RODE VideoMic NTG Analog-USB Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone User Guide

VideoMic™ NTG

VideoMic NTG
USER GUIDE & SUPPORT

VideoMic NTG Analog-USB Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone

The VideoMic NTG is RØDE’s most versatile VideoMic ever. Bringing the signature broadcast-quality sound of the NTG shotgun mic range to a compact, feature-packed VideoMic, it’s the perfect audio solution for every kind of content creator.
Here’s everything you need to know about using your VideoMic NTG.

Features

1. USB Output
2. Cable Management
3. Sliding Rail
4. In-Built Battery & Auto-Power
5. 3.5mm Output with Auto-sensing
6. Rycote Lyre Shock Mount
7. EQ Control
8.  Power/Function Button
9. Infinitely Variable Gain Control

The Power/Function Button

The first button on the VideoMic NTG manually turns the mic on/off and doubles as afunction button to engage the -20dB pad and safety channel.
To manually turn the mic on or off, press and hold this button for three seconds.
The VideoMic NTG also has a handy auto-power feature. By default, it will automatically power on when connected to a device, or when the connected device turns on, and  power off when disconnected from a device, or when the device turns off.

The Pad and Safety Channel

The VideoMic NTG has a host of useful features for making sure your audio is clear and distortion-free when recording loud sound sources, including a -20dB pad as well as a
safety channel, which records a second track at -20dB that you can replace your main track with in post-production if it distorts.

• Press the button once to engage the -20dB pad (left LED will illuminate)
• Press once more to engage the safety channel (left LED will turn off, middle LED will illuminate)
• Press a third time to engage both the pad and safety channel (both LEDs will illuminate)
• Press a fourth time to disengage both the pad and safety channel (both LEDs will turn off)

Note: The safety channel does not work with devices that have a TRRS input, such as smartphones, as these inputs only support one channel of audio.

The EQ Controls

The second button on the VideoMic NTG controls three EQ functions, which makes it very versatile when recording in a variety of tricky conditions.
High-pass Filters
There are two high-pass filters available. These will cut lower frequencies to help mitigate wind noise and other low-frequency rumble (traffic noise, air conditioning etc).

• Press this button once to engage the 75Hz high-pass filter (left LED will illuminate)
• Press again to engage the 150Hz high-pass filter (middle LED will illuminate)
•  Press a third time to disengage both filters (LEDs will turn off)

High-frequency Boost
There is also a high-frequency boost for enhancing clarity and detail in your recording (particularly handy if you are using a windshield, which can make recordings sound muffled).

•  Press and hold the button for three seconds to engage the high-frequency boost (right LED will illuminate)
• Press and hold again to disengage the high-frequency boost

The Peak Warning Light

The peak warning light will flash red to indicate that your sound source is too loud and is causing your signal to clip. In this case, apply the -20dB pad to reduce the input gain
and consider switching on the safety channel.

The Power LED
This LED indicates the power status of the VideoMic NTG.

•  Green = Full charge
•  Amber = Medium charge
•  Red = Low charge
• Flashing red = Very low charge
• Blue = Connection established to a computer or similar device

The USB Output

The USB output on the VideoMic NTG has three main functions:
Charging
The internal battery can be charged by plugging it into any USB power source such as a computer, USB wall socket, or portable power pack.
Firmware Updates
The VideoMic NTG can be enhanced with firmware updates via RØDE Central.
Recording
As well as being a hugely versatile on-camera microphone, the VideoMic NTG is also a fully featured USB microphone for recording directly into a computer, smartphone or
tablet.

• Plug it into your computer or tablet (it’s a class-compliant device, so no drivers or software are needed)
•  Select it as your input and output device on your device’s system preferences and/or DAW
• Plug your headphones into the 3.5mm output to monitor your audio and adjust the mic’s gain knob to set your monitoring level

The 3.5mm Output and Auto-sensing Feature
The VideoMic NTG features a 3.5mm TRRS output and it comes with an SC10 TRRS to
TRRS patch cable for connecting to cameras, smartphones, and other recording devices. The output automatically dtects whether your microphone is plugged into a TRS input (found on most cameras) or a TRRS input (which most smartphones and tablets have) and switches to accommodate.
As mentioned above, the 3.5mm output also acts as a headphone output for monitoring your audio when using the VideoMic NTG as a USB mic.

The Battery and Auto-power

The Battery
The VideoMic NTG features an in-built lithium-ion battery that provides 30+ hours of recording time and charges via USB-C (from empty to full in two hours). Although the
internal battery is not user replaceable, the mic has a 10-year warranty once it has been registered.
The Auto-power Function
The auto-power function automatically turns the microphone off when it detects that your recording device is switched off – helping conserve battery life – and turns it on when the device is turned on. The auto-power function only works if your device delivers plug-in power (most do) or if you are using the microphone in USB audio mode.
Note: If you manually switch the mic on using the power button, then plug it in into a device or turn the device on, you will also need to manually switch it off.

The Shock Mount
The VideoMic NTG comes with a high-quality shock mount and a variety of configuration options.
The Shock Mount
The shock mount is made from extremely hard-wearing thermoplastic and will never wear out, sag or snap. It provides excellent isolation from external physical factors that may cause unwanted rumble and vibrations in the microphone.
Cable Management
There is a cable management system with snug slots to accommodate your favourite type of cable, no matter the size.
Sliding Rail
Loosen the screw to slide the microphone back or forward on its rail – ideal if you need  to move the mic away from your face when shooting, out of frame, or balance it perfectly on a gimbal.
Threaded Cold Shoe
The VideoMic NTG can be easily mounted onto a boom pole, desk stand or tripod like the RØDE Tripod 2 with the standard 3/8” thread on the bottom of the cold shoe.

iPhone and iPad Compatibility

To connect your VideoMic NTG to an iPhone or iPad, you need to use the RØDE SC15 cable (300mm long) or SC19 cable (1.5m long). Use this to connect the USB-C output of the microphone to the input of your device (ensure you’ve updated your VideoMic NTG to the latest firmware).
You can also plug your VideoMic NTG into an iOS device using the 3.5mm output, however, using the USB-C output with the SC15 or SC19 gives you access to a host of features including headphone monitoring, the safety channel, and two- way audio transmission for making video calls. We highly recommend this option.

Using High-pass Filters and Windshields

The two high-pass filters on the VideoMic NTG can help eliminate unwanted sounds that typically occupy lower frequencies such as wind, traffic and air conditioning.
Engage the 75Hz high-pass filter when in mildly windy conditions or environments where there is a small amount of low frequency rumble. Step up to the 150Hz highpass filter
when recording in even windier conditions to cut more of these problematic low frequencies.
The VideoMic NTG also comes with a high-density foam windshield and is compatible with the WS11 furry windshield. We recommend engaging the high- frequency boost when using a windshield to reduce the dulling effect that it can have, helping to enhance detail and clarity in your recordings.

Setting Your Gain Correctly

In order to get the cleanest signal possible when you record, it is recommended that you set the gain on your camera quite low (around 1 or 2) as these devices generally have poor-quality, noisy preamps.
The variable gain control makes the VideoMic NTG extremely versatile in this respect. Start with this knob set to 10 and adjust up or down from there, keeping an eye on helevel meter on your device to make sure it isn’t peaking or isn’t too low. It should be sitting just under the yellow section when the sound source is at its loudest. We recommend that you monitor your audio on headphones (such as the NTH-100) to ensure it is not distorting – most cameras have a headphone output you can use for this purpose.
If you set the gain as described above and it still sounds as if the audio is distorting, even if the level meter on your camera isn’t peaking, it could be that the output level of the VideoMic NTG is too high for your device to handle. To fix this, turn the output of the VideoMic NTG down slightly, and turn up the gain on your camera.

RØDE Connect Compatibility

RØDE Connect is a simple and powerful software solution for podcasting and streaming with RØDE microphones, including the VideoMic NTG. RØDE Connect unlocks  access to the VideoMic NTG’s in-built compressor, noise gate and legendary APHEX Aural Exciter and Big Bottom processors. Activated with a single click, each processor is optimised for the VideoMic NTG and will deliver an extra level of professional shine to your recordings. The app also offers streamlined control over microphone audio and external applications, plus dedicated output controls for streaming apps like OBS or Xsplit.

Streaming with the VideoMic NTG and WS-Chroma

The VideoMic NTG, with its highly directional supercardioid polar pattern, is perfect for use as an overhead boom microphone – making it ideal for streamers who don’t want
a microphone in-shot while recording. Pair your mic with the WS-Chroma windshields to use it with your green or blue screen to easily chroma key it out of the shot.

Using the VideoMic NTG with RØDE Central

When connected to a computer via USB, you can use the RØDE Central companion app to update the VideoMic NTG’s firmware. Simply install and open the app, plug in your
mic and the option to update your firmware will appear.

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