Rode NT2 issue.... maybe?

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mattkw80

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I bought a used Rode NT-2 mic for $200. Was that a good deal? It was manufactured in '97.


Something strange about it though.... when I use it with my board, I can get enough gain. (When I turn the knob all the way up 90% of the way).

However, when I use my ART TPSII pre-amp, I cannot get the input lights to go up to -3 or 0, which is where I usually get my other mics to hit.

That's even with pressing the +20 dB button (which I don't usually use with the other mics) and matching the impredance at 200 ohms.

I can get a decent sound out of it I guess - but to me, it's very odd I can't get those input led's to get into the yellow (zero) area.

Does this mic need alot of gain, or could it be broke ?
 
if the output impedance of the mic is 200 ohms, try setting the preamp between 400-600
 
mattkw80 said:
Okay... I'll give it a try.

Could that be affecting the gain ?

(I should say, LACK of gain ?)
Click to expand...

Yes. You don't want to match impedances with condenser mics. The mic will be spec'ed at 1K ohms, and you can even get better results higher than that.
 
mshilarious said:
Yes. You don't want to match impedances with condenser mics. The mic will be spec'ed at 1K ohms, and you can even get better results higher than that.
Click to expand...


Sorry - I'm trying to understand but don't quite yet.

So DON'T match the Impedance ?

My mic (Rode NT2) says that the Output Impedance is 200 Ohms.

My ART TPS II Preamp as an adjustable Input Impedance of 150 to 3 K.

Are you saying to give 1000 K a try ?

(I've listened hard - but whenever I mess with the Input Impedance I cannot hear any difference)
 
mattkw80 said:
Sorry - I'm trying to understand but don't quite yet.

So DON'T match the Impedance ?
Click to expand...

Correct. Play with impedance on dynamic mics (or some condenser mics that have a transformer), there it will make a sonic difference, but on most condenser mics, lower input impedances will merely drop the signal level, and degrade performance (such as SPL handling).

Are you saying to give 1000 K a try ?

(I've listened hard - but whenever I mess with the Input Impedance I cannot hear any difference)
Click to expand...

At least 1K ohms, even 1.5K or higher. You shouldn't hear a difference other than level; the condenser's response won't change like a dynamic mic will.
 
That maybe my whole problem then.... because I did have the knob at "200", thinking that was right.

I'll try in a little bit here, with it set at 1.5K.

I don't know if the NT2 has a transformer in it or not.

Is a transformer in a mic a good thing, bad thing, or depends ?



mshilarious said:
Correct. Play with impedance on dynamic mics (or some condenser mics that have a transformer), there it will make a sonic difference, but on most condenser mics, lower input impedances will merely drop the signal level, and degrade performance (such as SPL handling).



At least 1K ohms, even 1.5K or higher. You shouldn't hear a difference other than level; the condenser's response won't change like a dynamic mic will.
Click to expand...
 
mattkw80 said:
That maybe my whole problem then.... because I did have the knob at "200", thinking that was right.

I'll try in a little bit here, with it set at 1.5K.

I don't know if the NT2 has a transformer in it or not.
Click to expand...

It does not, according to the Rode site.

Is a transformer in a mic a good thing, bad thing, or depends ?
Click to expand...

Complicated question. Generally I would say good, although condenser mics don't need them the way dynamic mics do. A good transformer is almost always a good thing; the question is, does the mic have a good transformer? Most manufacturers won't throw in a crap transformer though, because even a crap transformer is expensive.
 
Have you used the Rode NT2, and if so what do you think of it ?

Is it true that it's somewhat of a Neumann copy ?
 
i have an NT-2A, and though the gold body is reminiscent of neumann designs, i can tell you it doesn't sound anything like a U87, or probably any other neumann

check the LDC shootout i posted here...there's both a U87 and NT-2A in there
 
I'll check it out for fun, but I think my NT2 is different then your NT-2A.

Not sure about the capsule, and electronics, but your NT-2A defintely has a different body and controls.

oops.... where's the link to your shoot out ?
 
mshilarious said:
At least 1K ohms, even 1.5K or higher. You shouldn't hear a difference other than level; the condenser's response won't change like a dynamic mic will.
Click to expand...


mshilarious.... I just read a manual for a preamp (Universal Audio LA-610) that says a general rule is to set the impedance matching 10x what your listed output impedance is.

Is that a good rule of thumb?
 
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