rode NT1a/NT1000 or AT 4040

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arpodthegreat

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so i was looking to pick up a quality LDC that i could use on vocals and just about everything else (that's what these are for right?) well anyways i was considering the Rode NT1000 - low price, extremely quiet and way above the quality of cheapo LDC. so the question is how much better is it than the NT1a and is it really worth spending the extra cash for the NTK if i am using it for vocals? also i saw some people comparing the NTK to the AT 4040. on ebay they go for as much as the NT1000. so now i am tempted to get the AT 4040 (although isn't as quiet as the slient NT1000, but then who cares, i'm not doing classical, but it is nice for digital if i am recording some odd, quiet source or something). I am planning on testing them but there is only so much one can do in the store. so if i could get some advice here. and maybe a little advice about the best way to test a mic in a store.
thank you guys.
 
When I started recording, I started with a pair of Rode NT1. And while they aren't high end, they worked well on everything I tried them on. They were very decent on vocals, guitar, drums, pretty much anything. Like I said they aren't amazing, but they did the job for my budget.

I had purchased a variety of other budget mics but I kept using the NT1 all the time. Recently I bought the Rode K2, and it was a huge step up. While the NT1 gave me a decent clean recording, the K2 just added a whole new world of depth in comparison. If you can afford it, it is worth the step up.
 
I've used both the NT1000 and AT4040 the AT4040. The microphones sound completely different. The NT1000 worked great on some voices but on others it fell way short (too harsh). AT4040 is a little more versatile, it sounds better on more sources/voices. Plus it has a -10dB pad and a low frequency cut. I kept AT4040 the AT4040 and sold the NT1000.

Rob
 
I have and use the 4050, NTK and 4033, all quite different. Depending on your preamp the NTK is wonderful on vox and ac guitar. The 4033, an occasional vocal, guit cabs. The 4050 anything in the place, not always the choice for voice, but more frequently than the 4033. NTK is a nice piece and I see them going pretty cheap at the bay
 
If there's someone you will be micing regularly on vocals, try out a mic with them. I have an NT1000 that sounds superb on some singers and lame on others. Same thing with my 4033: I work with a woman whose voice sounds rich and full on the 4033 and thin and screechy on the NT1000.
 
In Tune Audio said:
When I started recording, I started with a pair of Rode NT1. And while they aren't high end, they worked well on everything I tried them on. They were very decent on vocals, guitar, drums, pretty much anything. Like I said they aren't amazing, but they did the job for my budget.

I had purchased a variety of other budget mics but I kept using the NT1 all the time. Recently I bought the Rode K2, and it was a huge step up. While the NT1 gave me a decent clean recording, the K2 just added a whole new world of depth in comparison. If you can afford it, it is worth the step up.
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arent they just! i use a rode nt1. its my first, only, and still the one, for vocals and acoustic guitars. cheap too - tons and tons of value for money i reckon.
 
hey there

i have a range of mics now, but again, for quick set up and simple no nonsense sound i swear by my NT1. Added advantage of the NT1a is the extremely low noise floor - i know you say it's not vital to you, but, hey, we can all use a reduction in noise!

posters above are right though, often one mic will work great for something and less well for other things. there are just some singers the rode ain't right for and some it just loves.

i know it's not always a luxury you have though! but my rode did me for a long while before i bought my next mic.

and always remember; a good mic placed badly will sound worse than an adequate mic placed well. spend lots of time practicing placement. it really is worth it.

hope you get on well! keep us posted

paul d
 
Hi,

Keep an eye out for the Rode NT2-A. Very affordable, very quiet, nice features, and without that 11kHz peak that earlier Rode's may have had. I'm reviewing it this month for Pro Audio Review, for what is supposed to be a January article.

Beginning with the the NT1000 or NTK, Rode has really stepped up to the table.

Regards,

Ty Ford
 
Ty, are you taking over for Harvey while he goes to L.A.?

Good to see you here.

For those who may not already know, Ty is a VERY experienced pro AE and
VO expert.

Chris
 
chessparov said:
Ty, are you taking over for Harvey while he goes to L.A.?

Good to see you here.

For those who may not already know, Ty is a VERY experienced pro AE and
VO expert.

Chris
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Hi Chris,

To be honest, I was just sort of surfing around and stumbled on the site. I'm not here to take over from anyone, just to become part of the community. It seems that rap has been spoiled by the efforts of a few who have no manners. I'm looking for a place in which people gather to discuss audio, acoustics instead of religion and politics.

Regards,

Ty
 
Ty Ford said:
I'm looking for a place in which people gather to discuss audio, acoustics instead of religion and politics.
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Let's make this the place then ;-) Seems moderation has been stepped up recently, and here are lots of nice and friendly people around.

So, warmly welcome, Ty.

I'm sure we are many that look forward to your contributions.


-- Per.
 
rdozz said:
AT4040 is a little more versatile, it sounds better on more sources/voices. Plus it has a -10dB pad and a low frequency cut.

Rob
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The low freq cut, is that adjustable? How do you use it? On vox?

Hello to Ty, good to have another well-mannered expert here.
 
Welcome Ty, it's nice to hear someone else appreciate the NTK, it gets quite a bit of use around my studio on ac guitar and vox
 
Thanks Folks,

Regarding the NTK, Kenny. Most preamps I've used the NTK with (and mixes by others) seem to accent the 11kHz peak it has. This may also be their boosting the top end.

How do you handle it?

Regards,

Ty Ford
 
i use it almost always with the toft atc-2. The eq on there is sweet and you can roll off that kick easily, sometimes, on some songs, I leave it in, kinda Henley-esque.
 
yeah

my NT1a has that same bright rise at 11k as well - i do eq it out sometimes, and use it for effect others. if i have a singer who's a bit nasal, i use it to add a bit of brightness to their performance and that works ok.

sometimes it just proves too bright, some female singers have a wonderful natural 'air' up at 10-12k and the NT1a can sometimes just be a little too bright - i've described it before as 'brittle' - just feels like the signal is just going to crack like glass is how it sounds to me. that again can work nicely in the right situation, but generally it gives a sound that needs tempering slightly.

in those circumstances, i now tend to change mic, but in my earlier days when i only had one mic (and actually before i had the Rode) i had to make do and eq a bit more than i do now.

most times my mics run into a tfpro P2 and that tends to have quite a warm quality to it. it also has a very gentle and musical eq.

some of it may come down to whether you work predominantly with any one sort of singer - for some reason, i've always seemed to end up working with female singers with very bright voices.
 
tollbooth said:
yeah

my NT1a has that same bright rise at 11k as well - i do eq it out sometimes, and use it for effect others. if i have a singer who's a bit nasal, i use it to add a bit of brightness to their performance and that works ok.


----


Rode has begun removing that 11 kHz peak. You can hear it (or not hear it) in the new NT2000 and NT2-A. Both of which are smoother than previous Rodes. The NT2-A lists for $699. Don't know what it streets for, but I'm very impressed so far.

That's all I'm sayin'. I have to save some for the review I'm doing or the publisher will wonder why they're paying me for "old news.

Ty Ford
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Ty,

Nice to see you here. Also glad yu got your website back up.
 
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