RODE vs Studio Projects

[Imagine]

Hi there,

I have 2 questions...


1) Is the Rode Classic II, better than the Studio Projects microphones?

and

2) Is the Rode Classic II, better than the NTK?

Thanks In advance.
Imagine

[Trak]

Not the Classic II, but the first RODE Classic, now that's a good mic. But that's just my opinion. I'm only comparing to the NTK since I haven't heard any of the Studio Projects mics.

[Imagine]

What's the difference between the RODE Classic and Classic II?

Thanks.
Imagine

[ausrock]

Your questions are nearly impossible to answer, as generalisations regarding which mic is "better" than another just aren't valid.

There are just too many factors involved..........i.e: the particular voice or instrument being recorded, mic placement, the room acoustics, etc., etc...................and to top it all off is personal taste. What I think is fine, you may not like. It has been said here many times before that in a given situation a cheap Radio Shack mic might be the best for that recording.

Studio Projects mics are made by 797 Audio, the same company that Rode source their diaphragms (and maybe other components) from. Maybe that at least give you a partial answer.

[ausrock]

BTW, Rode still have User Manuals available for download in PDF format on their site. You may find something there about the Classic and Classic II.


http://www.rodemicrophones.com/indexhtml.html

[ozraves]

I've heard the Rode Classic and Classic II compared by some pro engineers to one or two pretty lofty mics that cost about four times as much. That's a pretty exclusive company. It's a different category than the Studio Projects even though I reasonably admire the C1 just about more than anyone.

[ausrock]

You cant single out the C1 and place it in the same sentence as those particular Rodes............tube and non-tube.........just cant be compared fairly.

Anyway, my comment about 797 was directed more at component quality/similarities rather than perceived perfomance which at best is always subject to personal taste.

[roadwarrior]

You'll have to take that comment up with Peter Freedman of Rode regarding his sourcing ANYTHING from China. It is my distinct understanding, having communicated with Peter directly, that the have not been sourcing ANYTHING from China, now preferring to perform ALL design AND manufacture in their Austrailian plant (including the capsules). They did use China for both production and sourcing a few years ago, but since the production of the "A" series of microphones they NO longer do any business with the Chinese as suppliers . If you think I"m wrong contact Peter Freedman, the owner of Rode directly. It's easy..........

[ausrock]

Roadwarrior,

You have dragged out comments that are four years old and not particularly relevant to Rode's current structure. I have a letter from PF/Rode dated about two years ago which clearly states that they were still dealing with o/seas suppliers and although their claimed intention was to bring all production into their own factory, I have no direct proof that this has happened. Also, given Rode's past history for deception (they were virtually the first company to source both mics and components from Asia and let the consumer think they were buying "Made in Australia" products) which made them a lot of money, I take anything they say with the proverbial "grain of salt" until I see undeniable proof of their claims, etc.

This is no way a reflection on their mics........just their business ethics.

[jaykeMURD]

Rode NTK is an excellent mid-range tube mic.

The Studio Project mics can't be compared, they're not tube... HUGE difference!

[up-fiddler]

Originally Posted by jaykeMURD

Rode NTK is an excellent mid-range tube mic.

The Studio Project mics can't be compared, they're not tube... HUGE difference!

Studio Projects T3 is tube with its own power supply and variable pattern.

[Daniel Reichman]

Roadwarrior,

It's also easy to contact the Chinese manufacturers directly, who seem to be very open with divulging information. I got this reply in April this year from one manufacturer (and it wasn't 797 audio) when asking if there were OEM versions of their mics available:

It has several items we do OEM project for RODE and SM Pro Audio, we are
sorry we can not sell these items to you directly, because we have exclusive
right with RODE and SM Pro Audio.

[pmdiaz23]

Never used a SP but today I did an audition and they had the NTK... what a freaking great mic. I own the NT1a and I love it, but the NTK is... wow! I like!

[i_looove_music]

Hello!
Which one is better? Rode NT-1 A or Studio Projects C-1 ?
thanks

[scrubs]

Originally Posted by i_looove_music

Hello!
Which one is better? Rode NT-1 A or Studio Projects C-1 ?
thanks

I would say they are comparable. Neither is "better" than the other. Some folks prefer the C1; some prefer the NT1a. Sonically, I doubt you could tell much difference.

[i_looove_music]

So (for vocals) it doesn't matter which one I choose? I heard that Rode is more sensitive and that you need better isolation. Is that true?
thanks

[Robert D]

Originally Posted by i_looove_music

So (for vocals) it doesn't matter which one I choose? I heard that Rode is more sensitive and that you need better isolation. Is that true?
thanks

Every single mic has a particular sonic signature, so yeah, it does matter which one you choose. The problem is, the only way to know what mic suits a particular voice is to try a bunch of mics. That's not practical for most folks, so what you have to do is read, read, read some more, listen to various samples, and try to make an educated guess as to which mic to try first.
Even within manufacturers, there are mics that will be right, and mics that will be wrong for a given voice and style. When you ask for advice on mics for vocals, you really need to describe the voice and style to get any meaningful response at all.
As far as the NTK, it's a great mic, with a very good price/performance ratio. I don't agree that you can't compare tube and FET mics, they are both condensors with gold sputtered diaphrams, just with a different amp topology. It's not like comparing condensers with ribbons, which is apples and oranges.

[i_looove_music]

I`ll record male pop/rock vocals

[roadwarrior]

Indeed EVERY given mic will offer some altered sonic state when applied to different mic preamps. Unless you have a preamp with the impedance adjustable it's just a small crap shoot. One thing Rode has in the bag others simply do NOT is they are whisper quiet (as in NO self noise to speak of). Some may argue this isn't a big deal, but all you have to do is run into a situation where you are using some significant gain and man what a difference. The Rode's are typically all dead quiet where most other mics out there will offer up their own noise to the fray, and I'm not talking about room noise. I'm pretty spoiled in this regard. I also have a Neumann KMS105 which is a great mic, but even it can be heard as compared to any of the Rode's I have. Considering the K2 has a meager 10 DB of self noise, the average on ANY Chinese mic at best is 15db. Remember that 3 db is a doubling of noise in the audio spectrum. To me 17db is inexcusable, however most manufacturers are in that realm. When you get into the meat of the Rode line they are down in the 5-7db self noise range. Now you're talking.........Unless you are using some amazing preamp (as in boutique or high end) don't count on much with most of the competition....

[ausrock]

Geeezus, you sound as if you're on Rode's payroll.

[studiomaster]

Rode's do have self noise. I have noticed that the NT1a has much more self noise than the AT-3035. believe it or not.

[Big Kenny]

On the other hand, having compared apples and oranges, I like oranges. I have a T3 and a C3 and an NTK. The three mics share very little in sonic performance. My fav is the T3 on my voice but I use the NTK just as much on a few other voices. You don't want to hear but you have to try it out on your voice

[roadwarrior]

If you can hear 5db of self noise compared to the noise coming from the average preamp gain stage you have dogs ears. God Bless ya........ P.S. Nope, I'm not on the Rode payroll.....just like what they do as compared to the competition.....

[Brackish]

Originally Posted by i_looove_music

Hello!
Which one is better? Rode NT-1 A or Studio Projects C-1 ?
thanks

Okay, I'll answer: C-1 ... it's even better than
NT1000.

[ryanformato]

I would say, save your money and just buy a used T3. I've seen them go for $350 used. I bought mine new for $499 and it was worth every penny and more.