Microphone Recommendation Please

Thanks for all the advice. I Just wanted to let you all know that I bought the RODE NT1-A today!   (nice recommendation VoodooRadio and Emmett)



http://www.rode.com.au/specsnt1a/index.html

I searched all over London for the Audio Technica AT4040 and no one had it/couldn't get one without a long waiting time.

I have to say I'm delighted with the RODE NT1-A .. the sound is superb, it sounds as if it has a built-in exciter. Sweet top end too, which, with a dark brown voice like mine comes in very handy. Well done those Australians, this is a beauty!

Bernie.

And now, for an embarrasing admission...... it is REAL easy to put the mic up 180 degrees out!  Using a shock-mount, I had a female come in for vocal tracks and after getting started, I realized that the sound wasn't as crisp as it should be.  After investigating a bit more, I found that I had actually put the mic up with the back facing the vocalist!

 

 I do think that the Rode mics are one of those "best bang for the buck" products.  I have both an "original" NT1 and the newer NT1-A and have used them both for stereo overheads.  They work fine in that application, but I've been contemplating buying another NT1-A for that particular task.

 

The only Rodes I have are the NT5s, but they are real nice.  I have a hankering for a tube mic and don't want to get cardioid only - the K2 has caught my eye - but I have to get my checkbook stocked up a bit first.

And now, for an embarrasing admission...... it is REAL easy to put the mic up 180 degrees out!  Using a shock-mount, I had a female come in for vocal tracks and after getting started, I realized that the sound wasn't as crisp as it should be.  After investigating a bit more, I found that I had actually put the mic up with the back facing the vocalist!

 

You're getting old  .. I sussed out the gold dot first time I laid eyes on it.

BFM Posted:
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You're getting old  .. I sussed out the gold dot first time I laid eyes on it.
 

Your probably right!!  FWIW,  the mic didn't sound THAT bad picking up from the rear.

 

Yeah, the RODE has a lovely, clear, bright sound doesn't it? No need even for EQ when recording. It's definitely more sensitive. Other condensers I've used, have a duller, "deep in the mix" sort of sound in comparison (if that's an apt way to describe it). But because it's more sensitive I'm having to work at getting the right distance to avoid popping. Actually this is a good thing because it makes you much more conscious of working at it to get a really good quality recording whilst recording, rather than discover a nasty pop at the mastering stage, which you didn't notice as you were voicing it.

So this would be a single diaphram (there is only one correct side to speak into) rather than dual diaphram where you can speak into either side? Sure I get it. And I suppose if they made it dual diaphram that would put it in the higher price range and the world would say this is the best thing they've ever heard because it's more expensive, LOL. OK.

The dual would be the Rode NT-2.  

The dual would be the Rode NT-2.  

Which is the RODE NT1 with a second diaphram, right dude  

Just realised I bought myself a rat .. RODENT

I've been using a Rode nt-1000 a lot. I really love the sound I get when I sing (with a really low voice) about half an inch away from the mic. It's really strange because usually when you hear your own voice you don't really recognize it. But with this mic I sound like I sound inside my head. I could not believe it the first time I heard it.

I've been thinking about buying another one to pair it for stereo, but should I buy an nt-1 instead?

Well I would drop them a quick line and ask them if those two mics would balance well together or not:

User Manuals are online - the freq plots of those two mics are quite a bit different.  I would not expect them to work well as a stereo pair.

The Rodes are fine mics - although their handling noise is a little higher than the ATs... but let's face it, if you can't get the AT, it's hardly worth arguing about.

The 'will two different mics match in stereo?' question - almost invariably, they don't. What you might get away with, though, is having  different cardiod and figure-8 pattern mics with similar responses, and using them as a M/S pair. At least the stereo will be symmetrical then, even if the response isn't absolutely perfect.