Rode NTG2 shotgun microphone #

This is a condenser (probably electret ? not clear) mic that can be powered either from P48 phantom or a single 1.5V AA.

I bought one. It was missing a few screws and had loose bits inside; perfect excuse to open it up.

Seems fairly simple ? transformer-coupled output, two transistors, a bunch of jellybeans. Also Rode uses Altium, apparently.

Schematics #

Couldn’t find any online, traced one. Generally correct I think, but missing a few values and one un-identified transistor.

Analysis #

I measured voltages with the mic connected to P48; readings indicated on schem. So they’re only feeding the capsule with about 2V, even with phantom available. There is also no DCDC for single-cell operation. Somehow I was expecting a more elaborate layout.

I don’t know the purpose or the nature of Q1. It doesn’t measure as a BJT, I can’t find anything about such a tiny device with markings HF/HFu/HFo. It’s possible I have some connections wrong, but even with that assumption I have no better clue about Q1’s purpose.