Any modding ideas for the original Rode NT2?...

[kidvybes]

...the original Rode NT2 was a big hit back in the early nineties...797Audio was making the bodies, grill and capsule, but Rode was slapping their own circuits in there (wima caps and all)...not a bad sounding mic, but considering what's being done to some of the cheaper chinese mics, I was wondering if there's any tweaks to bring the NT2 up to speed?...

[Lifted]

OktavaMod RODE NT1a vs. '70's U 87

Post #136

Just email Michael and see what he says

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by Lifted

OktavaMod RODE NT1a vs. '70's U 87

Post #136

Just email Michael and see what he says

...hmmm...didn't see that before...and the NT2 already has the classic Neumann-style headbasket (might just need the inner screen removed)...so essentially it's just a capsule swap with a couple of minor tweaks...shame to lose the dual pattern capsule that's in there (797Audio made pretty nice capsules back then)...damn thing already looks like a U87, so why shouldn't sound like one?...

[Lifted]

Originally Posted by kidvybes

...hmmm...didn't see that before...and the NT2 already has the classic Neumann-style headbasket (might just need the inner screen removed)...so essentially it's just a capsule swap with a couple of minor tweaks...shame to lose the dual pattern capsule that's in there (797Audio made pretty nice capsules back then)...damn thing already looks like a U87, so why shouldn't sound like one?...

Haha!

I wonder if there is something else that can be replaced/changed in the circuit itself to make the mic better, you can always ask him, wouldn't hurt anyways.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by Lifted

I wonder if there is something else that can be replaced/changed in the circuit itself to make the mic better, you can always ask him, wouldn't hurt anyways.

...based on Michael's own remarks:

"I've done new R&D on these models and have found Rode mics to be well-built tools that use high quality circuit design and components (WIMA capacitors etc)...
...I've found the high quality circuitry in Rode mics is a wonderful match for my MJE-K47 capsule and single layer-headbasket modification. About the only modification to the circuits I've made is to replace the input coupling and inter-stage capacitors with my preferred "secret sauce" types. The results are a lovely, mid-forward sound with gentle presence mound followed by a sibilance-free top end..."

...it seems the capsule swap/headbsket modification is the centerpiece of the Rode mod...

[pasarski]

Swap a Thiersch m7 in it and let us know how it sounds with it.

[musicianof1]

Thanks for posting your findings on this. I've had one laying around for about 15 years and have always wanted to mod it since I moved onto other mics.

[stevelindsay]

Originally Posted by kidvybes

...shame to lose the dual pattern capsule that's in there

I have a Rode NT2A modded by Oktavamod - MJ uses a dual capsule in it so you do retain the cardiod/omni/fig 8 functionalities.

[Highphi]

I think Jim Williams has mods for these.

[Highphi]

If you peruse this thread Jim mentions that he likes the original NT2's quite a bit

[Michael_Joly]

Yeah, Jim did Rode right when he designed the circuits in the NT1 and NT2 -fast J305 FET (non of that 2SK107 bunk) and all his other signature tricks. I leave the components in place in these mics with the exception of the capsule-to-FET capacitor which I switch from a polypro to my favorite type - just a personal preference that gets me more of what I want to hear - a well-defined yet non-sibilant top end.

So my work on these models comes down to headbakset acoustics and capsule swap re-voicing from bright to midrange-focused.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

So my work on these models comes down to headbakset acoustics and capsule swap re-voicing from bright to midrange-focused.

...Michael...I can understand the headbasket issues with the NT1A but the NT2 seems very close to U87 style...and the capsule is a 797Audio, which seem to be better than average chinese quality...what is it that you think specifically that keeps this mic from fullfilling it's potential...thanks!

[Michael_Joly]

The NT2 uses decent K67-type capsule driving a fine flat response circuit - correct.

But to my ears its a strategic mismatch to use a K67-type capsule with its intentional 8kHz peak with a non-deemphasized circuit (not how Neumann used the K67 capsule in the U 87 mic with its HF de-emphasis). That is why i call my modification to this mic a "re-voicing" modification - one that matches the more midrange-focused MJE-K47 capsule to the existing flat response circuit. This produces a timbre balance closer to a classic Neumann sound and one that does not have a peak in the sibilance range.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

The NT2 uses decent K67-type capsule driving a fine flat response circuit - correct.

But to my ears its a strategic mismatch to use a K67-type capsule with its intentional 8kHz peak with a non-deemphasized circuit (not how Neumann used the K67 capsule in the U 87 mic with its HF de-emphasis). That is why i call my modification to this mic a "re-voicing" modification - one that matches the more midrange-focused MJE-K47 capsule to the existing flat response circuit. This produces a timbre balance closer to a classic Neumann sound and one that does not have a peak in the sibilance range.

...then what would be the cost of the mod on the NT2, since it doesn't need the entire headbasket replaced and only minor circuit tweaks...seems less radical than the NT1A conversion...

[JanZoo]

Sorry for revamping the thread.
But, I own Rode NT2, and 2 years ago it started to turn off by itself, for example while recording, recording signal would start to fade out and then sudenly dissappears and then comes back etc...
I brought it to the distributor to inspect the microphone and they came to the same conclusion as I found but they couldn't find out why it is not working.
I wrote to Rode (because I read of their 10years waranty) and they told me I can't claim the warranty for the NT2 because they introduced warranty after I bought the mic, so they recommend me to buy Rode NT2A (to be honest, I have worked with Nt2a and NT2 and NT2 a has different sound IMHO, i like NT2 better).
In desperation (I loved that mic) I found a respectable engineer in my country (Sinevoice) and he inspected the mic and he found that the capsule has a factory error, he told me to write a mail to Rode and to tell them that he inspected the microphone and that they will probably help me (which I doubt because the microphone is not that expensive) but still is it worth to write them about it?
So, I don't know what to do, it's not my initial idea to make a mod on it, but I would change the capsule if that can make my mic in working condition again.
If the mod is the only solution, which capsule should I get for it?

Thanks

[uncle duncan]

Nevermind... sending a mic back and forth to the USA would be cost prohibitive.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by JanZoo

So, I don't know what to do, it's not my initial idea to make a mod on it, but I would change the capsule if that can make my mic in working condition again.
If the mod is the only solution, which capsule should I get for it?
Thanks

...the original capsule in the NT2 is the dual diaphragm capsule from 797 Audio (the very same capsule was used in the Rode NT Classic and the original Soundelux U95)...that same capsule is used in the much less expensive Behringer B2 Pro mic...so, if you really wanted the replace the capsule with something very close to the original, find a older used B2 Pro and swap out the capsule...otherwise, I am sure JJ Audio would sell you a 797 Audio capsule or a different capsule from a selection of capsules that would offer alternate tonal variations from the original capsule's sound...just contact Jim here on GS (Haz-Mat-Strat)...

[JanZoo]

Originally Posted by kidvybes

...the original capsule in the NT2 is the dual diaphragm capsule from 797 Audio (the very same capsule was used in the Rode NT Classic and the original Soundelux U95)...that same capsule is used in the much less expensive Behringer B2 Pro mic...so, if you really wanted the replace the capsule with something very close to the original, find a older used B2 Pro and swap out the capsule...otherwise, I am sure JJ Audio would sell you a 797 Audio capsule or a different capsule from a selection of capsules that would offer alternate tonal variations from the original capsule's sound...just contact Jim here on GS (Haz-Mat-Strat)...

Thanks I sent a mail to him!

[JanZoo]

Revamping the thread!
I got Peluso PK47 capsule and I replace the old "broken" capsule from RODE NT2

The samples are in this thread:

Rode NT2 (original) vs Rode (with Peluso PK 47 capsule)

Please, let me know if there is some modification possibilities instead of simple replacing the capsule!

[NeveRawks]

There is a really simple mod that I think makes the NT2 sound much better.

1. Carefully remove the headbasket, and place in a garbage bin.
2. Unscrew the capsule from its holder and carefully clean it with isopropyl alcohol, then place in the bin.
3. When the capsule is safely and securely in the bin, remove the PCB from the body of the microphone by undoing the screws.
4. Using a desoldering pump, remove all electrolytic and polyester capacitors, then put them, and the PCB in the aformentioned bin.
5. Carefully scan your workbench for remaining NT2 parts, and place in bin.

After this the microphone should be much quieter.

[TequilaKez]

Hey guys, know this is getting old but my NT2 has been playing up for a while and I finally got some time to take a look at it. One leg on C2 and C3 on the preamp board have been snapped off (must remember not to lend my mics to that guy again).
So I decided to fix her up, after all it was quite nice on airy female vox. But then I got thinking, If i'm going to get some more caps and do some soldering, maybe there's something that can be done to tame that crazy HF boost while I'm in there. I see Jolly was talking about the capsule->JFET capacitor and while I won't ask for the colonel's special secrets, I was wondering if anyone else had any suggestions for getting a flatter response? The frequency graph in the manual that came with the mic shows a sharp rise at around 12K. If that could be subdued somewhat, I think the mic would be much more useable.