Rode NT1a

[Wally]

bump

[Wally]

I dont know if this is the right sessiion to post this.

[Wally]

The compresor output has a -10 and +4db and the soundcard input has +4 or -10db so what should i do i think this si the problem :(

[jaz49]

Experiment with different settings. I have an AT3035 that was sounding horrible. I think it was overloading the inputs on my emu 0404 interface. I changed the output on my aphex 107 preamp from +4dB to -10 and now the mic sounds fine. Also, it's possible you are over-compressing, which is something I did when I first started recording.

http://www.myspace.com/lejaz

[Studiodawg]

I'd go +4 and take the compressor out of the signal path. The Rode is lean & clean. Pay attention to mic placement and signal levels...and have fun.

[hackenslash]

Good mic technique will give you greater gains than any mic or preamp. Sort that out first. Almost every problem I ever heard with vocal recordings was down to poor mic technique.

+1 on removing the compressor. With proper mic technique, OTB compression is not required, and will give you more freedom to move ITB.

[GordZilla]

I find that sucess with the NT-1A depends HUGELY on the source... on some voices the NT-1A works great, and on others... No flippin' way.

It is a rather bright mic... and I would caution about compressing this mic going in... as this will tend to exagerate any sibilence issues. Use conservative tracking levels and do your compressing at mix-down (in conjunction with EQ).

My favorite sources for this mic so far has been accoustic guitar... and as the Mid in a Mid-Side stereo mic setup for room mic for drums.

Good luck.. and good tracking

[Al Rogers]

Vacuum tubes are designed to run at high voltages. How can a vacuum tube preamp with a 16 volt power supply possibly be the real deal? See if you can borrow a better mic preamp and try it with your NT1a.

In my experience the Røde mics sound excellent used with a good mic preamp.

[Yago]

Originally Posted by Al Rogers

Vacuum tubes are designed to run at high voltages. How can a vacuum tube preamp with a 16 volt power supply possibly be the real deal?

Can't speak about this particular pre amp (could be one of those "starved plate" pres) , but there are dc to dc inverters that can be used to "upscale" dc voltages .

[miner]

Originally Posted by GordZilla

I find that sucess with the NT-1A depends HUGELY on the source... on some voices the NT-1A works great, and on others... No flippin' way.

My favorite sources for this mic so far has been accoustic guitar... and as the Mid in a Mid-Side stereo mic setup for room mic for drums.

agree with that ... i bought it as a vocal mic but it doesn't work well with my voice. sounds nice with ac. gtr tho.

i'm using it with a DBX376 (which could be another factor for the poor vocal recording)

[skiltrip]

I've used a TubePre and an NT1000(similar to NT1A) for years and years and personally, I thought it was a pretty sweet setup considering there was a $99 pre in the chain.

[thestranger]

i agree with the SOURCE comment. i hear all kinds of good things about the NT1a on here, but i had one for a while, and i thought it sounded terrible on my voice. no thank you.

i have heard great vocal tracks done with it though.... just not mine!

other great vocal mics i've owned in this price range:

Studio Projects C1 (sounds better on my voice)
Blue Bluebird
Pacific Pro Audio LD-1

[BOWIE]

I had an NT1 and it was picky about what preamp it would get along with. It usually sounded pretty good most of the time, but would not function properly w/ some preamps.

[miner]

Originally Posted by BOWIE

I had an NT1 and it was picky about what preamp it would get along with. It usually sounded pretty good most of the time, but would not function properly w/ some preamps.

interesting ... could you plz name some of the preamps used?

[BOWIE]

Originally Posted by miner

interesting ... could you plz name some of the preamps used?

Well, it was almost 10 years ago... But I do remember that it got really spitty w/ some Ward Beck pres (but my Rode NTV was fine w/ them) and there was one other but I can't recall what the hell it was. It was fine w/ the pres on a Korg DAW, Mackie, Joemeek, Neve.
I really liked the mic but I was digging those Ward Becks for remotes back then so I had to get rid of the NT1.

[miner]

Originally Posted by BOWIE

Well, it was almost 10 years ago...

10 years? lol ... silly me ... just noticed you 're talking about the nt1 not the nt1a i have

btw i think nt1a is picky too

time to upgrade. the sm7b maybe ...

[ttptp]

There have been posts regarding the idea that the rode nt1a is only good with certain voices. Could those of you who have had trouble with it comment on the what kind of voice it wouldn't work with, or even what kind of voice it would work with?

[BudgetMC]

Originally Posted by BOWIE

Well, it was almost 10 years ago... But I do remember that it got really spitty w/ some Ward Beck pres (but my Rode NTV was fine w/ them) and there was one other but I can't recall what the hell it was. It was fine w/ the pres on a Korg DAW, Mackie, Joemeek, Neve.
I really liked the mic but I was digging those Ward Becks for remotes back then so I had to get rid of the NT1.

I, too, have an Aussie NT1 that has had a long and rewarding relationship with a Meek VC3Q. Can't say whether or not an NT1a would behave similarly, though.

[E.rOk.stA]

Bro, I've used the NT-1a alot and when compressed, it does get a little harsh sounding in the sibilants. You can fix this yourself with little risk unless you are a clumsy oaf. Unscrew the two screws on the bottom sides of the mic cylinder. Carefully pull the insides out of the mic. It will all slide together and stay together. Set them in a safe spot. Get some needle nose pliers and pull that inside screen completely out and throw it away. Slide the guts back into the mic the same way it came out. Screw in the two little screws. Now try the mic but make sure you use a pop filter in front of it. The sibilants should be almost non-existant. I've found that this mic sounds the best when you get up close to it. I mean like three inches away. See what you think. Peace

[BOWIE]

Originally Posted by the Set Surgeon

Bro, I've used the NT-1a alot and when compressed, it does get a little harsh sounding in the sibilants. You can fix this yourself with little risk unless you are a clumsy oaf. Unscrew the two screws on the bottom sides of the mic cylinder. Carefully pull the insides out of the mic. It will all slide together and stay together. Set them in a safe spot. Get some needle nose pliers and pull that inside screen completely out and throw it away. Slide the guts back into the mic the same way it came out. Screw in the two little screws. Now try the mic but make sure you use a pop filter in front of it. The sibilants should be almost non-existant. I've found that this mic sounds the best when you get up close to it. I mean like three inches away. See what you think. Peace

I won't even comment on the first portion of the advice but regarding the close-micing, the NT1a has some of the most unpleasant proximity effect of any mic I've used. Incredibly boomy. What type of vocal are you having luck w/ this on? I'm just curious because, unless someone has a really thin voice, I don't see how that's a useable sound.

[HeavyG]

I found my NT1A to be too crispy and harsh...so I sold it. To War's comments, it did sound good on acoustic if you like that shimmery, bright tone...but I wasnt very happy with it on vocals and found it harsh for drum applications.

I bought a pair of Oktava MK319s and talk about a difference. They seem a lot more uncolored to my ears. Someone once said that if you took each piece of the signal chain (gearwise...not the performer)...the mic would be the most important. It imparts the most character on your recorded tone palette...after seeing the difference between the Rode and the Oktava...I understand why.

BTW...my Project Studio looks much like yours...Motif, Micron, KRKs, etc...and I would suggest looking at another mic. Its like your girlfriend...if she has a big booty...you better like big backyards...cuz no matter how much landscaping you do...you will still be left with a lot of real estate. Your Rode can only be manipulated so much...if you want a different tone...eBay your NT1a and inject some new blood into the mic locker.

Cheers,

[clocknuts]

hey man,

If you are a beginner looking for a quick cheap fix I wouldnt worry to much about these guys saying "get rid of this and that".

The NT1A should be fine especially if your just starting out with a condenser. If you want another option, buy another mic as an alternative. I don't think I'll ever sell my nt1a.

But your problems may not be with the mic, or the pre at all. The pre is not the best but if you dont have much experience the "bad tone" may be coming from something a lot more fundamental.

Of course I dont know what your using this stuff for.. but my advice if you want a fast cheap fix to your tonal trouble:

1. Dont link in the comp until you know exactly what it's doing to your signal.. you probably dont need it anyway. Take the pre direct into your computer card to start with. Add in the comp after your certain about the rest of the signal chain setup just to lightly control the odd peak so you can boost the overall signal. That leaves you the versatility to spend time on the real compression post recording if thats how you work.

2. Condensers are bright. You say you had a cheap mic before this one that sounded nicer.. was it a dynamic? That would explain why you like the old sound. Apart from the fact some sources suit a dynamic anyway the nt1a can be slightly EQ'd to give it that warm dynamic sound (depending on source etc). Eg: experiment cutting some certain highs or mid highs a bit and it might work wonders. EQ is probably the key here. IMO considering the nature of the problem do most of the mid range EQing on the computer to clear up. Most of the highs and lows on the computer also really.. just cut a bit of very very low freq on the pre and cut some of the hi freq hiss if thats what you want to stick with. Allthough personally your better off doing the high with the mid in the DAW.. depending on what work your doing.

3. The nt1a is accurate enough to pick up all the noise in the room. When you record make sure you have very low noise levels or it will seriously taint the sound.

Sorry if this lot is all too basic for you. I have an nt1a and it works and sounds fine... great mic, treated right. The pre should do it's job and sure, you will get a small improvement if you spend a few hundered quid on a new one. I'm guessing the mic and the pre are not the issue here given your post.

I might be totally wrong but it's not worth wasting money when you can sort it out for free.

P.S
Having said that.. the more mics the merrier! The ability to have a selection of mics to pick and choose is priceless. You may be glad to have the nt1a sooner that you think. HeavyG made some good points though.

P.P.S: dont listen to set surgeon. although popshields are cool and will cut pop and sib anyway but I guess you know that. Oh and about the gain.. check all your level readouts to make sure noting clips anywhere. keep the peaks a few db below 0db to be safe and if you drive the pre to much in the input it will spoil the tone. Good luck, and if you get a new condenser let us know if there is a big improvement and I'll eat all my words.

[stafs]

Rode NT1A is very picky. I would'nt say this mic is crap. On some voices (and other sources too) it sounded fantastic, on some absolutely terrible.

Few months ago i recorded a one man band (he played all instruments in session, and he was f...in good on all of them), and when it comes to singing, i just tought: "NT1A will be the right choice for his voice". Actually i did not espect so great results. Sounded like he's singing in Neumann or something.

In next few weeks different singers came in and out of my studio and all of them sounded like total crap with NT1A. And then - a guy, playin' accoustic and singin' his own songs showed up and NT was perfect choice for his voice and his Ovation accou.

Nt1A isn't a bad mic. It all depends from source.

[6strings]

Originally Posted by stafs

Nt1A isn't a bad mic. It all depends from source.

I've heard this response from quite a few folk around here. But can't this statement be applied to most any mic - regardless of price?

I'm thinking a good description would be it's a colored or eq'd mic which sounds good on some voices but not on others. "Flat response" mics (like a AT4040, for ex.) get hailed as sounding "accurate" on many sources but also garner the occasional complaint of sounding a bit "sterile" or even boring.

Just some thoughts...

[jaz49]

Originally Posted by Wally

i bought a NT1a months ago and ive tried it with Presonus Tube Pre,Behringer Pre and thru a dbxl266XL Compressor and i kinda dont get the sound im looking for it just dont sound right tome i had a cheaper mic before and it sounded better.

What about the sound isn't right? Did you try any of the suggestions like taking the compressor out of the chain and better mic technique? If you did, was the sound any better? When I first got my AT3035 I was over-compressing and the sound was overly sibilant and harsh. At the time I think I was overloading the imput on my pre also. I eventually got a better pre and improved my mic technique and now the mic sounds pretty decent, though at the moment I am liking the sound of my PR35 dynamic better.

http://www.myspace.com/lejaz

[headwerkn]

I've had my NT1a for a few years now and having run it through a number of fairly low end pres and audio interfaces (Mbox, Mbox II, Saffire, Onyx Satellite, DigiMax FS, VS2400) it's never caused any grief. It has a strong output and very little noise so you don't have to crank the bejesus out of cheap pres to get a usable signal.

It certainly is a very bright mic - for acoustic guitar, hi-hats/OHs, anything that requires high frequency detail, that can be a very good thing. Otherwise you just roll off the high end... not really a huge issue. The proximity boost up close sounds a bit unnatural because the strong high end... for voiceover work I usually put the pop filter (very much necessary) at least 4"/100mm in front which gives a very full, nice sounding spoken voice. For singing vocals a bit more space is usually best, depending on the strength and type of voice.

[stafs]

Originally Posted by 6strings

I've heard this response from quite a few folk around here. But can't this statement be applied to most any mic - regardless of price?

I'm thinking a good description would be it's a colored or eq'd mic which sounds good on some voices but not on others. "Flat response" mics (like a AT4040, for ex.) get hailed as sounding "accurate" on many sources but also garner the occasional complaint of sounding a bit "sterile" or even boring.

Just some thoughts...

Actually, i use NT1A seldom, just because less sources sounds good with it, than for example, with at4047, which also is colored. But i never had that 'expensive mic feeling' with 4047, altough i adore this mic. If NT1a sounds good, it sounds good and vice versa, theres almost no middle way for nt. imho !

[6strings]

Originally Posted by headwerkn

The proximity boost up close sounds a bit unnatural because the strong high end... for voiceover work I usually put the pop filter (very much necessary) at least 4"/100mm in front which gives a very full, nice sounding spoken voice. For singing vocals a bit more space is usually best, depending on the strength and type of voice.

Interesting note from the manual:

An ideal reference is to begin with the pop shield directly in front of the vocalist, and approximately 15cm (6”) away from the microphone.

Something to note for those complaining about proximity effect.

[BOWIE]

Originally Posted by 6strings

Something to note for those complaining about proximity effect.

I had an NT1 years ago and I currently have one that I am flipping. At 6" away, the proximity effect is ugly and not complimentary. I didn't need to read the manual to know how to use the mic.
I will say that I actually like the high frequency response in this NT1A a lot better than the NT1 I had years ago. Wasn't expecting that.



BTW, did they move production outside of Australia? I ask because the NT1A I have was made in AU though I thought they were making them in China now.

[6strings]

The manual used the 6" distance as a starting point. There are other aspects to consider too like placement of mic to the vocalist (slightly above mouth verses straight on, etc.) Regardless, yes, it may just not work for you but I highly doubt it's due to "faulty" or poor design. It's just another kind of brush to paint with...

The NT1 was spec-ed to roll off around 16khz if I recall one review, and the NT-1a carries a 20-20khz freq range. That may account for the extra high end you're hearing.

Also, it's common knowledge that Rode has been making and assembling all the mics in their own AU factory for some years now...