Rode NTK - tube my cable

Tripper · 6th May 2007

HI.

I got a Rode NTK mic on which i suspected the tube was failing. I'm getting an awful lot of noise outta that mic these days, a classic sign of a dying tube. Or so i thought. Just to be sure it was not some loose ground cable somewhere, i hooked the mic up, listened to the hiss on my monitors and got my assistant to SLOWLY jiggle the cable that connects the mic to the power supply. (a bad idea.) Of course he does not understand what being gentle means and he rips the cable out of the socket.. The whole 7 pin XLR is basically unuseable now.

At this stage, i can easily get a replacement XLR and solder the cable back on, but the problem is the wire braid on the cable does not seem like it was ever connected to any of the pins (see attached pic). As you can see, it cant reach the pins unless i seriously pull it, putting a lot of strain on it. I'm hesitant to solder it on and plug it into the mic for fear of damaging the mic.

I'd like to ask if any fellowgearslutz could confirm for me how the cable is supposed to be hooked up. Does the wire braid connect up to pin 1 as i suspect?

Also, getting back to the original problem of the suspected failing tube, has anyone ever tried swapping the tube? It comes stock with a twin-triode 6922, i was thinking of swapping it with a EH6922.

Any help appreciated.

Thank you!

BOWIE · 6th May 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tripper

HI.

I got a Rode NTK mic on which i suspected the tube was failing. I'm getting an awful lot of noise outta that mic these days, a classic sign of a dying tube. Or so i thought. Just to be sure it was not some loose ground cable somewhere, i hooked the mic up, listened to the hiss on my monitors and got my assistant to SLOWLY jiggle the cable that connects the mic to the power supply. (a bad idea.) Of course he does not understand what being gentle means and he rips the cable out of the socket.. The whole 7 pin XLR is basically unuseable now.

At this stage, i can easily get a replacement XLR and solder the cable back on, but the problem is the wire braid on the cable does not seem like it was ever connected to any of the pins (see attached pic). As you can see, it cant reach the pins unless i seriously pull it, putting a lot of strain on it. I'm hesitant to solder it on and plug it into the mic for fear of damaging the mic.

I'd like to ask if any fellowgearslutz could confirm for me how the cable is supposed to be hooked up. Does the wire braid connect up to pin 1 as i suspect?

Also, getting back to the original problem of the suspected failing tube, has anyone ever tried swapping the tube? It comes stock with a twin-triode 6922, i was thinking of swapping it with a EH6922.

Any help appreciated.

Thank you!

It's not uncommon to have the ground lifted at one end so you should be ok there.
Swapping the tube in that mic makes a world of difference but using another modern tube (like that EH you mentioned) won't do anything to improve your tone.
Even if the tube is fine you will benefit greatly from replacing it. I PM'd you about 6922 variants I have for sale.

gurubuzz · 7th May 2007

Just call Rode mic's..

they are very friendly and have the best repair policy in the world...

find their number on their website..

Tripper · 11th May 2007

Thanks for the replies!

Gurubuzz, i've contacted the local dealer for rode, they said they'll get intouch with the factory to get me a definitive answer. Been 3 days now, guess i'll give em till monday before i call em back.

Bowie, thanks for the info. When i first got this mic, i was already tempted to change the tube, i found the tone of the mic a little too bright for my taste, sibilant even. However two of the singers i work with regularly have a 'dark' tone to their voices and i find the rode compliments them perfectly. I know this is very subjective, but would the variants you've mentioned alter the tone significantly? The mic was always a little bright, perhaps even a little sibilant, do any of these other tubes take care of that? Also, i'm pretty particular about the noise floor, the stock tube was always a little noisy to begin with, any of the variants you've mentioned have a lower noise floor?

Thanks for the help!

6th May 2007	#1
Tripper Gear Head Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Disneyland with the Death Penalty Posts: 60 Thread Starter	Rode NTK - tube my cable HI. I got a Rode NTK mic on which i suspected the tube was failing. I'm getting an awful lot of noise outta that mic these days, a classic sign of a dying tube. Or so i thought. Just to be sure it was not some loose ground cable somewhere, i hooked the mic up, listened to the hiss on my monitors and got my assistant to SLOWLY jiggle the cable that connects the mic to the power supply. (a bad idea.) Of course he does not understand what being gentle means and he rips the cable out of the socket.. The whole 7 pin XLR is basically unuseable now. At this stage, i can easily get a replacement XLR and solder the cable back on, but the problem is the wire braid on the cable does not seem like it was ever connected to any of the pins (see attached pic). As you can see, it cant reach the pins unless i seriously pull it, putting a lot of strain on it. I'm hesitant to solder it on and plug it into the mic for fear of damaging the mic. I'd like to ask if any fellowgearslutz could confirm for me how the cable is supposed to be hooked up. Does the wire braid connect up to pin 1 as i suspect? Also, getting back to the original problem of the suspected failing tube, has anyone ever tried swapping the tube? It comes stock with a twin-triode 6922, i was thinking of swapping it with a EH6922. Any help appreciated. Thank you! Attached Thumbnails __________________ There are no carrots in carrot cake.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Rode NTK tube upgrade	SoulSpace	Low End Theory	38	17th May 2010 03:13 AM

7th May 2007	#3
gurubuzz Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 950	Just call Rode mic's.. they are very friendly and have the best repair policy in the world... find their number on their website..

11th May 2007	#4
Tripper Gear Head Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Disneyland with the Death Penalty Posts: 60 Thread Starter	Thanks for the replies! Gurubuzz, i've contacted the local dealer for rode, they said they'll get intouch with the factory to get me a definitive answer. Been 3 days now, guess i'll give em till monday before i call em back. Bowie, thanks for the info. When i first got this mic, i was already tempted to change the tube, i found the tone of the mic a little too bright for my taste, sibilant even. However two of the singers i work with regularly have a 'dark' tone to their voices and i find the rode compliments them perfectly. I know this is very subjective, but would the variants you've mentioned alter the tone significantly? The mic was always a little bright, perhaps even a little sibilant, do any of these other tubes take care of that? Also, i'm pretty particular about the noise floor, the stock tube was always a little noisy to begin with, any of the variants you've mentioned have a lower noise floor? Thanks for the help!