NT1 vs C1 vs C3000B vs Apex420

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jvasey

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Ok, I've read all these threads, and tons of reviews, and the most annoying thing is that they never seem to compare mics in a similar price range.

I don't care how a C1 compares to a U87 because I've never bought or used a U87, and barring a lottery win, don't expect to.

Can somebody who has used at least 2 of these mics please compare them from experience. Also, why does the NT1 refuse to give a self noise spec. I noticed on the C3000B, they were able to lower it from 18.5 to 14db (from the original C3000). The C1 is 17db I believe. But every spec sheet/review/comparison neglects to mention the self noise of the NT1. If anyone knows that spec, I'm extremely curious.

I believe of these four, the Apex is the only one with a switchable pattern (cardioid/omni). Is this useful, or just a superfluous feature?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Jeff
 
You Know...

I've been saying that for over a year now... I'd LOVE to take a nice relaxing 3-day weekend or so and do a well thought-out "budget mic" comparison for homerecording.com with 2 different preamps; probably Mackie VLZ PRO and DaviSound "Mic All" in my TB-3.

The mics? Well most definitely at least a "budget mic" from each major manufacturer and then some other popular "budget mics" right now:

-AKG C2000B
-AKG C3000B
-Audio-Technica AT-4033
-MXL V67
-MXL V77
-Neumann TLM-103
-Rode NT-1
-Rode NT-2
-Shure KSM32
-Studio Projects C1
-Studio Projects C3
-A Budget CAD or 2 of some sort?
-A Budget GT Electronics or 2 of some sort?
-Maybe 1 or 2 other Budget Mics From AKG, AT, or Rode?

BUT, I can't seem to get my hands on any more than 2 at one time! Heck, even half of those together at one time would be GREAT!
 
Oh, By The Way...

The cardioid/omni feature is only useful if "omni" is anywhere decent of an actual Omni Polar Pattern at key frequencies. I suspect they wouldn't be able to do that great of a job on the "omni" for the price of this thing, but I MAY be wrong!

So, I went looking for a published polar plot for the Apex 420, but no such luck... Sorry.
 
Re: You Know...

Originally posted by Recording Engineer
Click to expand...
I've been saying that for over a year now... I'd LOVE to take a nice relaxing 3-day weekend or so and do a well thought-out "budget mic" comparison for homerecording.com with 2 different preamps; probably Mackie VLZ PRO and DaviSound "Mic All" in my TB-3.

The mics? Well most definitely at least a "budget mic" from each major manufacturer and then some other popular "budget mics" right now:

-AKG C2000B
-AKG C3000B
-Audio-Technica AT-4033
-MXL V67
-MXL V77
-Neumann TLM-103
-Rode NT-1
-Rode NT-2
-Shure KSM32
-Studio Projects C1
-Studio Projects C3
-A Budget CAD or 2 of some sort?
-A Budget GT Electronics or 2 of some sort?
-Maybe 1 or 2 other Budget Mics From AKG, AT, or Rode?

BUT, I can't seem to get my hands on any more than 2 at one time! Heck, even half of those together at one time would be GREAT!

RE, I can probably loan you the following mics:

-MXL V67
-MXL V77
-Neumann TLM-103
-Studio Projects C1
-Studio Projects C3
-A CAD E200
-The MCo12 Oktava with the 33 mm LOMO head
-Nady SCM-1000
 
I can part with a Cad E100 for a period of time, if you need.

Don
 
jvasey,

being in Ontario, I guess you can get the Apex420 pretty cheap. I got myself a Apex110 when I was in Toronto last year. (from Long&Mcquade, IMHO, offers the best price for Yorkville products)

From the choices that you stated, I'd go for the C1, not because I have them or tried one... (I don't have that luxury here... :( )
just based on reviews I have read here and there....

Do you have a good room to use them with?
 
Recording Engineer, I'd also love to see the results of such a test. I hope your post was an offer to do the testing. If you would be interested, I can provide a SE 3500, which is a new low cost ($120), low noise (15db), large diameter, TLM 103 look-alike from SE Electronics. Sure hope you can find the time for this project. We need more good objective and testing-based posts.
 
Why not throw a sm57 in there for the heck of it....the newbies might be surprised at how, in the right hands, it is a quite useful mic.....while you are at it throw in the mxl603.....
 
the "tried and true."

I would stay away from the Apex. You'll be paying extra $$ for a polar pattern selection . . . which basically is useless. If you don't know what it's for or what it does, then chances are it won't benefit you. :o)

The NT1 is your best value, hands down. It's pretty much the same quality as the more expensive models, but it doesn't have all the "frills, gadgets, and do-dads" that a person with a limited budget needs.

The NT1 is quickly becoming a staple for most home studios. Like the SM-57 is to dynamic, it's "the tried and true" for condenser mikes.
 
123

I can't imagine the NT1 being the best value for the money "hands down". The Marshall v67, a C1 or even a large dia. Octava would be bought WAY before an NT1. Now, I would like to have an Nt1000 or NTK, but the NT1? Nah.
 
Hey!

That'd be GREAT Harvey Henri, and JPS... Yeah, I'm willing to take the time to do it! When? Now or soon is as good a time as any! Actually, it's whenever is most convenient for you guys!

I really wish the C3000B, NT-1, and 4033 could somehow be involved too though...

And yeah, the 57 for good measure goes without mentioning...

Also, if there's a demand for the 603 to be in it, it will be if someone can provide one. I could possibly buy one though if someone can't!

chessrock,

I use to think the NT-1 was the best deal if you ABSOLUTEY couldn't afford more than $200USD. But with even more "budget mics" today than a year and a half to 2 years ago, I'd most definitely say not anymore! Just my opinion... I just couldn't figure-out why some people would ever buy the AKG C3000 over the NT-1 back then...

P.S. Harvey, got the TLM-103 covered for sure and the C1 and C3 possibly; that's pending... I'll let you know before we do this!

P.P.S. Harvey, I posted the following thread on RO awhile ago but I suppose you haven't seen it?:

If you're still interested in checking-out the 797 Audio CR998, just let me know when a good 2 weeks is good for you and where to send it... Also, when I get my SPA modded version from SPA, are you interested in checking that out too? If so, maybe I'll just have them send it to you... What would be another two weeks or so?
Anyhow, just let me know.
Weston
 
As soon as you want just post or e-mail and we will make the arrangements to get you the Cad 100 and if its fairly soon I can supply a AT 4033..

Don
 
WHOA...........chessrock!

Have you tried any of the Studio Projects mics yet? I certainly hope you have considering your last post.

As for Rodes (in general), they are assembled here in Aust. but use Chinese capsules, etc. Some parts are locally produced, but NOT the things that you would consider critical to their sound.

So wouldn't that make Rode essentially another crappy Chinese mic?

Peace.........ChrisO:cool:
 
ausrock said:
WHOA...........chessrock!

Have you tried any of the Studio Projects mics yet? I certainly hope you have considering your last post.

As for Rodes (in general), they are assembled here in Aust. but use Chinese capsules, etc. Some parts are locally produced, but NOT the things that you would consider critical to their sound.

So wouldn't that make Rode essentially another crappy Chinese mic?

Peace.........ChrisO:cool:
Click to expand...

Chris,
are you sure about that with the chinese capsules in the rode mics? I had quiet a discussion with the german distributer about that, he said that every capsule Rode uses apart from the early nt2's is made in Australia.
Harald
 
MMM HUMMM...

...Yeah he's sure... Who's the German Distributor? They wouldn't have anything to do with BPM would they?
 
Re: MMM HUMMM...

Recording Engineer said:
...Yeah he's sure... Who's the German Distributor? They wouldn't have anything to do with BPM would they?
Click to expand...

nope, they are the german Event Audio distributer (Hyperactive audiotechnik). The guy is posting regularily on a german message board and keeps on telling the story (and I regulary contradict him, but as I do not have any evidence, well...)
I checked the rode webpage. There isn't one word about chinese manufacturing, is it? Where does this information come from?
Harald
PS I don't have any problem with chinese manufacturing. But I think a company should tell their customers the truth about the product they are buying.
 
Chessrock
Here in Canada, the Apex 420 is actually $50 cheaper than the NT1. And it comes with a hard cased and spider clip. Also has the previously mentioned Omni pattern switch, and a bass rolloff.

The only thing I'm not sure about is the response curve doesn't flatten out until 100Hz, whereas the NT1 flattens about 50Hz. I'm not sure if this is important or not for my main uses (Vocals, Acoustic Gtr, Drum Overheads).

Jeff
 
Checked-out their website; I have a feeling they're simply misinformed more than anything else.

Yeah, Rode doesn't say anything either... Although it seems someone here said they talked to Rode on the phone and they DID talk about it, but were rather reluctant, uncomfortable, and prefer not talking about it. But Rode is not alone... In fact, for all I know, PMI Audio is the ONLY one up-front and out in the open about it all!

The info comes from 797 Audio themselves... I'm sure if you e-mailed them, they'd tell you all they OEM... At least they use to.
 
nt1000 and NTK?

RE, do you think you could include these two Rode mics as well??

They're definitely 'budget', and there hasn't been as much feedback on them on this BBS as there's been on the NT1 and NT2.

Thanks
 
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