Is an NTK a noticeable step up from NT1000?

[aznwonderboy]

I tried to search the forums for this comparison, but there were no results (HR's search engine seems to be a lot weaker now.)

The Rode NTK's price seems to be dropping below $400 now. I thought I should try to get one of the most coveted microphones in this forum.

I have an NT1000, and I have been debating whether to get an an NTK or not. Here are some questions I hope you guys can answer:

1) How do they differ in sound quality?

2) If I use Antares Microphone's Modeler and adds the fake "tube" sound to the NT1000, will that get me closer to the NTK tube sound?

3) I heard that you need at least 20 minutes or longer to warm up the NTK in order maximize its potential. Does the user manual actually state that it needs that much time to warm up? The NT1000's manual says that it only needs about 1 minute to do that. Should I leave it on longer than 1 minute?

 

[Flatpicker]

If you go to The Listening Sessions, Session 5 you’ll find that both of these are among the mics used there on acoustic guitar. Download the samples and judge for yourself.

Personally, I like the NT1000 more than the NTK.

 

[apl]

Hey, aznwonderboy,

Here is a comparison.

 

[chessparov]

Include the Studio Projects T3 in your shortlist to try out.
Less hyped at the top vs. the NTK.

Chris

 

[still4given]

Well, I own both, and I don't think of it as a step up. More a step sidways. Both sound great at what they do. The NTK is a little "bolder" sounding to me but that's not always what you want. The NT1000 is "cleaner" sounding. They do have a lot of "air" which seems to bother some folks. I like it. I use the NTK a little more for vocals than the NT1000. IMO the sounds they get in the "Listening Sessions" linked above, don't really do them justice.

I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think it is a waste of money to own both. The NTK is enough different to justify owning it, even if you own the NT1000 already.

Blessings, Terry

P.S. I haven't noticed any loss in sound quality when not warming up the NKT for an extended period of time. Maybe I'm not picky enough though.