NT5 - Repair, Replace, Or???

[Nate74]

I’ve been using a pair of Rode NT5s for several years. I love them for drum overheads and I also recently used them in combination with an older NT1 on acoustic guitar. It was in this second scenario that I noticed a strange pulsing noise. After isolating each component, I traced the problem to the NT5. I switched to the other of the two NT5s to finish the recording but now I have some questions.

A new one is going to run about $250 but…

-Is it possible to repair them?
-Will it cost less than replacing it?
-The set was sold to me as a “matched” set; will replacing just one make any difference when using them together?

Thanks in advance.

 

[moresound]

Find your favorite moder and have them modified as a matched pair!




And yes dogman does have the best avatar ever, with his free range kitty. What we need is a picture of Konky in there as well.

 

[Nate74]

Find your favorite moder and have them modified as a matched pair!

If somebody can do this mod, shouldn't I ask them about repairing the mic first? Would be great to just fix this one... if repair services exist that is.

 

[mshilarious]

I'm sure Rode can repair it. That problem sounds like a bad component, and replacing components in the amplifier should not affect matching, as most mic circuits do not require matched components. If there is a problem with the capsule that requires replacement or repair, that is where you want to go back to the manufacturer as they should be able to ensure you are returned a matched pair.

 

[Nate74]

I'm sure Rode can repair it. That problem sounds like a bad component, and replacing components in the amplifier should not affect matching, as most mic circuits do not require matched components. If there is a problem with the capsule that requires replacement or repair, that is where you want to go back to the manufacturer as they should be able to ensure you are returned a matched pair.

Excellent thought! I'll take a look at the Rode website and see what I can see. Thanks.

 

[witzendoz]

Knowing the Rode customer service, they will probably repair it for free.

Alan.

 

[Nate74]

Knowing the Rode customer service, they will probably repair it for free.

Alan.

WOW! That would be incredible. I just got an email back from a guy who charges $85/hr and he estimated at least 1.5 hours...

 

[Nate74]

On the suggestion of a buddy, I tried swapping the capsules between the two mics and low and behold, the problem follows the capsule.

The strange thing is that when I didn't screw the capsule all the way on, but maybe 3/4 of a turn from being all the way, the pulsing sound seemed to go away.

Now I don't know what this means or if I can find a replacement for just the capsule but I think this a good since it means it's not down in the guts... maybe.

 

[dgatwood]

Probably not enough mylar spacers in the capsule or something. Under the tension of having it screwed on all the way, the diaphragm is shorting against the backplate. That's probably an assembly mistake rather than a product failure, if I were guessing. Contact Røde.

 

[Nate74]

Probably not enough mylar spacers in the capsule or something. Under the tension of having it screwed on all the way, the diaphragm is shorting against the backplate. That's probably an assembly mistake rather than a product failure, if I were guessing. Contact Røde.

Just talked with Rode. New capsule on the way. Absolutely amazing customer service. Good thing I like their mics a lot too!