Hyper & Shotgun Indoor Shootout: AT4053b Vs. Rode NT3 AND NTG-2 Vs. NTG-3

This is my second shootout between the Audio-Technica AT4053b and the Rode NT3. I didn't like the results of the last shootout as it was done in a treated room, so I tried it again in a different room. The more I use it, the more I like the AT4053b. I find it rich and full.

BUT WAIT!!! I also threw in a shootout between the Rode NTG-2 and NTG-3 used indoors, though shotguns are designed for outdoors. I also A-B-C-D compared all 4 mics used indoors hoping to show how bad it is to use a shotgun indoors, HOWEVER I found that it wasn't that big an issue in this test.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• AT4053b
• shotgun
• hypercardioid
• chad johnson

[dannysuru]

awesome test man!thanks this helps me save some money!I already have the NTG3 as was thinking I need the NT3 but after your vid I think I can get away with just the shotgun for my first Indie

[ChadWork1]

@dannysuru Possibly. This test is very controlled. You may run into phase issues when moving about near reflective walls. Everything changes every time you position the mic differently. I would plan on getting an AT4053b eventually, as THAT is the correct tool, as it is a true hypercardioid, and the NT3 is a cardioid. Maybe not for this first feature, but ASAP.

[Paulfga]

Well done Chad and a brave man too ;) It's great to see a test done with talk and with guitar and voice. I still think shotgun for outdoors and hyper indoors though at a pinch you could get away with a shotgun with continuous audio as you demonstrated. The NT3 can also go wireless and its a good price. The NT3 is now on my shopping list for out of shot mic'ing indoors. Thanks for the review.

[dannysuru]

hmm interesting,As you can tell I'm not an audio guy but I have been reading up on it for the last two weeks and your reply makes sense as to why people don't cheat on shotguns for indoors,the indie working environment indoors will be very controlled and talent will be on lav mics and a boomed NTG3 and a boomed h4n so my plan was to mix these tracks to get something usable ,a lot of work and I'm not sure if it would produce acceptable results mixing so many tracks from multiply recording devices

[ChadWork1]

@XTREEMMAK LOL - I don't have a reel other than my TV ads on my channel. Check out the top Playlist. Not all the ads have me doing the VO, but a lot do, and you'll hear me trying to sound like a real announcer! Starting with "Mad River Community Hospital" on down should be mostly me!

[XTREEMMAK]

@ChadWork1 You definitively have the voice for vo work, even based on the first two seconds of this video lol If you can, I'd love to check out your demo reel if you have one :)

[ChadWork1]

@XTREEMMAK I have a pair of NT2000 mics that I think sound real nice. I use one for VO work now.

[ChadWork1]

@XTREEMMAK I think the NTG-3 is the best shotgun for under a grand. I have nothing to note other than that it sounds great. I just put up 6 videos for a guy, where I used the mic. Search "Every Day Challenge 01 - Know You, Like You, Trust You, Buy You" on YT and give it a listen.

[XTREEMMAK]

BTW, I personally own a Rode NTK Tube mic. Also a very good mic :)...but that's esoteric to this application.

[XTREEMMAK]

@ChadWork1

Sounds like a plan.

BTW, I think I will be picking up an NTG3 for my upcoming video rig. Any other special notes or things you've noticed while using it frequently?