Condencer mic for studio use

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lttoler

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I just got rid of a lot of my unused equip so I'm about to get a new mic for recording and wanted to get some opinions. I want to get a tube condencer. What are yall's opinions on the RODE NTK mic? I am kinda new to condencers but I want something that sounds really good. Also, as of right now, I don't have have anything with phantom power except my old Boss BR-1180 recorder. Would this be okay or should I get some kind of preamp? I play Hip-Hop/Rock music, with very rhythmic vocals on verses and singing on choruses. By the way, I am running through Reaper to record, if that matters. Thanks guys!
 
NTK is a perfectly good mic. I use it on some vocals, as well as acoustic guitar and a host of other stuff. One tip- Let it warm up. You'll know it's ready when you touch it and it feels like a warm body instead of cold steel. That can take 5 minutes on a warm day, or 45 minutes in an unheated New England basement in January. Another trick is to turn on the lava lamp at the same time as the NTK. By the time the lava is flowing, the NTK will be ready (I knew that damn lava lamp was good for something- it's a tube mic timer).
The NTK is a *very* hot mic, in other words, it puts out a very strong signal. Like all mics, it will sound better with a good preamp, but you'll get a strong enough signal no matter what preamp you use. Rode's customer service is very good. I had a problem with the 7 pin cable, and they sent me a better one free of charge by next day mail. No complaints here.-Richie
 
I have the K2, it is a very nice mic. I did upgrade the tube, and it made a big difference. I would recommend the same for the NTK - search for threads about tube upgrade, and threads reseponded to by kidvybes - he has suggested some very good, relatively inexpensive tube upgrades for these mics - I upgraded to a Telefunken 6922 NOS tube from tubedepot.com, but spent a lot more than one would need to, so I'd look around for a bit.

The K2 is nice because it has variable patterns, and while it has an external power supply, its definitely worth it - use it on vocals, acoustic instruments pretty much (but that's mainly what I record anyway :))
 
Thanks for the replies. What kind of preamp would yall suggest?
 
Right now the best preamp I have used the K2 with is an M-Audio DMP-3, and that works quite well for the price (somethin like 170 bucks for two channels)
 
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