Help! NTK just quit working!

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Sage97

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I just plugged it in a few hours ago and can't seem to get it working. The power supply seems to be working okay (the blue light is on) and all connections are fine but no sound.

I plugged the NTK into different mic inputs on my AKAI DAW and no sound from any of them. My AT4040 sounds fine through all of the mic inputs.

I opened up the NTK and everything seems to be in place. Can't tell if the tube needs to be replaced or not since there's nothing that's just obviously wrong.

I remember the mic slowly falling to the carpeted floor several weeks back but it worked perfectly after that.

Please help. I really like this mic. Thanks in advance.
 
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I'm tempted to unscrew it and look at the diaphragm but I still won't know what to look for. Any thoughts?
 
The power adapter has been for several minutes now and it doesn't feel warm to the touch like it normally did when it was working fine.

I would really appreciate anyone's help.
 
Don't unscrew the grill--the diaphragm should be fine.
Does the tube glow when the power is on?
Do you have any means for checking voltages? If yes, we can resume and at least rule out if the tube is faulty. Any DMM or even analog voltmeter would be fine.
 
Sage97 said:
The power adapter has been for several minutes now and it doesn't feel warm to the touch like it normally did when it was working fine.

I would really appreciate anyone's help.
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Sorry to hear about the troubles with your NTK. Its a very nice mic to have in your arsenal.

If you do find you have a bad tube you may want to purchase a new one from The Tube Store Decent prices and also some hard to find tubes. I have heard people say that buying a better tube made a big difference in the performance/tone of the mic and were pleased with the sound.

The Sovtek 6922 is the standard tube in the NTK, so begin your search there.

Hope this helps
Eddie D
 
Marik said:
Don't unscrew the grill--the diaphragm should be fine.
Does the tube glow when the power is on?
Do you have any means for checking voltages? If yes, we can resume and at least rule out if the tube is faulty. Any DMM or even analog voltmeter would be fine.
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Doesn't glow at all. How do you determine whether it's a case of a tube needing replacement vs. a power supply problem?


Oops. Never mind. I guess that's what the voltmeter is for isn't it? Sorry, I'm very technically challenged and not even sure what a voltmeter is for but I will find out.

Thanks.
 
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Pro Tools User said:
Sorry to hear about the troubles with your NTK. Its a very nice mic to have in your arsenal.

If you do find you have a bad tube you may want to purchase a new one from The Tube Store Decent prices and also some hard to find tubes. I have heard people say that buying a better tube made a big difference in the performance/tone of the mic and were pleased with the sound.

The Sovtek 6922 is the standard tube in the NTK, so begin your search there.

Hope this helps
Eddie D
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Thanks Eddie. I hope its just a case of a tube needing replacement.
 
Sage97 said:
Doesn't glow at all. How do you determine whether it's a case of a tube needing replacement vs. a power supply problem?


Oops. Never mind. I guess that's what the voltmeter is for isn't it? Sorry, I'm very technically challenged and not even sure what a voltmeter is for but I will find out.

Thanks.
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In this case I would suggest to leave it for somebody, who knows what to do. It sounds obvious, but check if a fuse is not blown. Did you try to contact company?
 
i bought an ntk a couple months back and mine quit working on me last week too. didnt drop it or anything. one day it was fine and the next day it wouldnt work at all. it wasnt the tube b/c i can still feel the mic getting warm. called customer service and was told to mail to them and they would fix or replace.

i did unscrew the case a couple times to check out the innards, but i didnt think that could mess it up? i hope that wouldnt void the warranty.
 
Rode is sending me a new tube. I left my NTK at a local shop over the weekend but the techs have not had time to look at it. I've already called from work and instructed them not to start any work on it at this time. I will pick it up later today.

I've never replace a tube in my life, not even my guitar amps. Does it take a lot of skill to do this? Is it a no brainer or is this something for the pros?
 
I would like to point out the excellent customer service at at Rode. Tech support responded very quickly and sent out a replacement tube on the very same day that I contacted them.

That's great service!
 
Easy to replace the tube.
All you need is a phillips screwdriver. You cant get the tube in there wrong it will only go in one way.
 
Herm said:
Easy to replace the tube.
All you need is a phillips screwdriver. You cant get the tube in there wrong it will only go in one way.
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Thanks Herm.
 
I would guess the problem is probably in the power supply or in the cable between the PSU and the mic. Do you have a multimeter? You could check for voltages on the cable's pins while the PSU is on (but be really careful not to short them with the prober - you'll fry the PSU).
 
bleyrad said:
I would guess the problem is probably in the power supply or in the cable between the PSU and the mic. Do you have a multimeter? You could check for voltages on the cable's pins while the PSU is on (but be really careful not to short them with the prober - you'll fry the PSU).
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Now this I have no experience with. I will need some of my more technically competent friends to help me.

Thanks bleyrad.
 
Only advice I can give you on changing the tube is, do not handle the tube with your bare hands or fingertips. The oils from your skin can cause a real short life for the tube and even cause it to explode. Be careful of static electricity also.

Yeah you probably already knew this but I had nothing better to do. lol

Peace
Eddie
 
Pro Tools User said:
Only advice I can give you on changing the tube is, do not handle the tube with your bare hands or fingertips. The oils from your skin can cause a real short life for the tube and even cause it to explode. Be careful of static electricity also.

Yeah you probably already knew this but I had nothing better to do. lol

Peace
Eddie
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Sorry Eddie,

This widespread myth has been circling around for quite awhile. In fact, I remember myself already posting about it here. This would be true for power amplifier output tubes, working in class A, when they get really hot. In a microphone usually the tubes are working with current of less than 1ma, and are just warm, so it is definitely not a concern.
 
UPDATE:

Prior to sending me a new tube, the Rode tech rep suggested that I send him the mic and power supply so they can check the whole set. I decided to replace the tubes first.

I received the new tube from Rode yesterday and the good news is I discovered that replacing tubes was very easy. The bad news is the NTK is still not working. I will need to send the whole set to Rode tech support on Monday.

Hope this story has a happy ending.
 
Marik said:
Sorry Eddie,

This widespread myth has been circling around for quite awhile. In fact, I remember myself already posting about it here. This would be true for power amplifier output tubes, working in class A, when they get really hot. In a microphone usually the tubes are working with current of less than 1ma, and are just warm, so it is definitely not a concern.
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Hey Marik,

Thanks for the tip, these are things I have heard so better to be safe then sorry. Appreciate the knowledge cause Im sure soon enough I will be trying some different style of tubes.

Thanks again
 
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