Just picked up NT3 -- What have you recorded nicely with it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brackish
  • Start date Start date
B

Brackish

New member
Just wondering what you have recorded with the
NT3 where you thought the recording turned out
well?
 
acoustic guitar. it turned out really well. had to do very little or no EQing and to add very little compression. but frankly, that's the only application NT3 was good at. was. i sold it soon. i don't record acoustic guitar too often, so my other mics can do the job then. it's also good for hihats. but since i don't mic hihat anymore i didn't need NT3 anymore. oh, and it can be used very effectively on live vocals in acoustic setups. but note that this mic does not sound natural. it has very scooped mids (kind of phasey, swooshy thing going on) and kind of compresse bass response.

peace.
 
20-30 cm pointing to the bridge. a bit angled to the bridge.
for vocals it really depends on circumstances. just experiment.
 
personally havn't had much luck on git with it. it's a little bright.
but it seems to be a wiz at all types of percussion, and it's my go to snare mic.

have used it on vox, but not much.
have put it on a git amp or 2 with success, but not too many times.
 
Sorry to say the NT3 is one of the harshest/brightest mics I've encountered........I dare say that there would be times when it may be just what you would need but they may be few and far between.

:cool:
 
It's very bright, one of the brightest sounding mics I've heard, but I wouldn't say harsh. It's very rejective as well, good on percussion, OH, ride cymbal, hi hat and acoustic instruments that need to sound bright.

You may need to cut some highs though.
 
In most applications, I found this mic to be a little "overdriven" and a little distorted. Has anyone come across this effect, and a solution for it? I did not find this of any other mic I own under any application, but this mic had a tendency to it in most applications. I just bought this mic used on ebay, and considered that it may just be a faulty mic. Or is it possible that I just placed it too close to the source? That will be my next trial, but I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions. I didn't receive the manuel, so I'll have to do some investigating to track down some further info. Also, the red LED light does not come on when the mic is turned on. Again, could anyone confirm the proper functioning of the light? Does it come on with Phantom, or the battery, or both, or what...?
 
3.5 years ago that would have been germain.....
Well that clearly means the info is longer pertinent, or that nobody will care. Don't be snobby just 'cause I found this site later than you. The info is still the same, and others just finding this site might find it pertinent as well. I don't care how old a thread is> If it has useful info, and there is no other current threads, than it is still pertinent and relevant.
What's with all the snobby assholes around here that just want to post a list of all the mics and other shit they own, and pick on people that found this site after them. Share info or lick my ass. But you might not like that either, 'cause it's more than 3 years old too.
 
Now Now
the light comes on with a battery in place and also lets you know if its dead or dieing. Ill look for my manual and post it if I can find it.
The best use Ive gotten out of it is a single over head mic on the drums live (where it really shines) then we tried it in our studio not to bad but we have better go to mics and we also do stereo over heads.
I found my NT3 used in a store for 50 bucks and I'm happy with that. Ive said this a thousand times
"every mic made in the world has its special purpose"
 
I am currently pondering over buying a condenser for some acoustic recording (guitar, djembe drum, rattle, etc.) and an NT3 is one of the options. I'm still a newbie so I don't have much equipment and the only mic I have is an SM57. I recorded acoustic guitar with it and it is not bad but I want more. Is there any point in recording an acoustic guitar with a dynamic, say, an SM57, and a condenser, or should I buy a pair of condensers? What I would also like to know is how important the matching of the mics is. Is it necessary to have a pair of identical mics?
 
mr.rudy you do need identical mics if you want a nice stereo recording say like on drum over head.
An acoustic guitar should need to be recorded with two mics and the list is endless for the combination (depending on your budget) one at the neck area around 12th fret and one on the body around the bridge or sound hole.
These mics don't have to be identical for they are recording different parts of the guitar with different tones etc. say a small condenser at neck and large condenser at the body.
 
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I can't afford a pair of condensers at the moment. Would it be then a bad move to buy one condenser and use it along with a dynamic for acoustic guitar?
 
mr. rudy--I really like the AKG 535EB as an all around useful recording/stage condenser mic. You can find them used in the $200 range. They sound good to me on nearly everything (although a little on the bright side, they can be tamed with EQing.) I really like that they have a detailed but not overly sibilant sound, and that they reject off-axis sound well.

hope this helps
 
No if that's what your budget dictates but the 57 as good as it is for micing an acoustic guitar live lacks some in the recording of one, especially once you hear how a large diaphragm condenser mic captures the body/sound hole of an acoustic guitar or acoustic anything.
You don't have to purchase mics new look for some used.
Or when purchasing entry level MXL large diaphragm condenser mics for about $50.US they throw in free a small diaphragm condenser this would be a good place to start.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies but I still haven't got my question answered. Is recording an acoustic guitar with a dynamic AND a condenser a way that has a chance of giving good results or is that a total nonsense and I shouldn't even bother to try it but buy 2 condensers instead?
 
Back
Top