Rode Blimp & NT4 microphone - RodeBlimp & NT-4

[haveudonethis]

Very nice ,but is this not meant to be used outside or will this be demonstrated in the next video,I take it after 3 years you didnt bother or did you not think it was worth the money?

[digifishmusic]

@haveudonethis - Sorry forgot to do the video, very busy using it :) The blimp is excellent value and one of the best deals on the market IMO, hitting a sweet-spot in terms of physical construction/quality at a reasonable price.

[haveudonethis]

@digifishmusic Thanks for your reply,just ordered the Rode blimp and NTG 2 as a budget setup for field use..going into the Tascam DR100 vis a Home made 2ch mono Split Ch1 (-3dB) Ch2 (-12dB) if I want stereo I would use an XY mic set with 2 of Rode NT1a's we will see when it turns up.

[haveudonethis]

@digifishmusic Thank you for your reply :o)

[haveudonethis]

@digifishmusic Hey guys I did a rough field test on the blimp with NTG2,not too shabby for the price in the conditions I tested it in (45MPH wind)

[haveudonethis]

@digifishmusic Got it Did the test,Posted on here for all to HEAR ,And happy with the result ,using the NTG2,now I want a 3 & 4..typical find something I Like now I need more money :o), oh and I have the NT1a too... for budget Mic's they are worth every penny..although a Sennheiser/Rycote combo would be nice so anyone reading this if you have a spare system you don't want ,I'LL HAVE IT..

[MGKAudio]

I am curious, do you have any issues with the provided XLR connection to your cable? I need to tape mine in place or it cuts in and out.

[MikeRoePhonicsMusic]

@MGKAudio I bought the Blimp last Spring. I haven't experienced any issues with the XLR connection. But I'm using a Rode NT-4, which requires a stereo XLR cable.

[Vapamore]

I wish the dead cat filtered out the music... It would be nice to actually "hear" A-B comparisons with and without the various components of the Rode system used with the NT4 in an actual location/situation, as I interpreted the title of the post to be rather than on how it assembles. But thanks for showing me how to groom a dead cat.

[MikeRoePhonicsMusic]

Thanks for the detailed video! I've owned an NT4 for 8 years. What kind of frequency response loss occurs with the Blimp by itself and also with the dead wombat? Also, how much wind can it handle? Thank you.

[ulnartwitch]

This may seem like an odd question, but does the handle come off the rail? I'm interested in getting one of these, but I'd like to see if it will fit in my pelican case that I already have, and I'd need to disassemble the handle to get it to fit. I'll likely get one anyways, but it would be cool to know.

Great video!

[digifishmusic]

@ulnartwitch - Yes you just undo one thumb-screw for the latch mechanism and the bolt will withdraw and the handle comes off.

[ulnartwitch]

@digifishmusic Outstanding. Thank you!

[stewartx5]

I firmly believe too little wind noise can be just as undesirable as too much. When people see hair, clothing, trees, and other objects moving outdoors, they expect to hear the normal wind noise (roaring through their own ears) associated with that. To hear unnatural silence instead can be quite disconcerting. Comparing my own ears to other devices in windy conditions, the simple foam windscreen often comes closest to what I actually hear.

[bouchandre]

compared to your hand this thing is huge!

[javieralza]

do blimps have shock mounts in them

[imageline]

@javieralza - Yes, that is the rubber suspension you can see in this video.

[javieralza]

@imageline oh yeah i know, sorry, i got exited and asked before the video got to that part MY BAD :D

[Chadfish]

Did you have to force the NT4 into the plastic holders the mic clips into? It seems the largest ones provided don't fit the NT3 & Nt4. It seems they might break if I try to open them wide enough to take the mic. Was that the case with you? Or were they tight, but were able to flex? I just don't want to force the things.

[digifishmusic]

@Chadfish - I wouldn't say 'force' the largest clip is flexible and can easily bend to accept the NT4/3 body. Knowing Rode I am sure they would send you free replacement/s if you damaged them (which you won't if you use the largest clip).

[HAZARstudios]

i can't tell is it a xlr cable it use's

[digifishmusic]

Yes.

[VideoManServices]

cool

[picnet]

Theres quite a lot of handling noise even with this setup, far more than I expected and the holder/bands are in the same position as shown in the video. - On the end of a mini pole ive found any quick movements will induce low frequency thumps. Probably not the case with the NTG3 or Omni Mic's.

[digifishmusic]

I assume you have made sure the cable isn't hitting the inside of the basket?

[picnet]

Yes, up/down motion is fine, side to side tends to cause excessive low pressure to the diaphragm's which will clip when the recorder gain is high. Probably more a characteristic of the NT4 than the NT4 "in" the blimp, but I did expected it to handle better.

[digifishmusic]

Thanks, I use mine with an 80 Hz high pass filter engaged on a MixPre so haven't noticed this. Will experiment with it off to see if I get the same issue.

[Fisheyland]

can the xlr cable come out of the handle? Thats my big question.

[digifishmusic]

Yes it does.

[TrumpetDan714]

None of the supplied clips to clip the mic in seem big enough for the nt4. Did you use the supplied clips, and if so what size? The nt4 is over 30MM.

[digifishmusic]

The largest clips (30 mm) work just fine. The NT4 is 32 MM and the clips flexible and tough. No worries!

[duncaninchina]

I'm an avid video maker (and YouTube Partner) and do a lot of outdoor filming. I'm about to take ownership of one of these, with the Rode NTG-2 Shotgun mic. I thought there would be nothing around on YouTube showing this, so imagine my surprise upon finding this review, which by the way is great!

I want my Blimp...NOW!!!!

[portumadre]

Nice, I removed the 3pin xlr as well, but I had to cut the cable to get it out, how did you get the other cable through?

I was unable to get the handle "open" that is why I cut the cable. (I removed the two tiny screws in the handle, but the grey grip part seemed to not want come out and I did not want to force it.

[digifishmusic]

Sounds like a bit of a 'saga' there :) The grey rubber parts on the handle are simply press-fit and held in by friction, you 1. Remove the plug in the bottom of the handle (if fitted) 2. get your fingernails under the rubber parts and pull outward from the handle. At 1:29 in the video that would be pulling horizontal.

[portumadre]

Thanks a ton!

I really was reluctant to do pop that gray part out without knowing for sure it came out! I did not want to have to return the new blimp.

Overall though, I am really digging it, I still prefer the Rycote pistol grip but love the screw on ends of the Rode over the latches in the Ryocte.

Thanks for the video!

[jera3]

this fits with Rode mini boom pole?

[digifishmusic]

Yes, no problems. 3/8" thread on the bottom.

[Matt63368]

Thanks for posting this... I like the music and it's very informative. I gather that you and I feel the same way about the Rode Blimp... that it's a nice tool that's finally affordable. All these years I've been using blimps with my main crew, and softies for my side audio work. Now all of us can get the best sound in the most challenging situations. I appreciate your kind words on my video as well. Best, Matt

[digifishmusic]

Thanks, I just saw your wind-test, nice. BTW I went to your video to remind myself what I said :) couldn't see any of my comments, I suspect you accidentally deleted them.

digifish

[jera3]

how much did u get for this?

[digifishmusic]

How much did I pay? ~ AUD $250.

[digifishmusic]

...you would hear a lot of whining sounds, from me complaining about the cold and wet! :)

[digifishmusic]

Sorry I accidentally removed the question :(

The question was - "What does it sound like 1/2 way up a welsh mountain side in a 40 mph wind and rain

[youqzerty]

cool and useful vid, great song!!!

[crguti]

pretty cool digifish. I am fan of your audio samples in the free sound project.

[ianardothegreat]

Thanks for this demonstration. I already have the blimp on order to use with my NT4. I have a better cable for this mic (than the Rode supplied one), and so hope it fits through the blimp handle! It does look like great value compared with other makes.

[digifishmusic]

I think you will be OK with your 3rd party cable, the octagonal XLR connector on the RODE original cable seems to be quite unique.

This is a great blimp, RODE's entry into this market is good news for everyone, except competitors :)

[ianardothegreat]

My blimp arrived. My xlr connectors fit ok, but my thick stereo cable doesn't fit the handle grip's groove. Also the handle bung is too large for my lead (almost fits, but my lead is chafing). Not sure whether to vandalise the handle with a file, or splash out on another lead. Apart from that, the blimp is very easy to assemble and adjust and is very light.

[digifishmusic]

Mine (original cable) was a tight fit with the bung but was OK. You could stuff some other material in place of the bung, a cork, squashed-up foam?

[ianardothegreat]

Better still, file down the octagonal xlr on the Rode cable. Job done - everything fits :)

[digifishmusic]

Good idea! :)