Rode NT2-A vs. AT 4040, Newbie Alert!

[r25558]

Hey Guys,

I have been browsing the threads on here like a madman, and have seemed to find a consensus between these two mics.

I am BRAND NEW into the music recording world, and will be recording Acappella vocals (Rythm and Blues) mostly. There wont be any instrumental, so just hunting a good, vocal mic on a starter budget.

I have noticed that the reviews have been particularly good on the Rode NT2-A and the Audio Technica 40xx series mics.

I have also seen a large number of people recommending the Sure SM7B, but it appears like you need a really good Pre-Amp with alot of gain, and I'm not sure I'm budgeted for that at this time. (Looking to spend around $350 on a Mic, and probably the same on a Pre-Amp device.)

My local soundshop is pushing the Audix Condenser CX-112, though I can't find anything about it online.

Have I missed the boat, and is one of the two mics the truly better of the two?

Can anyone recommend a Pre-Amp as well?

I'd greatly appreciate your opinions, as I'm here to learn!

Chris

[donsolo]

The AT4040 has a better top end than the NT-2A

NT-2A is all about the multi-pattern aspect which IMHO, is overrated if you're new.

As for pres, save up and get the FMR RNP

[dickiefunk]

$350 for a preamp should get you up and running nicely!

I have an M-Audio Tampa, DMP3 and an ART MPA Gold is in the post.

I picked up my Tampa for $170 and it is a great preamp! I used it with the SM7b the other day and got very good results. No probs with gain here!

I just bought an ART MPA Gold today as I wanted a tube preamp to compliment the sound of my Tampa. I be posting how I get on in the future!

As for mics, the SM7b would be a good all round choice. Also I'd look at Oktava MK319 modded.

I tried the AT4040 with my Tampa and got pretty good results with it (better than my Studio Projects B1 and Rode NT-1a for what I was recording).

[BOWIE]

You might be able to get an Oktavamod for $350. That's a lot of mic for the $. There's a lot of hate for Rode on these forums but, in my experience, the are as good as the AT mics, just different. AT's have a tendency to sound thin whereas the Rodes are sometimes harsh with their pronounced treble.

IMO getting a good preamps is very important. There's a ton of options and it's mostly a matter of taste.

Since you're new, keep in mind that "better" is a relative term and the reason that there's so many mics and preamps out there is because everyone has different tastes. Ignore what anyone says about something being "better" just look at the sonic descriptions (bright, dark, detailed, etc) of each piece of gear and decide if that's something you'll like.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

and if possible try as much as you can before you buy.

Don't let our recommendations make or break it for you all the time.

I personally prefer the AT4040 for what you describe but that's me. The AT4033 and AT4047 are also spectacular I think they are even better but again that is my subjective opinion.

Now on a side note a large diaphragm dynamic mic may be a little nicer for you if you are in an untreated room and you get a nice enough mic pre (with ample headroom).

I like the Heil PR40 and PR30 quite a lot but other excellent mics are the E/V RE-20, Shure SM7b, and Sennheiser MD441.

Another pretty cool mic is the KEL HM2 it's pretty cheap and it's a LDC that's voiced to sound kinda like a LDD.

As far as preamps go that all depends on your budget and the sound you are looking to achieve. I think to get a noticeably better pre than what comes standard in an above average mixer or interface you will probably want to look at pres between $500-$1000 new. Obviously a lot will be cheaper used. Such as a UA Solo 610, Daking Single Pre, Focusrite ISA One, and well there are countless others.

To me things like the MPA aren't bad they are just comparable in quality just a different character.

[ambiguity]

I'd demo that CX-112 if I were you - a great, underrated mic, IMHO. Sweet for vocals, I like it much better than 4050 - sorry, haven't used NT2-A or 4040.

Cheers

[_Morph_]

Originally Posted by donsolo

NT-2A is all about the multi-pattern aspect which IMHO, is overrated if you're new.

I tend to agree. The multi-pattern aspect is key to the NT2-A. It is a useful mic due to that, and that's it. There are much better mics out there.

[NorseHorse]

You can get a used AT4050 for $300-$350 if you look around. I got my two that way.

[appleburger]

Originally Posted by donsolo

NT-2A is all about the multi-pattern aspect which IMHO, is overrated if you're new.

As for pres, save up and get the FMR RNP

agreed on both counts!

if you know enough to take advantage of the different polar patterns then they are comparable in value. but it sounds like you probably won't need that feature. when you compare just the sound between the two i much prefer the 4040.

[A LaMere]

Can you pick up an AT4047 and an M-audio dmp for your budget of $700??

I greatly prefer the 4047 to the two mics listed and think that the DMP is great for a starter preamp.
Down the road, you'll probably buy a different pre... but you might never get rid of the 4047??

After many years of doing this, I now try to buy gear that I think I'll keep for a long, long, time...
I try not to get tricked into buying anything that I think that I'll end up selling and upgrading later down the road...
as that has been a massive waste of time and $$ to me in past years.