Rode NT-2A vs NTK

[Giganova]

Hi!

I recently bought a Rode NT-2A for the sole purpose to record my tenor saxophone. Since a tenor sax is very similar to the range of the human voice, similar results should apply to vocals.

I usually put the NT-2A into figure-8 (which sounds more "airy") and the signal goes straight through an M-Audio USB interface into Logic.

The results: I get a BIG and very detailed sound, much to my suprise (I also played the tracks to some profesional sax player which were impressed). Sounds better than a Neumann TLM103, Gefell M930, AT4047 and Sennheiser MD441, but it is not as detailed and crisp as a Neumann KM184 (THE best mic I have ever tried on a saxophone). Since I cannot afford an KM184 or, even better, a KM84, I was thinking about getting a Rode NTK.

How does the NTK compare to the NT-2A? Would is deliver an even bigger sound?

Thanks!

 

[Ironklad Audio]

i dunno, i've never used an NTK, but i have a matched pair of NT-2A's that i absolutely adore...and you're right, the things do sound massive, even through a less-than high end preamp

 

[phaqu]

You will be limited in the pattern department on the NTK. Muti pattern tube mics (even cheaper ones) cost an arm and a leg. I only have 1 tube mic and its a cardiod also. I know what you mean by the "air" sound with a fig 8, you may not get it with a tight cardiod LDC. But you should get a sound thats less "harsh" in the highs anyway( if you have a problem in that area). I mostly use my tube mic for problem solving in that situation. Not saying it sounds bad or I dont like it, just all my pres are tube and I really dont need the extra from a modern tube mic. An old U47 on the other hand.............
Anyway, for the price of an NTK, you should be able to grab a 184.

 

[Giganova]

You will be limited in the pattern department on the NTK. Muti pattern tube mics (even cheaper ones) cost an arm and a leg...

You are right. A multi-pattern mic is surprisingly versatile, even for recording one instrument at a time, and it really payed off already. I think I might be better off getting a decent tube preamp since the NT2-A sounds already very good through my cheap-a$$ M-Audio MobilePre.

Are there good sounding tube pres in the ~$500 league? (maybe a GT Brick?)

 

[studiomaster]

You are right. A multi-pattern mic is surprisingly versatile, even for recording one instrument at a time, and it really payed off already. I think I might be better off getting a decent tube preamp since the NT2-A sounds already very good through my cheap-a$$ M-Audio MobilePre.

Are there good sounding tube pres in the ~$500 league? (maybe a GT Brick?)

How about the M-Audio Tampa?

 

[Giganova]

I heard great things about the Tampa -- but I recently saw one at a music store and all knobs were either wobbly or simply missing, and it wasn't even old. Bad build quality?

 

[ido1957]

Since you say sax is close to vocals, if you check out any of the songs in my link below you can hear vocals through an NTK. It may give you some idea what the mic might do for your sax......

 

[phaqu]

Ive never used a brick, but I havent had any luck with the cheaper tube pres. Kinda noisy and distortion. You could check Ebay or a used dealer. I found all of mine used for about a grand cheaper than new( they still were not super cheap though).

 

[Giganova]

Ive never used a brick, but I havent had any luck with the cheaper tube pres. Kinda noisy and distortion.

That's one of the reasons why I am reluctant to get a cheap tube pre. Since I find the "clean" pres such as the Focusrite rather sterile sounding, I am still sticking to my MobilePre interface until I found sth better which won't break the bank.

 

[roadwarrior]

I see no glaring advantage to going with a NTK over a NT2-A. However, a K2....well then that's a different story. If all you want to do is warm things up consider a ART TPS-II preamp. I went that route for certain applications and it does it's job nicely. Once you adjust the gain stages well it is dead quiet with the Rode's. Offers a nice rounded character to them. Lot's of versatility as it has variable impedance as well with 2 channels. 72db of gain....what else do you need. For $179 typically....