Rode NT5 vs MXL 603

[John Mayes]

Any head to head comparisions you guys have run into? I have a pair of KM184's but I wanted to get another pair SDC's to have some back up/different flavor. I gotta admit I like the looks of the Rode mic but that is a sorry excuse for wanting to buy them. they are a few bucks more but that is no big deal. Thoughts? Opnions?

 

[DJL]

The Rode NT5's are about $300 and the Marshall MXL603SPR (matched pair), with shock mounts are only $130 (when on sale)... heck, just get both.

 

[John Mayes]

I may just do that but I was wanting to see if anyon had a chance to a/b them... I need some more SDC's cause I'm not lacking for the large varity...the mics I have are

2 Neumann KM184's
1 Neumann TLM103
1 Rode NTK
1 MXL 67G
1 MXK 69M
2 shure SM57's
1 shure PG 81
3 Shure tom and 1 kick mic


Heck I'll probabaly buy both but I would still like opnions! Thanks in advance...

 

[tdukex]

John, I don't know that you'll find many people who have tried both, but if you are looking at another set of SDs on a budget you should look at the AT 4041. You can get a pair for $390 from 8th Street. These mics normally go for about $270 each. I've never heard them, but Bruce Valerie (Blue Bear) thinks highly of them, and that's good enough for me.

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=1559&Category=Microphones

BTW, I don't have much to compare it to, but the 603 IMO is incredible for $70 - $80.

 

[tdukex]

The Rode NT5's are about $300 and the Marshall MXL603SPR (matched pair), with shock mounts are only $130 (when on sale)... heck, just get both.

Unfortunately when I asked Shreve Audio about this, they said the "matched pairs" with case were never advertised at $129 but at $179 (still not bad). I was ready to buy at $129, so they lost a sale. If you find them again at this price, let us know. I want 'em.

 

[t_chance]

try ebay

look here

I got mine from Shreve but it was an unadvertized price. I assume because they were out individual mics they had on a blow-out. I don't know anything about these guys but you get a couple of cables with them.

 

[ausrock]

Another option not mentioned here is to wait a short while for the Studio Projects C4's to appear. They have interchangeable capsules and if they're up to the usual SP standard will be quite some mic for the money.

Obviously, until you get to try them, you won't know if they are right for you.

 

[John Mayes]

well I got a brand new pair of NT5's for 212.50 so when I get em I'll compare them to my neumann's and see how they fare. I have read they are a bit darker than the KM184's so that will give me some good options...

 

[Wide Awake]

How about some omni's ? Audio Technica 3032

 

[John Mayes]

good point...I guess I need some different patterns too! what are some good interchangeable pattern SDC's and afforadable too....

 

[ausrock]

Oktava 012's and the very soon to be released SP C4's.

 

[ozraves]

I'd agree that you should consider the Studio Projects C4 mics when they come out.

I really like the Shure KSM 141 small condensers. These are excellent mics. I've never A/B'ed them with the Neumann KM184 but some people think them similarly flavored.

Here is a review (or two) of the Rode NT5 small condensers:

http://www.piemusic.com/mp/nt5.html

Steve
www.piemusic.com

 

[DJL]

Unfortunately when I asked Shreve Audio about this, they said the "matched pairs" with case were never advertised at $129 but at $179 (still not bad). I was ready to buy at $129, so they lost a sale. If you find them again at this price, let us know. I want 'em.

If I hear of any great deals on them I'll post a heads-up here on the board. PS... I have both the NT5's and MXL603S's... they sound different from each other, and I like them both. Get both.

 

[DJL]

good point...I guess I need some different patterns too! what are some good interchangeable pattern SDC's and afforadable too....

The Oktava MC-012's

PS... It seems to take about a year or two before we start to read what people really think about a new product... so I'll wait to hear what people really think about the SP C4's before I think about getting any. Who knows, maybe SP will even drop their price by then, like they did with the VTB-1's and etc.

It kills me how some people suggest mic's they've never even seen much less heard. lol.

 

[ausrock]

Quote..........."Obviously, until you get to try them, you won't know if they are right for you."

DJL, I thought I was covering my arse with the above disclaimer
.


And at the price John Mayes paid for his NT5's it looks as though we will be importing those from the US too.

 

[DJL]

Yeah, $212.50 for a new matched pair of NT5's is a good deal.

 

[John Mayes]

Thanks for the tips guys..now I got some more mics to try out. I thought 212.50 was a good deal too. Mics, case, clips, windscreens...considerably cheaper than what I paid for the 184's! Anyway I'm going to check in to the oktava's as well as the other suggestions..I'm interested in the C4's as well but I have never tried any of SP's mics, but I know lots of people who do like them.

 

[DJL]

Thanks for the tips guys..now I got some more mics to try out. I thought 212.50 was a good deal too. Mics, case, clips, windscreens...considerably cheaper than what I paid for the 184's! Anyway I'm going to check in to the oktava's as well as the other suggestions..I'm interested in the C4's as well but I have never tried any of SP's mics, but I know lots of people who do like them.

Where did you order your Rode NT5's from? Some people like the SP (Studio Projects) mic's and some don't... I have a few and I like them. Let us know how you like (or don't like) your NT5's after you've had a chance to play with them.

 

[John Mayes]

For sure I'll be certian to write a little review and possibly some sound clips. I got them off ebay. Caught the auction at the last second.

 

[Armistice]

I've had the NT5s for about 6 months - they cost about $600AUD, which, at the time, seemed a reasonable price - cheaper now of course - and I live in the country they're made in! Sheesh...

Anyway - I've been attempting to record fingerstyle acoustic guitar (Maton CW80, so it's not a bad instrument) with them in various positions and am yet to nail a sound I can live with.

The review posted above said that he'd got the best results on acoustic with a single mic and some of the guitar pickup blended in - that's been my experience too to date - the highs, as mentioned in the review, aren't particularly bright, and I get a "honky" (as in horn, not as in po' white trash ) middy sort of sound that I just can't live with when I XY them.

I was experimenting further last night and discovered a position with one mic behind the fretboard at about the 7th fret and the other at the 'normal' 12th fret position, about 9 inches out. Bit hard to play that way though! I was only listening through headphones and I didn't record it so I can't confirm whether it was any good or not, but I'll have another play round tonight and record it and listen back properly, as it sounded a little less "honky" through the headphones.

Let you know what I find if you're interested. Can't help you with A/B comparisons unfortunately, they're my only SD condensers.

Cheers