Paul,
Shotgun mics are used for different applications than parabolic
reflectors. The NTG-2 instruction manual says the following:
"While it may sound like a contradiction, shotgun mics are not
designed for long distance pick up... Long distance pick up
microphones include parabolic reflector systems and more recently
adaptive arrays using multiple capsules and Digital Signal Processing
(DSP) technologies. Shotgun microphones have a narrow pick-up angle or
polar response, and so can be used to great effect with cameras for
news gathering, weddings or sporting events."
I too went the shotgun route thinking it would be an introduction into
a reflector configuration. The NTG-2 is a nice mic, but for uses other
than what I think you think.
Regards,
Tom
--- In Paul Jacobson <> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I'm looking at buying a fairly cheap setup to get started in nature
> recording. I'm mainly interested in recording bird calls for purposes =
> of making sonograms and id purposes. I know that further down the
> track I'll probably do some ambient/soundscape recording.
>
> I've read as much as I can of the list archives and various nature
> recording websites so hopefully I'm on the correct track with this
> selection.
>
> I should be able to stretch the budget to a Sony MZ-RH1, but having
> seen the various discussions about motor noise and pre-amp noise I
> wondering if this is the best choice at the price? Or should I be
> looking at some of the NH-*00 units or a PMD-650? I've also
> considered picking up a sony portable DAT unit, say a TCD-D100 or I
> could probably stretch to a PCM-M1. My concern with the DAT units is
> that they are getting old, and I'd need to source a digital cable and =
> a spdif->usb convertor to allow digital transfers.
>
> Is it worth putting a mic preamp in front of any of these portables?
> I was considering building something like this INA217 based preamp
> and phantom power supply:
>
> http://www.celestial.com.au/%7Erosswood/diy/dualmicpre/dualmicpre.htm
>
>
> My budget won't stretch to the widely recommended k6/me6* mics (well
> I could but would't be able to buy a recorder!!), so I'm looking at
> something like an NTG-1, NTG-2, AT897 or MKE300, plus shock mount and =
> wind protection. I have read that a parabolic dish would be better
> for what I have in mind but I need to take the setup on bushwalks, so =
> I suspect a shotgun is going to be more practical. At this stage I'm
> leaning towards the NTG-2, as it seems to deliver good performance vs =
> dollars but would welcome any advice.
>
> cheers
> Paul
>
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