Rode NT4 modifications/upgrades?

Sean Sullivan · 1st February 2012

We have a Rode NT4 at the studio that's no bad, but it's a little bright in a harsh way and lacking some in the bottoms. I opened it up and was surprised it wasn't surface mount!

Has anyone torn into one and had success upgrading them?

Sean Sullivan · 2nd February 2012

Anyone?

tenor39 · 3 Weeks Ago

It is SMD. There's only one guy that's doing mods to these, John Bonnell.

John T · 1 Week Ago

I've got one in the mic locker and it has been sitting there for the last 5 years. Not a big fan... I've actually thought of pulling it out and trying it on some drum applications. I didn't know anyone modified them.

Tenor39, do you know what kind of results the modification produces? I'm curious if you have heard one or had experience with it. I wish it sounded better, it's a cool mic!

kslight · 22 Hours Ago

I would be curious too, but I own a pair of NT5s which I believe are the same as the NT4 but mono... They are indeed bright and never "first choice" mics but I have achieved great results with them as drum overheads both live and in the studio. I find the brightness to be useful when tracking to tape, actually. Recording digitally though I could see where someone would find them excessive though...

adamboon · 21 Hours Ago

Easy mod for the NT4/5:

Step 1:
Purchase a Line Audio Design CM3

Step 2:
Be Happy

Step 3 (optional, but advised):
Sell NT4/5

1st February 2012	#1
Sean Sullivan Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Nashville Posts: 3,439 Thread Starter 1 Review written	Rode NT4 modifications/upgrades? We have a Rode NT4 at the studio that's no bad, but it's a little bright in a harsh way and lacking some in the bottoms. I opened it up and was surprised it wasn't surface mount! Has anyone torn into one and had success upgrading them?

3 Weeks Ago	#3
tenor39 Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 595	It is SMD. There's only one guy that's doing mods to these, John Bonnell. __________________ Mike Morgan Isle of Skye Audio Productions http://www.RecordClassical.com Audio Director and Announcing Chair for Pyrotechinics Guild International www.pgi.org

1 Week Ago	#4
John T Gear interested Joined: Jan 2010 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 23	NT4 I've got one in the mic locker and it has been sitting there for the last 5 years. Not a big fan... I've actually thought of pulling it out and trying it on some drum applications. I didn't know anyone modified them. Tenor39, do you know what kind of results the modification produces? I'm curious if you have heard one or had experience with it. I wish it sounded better, it's a cool mic! __________________ Love analog, but we live and work in a digital world. www.triplesevenrecording.com

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2nd February 2012	#2
Sean Sullivan Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Nashville Posts: 3,439 Thread Starter 1 Review written	Anyone?

22 Hours Ago	#5
kslight Gear interested Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 17	I would be curious too, but I own a pair of NT5s which I believe are the same as the NT4 but mono... They are indeed bright and never "first choice" mics but I have achieved great results with them as drum overheads both live and in the studio. I find the brightness to be useful when tracking to tape, actually. Recording digitally though I could see where someone would find them excessive though...

21 Hours Ago	#6
adamboon Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 226 1 Review written	Easy mod for the NT4/5: Step 1: Purchase a Line Audio Design CM3 Step 2: Be Happy Step 3 (optional, but advised): Sell NT4/5