RODE NT1-A Anniversary Model vs. Studio Projects B1

[Robertt8]

CHESSPAROV: Ya, I think you're right. I was thinking of Chessrock. My inexperience shows through everywhere on this link. I guess I'm not sure what the hell I'm looking for. I guess something warm and neutral sounds good.

DJL: Thanks for "telling the truth", but to be honest, you end up coming off more like a jerk than anything. I'm looking for help and all you can do is bash on this or that. If you're trying to help great, if you're trying to act like "the big man", I'd appreciate you not responding to my posts.

MGRAFFEO: Thanks. I'd love to check these mics out, and I know that's an option. I was just looking for a little info for those that knew how those 2 mics might stack up against each other

STEVENLINDSEY: Exactly! I couldn't agree more. Quite frankly I could do without the help from these people who have developed a phobia "VS." in the title. If you're going to be that anal about something like that, I'm not too worried about their opinions.

EELIP: $350 is definitely out of my range right now. maybe I'll give it a try if I come across it somewhere.

AMBI: um....thanks. Well, I sure don't want a dark and muddy mic. I've always been able to plug this mic directly into my 8track or 4 track (I wasn't aware of any pre-amp on these), and it's always worked fine. I'll give my pre-amp a shot though...Thanks.

 

[ambi]

Hey robert. When you plug your mics into the 8-track do you have any input adjustments? Can you turn the level of the mic up or down? If it has no preamp and it's a line level input then it would most likely have non, there would be no gain to speak of hence there being no preamp.

If you can then there probably is a preamp, but i'd be iffy about the quality of it. And Dynamic mics need preamps just as much as condensors! Jesus man, do yourself a favor and buy a cheap audio buddy or something. A studio projects b1 and an audio buddy seems like a good solution, although the B1 is 200 dollars Canadian in Vancouver, where as it's only like 79 US in the states. Kind of a rip off so maybe there are other models that aren't so expensive when imported. Have you looked into the marshal v67g? If i were you i'd put my money into the microphone not the preamp (although with 150 dollars you don't have a lot of leeway), the microphone makes a bigger difference than the preamp in general.

Also you might consider getting an audio buddy and renting one of the cheap but good condensors we've been talking about, and when you hear the quality i'm sure you'll be pleased and when you can save enough you can buy the mic.

We seem to be slowly gathering information about your equipment needs, financial restrictions, and your current gear, and the situation keeps chaning. 8 track/4 track? If you are refering to tape then maybe one of the reasons for the quality problems is your recording medium? An sm58 clone into a 4 track tape recording without a preamp isn't going to do you any favors.

 

[alanhyatt]

RODE has softened up the new NT1A...Is it worth the $200.00 when compared to a $79.00 B1? Well any mic is a good mic no matter how much or how little you paid for it, as long as you like it and use it, just as a bad is a bad mic no matter how much or how little you paid for it, if you don't use it.

So, listen to them and decide for yourself. Don't read into the big CD comparison test discs, as nothing works or sounds the same way in two different rooms. Use your ears in your studio.

 

[ambi]

why compare a 200 dollar mic to an 89 dollar mic?
why not compare the rode to the Studio Projects C1, for 199?

 

[StevenLindsey]

Sure... but, it's your lost.

Not really. But we'll let you feel superior. You obviously need that.

For example...
And I'm pretty tired of them also.

Harvey doesn't have to read them either.

 

[Robertt8]

AMBI: Ya, I do have a volume nob on my current 8 track inputs (Roland VS-880EX). I guess that does make sense that it would require a pre-amp now. I actually own an Audio Buddy, but never really needed it with my sm58, so I never used it. I've been using it for the phantom power on the B1. I was referring to the fact that I never needed the external pre-amp with previous recorders (2 previous 4 tracks), but I guess they had 'em too.

Oh, the reason I'm comparing the B1 to the Rode is because I've got a B1...so I've got some reference. I haven't tried the C1 yet, but I'd really like to. That's pretty much where this whole post started. I was just seeing if anyone owned both of these mics and how they would compare them to give me a preview to their opinion.

ALANHYATT: Thanks. What I really want is a mic that I don't need to screw with the EQ's too much to make it sound good. I think my B1 is pretty good with that, but just when I got it to where I think it sounds good, someone hears something I've done on it and says something to the effect of..."It sounds good, it's just the the voice sounds really hollow." Hollow?! what the hell does that mean?

STEVENLINDSY: Amen my friend! I come to these boards for help, and I can do with out the harassment from the handful of people who are spending their time looking down on us instead of helping. There seems to be 3 types of people who come to these boards. 1. Those looking for help, 2. Those offering help, and 3. those who, for some unknown reason, still read the posts, reply to them, but are too important to help. I don't get it...

 

[alanhyatt]

AMBI:

ALANHYATT: Thanks. What I really want is a mic that I don't need to screw with the EQ's too much to make it sound good. I think my B1 is pretty good with that, but just when I got it to where I think it sounds good, someone hears something I've done on it and says something to the effect of..."It sounds good, it's just the the voice sounds really hollow." Hollow?! what the hell does that mean?

AMBI,

Hollow can mean many different things, but remember, the one you have to please is you! There are many critics out there, some know what they are doing, and many don't. If you are happy with the results your getting, then don't worry about what others think for now. When you are unhappy with the results yourself, then you need to worry.

Many people are used to the newer mics that do hype the mid range and add a thickness to them, like our C1. This is probably what they are talking about, but the B1 is a very neutral mic, designed to be that way, where our C1, and some other brands are colored and thick in the midrange. This is why we did the B Series. We did not want the same old sound, so the B Series was menat to go a different direction. As it turs out, it seems many people really like the mic.

The question is, do you need a midrange sounding mic? If you think you do, see if you can borrow a mic like the C1 and try it out next to your B1, but if you are happy with your current sound, don't be influenced by others until those others are producers doing your new CD!!!!!

 

[DJL]

DJL: Thanks for "telling the truth", but to be honest, you end up coming off more like a jerk than anything. I'm looking for help and all you can do is bash on this or that. If you're trying to help great, if you're trying to act like "the big man", I'd appreciate you not responding to my posts.

Read my first reply to you in this thread again... and a few years down the road, see if you don't agree with what I told you. The other replies here are more or less just echoing what I already told you, only with different words (except the voodoo doctors) because there is no frickin way anyone knows if YOU'LL love the Rode NT1-A or not, or any other mic either. Listen to what Alan is telling you... and even he is telling you that you need to try the mic's for yourself. I'm sorry if I pissed you off, and you think I'm a jerk... that was not my intention. Anyway, good luck, take care, and goodbye.