Rode NT1 Or Rode NT3?

[Accolade]

okay so I am gonna get either the NT3 or NT1. Which would be better for vocals? And what preamp should I get? A Presonus TubePre or a Studio Projects Tube Blend. this is amazingly tough for me to decide.

[paddyponchero]

Originally Posted by Accolade

okay so I am gonna get either the NT3 or NT1. Which would be better for vocals? And what preamp should I get? A Presonus TubePre or a Studio Projects Tube Blend. this is amazingly tough for me to decide.

You can't get decent gain on the presonus without turning up the tube gain, its a very noisy unit - it has about the same noise as the old Behringer MX desks.

The VTB1 give lots of decent clean gain and you can blend as much tube sound as you like.

[Accolade]

i really hope your write the presonus got some great reviews. i've decided on the nt3, i listened to some samples of the ksm and nt3 the nt3 had a fuller sound. i just hope you're right on the preamp, thanks for the help.

[In Tune Audio]

I'd go NT1. Much more versatile over all, and will be way better on vocals. There are many people on this forum (myself included) that when started out only had an NT1, and used it on everything, with decent results.

[Markd102]

NT1 'should' be better for vocals. The NT3 is not a large diaphram mic.

But if you're getting a VTB-1, then look at the Studio Projects B3 mic.

[Accolade]

the nt3 sounded better than the shure ksm27 though. does anyone have first hand knowledge the nt1 is better? cause on musiciansfriend.com the nt1 got like an 8.75 on quality and the nt3 got a 9.75. quality for vocals is my first and foremost need.

[Accolade]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/.../base_id/36429

i'm also now considering this preamp.

[Elmo89m]

I would defintly get either the nt1 or the studio projects....and then a vtb1

[scrubs]

Originally Posted by Accolade

the nt3 sounded better than the shure ksm27 though. does anyone have first hand knowledge the nt1 is better? cause on musiciansfriend.com the nt1 got like an 8.75 on quality and the nt3 got a 9.75. quality for vocals is my first and foremost need.

Finding the best of the inexpensive gear can be tough. I would not recommend that you base your decision primarily on a rating from MF. First off, large diaphragm condensers (like the NT1) tend to have different applications than small diaphragm condensers (like the NT3). While there are no real "rules," LDCs tend to work better for vocals (they are more flattering), while SDCs tend to work better for acoustic instruments and distance miking (they are more accurate). Notice in the reviews of the NT3 at MF, no one mentions using this mic for vocals, except the one who used it for a choral group (distance miking), which is not the same as a single voice (close miking).

Ratings on sales websites, reviews by pro-audio publications, and forums like this one will all give you different ideas about what to buy. Ultimately, you'll have to decide what gear is best for you. When in doubt, TRY IT OUT. That way, you'll know if the mic/pre/whatever suits your needs.

[Accolade]

i'm just using this mic on strictly vocals. so the nt1 and the vtb1 it is.

[scrubs]

Originally Posted by Accolade

i'm just using this mic on strictly vocals. so the nt1 and the vtb1 it is.

Solid choices. Let us know how you like them.

[Nate74]

Another vote for the NT1. That was my first "real" mic back in the day. I've since added KSM44, a C414 and a AT4050. And at the end of the day, I still end up using the NT1 for almost all the vocal tracks I've done. I do like the AT4050 a bit better for higher female vocals, but that NT1 sure does a great job.

As for pres, don't rule out the DMP3.