Sound is just as as important as the video, which is why some video producers shell out money for a good piece of audio equipment, such as the RODE NTG-3. The NTG-3 is the latest shotgun model from RODE. It comes stored in a matte-black, weatherproof aluminum tube, giving the impression that it is a mic that means business. The microphone unit is silver and is 10 inches long. A simple XLR switch adorns the back - no switches, LEDs or battery compartments. It is phantom powered, so you won’t have to worry of losing power when you need it the most. However, the reviewer noted that you’d need an equipment that supplies 48-volt phantom power. While it does ship with a windscreen, you might still want to enclose it on a furry windscreen or blimp when in windy conditions. The reviewer stated that the NTG-3's design provides a slightly broader pickup pattern than that of most shotgun mics. The signal-to-noise ratio is another issue to consider, and the NTG-3 passes with flying colors, coming in at a very quiet 81db. Audio from the NTG-3 was clear and bright. Overall, the impressive technical specs, clear, bright sound and a reasonable price make the RODE NTG-3 a solid piece of audio gear.