I was surprised by the Rycote HC-22, had a very similar tone to the Sennheiser.....I actually think I liked the NTG5 better than the NTG3. NTG3 sounded more muddy to me. I could also be Bias because I use the NTG5 lol I do like the lower end frequencies you get out of the NTG5, but the Sennheiser does sound so sparkly. Great breakdown.
@@PaulFeinberg I think I agree with everything you said. Before this video, I didn't know Rycote even made actual microphones, even though I've had a million of their accessories. I really liked them. The RODE mics definitely have more low/low-mid to them, and the Sennheiser MKE 600 is pretty balanced, while the MKH 416 definitely has that signature high end sparkle. All of these mics are great.
@@NewLayer Yep for sure makes me happy with my NTG5, but I think I was most surprised with that Rycote.....like you I had no idea they even made mics lol
The MKH 416 definitely has that high end sparkle right out of the box, which I think is what most people like. But is it a marketing tactic to sound better than others in a raw comparison, or is there a specific reason behind it? I can only assume any production that's going to be using these mics will be doing EQ regardless. Just playing devil's advocate :) The RODE mics have the most low end, and the Rycote mics are in the middle. All in all, they are all clearly better in every way than budget options in my opinion.
@@NewLayer As a camera guy who's had some of these mics on various shoots, both in the studio and out on the streets, I'm wondering if the MKH 416 less low end approach helps keep out some ambient hum from noisy environments? Does it reject off axis noise better than the rest? I'm about to go shoot some documentaries and I'll have to do my own sound unfortunately, so good noise rejection will be very important. I'm currently using the MKE 600, but wondering if a bigger investment will pay off in my rushes.
@@alexkryszkiewicz980 Could be, although, that really only matters if you use the raw audio as-is, since some simple EQ will take care of that and I EQ everything to some degree no matter what. You may be interested in some hypercardioid mics if you want a more laser-like pickup pattern. I can't think of the higher end hypers off the top of my head, but the Synco Mic D2 (geni.us/syncomicd2) is there, and the Senal MC24-EL (geni.us/senalmc24el) is another one, which I think is super underrated and inexpensive. I used the Senal over more expensive options in the past because it was so focused. The MKE 600 is very, very capable though, so honestly, I'm not sure different gear would make as big of a difference as spending some extra time in post. iZotope RX11 has made the biggest difference for me in terms of any kind of noise reduction/removal.
Everybody is going to apply some EQ in post. Probably over-apply it. Why spend a grand on a mic if you're just going to muck around with the frequency response anyway? If you're using it live, ambient noise is usually going to negate any advantage of really expensive gear. Buy gear that sounds decent and is proven reliable but won't cost you the gig's paycheck to replace if it gets broken.
Surprisingly my favorite was the rode ntg3, I feel like it had such a well rounded sound and immediately picked it up in the blind tests. My least favorite was the rycote hc-15 and I could barely tell the sennheisers apart which I’m glad about bc I just preferred the mke 600.
MKH 416 was my favourite. And on a relative tie : 600, HC-22, NTG5. I was actually quite suprised with the HC-22, it seems to strike a nice balance. But I hated the HC-15, so not very confidence inspiring to buy into the brand ;)
Interesting! I too like the MKH 416, which is no surprise given its history and price. The HC-15 is one of my favorite short shotgun mics, so interesting to hear different opinions :) Overall, I think all 6 mics in this video are very, very good, and much better sounding in every way compared to 100-200 offerings.
@@NewLayer Well there's a lot of variable implicated here (your voice, my listening setup, etc.), but it felt like the mids were overwhelming, compared to the others. I've recently bought a Small Diaphragm Condenser (sE Electronic sE8) for indoor use, and I think I prefer it to short shotguns. And definitely, if you want to capture sound that matters, you gotta bite the bullet!
@@Okiyah Definitely true. Indoor Vs. out can make a big difference too. Some mics sound identical no matter the setting, others sound completely different, so my video is definitely just a snapshot of a couple examples but... I used to have the RODE NT5 and some other pencil mics, which I liked, but I personally prefer certain shotgun mics a little more still. I do love sE Electronics though! I have had a couple of their mics in previous videos, and have a couple more condensers coming up.
I'm not an audio professional. But as far as I know, the sweet spot (distance from mic to sound source) is potentially different for every mic. So having them all at the same distance might give "distorted" results. This is indeed evident in comparison of the HC-15 vs the HC-22. Which I would expect to sound very similar under ideal situations (putting them in their respective sweet spots), since thy are using the same capsules as far as I understand, with the biggest difference being in length of the interference tubes. So probably what you're listening to in the blind recording of the HC-15 is it just sounding "more distant", which is not a fair comparison.
Shotgun mics are one of the hardest to test and pic, because they all have differing pickup patterns, interference tube lengths, etc. Really, shotgun mics are not the best for indoor use, at least in untreated spaces, because the interference tubes can cancel out sound you actually want picked up by the mic. A comparison like this is to show features and the general audio characteristics of each mic, which is does well. The NTG mics have a much deeper, full sound, the MKH 416 has that high end sparkle, the MKE 600 is well rounded and neutral, etc. all of which you can hear in the comparisons. With samples from a couple distances, this video should help the vast majority of people comparing any of these mics decide which one to go with.
@@NewLayer I released my video and thoughts. I went all out with testing everything. I'm sure I'll only have like 100 views in 1 month because TH-cam hates quality; you're amazing video quality proves it.
The NTG3 has a boomier, broadcastier sound in my opinion. It's a very focused mic as well. The MKE 600 has a very balanced, but full sound, and also has the option to use AA batteries and built-in low-cut. It's hard to recommend one over the other, because they sound very different. The MKE 600 is obviously half the price as well. I always say, if you don't have a specific reason to go with the more expensive option, get the cheaper one.
@@머리속에수레바퀴 I would get the NTG3, because then it's like getting it for half off, haha. Honestly, I would base it totally on whether you'd ever use the built-in battery functionality. It opens up some functionality, like you could mount it directly on a camera and use an XLR to 1/4" adapter if you wanted to record directly into you camera.
MKH 416 good but tendency to be harsh/thin to me. RODES I feel will be better for music than voice, not as much clarity. Rycote HC-22 and MKE 600 tied (most balanced) but give edge to HC-22. BUT not sure of reliability/brand (HC-15 disaster) so I think I'll end up getting MKE 600
Uh oh, did you have an issue with the HC-15? Rycote is a really reliable brand, but obviously anyone can have problems pop up. I think you'll be very happy with the MKE 600, it's a killer mic.
I prefer the NTG5 and Rycote HC-22 for your voice. The MKH 416 doesn’t suit you as well, and the NTG3 has a warmer, darker tone. Even in blind tests, I picked D and E (NTG5, HC-22), while F was the NTG3-more blubbery. B was the 416-too bright, and even your Lewitt sounds better. I think people who like the 416 prefer brighter mics, but for you, the NTG5 and HC-22 are the clear winners.
I used the NTG5 for a while on-camera, because like you said, I think it fits my voice pretty well. I actually really liked the MKE 600 for me as well.
A & B sounded almost the same to me. No surprise. (my bias is I have the 600). I like the clarity and tone. C sounded pretty good but was bright as was E, both Rycotes so that must be their thing. I was unfamiliar with them. But E sounded better than C. Of the two Rhodes D & F, they just sounded muffled a bit. The NGT3 a bit better than the 5. If I was to list them out: 1. A/B 2. E 3. F 4. C 5. D
It's interesting to me that the MKH 416 and NTG3 are both very popular, but sound almost completely opposite in character. Just goes to show there's not a single best mic for every voice and situation. But, I do agree the MKE 600 is a very balanced, all around mic.
@@NewLayer Yah...I was surprised that I wasn't so impressed with the Rhodes given their popularity. I am also not sure that using the word "bright" is correct with the Rycotes, but it was the only thing that came to mind. I tend to still question my ears when it comes to mics.
My favourite in the order were F, B, and D…. then I saw the results. Was considering buying the NTG5 but the NTG3 was actually better. The NTG3 and the MKH416 sounded nearly identical to me on my BD DT770…. Save $500 and I’ll take the NTG3!
Interesting! I find the NTG3 and MKH 416 to sound very different on my studio monitors and Sennheiser 560 , and the NTG3 and 5 to be pretty similar. Either way the NTG3 is one of my favorite mics of all time!
This couldn't be more wrong though. The MKh 416 is much more brighter sounding and the NTG3 is much darker. Just goes to show you need mic comparisons in a treated space to more easily tell the difference. Please don't buy them expecting them to sound the same. They couldn't be any more different.
@@Dracomies It doesn’t really have to do with the space in my opinion. The MKH is a lot brighter, which I can clearly hear no matter what I’m listening on, or where it’s recorded. So what it comes down to is the frequency response of the devices they’re listening on, or their ears a lot less sensitive to those higher frequencies, which isn’t super surprising. I’ve talked with a lot of people, either slightly older, or who had worked in loud environments for years, who had trouble hearing differences like that as well. But I fully agree, most people would say they are kind of polar opposites in their sound.
@@NewLayer For the point of mic comparisons you can more easily tell the differences between an NTG3 and 416 in a treated space, the same reason it's harder to tell mic differences in a bathroom. But yeah my point was basically to let the other person know than a NTG3 and 416 sound NOTHING alike.
@@Dracomies I do agree, it's got to be treated pretty well. I guess I just meant that in this case, the test room isn't the reason they can't hear those differences, hehe. My space has 8 large acoustic panels, as well as the wood slat/acoustic panels, etc, so although it's not like a recording studio, it's definitely good enough to compare. For condenser/dynamic mics, I'm also starting to include comparisons within my ISOVOX vocal isolation booths as well, which has worked very well in addition to everything else in here.
I have blind selected B, D and F. Meaning MKH416, NTG5 and NTG3 as somehow least "aggressive" and most natural sounding mics. I would not consider other 3 mics for my projects. Unfortunate, as I was planning to get MKE600 as a budget option for my setup. Not going to do that after this review. I like these kind of reviews it is the only right way for unbiased decision on what you need. Great review, very helpful for me.
Lots of people still love the 416, me included. I actually liked both Rycotes a lot, as well as the MKE 600. And the RODE mics... lol. They're all good in their own way :)
@@NewLayer True. I am a poor boy, no money for a 416. I use and love my MKE600 and Videomic NTG that are my favourites. I have a few others that do very well for certain jobs.
This kind of microphone aren't the best option indoor... for that kind of situation, the MKH 50 is superior to the MKH 416... less trouble with room reflections !
Which one surprised you the most, or is your favorite? Do you have any of these mics? Or do you have another one you think is even better?
I was surprised by the Rycote HC-22, had a very similar tone to the Sennheiser.....I actually think I liked the NTG5 better than the NTG3. NTG3 sounded more muddy to me. I could also be Bias because I use the NTG5 lol I do like the lower end frequencies you get out of the NTG5, but the Sennheiser does sound so sparkly. Great breakdown.
@@PaulFeinberg I think I agree with everything you said.
Before this video, I didn't know Rycote even made actual microphones, even though I've had a million of their accessories. I really liked them.
The RODE mics definitely have more low/low-mid to them, and the Sennheiser MKE 600 is pretty balanced, while the MKH 416 definitely has that signature high end sparkle.
All of these mics are great.
@@NewLayer Yep for sure makes me happy with my NTG5, but I think I was most surprised with that Rycote.....like you I had no idea they even made mics lol
Nice having a blind test. That's truly the most scientific way to find out what you like best.
Glad you found it useful 👌
Sample B (MKH416) stood out as the best to me. Very neutral sound. The other mics need an EQ. They sounded muddy in comparison.
The MKH 416 definitely has that high end sparkle right out of the box, which I think is what most people like.
But is it a marketing tactic to sound better than others in a raw comparison, or is there a specific reason behind it? I can only assume any production that's going to be using these mics will be doing EQ regardless. Just playing devil's advocate :)
The RODE mics have the most low end, and the Rycote mics are in the middle. All in all, they are all clearly better in every way than budget options in my opinion.
@@NewLayer As a camera guy who's had some of these mics on various shoots, both in the studio and out on the streets, I'm wondering if the MKH 416 less low end approach helps keep out some ambient hum from noisy environments? Does it reject off axis noise better than the rest? I'm about to go shoot some documentaries and I'll have to do my own sound unfortunately, so good noise rejection will be very important. I'm currently using the MKE 600, but wondering if a bigger investment will pay off in my rushes.
@@alexkryszkiewicz980 Could be, although, that really only matters if you use the raw audio as-is, since some simple EQ will take care of that and I EQ everything to some degree no matter what.
You may be interested in some hypercardioid mics if you want a more laser-like pickup pattern. I can't think of the higher end hypers off the top of my head, but the Synco Mic D2 (geni.us/syncomicd2) is there, and the Senal MC24-EL (geni.us/senalmc24el) is another one, which I think is super underrated and inexpensive. I used the Senal over more expensive options in the past because it was so focused.
The MKE 600 is very, very capable though, so honestly, I'm not sure different gear would make as big of a difference as spending some extra time in post. iZotope RX11 has made the biggest difference for me in terms of any kind of noise reduction/removal.
Everybody is going to apply some EQ in post. Probably over-apply it. Why spend a grand on a mic if you're just going to muck around with the frequency response anyway? If you're using it live, ambient noise is usually going to negate any advantage of really expensive gear. Buy gear that sounds decent and is proven reliable but won't cost you the gig's paycheck to replace if it gets broken.
Great comparison; the MKH416 is something special
Thanks! I'm definitely happy to have mine :)
Thanks for making this, really needed a longer back to back comparison
Glad it was helpful!
Thnaks for the blind test, I'm wondering what microphone you're using at the beginning?
No problem! I use the Lewitt RAY, which I think is SUPER underrated. I did a video on it here: th-cam.com/video/IuZG9o0bjtQ/w-d-xo.html
👏👏
Oh hey there 😅
Instantly recognized that B was the 416. I also liked the A and was surprised that it was the MKE 600.
The 416 is iconic for a reason! And I really like the MKE 600 as well, one of the best sounding for the price I think.
Surprisingly my favorite was the rode ntg3, I feel like it had such a well rounded sound and immediately picked it up in the blind tests. My least favorite was the rycote hc-15 and I could barely tell the sennheisers apart which I’m glad about bc I just preferred the mke 600.
The NTG3 was my first really nice shotgun mic, so it holds a special place. I still like it, very deep and broadcasty sound in my opinion.
Good to see you have the HC-22, I have it too.
I love it! Surprised how good it sounds, but not at the same time coming from Rycote.
MKH 416 was my favourite. And on a relative tie : 600, HC-22, NTG5. I was actually quite suprised with the HC-22, it seems to strike a nice balance. But I hated the HC-15, so not very confidence inspiring to buy into the brand ;)
Interesting! I too like the MKH 416, which is no surprise given its history and price.
The HC-15 is one of my favorite short shotgun mics, so interesting to hear different opinions :)
Overall, I think all 6 mics in this video are very, very good, and much better sounding in every way compared to 100-200 offerings.
@@NewLayer Well there's a lot of variable implicated here (your voice, my listening setup, etc.), but it felt like the mids were overwhelming, compared to the others. I've recently bought a Small Diaphragm Condenser (sE Electronic sE8) for indoor use, and I think I prefer it to short shotguns. And definitely, if you want to capture sound that matters, you gotta bite the bullet!
@@Okiyah Definitely true. Indoor Vs. out can make a big difference too. Some mics sound identical no matter the setting, others sound completely different, so my video is definitely just a snapshot of a couple examples but...
I used to have the RODE NT5 and some other pencil mics, which I liked, but I personally prefer certain shotgun mics a little more still. I do love sE Electronics though! I have had a couple of their mics in previous videos, and have a couple more condensers coming up.
The MKH416 is the clear winner here
I'm not an audio professional. But as far as I know, the sweet spot (distance from mic to sound source) is potentially different for every mic. So having them all at the same distance might give "distorted" results. This is indeed evident in comparison of the HC-15 vs the HC-22. Which I would expect to sound very similar under ideal situations (putting them in their respective sweet spots), since thy are using the same capsules as far as I understand, with the biggest difference being in length of the interference tubes. So probably what you're listening to in the blind recording of the HC-15 is it just sounding "more distant", which is not a fair comparison.
Shotgun mics are one of the hardest to test and pic, because they all have differing pickup patterns, interference tube lengths, etc.
Really, shotgun mics are not the best for indoor use, at least in untreated spaces, because the interference tubes can cancel out sound you actually want picked up by the mic.
A comparison like this is to show features and the general audio characteristics of each mic, which is does well. The NTG mics have a much deeper, full sound, the MKH 416 has that high end sparkle, the MKE 600 is well rounded and neutral, etc. all of which you can hear in the comparisons.
With samples from a couple distances, this video should help the vast majority of people comparing any of these mics decide which one to go with.
What I am curious about is which Lewitt muc you are using? 540 sub zero?
In case you missed my other reply, it's the Lewitt RAY! th-cam.com/video/IuZG9o0bjtQ/w-d-xo.html
@@NewLayer I released my video and thoughts. I went all out with testing everything. I'm sure I'll only have like 100 views in 1 month because TH-cam hates quality; you're amazing video quality proves it.
Great video. Thank you 👍
Thanks! And you're very welcome. My mind was blown after finding out Rycote made mics, and they did not disappoint!
What mic are you using for your talking head shots? It looks awesome and sounds great!
I use the Lewitt RAY, which I did a video on, and LOVE th-cam.com/video/IuZG9o0bjtQ/w-d-xo.html
@@NewLayer awesome! I’ll give it a watch after work. Great video, keep up the good work.
MKE600 and NTG5 sounded the best to my ear and so similar to each other.
They do sound similar. I think the MKE600 has a little more mid-high end to it, it’s a super well rounded mic.
I liked the Sample B and found out thats the mic i was looking to get one 😂
I love when that happens!
Which do you recommend between ntg3 and mke600?
The NTG3 has a boomier, broadcastier sound in my opinion. It's a very focused mic as well.
The MKE 600 has a very balanced, but full sound, and also has the option to use AA batteries and built-in low-cut.
It's hard to recommend one over the other, because they sound very different. The MKE 600 is obviously half the price as well.
I always say, if you don't have a specific reason to go with the more expensive option, get the cheaper one.
@@NewLayer if you can buy it at the same price, which one would you like to choose in film production?
@@머리속에수레바퀴 I would get the NTG3, because then it's like getting it for half off, haha.
Honestly, I would base it totally on whether you'd ever use the built-in battery functionality. It opens up some functionality, like you could mount it directly on a camera and use an XLR to 1/4" adapter if you wanted to record directly into you camera.
@@NewLayer Thank you! I only connect xlr!
MKH 416 good but tendency to be harsh/thin to me. RODES I feel will be better for music than voice, not as much clarity. Rycote HC-22 and MKE 600 tied (most balanced) but give edge to HC-22. BUT not sure of reliability/brand (HC-15 disaster) so I think I'll end up getting MKE 600
Uh oh, did you have an issue with the HC-15? Rycote is a really reliable brand, but obviously anyone can have problems pop up. I think you'll be very happy with the MKE 600, it's a killer mic.
I prefer the NTG5 and Rycote HC-22 for your voice. The MKH 416 doesn’t suit you as well, and the NTG3 has a warmer, darker tone. Even in blind tests, I picked D and E (NTG5, HC-22), while F was the NTG3-more blubbery. B was the 416-too bright, and even your Lewitt sounds better. I think people who like the 416 prefer brighter mics, but for you, the NTG5 and HC-22 are the clear winners.
I used the NTG5 for a while on-camera, because like you said, I think it fits my voice pretty well. I actually really liked the MKE 600 for me as well.
@@NewLayer Yes that NTG5 sounds great on you! :D. Also Im pleasantly surprised by the HC-22. MKE600 imo a sleeper at that $300 pricepoint!
A & B sounded almost the same to me. No surprise. (my bias is I have the 600). I like the clarity and tone.
C sounded pretty good but was bright as was E, both Rycotes so that must be their thing. I was unfamiliar with them. But E sounded better than C.
Of the two Rhodes D & F, they just sounded muffled a bit. The NGT3 a bit better than the 5.
If I was to list them out:
1. A/B
2. E
3. F
4. C
5. D
It's interesting to me that the MKH 416 and NTG3 are both very popular, but sound almost completely opposite in character. Just goes to show there's not a single best mic for every voice and situation. But, I do agree the MKE 600 is a very balanced, all around mic.
@@NewLayer Yah...I was surprised that I wasn't so impressed with the Rhodes given their popularity. I am also not sure that using the word "bright" is correct with the Rycotes, but it was the only thing that came to mind. I tend to still question my ears when it comes to mics.
Blind Test : Mic B is the best for me. Not surprise an answer. It's so obvious.
Once you've heard it a handful of times, it's pretty easy to pick out of a lineup 😀
My favourite in the order were F, B, and D…. then I saw the results. Was considering buying the NTG5 but the NTG3 was actually better. The NTG3 and the MKH416 sounded nearly identical to me on my BD DT770…. Save $500 and I’ll take the NTG3!
Interesting! I find the NTG3 and MKH 416 to sound very different on my studio monitors and Sennheiser 560 , and the NTG3 and 5 to be pretty similar. Either way the NTG3 is one of my favorite mics of all time!
This couldn't be more wrong though. The MKh 416 is much more brighter sounding and the NTG3 is much darker. Just goes to show you need mic comparisons in a treated space to more easily tell the difference. Please don't buy them expecting them to sound the same. They couldn't be any more different.
@@Dracomies It doesn’t really have to do with the space in my opinion. The MKH is a lot brighter, which I can clearly hear no matter what I’m listening on, or where it’s recorded.
So what it comes down to is the frequency response of the devices they’re listening on, or their ears a lot less sensitive to those higher frequencies, which isn’t super surprising.
I’ve talked with a lot of people, either slightly older, or who had worked in loud environments for years, who had trouble hearing differences like that as well.
But I fully agree, most people would say they are kind of polar opposites in their sound.
@@NewLayer For the point of mic comparisons you can more easily tell the differences between an NTG3 and 416 in a treated space, the same reason it's harder to tell mic differences in a bathroom. But yeah my point was basically to let the other person know than a NTG3 and 416 sound NOTHING alike.
@@Dracomies I do agree, it's got to be treated pretty well. I guess I just meant that in this case, the test room isn't the reason they can't hear those differences, hehe.
My space has 8 large acoustic panels, as well as the wood slat/acoustic panels, etc, so although it's not like a recording studio, it's definitely good enough to compare.
For condenser/dynamic mics, I'm also starting to include comparisons within my ISOVOX vocal isolation booths as well, which has worked very well in addition to everything else in here.
I have blind selected B, D and F.
Meaning MKH416, NTG5 and NTG3 as somehow least "aggressive" and most natural sounding mics.
I would not consider other 3 mics for my projects.
Unfortunate, as I was planning to get MKE600 as a budget option for my setup.
Not going to do that after this review.
I like these kind of reviews it is the only right way for unbiased decision on what you need.
Great review, very helpful for me.
I'm glad my review was helpful. You seem to have expensive taste in mics, haha. But, I can't blame you, those are all great options.
B (the 416) killed it all. The HC-22 was a very close second. The HC-15 was probably the weakest competitor.
Lots of people still love the 416, me included. I actually liked both Rycotes a lot, as well as the MKE 600. And the RODE mics... lol. They're all good in their own way :)
@@NewLayer True. I am a poor boy, no money for a 416. I use and love my MKE600 and Videomic NTG that are my favourites. I have a few others that do very well for certain jobs.
@@ww1www We have similar taste in mics, because I loved the Videomic NTG too! It was one of my first, and I still think it's great.
How can one mic have "killed it all" while another one came a "very close second"? That's not how "killing it" works.
@@rangersmith4652 True. Sloppy wording. What I meant is that the second and third were quite close.
This kind of microphone aren't the best option indoor... for that kind of situation, the MKH 50 is superior to the MKH 416... less trouble with room reflections !
Agreed, pencil mics are better indoors than shotgun mics. If I were to get one for dual use though, a shotgun mic would for sure be my choice!
First!
I await your thoughts with bated breath...