Rode NT5 darker than MC-012?

[Booda]

Has anyone compared the 2? I've been reading... and they say the NT5 is a dark sounding mic. I think the Oktava mc012 is on the dark side. I like em for overheads... but they're not matched and althought the EQ is the same as far as I can tell, the gain is not. One is a little hotter than the other.

I could pick up a matched pair of NT5 for around $200, & if they're about the same shade but a little more detailed than the mc012, that would be great.

BTW- I'd like the nuemann km184, but don't think they're worth the extra $800.


Thanks,
B.

 

[atlas]

I haven't heard the MC-012, but the NT5 is quite a bit brighter than a modern KM184 if that's a helpful reference point.

Nathan Eldred
atlasproaudio.com

 

[Track Rat]

I'll build on that. Compaired to a 184, the 012 (with the cardiod casule on) is rounder in sound, although I wouldn't say it's dark. A 184 has a lot more top end, more open and airy. Depending on the source, either one could be the appropriate mic.

 

[Booda]

Thanks... so if I put those (2 above post) together, the NT5 would be the brightest of the bunch fallowed by the 184 then the 012.

The reason I said the 012 is dark is because I always have to give a tiny boost in the top end. (Q'd around 8000khz) So dark might be the wrong term.
I think they have a bit of mid happening and I 'd say that's the Rounder sound.

I might try a pair of the NT5, the extra top might be what I'm looking for... I have a feeling I'll like em on accoustic guitar, cello, ect... but probably hard to beat the 012 as Overheads.?. I think that "Rounder" sound is why they're so good on cymbals. I don't like em on Cello much.

I also think Rode just makes a great product... I realy dig my NTK. and for $200, the nt5 will be fun to experiment w/ and if it doesn't work out for my taste, I'll sell em.

Any more thoughts on the NT5 vs. "..."

B.

 

[Track Rat]

Booda, we seem to be hearing things the same way. The 012's are very cool as overheads as it seems to me they can tame a harsh cymbal sound. Also I didn't like them on a cello but on some acoustic guitars they can be creamy.
I've never had my hands on any of the Rodents so I can't help there.

 

[Glawfindle]

To me the KM184 sounds a little brighter than the NT5 which sounds fairly neutral while the 012 does seem to have more mid range. I had these results when compared in the same position (front of sound hole / bridge, angled towards the neck) while recording acoustic guitar.

The frequency response of the NT5 led me to believe that the mic has a high end roll off when in actual fact it SOUNDS close to the natural sound of the instrument, not overly 'dark' at all. Just goes to show how important it is to use our ears instead of totally basing our opinions on specs alone....

It is possible to record an extremely wide range of guitarists / guitars in a variety of environments and achieve suitable results if you own these three (four?) mics. If you can't have them all then it all depends on your needs, budget, and the value that you place on your perceived difference between the mics. If you need a pair of pencil condensers and 'good value' (ie. consistently superior in most areas) is important to you then you can't go past the NT5s - in Australia anyway. If money is no concern - you should consider the sound that you want and the sources that you are recording, then compare both the NT5 and KM184. (The NT5s are only sold in matched pairs and if you compare the cost.....2 x 184 costs ($2200) approx. quadruple 2 x NT5s ($550) in Australia.

Booda...agreed, the Rode NTK is an awesome mic - it has become my mic of choice for most vocalists - have you heard anything about Rode releasing a multipattern version of the NTK? I wonder what would happen to the Classic II then?

 

[Booda]

Glawfindle- I have not heard about the multi-NTK.
Do you know anything about the NTV?
I have the Mic Modeler and it does Not have the NTK, but it has the NTV. When I use it w/ a MC-012 and model it to the NTV I can get somewhat of the NTK sound, hence a stereo recording.?.

It's a toss up right now... not sure if I should get the mxl603, or the NT5, or the new C4. I've been reading what reviews I can find of the C4, & I like the options... but I'm uneasy about the C4 just from my experience w/ the C1... I can't take that upper boost, & I'm afraid the C4 will have something similar.
I want to get the NT5, but part of me thinks I want em just because they look so .

B.

 

[DJL]

Glawfindle- I have not heard about the multi-NTK.
Do you know anything about the NTV?
I have the Mic Modeler and it does Not have the NTK, but it has the NTV. When I use it w/ a MC-012 and model it to the NTV I can get somewhat of the NTK sound, hence a stereo recording.?.

It's a toss up right now... not sure if I should get the mxl603, or the NT5, or the new C4. I've been reading what reviews I can find of the C4, & I like the options... but I'm uneasy about the C4 just from my experience w/ the C1... I can't take that upper boost, & I'm afraid the C4 will have something similar.
I want to get the NT5, but part of me thinks I want em just because they look so .

B.

Read Richard's C4 review on the BBS.

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=86951

 

[DJL]

Booda, "Rode NT5 darker than MC-012?" IMO, they're close... but, if I remember correctly the NT5's are a little darker.

From brighter to darker...

MXL603S... Brighter
MC-012..... In the middle
NT5........... Darker

I have all three of the above mic's... so I"ll ABC these 3 mic's sometime later this week to make sure... but, that's how I remember them to be. PS... I have a feeling I'm going to have a hang-over for a day or two starting tomorrow.

I wish I new where the new SP C4's sat in relationship with these 3 mic's (brightness wise)... does anyone really know forsure?