Australian-based audio company Rode has announced the latest addition to its lineup of professional broadcasting microphone with the release of the NTG5.
The new microphone features a new ‘groundbreaking’ acoustic port design that replaces the linear slots found on other shotgun microphones with circular acoustic ports. This change, according to Rode, is a ‘revolutionary design’ yields ‘unmatched acoustic transparency, and a natural, uncoloured sound that will sound superb in a wide variety of applications.’
Rode says the frequency response of the NTG5 has been ‘tailored’ for low self-noise of 10dbA and features a ‘highly directional’ supercardioid polar pattern. The redesigned microphone features RF-bias technology and conformal coating to keep it protected against adverse weather conditions. It’s also incredible light and compact thanks to its aluminum construction, weighing just 76g and measuring in at 203mm long.
The NTG5 comes with a complete recording kit, including the new WS10 windshield, a redesigned pistol grip and cables for connecting to cameras and recorders. Rode says the NTG5 is ‘shipping now’ for $499, but we’re yet to see it available on any major retailers.
The pictures show a PG2-R(ed) actually which is included in the package. I just got one mic yesterday together with a on camera shock mount (SM3-R) and it has the same color. It has also a sticker saying "Now with red lyre", like being something revolutionary. The image outside still show a black one version.
That price might be steep but it really depends on how it performs. I would like to see this up against something like the Sennheiser MKE 600 or the MKH 416 to be really impressed.
Of course there is marketing in there, but colour is a term used in describing how microphones, amplifiers, etc. affect the input sound and it has been used by musicians and technicians for decades. As is warmth and other terminology that doesn't have a directly relateable characteristic.
Uncoloured vs coloured is actually a readily-understood and often-used shorthand term in the audio world. Accurate vs flattering is another analogue used when talking about microphones amongst many others.
It's, perhaps, overused in marketing materials but sound recordists/engineers know immediately what that means and whether (or not) they want that quality in a microphone.
Uncolored is shorthand for either a flatter frequency response or a frequency response that is tailored to "sound" natural. An example of the prior is the DPA 4006, also described as transparent. An example of the latter is the Sennheiser MKH 416.
Colored is shorthand for a frequency response that is tailored to emphasize certain frequencies (a kick drum microphone is tailored for low frequencies, a vocal mic for the human voice, etc...). Extreme examples are the AKG D12 for kick and the U87 for vocals.
As in all things language, context is important. In the case of this microphone, because of its intended usage for production sound and not measurement or classical music recording, uncolored refers to it being tailored to sound more natural. If you want the scientific description for this particular microphone, you need to look at the frequency graphs and the polar charts.
Uncolored audio capture is similar to log style video. Every good audio engineer will understand and appreciate why the ability of capturing the flatest signal can be extremely useful.
I hate engineering audio that has been captured with devices don't have peaks and troughs everywhere that I have to reverse engineer.
I love working with flat mics that I can that I can 'grade' in post to my taste.
@Eric Calabros It is not a scientific term, so why should it have a scientific definition? It is an industry term and people in the industry understand what it means. There are several solid explanations of what it means in this comment sub-thread. Uncoloured sound is as natural/neutral as possible.
@morinor Good link. Choice in microphone should take into account how one will use it and what one expects from it. No microphone is perfect for everything.
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