Blue Vs. Rode

  • Thread starter Thread starter JBr33zyMusic
  • Start date Start date
That's a tough one to call. I would get both ..... Oh wait! I did.

If your anywhere near a store that has these and almost every music store does go and try them out to see which one suit you best. ;)
 
I really don't have a music store close by :/ Is one better for vocals?
 
The differences in mics in that price range are so subtle man. Get which one you think looks cooler.
 
But I mean, do you think I would be better off with it for my rap vocals? Would it be an upgrade from the MXL 990??
 
JBr33zyMusic said:
But I mean, do you think I would be better off with it for my rap vocals? Would it be an upgrade from the MXL 990??
Click to expand...

A lot of rappers tend to like Rode mics. And yes, It will be an upgrade from the 990.
 
Actually, most of the above is right. The NT1a and the Spark are both examples of the best large diaphragm mic you can build and sell for $200 or so. Both companies deliver excellent customer service. The Spark looks cooler, and I actually like B.L.U.E.'s little pop filters, because they're fine enough for really low volume voiceovers (whispers). and they're small enough that they don't get in the way of reading words or music, etc. The shock mount is fine, although the fuzzy lamb's wool stuff inside of it is highly questionable.
I think the NT1a is actually made in Australia, instead of China, but I don't know that for a fact. If it is, then you're sending your dollars to a tough, poor, sheep farmer that's getting the worst part of global warming, instead of actually paying to upgrade and maintain the nuclear-tipped missile that's pointed at *you*. Either way, the mics are pretty similar.I don't know where the new management is building the spark, but I'd be surprised if it was Latvia. -Richie

P.S. If you are Chinese, don't worry- You don't need either one. There's already a mic on you.
 
Last I heard, Rode bought capsules from China but assembled the actual mics in Aus after carefully checking each capsule to a tight spec. However, this info is a few years old and, with all the new microphones in their range, I won't vouch for its veracity.
 
At least according to Rode, some years ago they moved all manufacturing to Australia.
 
I sure do like my assortment of Rode microphones that's for sure!
 
Richard Monroe said:
The NT1a and the Spark are both examples of the best large diaphragm mic you can build and sell for $200 or so.
Click to expand...

no they're not. the NT1a is a great example of how well a large diaphram mic could be made for cheap several years ago. it's a solid mic, popular with rappers, but has a midrange thing that I dislike on most SINGING vocalists. still, it's a solid mic. I hate them on sung vocals most of the time, but have heard great results from rap. and I've also heard good results on the RIGHT vocalist (which is key to any mic...)

however the blue spark isn't a LDC. it's medium diaphram. and it IS one of the best examples of MDC mics not only in it's price range but just period. it has the same capsule as blue's top of hte line handheld condensor mic which, amusingly enough, costs much more than the spark yet the spark is WAY sexier looking and has the extra eq switch. it IS a brighter mic which is, imho, what is most often required for lead vocals, at least if you need it to cut through a busy mix. it has a different tone than the NT1a - none of that midrange wierdness but also maybe a little less of a unique vibe if you do happen to like the NT1a.

both great mics.

for rap - I would say, based on what I've always READ (no personal experience in rap here), that the NT1a would be very good.

for vocals and instruments and many other general use things as well, I'd recommend the spark.

and imho the spark is WAY sexier looking than any other mic nearly in the same price range.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top