo this and use Zoom as a stand alone without OBS and thereby substitute the OBS features with a mish-mash of say, Powerpoint and drawing apps on an ipad (or do it Casey Neistat style with markers and drawings) with a second camera positioned over it to simulate any infographics that i want to enhance my presentation with. Not sure if this Frankenstein could prop itself up off the table and walk? Hmm. Oh, lastly, you mentioned the recorders as phantom power. I have a Zoom H1 and Tascam DR-40, the ladder being bulkier and more professional as it has XLR inputs. I wonder if I can use this as a conduit in order to achieve the original vision of using the OBS-to-Zoom configuration? Anyway, phew, I jut let it flooow. Thanks for reading this, any thoughts or reactions / insights is doubly appreciated. Again ty ahead of time.

Hi there CWard. So, I have my computer monitor mounted on a 90 degree VESA Arm. And then I have my mic boom arm actually mounted ON that vesa arm, so that means my mic boom arm attachment point is a bit higher than the actual desk. This gives me a little more flexibility in placement. I will say that I've tested my mic boom arms attached to JUST the desk (at the rear), to see if the mic boom arm is long enough.......and.......that CAN work, but it really depends on what ELSE you have at your desk and your setup. Because that kind of requires the boom arm so go a bit between my monitor (which is directly in front of me) and my laptop (which is over to my right). But this requires some space between the computer monitor/Laptop. At my office at work, I DO have some space between those 2 items. But at home there is NO space at all......as I have a much larger setup at home with multiple speakers between my computer monitor/laptop so, I have to go UP and completely OVER my computer monitor so get that extra height by attaching my mic boom arm to the computer-monitor VESA arm. I hope that makes sense. But yes, most mic boom arms are kind of meant to attach to the side of a desk and swing around for having a mic close to you, but, I also don't like that as it puts the mic in my way and IN my video frame.

@@MarcusHutsell Many thanks for your detailed response!

Hi there again. I'll paste my answer here as well so that others can see it.......and I REALLY want to do a video on this, but for now........here's the long answer: @MarcusHutsell • 1 second ago Hi there. My apologies for my delayed reply, I've been busy!! So, I see your question on my other video as well, and, unfortunately, it depends....... Keep this in mind.......shotgun mics, although semi-directional, aren't magic. They still pick up sound from around them and to the sides, they just don't hear that sound AS MUCH, or as well, or at the same frequency response, as sound from out in front of them. ALSO, keep in mind that shotgun mics typically have a super-cardioid pick up pattern and ANY super cardioid mic will actually start to pick up some sound from directly behind the mic, that's the tradeoff with making a super-cardioid polar pattern more tight or directional towards the front......it starts to pick up sound from the rear.......so you almost NEVER want to put an unwanted sound source directly behind a super-cardioid mic. It's best to place unwanted sound sources behind.......but about 45 degrees off to one side or above/below a super-cardioid mic. It's not always cut-and-dry. Also, the acoustics of our environments also greatly affect the sound that gets picked up by the mic because if our spaces are very reverberant (hard surfaces like desks, hard walls, ceilings, hard floors, lot of glass) and NO acoustic treatment....the sound will BOUNCE all around rooms like that and a lot of that bounced sound (reverb, some echo or slap echo) will get to the front of the mic. Acoustic treatment is better than a "more directional" mic. It also depends on the distance of the mic to your voice vs. the distance of the mic to the speakers, and the volume of those speakers. Any mic will still hear some sound from the rear, even cardioid mics, but that's mostly due to the environments we use them in. If we used a cardioid mic in an open field without anything for sounds to bounce off of......then a cardioid mic would hear a LOT less from its rear than it would sitting on my desk in my office, because my office has walls and other surfaces for the sound to bounce off of........sound even bounces off of our faces and our bodies and back into the front of the mic. To answer your last question, with the VideoMic NTG, if it's plugged in via USB, you do NOT have to manually turn the mic on and off. It turns on automatically when plugged in via USB and stays on when plugged in. I have mine semi-permanently mounted on my desk at home and it's always plugged in to my Thunderbolt dock......so every time I bring my laptop in and plug my laptop into the dock........the mic gets power and signal through the dock, and it just automatically turns on and stays on and is ready to go, I never really think about it most days, I just "go" with my meetings. :)

Hi there. I can't remember if I processed the audio on this video, and I'm not sure if I recorded this directly via USB or if I was running it into my GH5 with the 3.5mm input. But, I most likely did do *some processing like a bit of noise reduction and EQ, especially if I was using it with my GH5. That being said, the VideoMic Go ii was not "out" yet when I made this video. I have actually bought a VideoMic Go ii, and I would say its audio quality matches the VideoMic Go ii, it's not better per sé, but it's not worse, the VideoMic Go ii is VERY clean, full sounding audio from a small mic. And it's only $100, so yes, it's definitely a great option, and since there are no buttons on the mic, there's (potentially) less for the user to mess up......plus it doesn't require internal power, so there's no "turning it on" or "ensuring it turned on when the camera turned on" since it works on the ~3V to ~5V power from the camera's 3.5mm mic preamp. Is it a better option? If you don't want to spend $250 and won't use all of the features of the VideoMic NTG, then yes, the Video Mic Go ii is the "better" option for a lot of people. And you are NOT going to lose ANY audio quality, it's a great mic. Plus, you can use the Rode Central app and STILL get all of the same functionality out of the VideoMic Go ii because it HAS a lot of the same features as the VM NTG: Safety Channel, High Pass filter, Input gain level, High Frequency Boost, Direct Monitor level, Pad.....you just have to access them via the Rode Central software.

Hi there. The mic shouldn’t have a delay, but the webcam MIGHT have a delay. I don’t use USB webcams much since I either use the built in webcam or a DSLR-Mirrorless style camera. But, you should be just fine using a USB WebCam and this mic. Generally, USB WebCams don’t have as much delay as using a capture card and an extra camera like I do. A good test would be to use a USB web camera and this mic, launch zoom or Microsoft teams or Google meets, and record that meeting using your WebCam and Mic… And then watch the recording of that meeting to see if it all lines up. My initial thought is that it should be fine without any delay between your USB WebCam and the mic

@@MarcusHutsell Thank you for taking the time to reply. 👍 I will give it a try!

I think it's mostly relevant when using some kind of capture card to connect your cameras hdmi output to your PC i.e. like the Elgato Cam-Link, which can potentially add some slight delay to the video. Most good quality USB Webcams will be very low latency and should work just fine in combination with the Rode Mic via USB 👍🏼

Hi there, no, you’re going to get the cleanest sound quality when using the videomic NTG via USB directly. If you use the 3.5 mm output of the microphone to go over to the H1N… You’re taking an analog audio signal out of the microphone… The H1N is then amplifying that signal with its own preamp, potentially adding more noise there….then the H1n is digitizing it via USB (assuming you’re using the H1n as a USB audio interface in this example). Using the videomic NTG via USB bypasses all of that additional equipment, extra cable, additions prep, and potential addition of system noise/hiss. Don’t add more equipment in-line if you don’t need it.

Hi there. I currently use a small LED panel light from Neewer. I have a whole video on it: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gbhni8d3vsqanas.html However, after I recorded that video, I also decided to put an extra piece of diffusion in front of the light. Here's a short list and links to all the gear that makes up my key light setup: Main Light: amzn.to/3eYq5A0 Softbox: amzn.to/3snOLVV Additional Diffusion (Only use the diffusion part of this 5-in-1-kit): amzn.to/3N3DymJ I hope that helps, :)

Hi there. Well, unfortunately, no microphone is magic, and almost no amount of "pointing" any mic in a specific direction will ever get rid of all ambient sounds. How hard and loud your keyboard buttons are (in real life, without a microphone)...the more the mic will hear them. AND how reverberant (think "echoey") your room is.......the more that any sound will bounce around the room and that bounced sound will get around to the front of the mic. And in my scenario, with the mic mounted above me and pointed down........yeah, it's going to hear my keyboard because my keybaord is very near my chest/stomach, and that's just slightly below where the mic is aimed. The only way I've ever heard to really "get rid" of keyboard sounds is with software. Heavy heavy noise reduction, and most of the meeting platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams have audio controls and options that even state something like "gets rid of keyboard clicks, etc." So, it's about a few things: 1. How "clicky" your keyboard keys are 2. How ambient/reverberant/"echoey" (I hate that term!) your room is 3. Then you mic choice, 4. Then your mic placement 5. Meeting/software noise reduction. You're most likely best off placing the mic lower and closer to your voice, aimed up a bit, so the keyboard is off to the bottom/side of the mic. But, that's a double-edged sword because the mic is then probably closer to your keyboard. And, often, the sound of this microphone gets weird when it's sitting on or near a hard surface like a desk, because your voice will bounce off the desk and get into the mic as well, and that can make things sound a bit warbly. Probably not the answer you want, but microphones just react to physics and the air pressure around us.....a "more" directional mic may be better in some situations, but put that mic in a different environment and it will react to the sound in that environment and may be quite different.

long story short, you have to experiment with your mic, mic placement, room/environment, and software controls. Use Zoom to record yourself with these different placements and with different audio controls enabled/disabled in zoom, then listen back to your results from the meeting recording to see what works best in your space

@@MarcusHutsell this is a fantastic answer!! thank you so much.

You are welcome!

Hi there. I would NOT use this for a concert recording, because this mic has a maximum SPL (sound pressure) level that its diaphragm can handle, and that's only 120 dB SPL. That's *fairly loud, but many large concerts are going to occasionally be a bit louder and the diaphragm of the mic will distort, which means your audio will be distorted and the mic can't do anything about it when SPL (volume of the concert) goes above 120 dB. If you want to stick to on-camera mics for concerts, you might look at the Rode VideoMic PRO+ or the regular Rode VideoMic Pro. the Pro + (Pro plus) says it can handle 133dB SPL, and the VideoMic says it can handle 130 dB SPL, both of which are more than the VideoMic NTG.

Hi there Russel. So, the NTG4+ is an XLR only microphone, which means you have to have some device that will accept an XLR input, like an Audio interface with an XLR input or an external recorder, or a a camera that has XLR inputs. It can run off of phantom power if the device you plug it into can provide phantom power, or The NTG4+ does have an internal battery that can power the mic itself, just in case your XLR input cannot provide phantom power. On the other hand, the "Videomic NTG" (that's it's full name), only has a 3.5mm audio output and it relies on its internal battery for power. However, it also can connect to a computer directly via USB and then you can use that computer as an audio input directly on your computer as well. (The NTG4+ cannot do that). The "VideoMic NTG" for me is very versatile, I run a 3.5mm cable directly from the VideoMic NTG to my camera to record audio directly with my camera, and I also use the VideoMic NTG direclty via USB with my laptop and use the mic in Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc. So......short answer: NTG4+ is an XLR-only mic. VideoMic-NTG is 3.5mm and USB-connectable mic.

OK I GOTCHA.. I will probably go with your suggestion. Thanks (Thanks for the education.)

Hi Eric. This is the "Rode Videomic NTG." That's it's full name, it's the only one named that, it's the USB-C version that you can connect to your computer, it has an inbuilt battery, and lots of onboard options. Rode Videomic NTG on Amazon: amzn.to/3QMAMmU

You can yes. You must use a TRRS>TRRS Cable (like the cable it ships with), and of course if you have an iphone you'd have to use the TRRS to lightning adapter, and you have to manually turn on the mic. But, it does works. the main thing I don' t like about using external mics with smart phones is that there's no way to monitor the audio, so, you never really know if the phone is recording audio from the correct source until you've either finished the recording, or by asking the other meeting participants if they "can hear you" on the mic you're speaking into. But, yes, I tested this and it works with my iphone 12 mnini, lightning to TRRS adapter, TRRS>TRRS Cable, and the videomic NTG. other thing is hoping that the meeting app or recording app has audio meters so you can see your input level so you don't clip out. Good luck!

@@MarcusHutsell awesome! Thanks so much!

Hi there. That's because this is an overview video and my basic opinions of the microphone, this is not a beginner "how to set up and understand audio" type of instructional video. Therefore, this assumes that someone looking for a microphone understands some basic audio functions. I also say in the beginning of the video that there are a ton of other review videos that talk about all of the features in great detail and that I wasn't going to get deep into the specifics, and the vides I reference are linked in the video comments section. If you need further instruction, I recommend my other video detailing out how to properly set up this mic. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z7yEp6yD1dmriIk.html Happy Recording :)