First Observation of my new Rode NT-1

[RWhite]

Since I keep seeing threads asking what mic to buy, and about choosing between NT-1 and NT-3, my quick 2 cents on the NT-1.

I have been doing "hobbiest" recording for several years. My current rig for recording my basic rock band is an analog mixer (Alesis Studio 32) running into a DAW using a Gadget Labs Wave824 interface. I have been using a collection of Shure SM-58 and 57 mics for years and have been generally happy with them, but I wanted one better vocal mic. Because my studio does not (currently) generate any $$$$ it had to be reasonably priced. After shopping around (and spending a lot of time on this board) I settled on a Rode NT-1. Bought the shock mount too, if for no other reason than it looked very cool. Set it up for the first time this last weekend, using the phantom power on my mixer. And here's what I found...

First, the difference in pickup range and pattern is immense. With a SM-58 you really need to be right up on the mic. Farther than 2 feet away quiet sounds just don't get picked up by 57 & 58's. The Rode however can clearly pick up someone's fingers quietly snapping from across the room. It also picks up my very quiet furnace fan real well. Probably my neighbors furnace fan too, and those from neighboring states. So its both a good thing and a new headache at the same time.

Second this mic really forces you to mind your P's and S's - any vocal slop gets picked up very well. But a good vocal is more distinct and jumps out at you.

Third, while this mic does have better high end than a SM-57 (I did a side-by-side) I was really surprised at how close the sound quality of the SM-57 was. I expected to be blown away by the Rode but in playback comparison of digital vocal recording I thought the Shure sounded pretty close. The Shure had to be mixed hotter (which I am used to), but with the levels playing back the same the two mics were much more alike than I would have imagined.

I guess the next step is to try the Rode out with a better mic preamp. Which I prefer anyways, as my mixer supplies phantom power on a "all channels or none" basis which makes me a little nervous.

So any feedback out there on a preamp, or better yet a pre-amp compressor, that won't break my budget?

[mixmkr]

I wouldn't waste your time looking for a budget preamp...or one under $500 and thinking it will make anymore difference. Oddly enough...or not so odd, I found out the same thing with my NT1 and my SM57s....they sounded very similar. Yeah..I know there are many that say there is a world of difference, and I must not have the ears, blah, blah, blah, but I tend to agree with just about everything you said. (I will say I have been recording since the days of my new A3340s Teac and got a degree at Berklee in '78 and went thru their audio program at the time) The NT1 is more sensative, etc....but as far as a MAJOR sound improvement, especially on vocals, it just wasn't there. I tried one of those Art tube MP...it went back the same day as my NT1...actually just a couple days after owning them. I suppose I'd rather own one NT1 over just one SM57, but I think I'd rather have two SM57s rather than one NT1. Then again...I found the Antares micmodeler to be a joke too! luv the autopitch, however.

Punchier sound...2" 16 track analog multitrack, and any preamp that you DON'T see for sale in the consumer catalogs.....

[Tom Hicks]

Huh?
Pretty much the same?I don't get it.I used 57s and 58s too untill I got my NT1 as my first big condensor.
The difference is night and day IMHO.First thing that jumped out at me was the much lower noise floor,as the first poster noted.
But obviously the real difference is how a dynamic will smear subtle detail.
There are a lot of cheapo condensors now like Marshall,Nady etc.But the Rode is a step up in QC.
Check out the Presonus Blue Tube ,stereo at $150.Despite cracks about budget pres,these guys were nasa subcontractors so the QC is mil spec.

Tom

[RWhite]

Yeah, I started with a Teac 2340 (same as 3340 with 7" reels), then upgraded to a 3340, then a Fostex A-8, and then finally to what I have now. I miss not being able to crank up the volumne like you can with analog. But random access playback is a wonderful thing - I sure dont miss all that endless rewind/fast-forward nonsense

[RWhite]

I will check out the Presonus. As I mentioned, the Rode does have a lower "noise floor" - it picks up sounds from arround the world! I was just surprised that the frequency response and tonal qualities were so similar between the mics. I expected more from the Rode after all the good words I have been reading. But I am not unhappy with it. And I have just started playing with it.

[Stratamatic]

Originally posted by RWhite
I will check out the Presonus.

The Presonus just got a pretty good review in Keyboard mag so it can't be too bad, they did mention it was a tad bit noisy though. Still got a very good review for the price, I'm considering one myself. A friend has the NT1's and runs thru a pre, I couldn't tell ya what brand right off hand. I tell ya what, the mic pre REALLY makes a difference, in a good way.

Originally posted by RWhite
As I mentioned, the Rode does have a lower "noise floor" - it picks up sounds from arround the world!

Ha Ha Ha, I know what you mean. I just got a pair of NT3's and even with the door shut to my little bedroom studio it STILL pick up the dogs nails clickin on the tile 2 rooms away!!! Now that was something I hadn't expected!! I guess it's time fot the nail clippers ;-) Another thing I had to do was turn my computer off while recording onto my VF-16, the fan noise was thunderous!! Another problem to try and overcome.

If you think their sensitive now, wait till you run them thru a mic pre!! Or run through a compressor with the gain turned up!!!! I thought my NT3's were sensitive enough, then I did this. WHOA what a difference. I think I could spy on the people the next block over with the gain turned up enough.