Question about my NT2 and patterns...

[KaBudokan]

Hey guys,

I have a Rode NT2 that I've had for a little bit. I just have a question, and hopefully someone can give me a good answer.

On every single thing I have recorded so far I have used the omni pattern setting. I know I need to do more experimenting with it, but I haven't yet.

The omni pattern, with the relatively small amount of recording I have done, sounds MUCH warmer than the cardiod setting. So, I've used it for everything. So far just vocals and acoustic guitar. When I have recorded with the cardiod setting it seemed significantly harsher, so I haven't used it.

Is this normal? I thought I read somewhere that generally the cardiod setting is preferred for recording vocals.

Anyone out there have an NT2 and notice the same thing? I'm wondering what circumstances I would use the cardiod setting.

I want to get the most from the mic, but so far I am just totally happy with the omni setting, and the cardiod hasn't proven desirable. I don't know when it would be.

Thanks guys!!!

If you wanna hear the stuff I've recorded with the mic, go to www.mp3.com/TheShadyNeighbor . "Half a Song" and "Gladiolas" have acoustic and guitar recorded with it. (They are both going through my Joe Meek VC3 though, which colors the sound quite a bit. Actually "Half a Song" I used the Antares modeler on the acoustic too... lol Bad example. "Gladiolas" is just acoustic and voice though, so that may be good.) "Steep" has vocals recorded with the NT2 through a Mackie, so it should be a little more transparant I think.

Thanks for any suggestions/comments. Like I said, I just wanna get the most from the mic.

 

[Recording Engineer]

Could be a # of things... Your "idea" of "warm", the combination of your NT-2 and preamp(s), the combination of your NT-2 and instrument(s) and/or voice(s), the "inconsistent factor" (mainly having to do with the capsule) with your NT-2, etc.

One of or any combination of what's listed above or not listed above. But maybe try and narrow it down with what's listed above first. Then you and/or we'll go further if it's not.

 

[Spray]

Sorry RE as english is not my mother language
I sometimes have problems with certain words.
Could you give me a hint wgat is meant by "inconsistent factor)?

 

[Recording Engineer]

Mainly just that a lot of "budget" mics out now 'a days have inconsistencies (not the same quality and "sound") between mics of the same brand and model; even with mics with consecutive (ex. 1 and 2) serial numbers.

 

[KaBudokan]

Hey RE... I do understand the inconsistencies in the capsules. I did notice this though in all the NT2's I have heard. They all seem much warmer to me in omni mode. I also read a review of the NT1 and NT2, and the reviewer talked about how "gorgeous" the omni mode was, and how that alone was worth the price of the NT2 over the NT1.

Honestly, I am not real experienced with mic's. I guess maybe I don't know what kind of a difference I should expect in the different patterns. I have read a little about them, but not in a while. Normally, what might be different applications to use the different patterns?

Thanks for the responses.

 

[Recording Engineer]

KaBudokan:

Polar patterns are MAINLY used for rejection. But in controled environments where you're not so worried about rejection, the focus is MAINLY frequency response.

This is why I usually think of polar patterns as "natural EQs" in microphones.

To know your mic(s)' frequency response(s) 360 degrees as a globe around and at every possible distance in your most used room(s) is probably the best knowlege you can have when it comes to recording, IMHO.

Of course, no one ever gets even close to that knowledge, but it will be something I will always try to achive with my mics and to make huge generalizations for the various types of rooms.