Rode NTG-2 Multi-Powered Shotgun Microphone
Bottom line: The Rode NTG-2 Multi-Powered Shotgun Microphone: Runs on P48 phantom power or an AA battery for camera and recorder rigs; main trade-off: narrow pickup pattern needs careful aiming; off-axis voices drop off quickly.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Runs on P48 phantom power or an AA battery for camera and recorder rigs
- ✓ Supercardioid pickup rejects off-axis room noise on a boom or camera
- ✓ Switchable 80Hz high-pass filter cuts low-end rumble at the source
- ✓ Lightweight body suited to long boom-pole sessions
Cons
- ✗ Narrow pickup pattern needs careful aiming; off-axis voices drop off quickly
- ✗ Battery mode means monitoring AA charge on long shoots
- ✗ Only one high-pass setting (80Hz); no variable filter options listed
- ✗ Shotgun pattern can capture room reflections in small, hard-walled spaces
Manufacturer description
The Rode NTG-2 is a dual-powered shotgun microphone for film, video and voice-over work. Its supercardioid condenser capsule is highly directional. It favors the sound in front of the mic and rejects more of the room around it, which is why shotgun mics are the usual choice for boom poles and camera rigs. The NTG-2 stands out for its power options. You can run it from P48 phantom power on a mixer, audio interface or field recorder. When your camera or recorder can't supply phantom, it runs on an AA battery instead. That makes it practical for run-and-gun shoots where you don't control the…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Rode NTG-2 Multi-Powered Shotgun Microphone using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the streaming gear category. Rode's streaming gear lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for streaming gear of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Rode NTG-2 need phantom power?
No. The NTG-2 is dual-powered: it runs from P48 phantom power supplied by a mixer, interface or field recorder, or from an AA battery when phantom isn't available.
What is the Rode NTG-2 best used for?
The NTG-2 is designed for film, video and voice-over. Its highly directional supercardioid pattern suits boom-pole dialogue, on-camera capture and focused voice recording where you want to reduce room noise.
What does the 80Hz high-pass filter do?
The switchable high-pass filter rolls off sound below 80Hz, reducing low-frequency rumble such as HVAC hum, traffic and handling noise before it is recorded.
What accessories and warranty come with the NTG-2?
Included accessories and warranty coverage can vary by seller and region. Check the current product listing and Rode's official documentation for the exact box contents and warranty terms.
Key Features
- Premium dual-powered shotgun microphone
- Operates from either P48 phantom power or AA battery
- Low noise and full frequency response
- Highly directional
- High-pass filter (80Hz)
- Lightweight and easy to use
Full Specifications
| Brand | Rode |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Model Name | Rode NTG2 Battery or Phantom Powered Condenser Shotgun Microphone |
| Unit Count | 2.3 Ounce |
| Model Number | NTG2 |
| Power Source | Battery and phantom power compatible |
| Audible Noise | 94 db |
| Polar Pattern | Super Cardioid |
| Built-In Media | microphone |
| Item Type Name | Hardware Mount |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Item Dimensions | 0.88 x 0.88 x 11 inches |
| Mfr Part Number | NTG2 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Microphone |
| Antenna Location | Singing, Streaming |
| Enclosure Material | Metal |
| Frequency Response | 20 KHz |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Included Components | microphone |
| Full listing title | Rode NTG-2 Multi-Powered Shotgun Microphone,Black | Dual power condenser with supercardioid pattern for film, video and voice-over |
Ready to buy?
Rode NTG-2 Multi-Powered Shotgun Microphone,Black | Dual power condenser with supercardioid pattern for film, video and voice-over is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
Related Streaming Gear
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Best 4K Monitor for PS5 in 2026 (Without Overpaying)
- Samsung 27" 1440p 240Hz Gaming Monitor Drops to $169 in 2026 Deal
- SNES Classic vs Sega Genesis Mini: Best Plug-and-Play Retro Console in 2026
- Build a Raspberry Pi 4 NAS with a Crucial BX500 SSD in 2026
- Logitech G502 Hero in 2026: Is the $40 Classic Still the Mouse to Beat?
- NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell vs RTX A6000: Is 96 GB Worth $4,000 More?
- Best CPU Cooler for Ryzen 9 3900X Overclocking in 2026
- Using Claude to Hunt PCI Device IDs on Win98: Voodoo, Audigy, GeForce 4 Ti
- Best Budget GPU for Local Stable Diffusion and ComfyUI in 2026
- Best Budget SATA SSD for a Retro PC Build in 2026
- Voodoo5 5500 PCI in a Modern Board: Install, Glide & Win98 Setup
- Grok 4.5 Ranks #4 on GDPval: Cloud-vs-Local Math for 2026
- Best Parts for a DIY Home Arcade Cabinet in 2026
- Build a DualSense PC Dongle with a Raspberry Pi Pico: Adaptive Triggers and Haptics on Windows
- Best Budget 4K Monitor in 2026: SANSUI vs KOORUI vs ASUS TUF
- RetroArch PS2 Emulation: Setup, BIOS & Performance Guide
- Heterogeneous GPU Weighting and Layer Splitting: Mixed-GPU LLM Inference on Consumer Hardware
- Best GPU Under $400 for Llama-Class 8B Models in 2026
- Intelligence Index v4.1 Goes Agentic: Can a 12GB RTX 3060 Keep Up Locally?
- Transcend CF133 CompactFlash as a Windows 98 Boot Drive: Setup & Gotchas
- Asus ROG Xreal R1 Brings 240 Hz to AR Glasses — What PC Gamers Should Know
- Best CompactFlash and IDE-to-USB Adapters for Retro PC Builds (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on Apple M4 Max
- RTX 3080 vs RTX 5080 — is it time to upgrade?
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090