New mic LDC for me. NT1A ok?

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pure.fusion

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Hi all,

The StudioProjects C1 Condenser Mic I have been borrowing for the last 6 months is returning to it's owner. It's time to buy my own.

I'm thinking of buying a Rode NT1A.

I mention it in this forum, only as a check to see if for some major reason this mic shouldn't be obtained.

I'm not at the level to compare the finer differences between this and say one that's twice the price - the money will be wasted on me. I'm just after that buying point where you rise above the absolute bottom shelf just to get past the crap and I'm led to believe that this mic is at that point.

I'll be recording voice, acoustic guitar, trumpet, sax and (if it doesn't get damaged) a guitar amp.

Can I get some feedback on this?

Also, is it a good idea to buy a second hand mic or not?

Cheers,

FM
 
Interesting GuitarZero, thanks for that.

But I'm really trying to get some feedback (as queried above) as to

- where this mic stands in the market,
- whether is has any notoriously bad issues that you (the professional sector) may know about but me (the amateur) would not
- Whether a LDC is the type of device that you would buy second hand or not

Cheers,
FM
 
pure.fusion said:
Interesting GuitarZero, thanks for that.

But I'm really trying to get some feedback (as queried above) as to

- where this mic stands in the market,
- whether is has any notoriously bad issues that you (the professional sector) may know about but me (the amateur) would not
- Whether a LDC is the type of device that you would buy second hand or not

Cheers,
FM
Click to expand...

The NT-1a is an Australian-made, very good mic for the money (reg. $229, I have seen it as low as $180 new) that gets good reviews. It has the lowest self-noise of any mic on the market (5 db).

The only criticism I have read is that it can be a little harsh on some voices, especially when compressed (search for NT-1a on gearslutz.com to read up on opinions there). I like mine on my voice, and on lots of male voices, and have not noticed the harshness problem -- I figure I could slightly angle the mic if I ran into that problem. It has a nice 2db boost at 150hz that gives it a very rich full low end, a unique sound among mics in this price range.

The high-end boost is there but is not excessive IMO, and results in a nice sound on acoustic guitars. It is very sensitive, so you need to close mic or record in a well-treated room to avoid unwanted room sound. It is very quiet, so if you crank your preamp gain to hiss levels, you can actually hear that this mic is much quieter in terms of self-noise than other mics.

I have yet to buy a used LDC - it is a gamble because mics can be rather sensitive to abuse. It may have been used by a spitty singer without a pop filter, or at an SPL beyond its recommended spec. It may have been dropped. And of course there won't be a warranty.
 
I'm quite happy with the new rode tube mic have you tried it or heard it anywhere? The nt1a is not a bad mic thou.
Purchasing a used mic is always a gamble but on ebay you are some what protected you just don't want to purchase someone elses problems!!!
With a LDC leave it plugged in for 2 or 3 hours and listen for pops etc. then you'll know if you need to send it back quickly.
I purchase used LDC all the time and only one has been bad out of maybe 70 of them.;):):D:cool:
 
The NT1a is a reasonable, versatile LDC at a good price. It has its detractors, but then again, so has just about every other mike (for example, I'm no big fan of Shure 57s or 58s). So it would be pretty good purchase.

As for the suggested mod:
guitar zero said:
Read this from Michael Joly's website:
http://www.oktavamodshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=145
If you're going to get the NT1a, you might as well save up and get this mod. Then you'll have a first class mic.
Click to expand...

This would be worth looking at, but . . . the skeptic in me wonders why there are no comparative graphs and figures.
 
Not being too submerged in the microphone thing, it seems a little odd to me.

If you like the sound of a NT1A with a different cover, wouldn't you have originally bought a different mic?

FM
 
pure.fusion said:
Not being too submerged in the microphone thing, it seems a little odd to me.

If you like the sound of a NT1A with a different cover, wouldn't you have originally bought a different mic?

FM
Click to expand...

not necessarily. The article notes the very low self-noise of the NT1a, which is something you would be inclined to take advantage of. If you couple that with a different capsule and basket, you get a 'better' mike.

I'm not saying that the mod is not an improvement, I'm just wondering about the lack of comparison figures.
 
guitar zero said:
Read this from Michael Joly's website:
http://www.oktavamodshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=145
If you're going to get the NT1a, you might as well save up and get this mod. Then you'll have a first class mic.
Click to expand...

Big Kenny said:
there's the good advice, take it.
Click to expand...

gecko zzed said:
The NT1a is a reasonable, versatile LDC at a good price. It has its detractors, but then again, so has just about every other mike (for example, I'm no big fan of Shure 57s or 58s). So it would be pretty good purchase.

As for the suggested mod:


This would be worth looking at, but . . . the skeptic in me wonders why there are no comparative graphs and figures.
Click to expand...

pure.fusion said:
Not being too submerged in the microphone thing, it seems a little odd to me.

If you like the sound of a NT1A with a different cover, wouldn't you have originally bought a different mic?

FM
Click to expand...

Who needs graphs when you can use your ears? Check out the sound samples. As far as getting a different mic rather than a mod, go ahead. But to get a large diaphragm condenser mic that will perform like a mic modified by Mr. Joly be prepared to spend at least a grand.

I have had two mics modded by Michael, and both were improved significantly.

So that really is good advice. But if that doesn't suit your needs or budget right now, that's cool. Just for grins, to convince the skeptic in you, search the boards for his work and listen to the sound samples. Good stuff.
 
P.S.- Without mods the NT1a is a bit "nails on the chalkboard". YMMV
 
I don't own an NT1a, but I think you're going to have a hard time finding a really great mic for $200. The best LDC I've ever owned in that price range was the Studio Projects B3. Good for the money, just not as good as some of the more expensive ones I have now.

I have had an Oktava mic modded by Mr. Joly and it sounds great. His work is top notch. He stays on a tight schedule, and delivers the mic when promised. I'm actually tempted to find a used NT1a and have it modded.
 
pure.fusion said:
Not being too submerged in the microphone thing, it seems a little odd to me.

If you like the sound of a NT1A with a different cover, wouldn't you have originally bought a different mic?

FM
Click to expand...
You'll notice that Mr. Joly only mods certain mics. That is because there are a few mics out there that are cheap but can be improved tremendously with a couple of changes. The NT1a has good internal electronics and very low noise. The point behind his mods is to take a cheap mic, change what's wrong with it and deliver a new mic that sounds way better than anything in it's price range.

As far as buying used mics, I've done it many times, and had good luck as well as some bad luck. The used gear forum at gearslutz.com is a great site with seller and buyer feedback. You have to register to view the classifieds, but it's free, and worth the time. Pick who you buy from carefully, and you're less likely to get burned. Plus it's a really active board with new stuff showing up all the time.
 
gecko zzed said:
not necessarily. The article notes the very low self-noise of the NT1a, which is something you would be inclined to take advantage of. If you couple that with a different capsule and basket, you get a 'better' mike.

I'm not saying that the mod is not an improvement, I'm just wondering about the lack of comparison figures.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying that for me Gecko Zzed.

re: response graphs - Like you, I'm a hound for documentation. But I don't have an anechoic chamber to test microphones in. (My capsule vendor does, and all my capsules are individually tested in a large chamber and their response plotted).

I have done "relative" (not absolute) frequency response comparison tests here in my shop, but when plotted these graphs show the effects of room nodes and thus are not suitable for public presentation because they are too easily misunderstood as "absolute" graphs.

However, its pretty easy for someone technically inclined to take both my NT1a and U 87 samples, run them through a spectral analysis program and plot the results to compare frequency response.
 
Keep in mind that Rode's usual low self-noise is a function of the capsule and also the polarization voltage, less so the rest of the circuit.
 
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