Question for Rode NT2 users.

[Hurmph]

I just bought a this mic and am still in the midst of testing.
I mostly bought it for acoustic guitar and vocals.
I had some questions for people already using this mic.
Do you notice a drop in output when you switch from cardiod to omni?
Also do you find yourself using the omni or cardiod pattern more often?
Where is the sweet spot for you, I noticed mic placement affects this mic alot.
Also do you you have any mic pre suggestions for this mic?
Is there really a quality control problem with these mics?

I like it so far, but I think it can be better with a little more knowledge.

Thanks for Everything!

 

[c7sus]

Yeah, the omni is a bit lower output than cardioid.

I prefer the cardioid pattern.

Try putting the mic about shoulder-ear high, with the capsule pointing at the floor, about 2-3 inches behind the bridge. Dial in the positioning with a pair of headphones.

I've never heard of QC issues with NT-2's. I think they may have redsesigned the electronics a couple times, that might explain some variances over the years of production. I got mine in 2000, FWIW.

I've run mine through Mackie VLZ pres, JoeMeek VC6-Q, and a Davisound TB-10. They're all very different pres. The Mackie sounds harsh when pushed, the Meek has a pretty full sound (just pressing the compressor in with it's values set at "0" is a noticeable difference), and the Davisound is a straight-wire-with-gain type amp with tons of clean gain.

 

[Hurmph]

I bought mine new, but it says it was made in 2001.
Is that normal? Seems kinda old for a "new" product.

 

[c7sus]

It's not like they have a shelf-life or anything.

It could have just got buried on a shelf somewhere until you came along to buy it.

 

[Audio Engineer]

I have a 1999 NT2. You may notice a slight difference in output when switching patterns. I find it a very useful mic.

AE

 

[Audio Engineer]

I've never[i/] heard of any QC issues with Rode mics. With the NT2, I find I use the cardioid pattern most frequently, due to it's primary function of recording vocals in our studio. It sounds most pleasing through an Avalon 737sp microphone pre-amp.

AE