Mic Shootout: Audio-Technica AT4053b vs. Rode NT3

This is my first informal test of the AT4053b Hypercardioid mic I just bought. In this video I am switching between the AT453b and the Rode NT3. Both mics were placed in pretty much the same place above my head.

Make you own conclusions. To me the AT4053b is darker than the NT3. At first listen the NT3 sounds more open and clear, but the AT4053b is more rich and full. I think the fact that my room is treated made the AT4053b sound a bit darker in this test than it has proven to sound in the field.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• shootout
• microphone
• boom
• hypercardioid

[allenm541]

The Rode NT3 sounds much better in my opinion. The Audio Technica sounds boomy in comparison, it doesn't have the same clarity.

[ChadWork1]

@allenm541 This wasn't the best test. I have since used the at4053b on a lot of shoots and it is the superior mic for indoor dialog. The NT3 is more thin, lacking in body. There is plenty of clarity on the AT4053b. Also the AT is a hyper, and the NT3 is a cardioid. Hyper rejects side noise better.

[ChadWork1]

@sparrow2a I initially thought the same about the NT3, but after further testing I find it's just more thin. This video doesn't show off the AT4053b the way I have found it sounds after using it for a year now. It sounds too dark in this vid. But really it gets the body of the voice better on men and women. And it's 1/3 the weight. The AT4053b is the go-to mic for indie film under a grand.

[sparrow2a]

@ChadWork1 Yeah it definetly makes sense the higher price the AT4053B has alltough NT3' sound seems to be more clean than the AT405B Ill go check out your videos in vimeo!

[CarlosEiAaa]

@ChadWork1 I am still to buy either one. I will totally watch your videos. Thanks for the response.

[ChadWork1]

@CarlosEiAaa Are you plugging a mic into the H4N, or using it's built-in mics? You absolutely need to use a real external mic and forget the ones on the Zoom. You need a shotgun for outdoors, and a hypercardioid (like the AT4053b) for indoors. I love the Rode NTG-3 as a great shotgun. Look in my Gear Reviews playlist on my channel. I have a video about JuicedLink preamps.

[CarlosEiAaa]

@ChadWork1 that is awesome quality. I want to record audio for shorts, but I feel the Zoom H4n captures too much "static" or ambient noise. I want it to be as portable as possible but, what do you think about it? what should I use? I want it to sound like your audio, clean and crisp. I heard about the Juicedlink but I was thinking about an external sound source so I can also capture ambiend sound like birds or people if needed.

[ChadWork1]

@CarlosEiAaa I went straight into the Sony EX1 camera.

[CarlosEiAaa]

What mixer/interface did you use?

[ChadWork1]

@sparrow2a It's absolutely the AT4053b! I've used this mic exclusively is any indoor shoot I don't use a lav on. Search "AT4053b Demo - 3 voices." on Vimeo and you'll see some examples. Or go to this video on Vimeo "21091547"