Rode NTK + Mackie pres question

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espskully

espskully

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Hey guys. I currently have the Mackie 1202vlz and a shitty Apex condenser. I am upgrading my mic and pre. I am looking at the NTK. I have not decided on a pre yet. Is it worth getting the NTK first and using it with the mackie pres, or should I just wait until I can afford both the mic and a new channel strip? Will going from a $150 Apex condenser to the NTK make a difference if I still am using the so so Mackie pres?

Also, what 1 or 2 in nice sounding pre would you recommend for acoustic guitar/ vocals with the NTK? Say a budget of $700.

Thanks!
 
I can't really compare the two mics, but my NTK going into the VLZ's on my Mackie 1202 sounds very nice.
 
Assuming you consider the Rode to be a better mic than the Apex, than even on the Mackie it will sound better.

As far as preamps goes, people here seem to like the RNP a lot. For the same price you could look into a D&R two channel preamp as well (I love the D&R sound). If you can extend your budget a little, their are some other nice options. The one that stands out to me is the Toft ATC-2. For just under $1000 you can get 2 channels of pre, EQ, and comps. You could also get a 4 channel Sytek preamp for 850 with two of the Burr Brown channels (2 pairs of slightly different sounding pre's).
 
The NTK will sound considerably better even through the mackie Pre's.. The NTK's are pretty nice mics, especialy for male rock vocals
 
I noticed a big improvement in sound when I bought my NTK - even thru not-so-great preamps.
 
I agree with all of the above. The NTK puts out a very hot signal, which is a good thing with cheap preamps. NTK will make a difference in the sound, if only because you will get to turn the Mackie down, and it will distort less, and produce less self noise. It might surprise you. Many cheap preamps sound pretty good, as long as you don't ask them to give you a lot of gain- and the NTK doesn't ask for much.-Richie
 
Awesome. Thanks guys - great info. I think I'll grab the mic Monday.

I'll report back!
 
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