Boom Microphone suggestions for H4N for under $300

I got hired for my school newspaper as a multi-media editor, so I needed to invest in an on-camera audio solution. I bought an H4n + Rode Videomic pro + wind screener for H4n + deadcat for Rode mic + some stuff to mount it on top of my camera.

It's working great for this use.

Originally, I figured I could also use the Rode Videomic pro with my h4n on a boom for short film use. Unfortunately after researching more, I have realized that I cannot do this because the Rode videomic pro does not have a balanced connection, therefore putting it on a pole with the extra feet of wires necessary will cause heavy audio distortion.

Bummer.

So, unless there's a hidden solution for this that I don't know about, I'm going to invest in a shotgun microphone to boom with my h4n for short films. The Rode NTG-2 seems to be the best solution at first glance, but a lot of people claim it isn't "hot" enough to pair with the H4N's weak amp. Is there a boom-able shotgun mic of similar quality to the Rode NTG-2 that brings in audio louder to compromise for the H4n's weak amp? Ideally, under $300? Looking at the At875r, which is only $180 and is much louder... but since I have $300 to play with for the microphone alone, I figured there should be other better quality options.

If no such solution exists for under $300, the other option is to just wait, save up, and buy something for under $700... which case I could still use recommendations (NTG-3 seems best based on what I've read, but I'd like to hear what more experience people recommend).

Huh, well I guess I have the same question then because I just bought a Rode NTG-2 with the expectations of running it via an XLR cable to a Zoom H4N. If thats not gonna work (which I had read a couple of sources which said the same) then I am now in the same boat as you...

ben_r_ wrote in post #12456017
Huh, well I guess I have the same question then because I just bought a Rode NTG-2 with the expectations of running it via an XLR cable to a Zoom H4N. If thats not gonna work (which I had read a couple of sources which said the same) then I am now in the same boat as you...

Go try it! Maybe it will work. Perhaps the complainers are simply having bad technique? Or maybe it is a legitimate problem... Here's an example of a film that used this combo and I think it turned out pretty good:

http://vimeo.com/14866​982

Although I definitely could hear some background hiss during the dialogue which is probably a side effect from boosting low audio recordings in post.

I have seen several videos showing the low input levels with the combo. I am now researching other options... The Audio-Technica AT875 has caught my attention at the moment.

It's a shame because the NTG-2 sounds absolutely brilliant when right in front of your mouth for the price.

If only powerful amps could exist in the small package of an H4n.

So I think Im going to stick with the Rode NTG-2 and use an XLR to 1/8" cable and feed the line into one of the Sony recorders. Im thinking about the PCM-M10 as it so far sounds to me that it and PCM-D50 are the same internally as far as audio quality goes but the mics are MUCH better on the D50. Which I dont really care about as Ill pretty much always be using an external mic.

HansSteinert wrote in post #12455769
Originally, I figured I could also use the Rode Videomic pro with my h4n on a boom for short film use. Unfortunately after researching more, I have realized that I cannot do this because the Rode videomic pro does not have a balanced connection, therefore putting it on a pole with the extra feet of wires necessary will cause heavy audio distortion.

Bummer.

Not quite sure where you found that information but it is somewhat incorrect, while balanced cabling is preferred for noise rejection and low loss that does not preclude you using the Rode on a boom with an H4n.

This particular cable which can be found at the RatShack http://www.radioshack.​com/product/index.jsp?​productId=2103868 is shielded like the cable exiting the Rode and should give you enough length to connect that Rode to the H4n.

Wayne

Channel One wrote in post #12458019
Not quite sure where you found that information but it is somewhat incorrect, while balanced cabling is preferred for noise rejection and low loss that does not preclude you using the Rode on a boom with an H4n.

This particular cable which can be found at the RatShack http://www.radioshack.​com/product/index.jsp?​productId=2103868 is shielded like the cable exiting the Rode and should give you enough length to connect that Rode to the H4n.

Wayne

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to order some cables and give the RVMP a try.

Any audio boom polls and shock absorber you guys recommend for value buys?

HansSteinert wrote in post #12458309
hanks for the responses. I'm going to order some cables and give the RVMP a try.

Any audio boom polls and shock absorber you guys recommend for value buys?

The VideoMics have their own shock absorbers built in, and as far as a boom pole goes, I've been looking at the 10' telescoping Rode one. It's about $150 at most places.

ben_r_ wrote in post #12458407
The VideoMics have their own shock absorbers built in, and as far as a boom pole goes, I've been looking at the 10' telescoping Rode one. It's about $150 at most places.

It is out of stock, but bh photo has one for $169 - micro boom pole, 10 ft. Extension and a rode video mic (version 1). As soon as they have it back in stock, I'm getting it coz I need another mic anyway. And for that price, ur getting the boom pole for about $10.

Just a heads up.

Panda_stunter wrote in post #12458544
It is out of stock, but bh photo has one for $169 - micro boom pole, 10 ft. Extension and a rode video mic (version 1). As soon as they have it back in stock, I'm getting it coz I need another mic anyway. And for that price, ur getting the boom pole for about $10.

Just a heads up.

Wait huh? Post a link please.

EDIT: Oh wait, you mean this one: LINK

Yea thats not a bad deal, but thats their smaller boom pole. The one I was looking at was this one: LINK for the NTG-2 mic.

NTG-2 + rode blimp + KTek KE-89CC boom pole. Best deals around.

ben_r_ wrote in post #12457789
So I think Im going to stick with the Rode NTG-2 and use an XLR to 1/8" cable and feed the line into one of the Sony recorders. Im thinking about the PCM-M10 as it so far sounds to me that it and PCM-D50 are the same internally as far as audio quality goes but the mics are MUCH better on the D50. Which I dont really care about as Ill pretty much always be using an external mic.

Are those Sony hand-held recorders stronger than the zoom? I think you might run into the same problem as you did with the Zoom. As far as I know, you have to buy something bigger to get decent amp power.

Recorders? Sound Devices 702 or maybe a Fostex FR-2LE. Out of your budget? Marantz PMD 661.

HansSteinert wrote in post #12459613
Are those Sony hand-held recorders stronger than the zoom? I think you might run into the same problem as you did with the Zoom. As far as I know, you have to buy something bigger to get decent amp power.

The Pre-Amps in the Sonys are as I have read considerably higher than that of the Zoom recorders. However, the problem literally seems to be only when the Rode NTG-2 is paired with the Zoom H4n. Separate the two units work much differently. For some reason that I have been unable to figure out anywhere online, the two do not work well together.