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    Rode NTG3 vs NTG4+: A Videographer's Pick in 2023!

    Jennifer MaxBy Jennifer MaxApril 24, 202348 Views1 Comment
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    In this post, let me compare Rode NTG3 and NTG4+ shotgun mics. This post will be geared towards videographers.

    Rode NTG-3B Shotgun Microphone
    Rode NTG-3B Shotgun Microphone
    Buy from Amazon
    Rode NTG4+ Shotgun Microphone
    Rode NTG4+ Shotgun Microphone
    Buy from Amazon

    Last update on 2023-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

    With so many mic choices online, it's quite hard to make the right choice. Making the right choice is very important when spending good money on a one-time purchase.

     Features

    Rode NTG3 

    Rode NTG4+

    Microphone TypeShotgun Condenser (RF biased)Shotgun Condenser 
    Frequency Response40Hz-20kHz

    20Hz-20KHz

    Max SPL130 dB

    135dB

    Signal to Noise Ratio81dB (A weighted)

    78dB

    Polar Pattern

    Supercardioid Supercardioid
    Amazon product pageUser reviewsUser reviews

    Isn't it?

    After reading this post, hopefully, you'll be able to make a right decision.

    Rode NTG3 vs NTG4+: Let's Settle This Now

    Build and setup

    Rode ntg3b shotgun mic

    Rode NTG3 is a shotgun mic. This mic's box comes with accessories like standard mic adapter, later carrying case, foam windshield and also aluminum carrying case that is weather resistant.

    It also comes with Rode RM5 mic clip. This clip is very tight, something that they need to look into.

    The NTG3 mic is solidly built. There are no switches or buttons on the mic, and it is a very simple mic.

    Rode NTG3 Super-Cardioid Condenser Microphone, Black
    See NTG3 user reviews

    On the other hand, NTG4+ comes with foam windshield, a mic clip, a leatherette pouch, and the plus version with also micro USB charging cable to charge lithium battery (150 hours runtime).

    It also has various controls and buttons like high-frequency boost option, high pass filter button (useful for cutting out wind noise), -10dB pad for recording loud sound sources like in parties, concerts, etc.

    Some of these mics don't come with a cable, that means it'd be hard for you to use the mic out of the box. Make sure that the package is with cable included or buy one separately.

    See NTG4+ user reviews

    Sound quality

    Sound quality for videographers mics

    NTG3 mic's sound quality is good for the price. The sound profile is balanced, and it is really a quiet mic. The self-noise of the mic is quoted at 13 dB-A which is quite astonishing.

    The mic also does a great job of rejecting radio interference noise that may come from your devices like smartphones.

    NTG4+ has a slightly better audio quality, due to the fact that it is good at rejecting off-axis sounds than the NTG3.

    It also has all the features like balanced sound profile, rejection of interference, etc. The low cut switch in NTG4+ really helps in cutting off the wind noise while recording substantially.

    The sound is balanced and crisp with good bass.

    As with all the mics, the sound quality entirely depends upon the proximity of the mic to your mouth. You need to find an ideal distance so that the best sound quality kicks in.

    Rode NTG4 PLUS Shotgun Microphone

    These mics are suited for outdoors, in indoors these mics are prone to echos as the pickup pattern is narrow, especially if your room is not treated and empty.

    The NTG3 comes with a max sound pressure level (SPL) of 81dB and the NTG4+ with 135dB. Which means that the NTG4+ will have easy time recording loud sound sources without distortion.

    This combined to -10dB pad on NTG4+ really suits for concert videographers.

    Directionality

    The pickup pattern of the Rode NTG3 is pretty wide considering it to be a shotgun mic. The pickup pattern is wider than the NTG4+ for that matter.

    When shooting videos, you'll be able to pick up the chirping of birds or cars in the background to some extent. It has a super-cardioid pickup pattern like most of the entry-mid range shotgun microphones. Now as more people are using their iPhones or Android for shooting videos, you need to choose the mics that works well with them.

    The NTG4+ offers more narrow pickup and more back-side rejection, which is quite good for outdoors where you have little control over the things that are happening in the background.

    Both of these mics have a super-cardioid pickup pattern which lies between cardioid and hypercardioid mode.

    Power options

    Power options

    The Rode NTG3 is a condenser mic, which needs 48-volt phantom power. It does not come with XLR cable or mount, you need to buy these separately.

    But the NTG4+ comes with lithium rechargeable battery that can be used for 150 hours on a single charge. This very helpful for long outdoor videography.

    As NTG4+ also comes with USB cable, you can easily drive these by using your computer or other USB devices. This is really great.

    It also comes with XLR connector for connecting to more professional audio recorders like Zoom H4N or Tascam DR-40.

    I would not recommend you to plug the mic directly to the camera, as the camera has a weak preamp that causes some hiss noise often.

    Unless you have a mic with inbuilt boost option, you shouldn't be using the mic directly with DSLR if you care about sound quality.

    Buy NTG3 at Amazon
    Buy NTG4+ at Amazon

    FAQs on Rode NTG3 vs NTG4+

    Are these mics good at rejecting the interferences?

    Yes. Both these mics are good at rejecting the wind noise and any other interferences that you might get while recording.

    How does the pickup pattern of these mics differ?

    Both these mics have a super-cardioid pattern. NTG4+ comes with a narrow pickup pattern while Rode NTG3 has a wider pickup pattern.

    Is it possible to connect external recorders with these mics?

    Both these mics come with XLR connectors. So you can easily connect external audio recorders

    What are the power requirements of these shotgun mics?

    NTG3 needs 48-volt phantom power whereas NTG4+ has a rechargeable lithium battery that can withstand 150 hours of charge.

    Which one is best for distortion-free recording?

    NTG4+ is great for distortion-free recording because it has a maximum SPL of 135dB.

    Bot​​​​tomline

    Do choose the best mic for your requirements. I would choose Rode NTG4+ over NTG3, because of the versatility and also the battery life it offers.

    Both these mics come with 1 year of warranty. If you go ahead and register your mic on Rode's website you get a 10-year warranty which is actually great.

    Hope you found this Rode NTG3 vs NTG4+ review helpful.

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    Jennifer Max

      I'm Jennifer Max the founder of SoundMaximum, a.k.a JenMax. I'm a passionate audiophile and a blogger from Detriot, having an associate degree in sound engineering. I do my living out of freelance audio work and this blog. I'm on a mission to help aspiring music creators create fine music with my quality, well-researched articles, and product reviews. I'm pretty sure that I can provide you with massive value, as I've been down the same road!

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      1 Comment

      1. Abhayadev on April 3, 2019 10:57 am

        Hello Jennifer,
        Thanks for the nice review

        Reply

      Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

      Table of content

      1. Rode NTG3 vs NTG4+: Let's Settle This Now
        1. Build and setup
        2. Sound quality
        3. Directionality
        4. Power options
      2. FAQs on Rode NTG3 vs NTG4+
        1. Bot​​​​tomline
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      Last update on 2023-09-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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