Okavamod my Rode NT1 or buy a new vocal mic?

EvilSoup · 25th September 2010

I'm looking to upgrade my vocal mic.

I've been using a Rode NT1 for awhile, and it's too brittle and harsh.

I've heard some oktavamod before/after comparisons and it does make it much smoother, but I'm wondering what my other options are.

I also have a SM7B, which works when I want a much darker sound.

BTW my preamp is an FMR RNP, and I plan to get a DAV BG1 soon as well.

I want to find a mic that works well with my voice, but I'm not sure which ones I should be looking at.

Here's a sample of my voice and the Rode NT1 in action: Through The Forests - Sparks - SoundCloud

cyjanopan · 25th September 2010

Changing capsule and headbasket is actually making new mic, so you get both at the same time thumbsup

Slikjmuzik · 25th September 2010

If you mod your Nt1 you get a mic that holds its own with a u87 and you have plenty of money for better pres and other gear. You'd have to spend well over $1k to get the same quality.

EvilSoup · 25th September 2010

does the mod upgrade any electronics or does it just switch out the headbasket for a new one?

Michael_Joly · 26th September 2010

By far, the biggest issues most folks have with the NT1 / NT1a is excessive brightness. This is caused by a combination of the capsule type and headbasket acoustics. The electronics are actually fine - the only change I make in this area is to replace the surface-mount input capacitor with my preferred type.

So at the risk of being redundant - the electronics in Rode mics are fine, AND they have excellent industrial and mechanical design. The issue many folks have with Rode mics is their consistently bright capsule voicing.

25th September 2010	#1
EvilSoup Gear maniac Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 152 Thread Starter	Okavamod my Rode NT1 or buy a new vocal mic? I'm looking to upgrade my vocal mic. I've been using a Rode NT1 for awhile, and it's too brittle and harsh. I've heard some oktavamod before/after comparisons and it does make it much smoother, but I'm wondering what my other options are. I also have a SM7B, which works when I want a much darker sound. BTW my preamp is an FMR RNP, and I plan to get a DAV BG1 soon as well. I want to find a mic that works well with my voice, but I'm not sure which ones I should be looking at. Here's a sample of my voice and the Rode NT1 in action: Through The Forests - Sparks - SoundCloud __________________ Through the Forests - My Myspace. My Soundcloud Watch The Young Turks!!! Member of the HCFX Forum

25th September 2010	#3
Slikjmuzik Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 2,699	If you mod your Nt1 you get a mic that holds its own with a u87 and you have plenty of money for better pres and other gear. You'd have to spend well over $1k to get the same quality. __________________ Julian Ear Candy Studios www.earcandystudios.com It's the indian, not the arrow...

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25th September 2010	#2
cyjanopan Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 922 1 Review written	Changing capsule and headbasket is actually making new mic, so you get both at the same time thumbsup

26th September 2010	#5
Michael_Joly 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended. Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 2,735	By far, the biggest issues most folks have with the NT1 / NT1a is excessive brightness. This is caused by a combination of the capsule type and headbasket acoustics. The electronics are actually fine - the only change I make in this area is to replace the surface-mount input capacitor with my preferred type. So at the risk of being redundant - the electronics in Rode mics are fine, AND they have excellent industrial and mechanical design. The issue many folks have with Rode mics is their consistently bright capsule voicing.