I can only imagine that something is wrong with that test of the AT897 to show so much noise. My AT875R has a similar SNR spec, and sounds much less noisy than that AT897 test.

The AT875R has high sensitivity, which can reduce the noise from your pre-amp. Then again, so does your MXL FR-300.

Thanks for good info.

I did some research and was surprised that Rode NTG-3 sounds pretty much same as SENNHEISER MKH-416:

. Specifications are almost identical (SNR ratio 81dB, Frequency Response 40Hz to 20kHz etc.) and Rode is also advertised with low self-noise. And the price is 35% less in my local store, so it seems that NTG-3 is the winner.

Don't overlook ebay! I bought a 416T used on ebay for $350 INCLUDING the phantom power supply (MZA14TU) from sennheiser. I think no one bid because the seller was in Ireland and many people have a fear of buying from someone outside their country - their loss, my gain (no pun intended...)

@spacewig I will be testing my Senn ME66 with 2 recorders - a Zoom H4N and a Roland R-05. I have used them with a Audio Technia AT899 lavalier and found a sweet spot with the R-05, and prefer that. Will let you know how the mic works with both recorders once I test.

I have a Rode NTG-2 which I use with my SD MixPre. I can push the levels all the way and hardly get any noise. If you have more budget, go with the NTG-3. Sennheiser ME66 is also good. If you record outside you will absolutely definitely need wind protection, so factor another $300-$500 into your equation.

@spacewig I think you're right re: Zoom H4N. In working with lavalier mics, I prefer the Roland R-05 as I was getting some noise with the Zoom H4N. Maybe it's even more noise with shotgun mics. I'm just now testing my ME66 shotgun mic. When you say "I would not draw any conclusions regarding a mic if the H4N is part of the gain stage.", do you mean using mic and H4N without a mixer like SD MixPre? Thanks.

@matt_Gh2

Yes, I mean the preamps in the H4N are really noisy. The external mics are ok for relatively loud sounds. The unit, and others like it, is primarily targeted at musicians to record their jams or musical ideas when inspiration hit, and not intended for picking up conversation in a quiet setting from a mic sometimes placed a few meters/yards from the talent where clean gain becomes a necessity. Having said that, the H4N is fine as a line-in recorder, i.e. mic>preamp>recorder. I use a DR40 specifically for that purpose.

@tetrapak

The overwhelming majority of instruments are MUCH louder than the human voice. Next time you have a chance try recording 2 people sitting side-by-side with the H4N about 3 meters/10 feet away. Adjust the gain of the H4N so that the AVERAGE loudness is around -14db (peak around -8db). Now listen to the result in a quiet room through reference monitors/headphones and you'll see what I mean by noisy.

How to bypass Zoom H4n preamps and connect it properly to SD MixPre: http://www.danmccomb.com/posts/987/connecting-zoom-h4n-to-sound-devices-mixpre-part-ii/

Actually, the mic preamp I put up on this forum performs really really well in terms of clean gain and costs like $60 to make. Of course you have to actually build it but if you don't want to dish out $500+ for a decent pre it's well worth the effort. I use mine all the time, runs on two 9 volt batteries and there is just no comparison between it and the shitty preamps found on most portable recorders.

for @tonalt @spacewig @peaceonearth and others... Here's a quick test using the Rode NTG2 and two different recorders with the GH2, a Tascam DR-100 and Zoom H4N:

I'll try to make a separate test using just the preamps of the audio recorders vs the MixPre.

I've got an NTG3 and it is the best mic I've owned. Before that I had an old mkh-416t which sounded great but the rode is a hotter mic with a lower noise floor and is pretty versatile. It's the only shotgun I've used that sounds fine indoors in reflective spaces. I'm also going through a mixpre and line in to my fs100.

Here's another quick and simple audio test, this time comparing a Rode NTG-2 and a Sennheiser K6-ME66. Both are medium sized shotguns and have the option to run on an AA battery which allows them to be plugged directly into the GH2 (with proper cable and adapter). Using the Pasadena Pulse setting at 'level 3' I made 3 recordings. The first 2 are a direct comparison and the third a 'proximity test' with the Sennheiser. The Sennheiser is quite a bit more sensitive than the Rode but also has just a slight bit of noise with the GH2. But I'd say the Sennheiser is one of the best sounding mics I've heard with the GH2 (but is also more expensive ;). I made a 320k MP3 which I hope uploads here ok.