Am I buying the right Rode?

[ro90]

Hi everyone!

New to gear slutz, I am wondering if you can help me out.

I am looking to buy a new condenser mic, purely going to be used for vocal recording. I have used the NTK in the past and have had great success but I have seen the NT1-A (world quietest mic etc.) Just wondering if the NT1 is the right one to go for or shall I got for the NT1000?


THanks in advance!

[Hardtoe]

Rode K2 is their current best IMO.

[Kiwi]

The NTK sounds very different from the non-tube Rodes. They are all rather bright. Low noise is all very good, but it's not the be-all and end-all if you don't like the sound. I would strongly recommend you try before you buy.

I don't own an NT-1 or NT1000, but I can say that the difference between the NT2a and the NT2000 was vast. I would say that the NT2000 is silkier than the NT2a, and not a bad mic. The NTK is something else again - and in circumstances where the higher noise and fixed pattern doesn't bug me, I much prefer it. (A tube change to a Philips low noise helped).

I still find the Rodes too essy on most vocals, and go for an SM7 more often.

BTW - a harsh bright mic can sometimes be very useful on mellow, dull sources.

[Ross H]

It's an "ok" mic for vocals. Depends on the voice. I have some pretty good mics so I would always go to those first, but every once in a while it's the right mic for a certain singer.

It's cheap enough to have one.

[kittonian]

Although it's not a condenser, I would highly recommend purchasing Shure SM7B over a Rode any day of the week. They can be had for around $350 new.

[robertshaw]

Originally Posted by Hardtoe

Rode K2 is their current best IMO.

it's great, plus if you swap out the tube there are many better tonal options

very underrated mic

^ as far as sm7 over K2??? they are different beasts..... apples and oranges within the domain of mics.
Should I buy a U47FET? or a U47?

on the scale of cheapo mics sm7 and k2 are among the best, but one is a tube mic therefore it has a different tone. Again swap the tube to something of higher quality like a NOS German style and you have a great smooth harmonic mic... which the sm7 is not since it is not tube. though if you don't go K2 and get a solid state rode just buy the sm7 like kittonian suggested since sm7 is better than most if not all their non tubeees

[ro90]

Hmmmm thanks for all your advice! Much appreciated. I haven't got a lot to spend on a mic but I have had good results with rode but when I see the world quietest mic makes me question of they have compromised in another way?

[Arthur Stone]

Originally Posted by ro90

Hmmmm thanks for all your advice! Much appreciated. I haven't got a lot to spend on a mic but I have had good results with rode but when I see the world quietest mic makes me question of they have compromised in another way?

Basically the NT1A is a great mic in its class...as you note, it's quiet...also reliable with an excellent build quality for the cost.

Regarding performance: something to remember is that most Gearslutz have dedicated their lives (and income) to the finest equipment possible - from this perspective, the NT1A can only be an entry-level mic.

The best advice would be to save for something a bit more special like a K2 or Neumann TLM102...but we have to start somewhere and the NT1A isn't a waste of money and will definitely produce good results given the right room, mic position and source. A good preamp (with phantom power) will help.

My first mic was a NT1A (still got it) and I was amazed to hear a pin drop on a recording I made with it...it's got great resolution and that was a real educational insight. IMO the NT1A needs the right type of voice or a very capable singer and I'd recommend trying a few different types of mic (in your price range).

[didier.brest]

Originally Posted by Hardtoe

Rode K2 is their current best IMO.

The Classic II is much better. I tested both.

[Hardtoe]

Perhaps, but it is really just a different sound IMO.

The K2 works on sources which it's freq curve compliments very well, as does the Classic - different curves for different applications.

I also tried both for a couple of weeks tracking...

[In Tune Audio]

For the price the NT1 is fine. The K2 is a substantial upgrade. Low self noise is fine but it's sonic quality of the mic that's more important. On most vocal tracks you're not going to notice the noise your talking about, but you will notice a significant improvement in tone.

As was mentioned before change the tube in the K2 when you can afford it. Don't remember off the top of my head which tube I used but it made a big difference. It wasn't one of the tubes people always talk about and it was about $100.

Someone above mentioned the SM7. I'd seriously consider that if you have a decent preamp. I've found it works well on a greater variety of singers than the K2. But it does need a fair amount of gain.

[ro90]

I am liking the Rode NT2-A?

Put with a good pre amp sounds quite decent for home recording. I am embarrassed to say this here, but I was using an SM58 to record...having said that...the SM58 was ok for me, I could make it sound good with plugs ins etc. Now I want to step it up and have listened to the NT2 and sounds really nice.

Video track recorded with the NT2

Katy Perry - E.T. - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elm0nuhmG1w

[dkelley]

Originally Posted by kittonian

Although it's not a condenser, I would highly recommend purchasing Shure SM7B over a Rode any day of the week. They can be had for around $350 new.

had to happen :-)

[NEWTON IN ORBIT]

Originally Posted by ro90

I am liking the Rode NT2-A?

Put with a good pre amp sounds quite decent for home recording. I am embarrassed to say this here, but I was using an SM58 to record...having said that...the SM58 was ok for me, I could make it sound good with plugs ins etc. Now I want to step it up and have listened to the NT2 and sounds really nice.

Video track recorded with the NT2

Katy Perry - E.T. - YouTube

Amy Winehouse - Valerie / Back to Black - YouTube

You think so?

I dunno, that mic sounds very "hard" to me.

It's upper mids are hurting on that voice anyway.

Try out some mics on your voice, and see what you like.

Don't just listen for clarity and low noise, listen for nice tone.
I'd take a mic with a little noise that sounded nice and smooth, than a low noise "scrapey" ? sounding one.


Sorry, that's the only way I can describe the sound of that vocal in that clip...scrapey.... I'm not kdding when I said it hurts my ears. I had to turn the monitors down some to listen.

It's not the sibilance, it's the way it deals with it, or dealt with it in that clip. Ouch.

Just my opinion.

Good luck,
john

[diamondjim]

K2 with upgraded tube. Very nice mic for the money. Keeping mine for the long term.