Rode NTK Mic. Any comments on it?

[rgevol]

Anyone here use the Rode NTK Mic? I was wondering what you guys thought about it? I'm looking to get a mic, and this one was just presented to me. My recordings are for R&B/Hip-Hop and will be for vocals.
I was also looking into the AT 4047 & KSM32. What you guys think?

Thanks,

rgevol

 

[Herm]

I have the Ntk and the Ksm32 and have heard the 4047 next to the others and for the
kind of recording you do I think I would go with the Ksm32 cause it is a very neutral
type sound that works well with just about everything.

 

[gregkat]

Love mine. I've looked for years to find a mike that I like for my voice (low tenor).

 

[getuhgrip]

Used one for my vox and thought it sounded lifeless. Could be me. I dunno. Sounded better on my amp, but not as good as this 4033 I just got.

 

[charger]

I feel the opposite of getuhgrip.
My 4033 has been on the shelf since I got my NTK. Something about the high end on the NTK, it's all there, but it's also quite smooth.

Wanna hear it?

These vocals were recorded last weekend using the NTK into a Joemeek VC6Q into Pro Tools LE. This is the first time I've tried the Alan Hyatt-recommended technique of using mic placement as the lone method of eq. All vocals use absolutely no eq, and light compression from the VC6Q during the record process.

Stream drivebreaker (early mix) from IUMA

Download drivebreaker (early mix) from IUMA

 

[CyanJaguar]

I think the ntk is a pretty cool mic. I would put it in the same category as the 4047 and the ksm32. In that category, I would use the 4047 first,personally. The nt2 is a pretty cool mic and I actually prefer it to the ntk even though its cheaper. I also prefer the nt1000 even though its cheaper.

For what you are trying to do, I would probably go for either a 4033, nt1000 or a nt2.

 

[CyanJaguar]

hey charger,

I am listening to drivebreaker on pc speakers and it is a pretty sweet song. I also actually like the vocal sound. I am not used to these speakers so I'll have to listen on monday when I get back to my ns10ms.

Even on these speakers, I am digging the kick and the mix in general.

 

[tubedude]

Nice sound charger... the only thing that stuck out at me as out of place was the snare. It sounded a little loud, and yet, a little far away, like there was too much room in it. The cymbals sound crisp and clean though. How'd you have the kit mic'ed?
Pretty good mix. I think a few db compression on that snare might do it, and maybe a few on the entire mix too.

 

[Sonixx]

hey Charger,

what did you use for your kit overheads. maybe list the mics and positions. thanks...

 

[Whoopysnorp]

Nice going, charger. Better than what I could do. The snare sound worked for me; I wouldn't worry much about it.

 

[wes480]

The vocals are just a tad....intimate for me or something. Hard to say...the more I am listening to the song though it works...nice stuff. I dig this song...love the lyrics, "added up the figures well..they're right as far as i can tell"...good stuff.

I like the NTK a lot...this wouldn't neccessarily "sell me" on it....i mean, I was already sold on it though. Still wanting an NT2 (mainly a price concern...)

btw - there is a bit of noise in the recording...just like the little hiss you can hear at the beginning and such....not neccessarily a bad thing, but any way this could have been avoided? (very new to this stuff)

 

[charger]

The main tracks (drums, bass, guitar) were recorded through a Neve desk onto 2" tape. That is the source of the hiss you hear. Keep in mind that this is in no way a finished or mastered track. I don't master my own stuff.

I've been trying to remember the mic layout, but having a tough time. I believe the overheads were U87s, and there was some sort of PZM mic slapped on the (wood panel) ceiling. The kit was a small, 60's Ludwig jazz kit, so we mounted it on plywood to get a little more slap out of it. The snare had an SM57 on the top and an AKG of some sort on the bottom head. The kick was miced with a Shure 52 inside on the head and a Neumann U47 about 2 feet out front.

 

[Whoopysnorp]

That's a relief. I assumed charger was getting this sound with cheap stuff, like I am. Thank God! Now I have an excuse not to be able to match this.

 

[charger]

Yeah, sorry everyone. I really posted this to show you what kind of VOCAL sound I was getting. The VOCALS were recorded in a garage with fairly cheap equipment. That it sits this well in a mix that required a lot more expensive equipment to record is just the thing I was trying to point out. But next time, I'll probably post something a little more poorly recorded to show off the vocal sound... I think my point got a little lost.

 

[alanhyatt]

This is the first time I've tried the Alan Hyatt-recommended technique of using mic placement as the lone method of eq. All vocals use absolutely no eq, and light compression from the VC6Q during the record process.

Well, there you go. A good mic, a good mic pre, no EQ, and it works. Not everyone will agree Charger, but I think you get the idea now. You can always fix it in the mix if you have to, but laying down a clean track has always been my method, I'm glad you tried it. A bit more compression will help this mix, but I know it is not a final version.

Wow, a post that did not mention mics... I hope Wally is not dissapointed...

 

[Whoopysnorp]

That's a relief. I assumed charger was getting this sound with cheap stuff, like I am. Thank God! Now I have an excuse not to be able to match this.

That came out wrong. I meant, "I assumed charger was getting this sound with cheap stuff, like I am USING". Far be it from me to imply that I could match this.

The vocal did sound good, though. Nice work.

 

[charger]

And, of course, by "poorly recorded" I mean monetarily poor, not quality-poor.

Whew!

Hey Alan, it might be cool if you could give us all some pointers on ways that we can get different eq effects with our mics using mic placement. I get the proximity effect stuff on a basic level, but I don't know what kinds of other sounds we can get. Wanna share some wisdom?

 

[tubedude]

I knew the cymbals sounded WAY ENTIRELY too smooth to be 603's through a Mackie or something. Damnit.
Who has the Neve desk and Neumanns? You? Where you can really tell is the cymbals, the transient and the decay are super smooth.
For all of you that have doubts about expensive equipment, let me hear you get that drum sound with $100 mics and a few Art TubeMP's. It just wont be that smooth. I'm sure the 2 inch has something to do with it, although it doesnt sound like you pushed the drums to tape very hard, I dont hear as much tape squash as I like on drums, but they sound WAY open, probably due to the signal path. Nice.
Bass sounds nice too. Are those 1073 modules in that board?

 

[Sonixx]

Yeah, sorry everyone. I really posted this to show you what kind of VOCAL sound I was getting. The VOCALS were recorded in a garage with fairly cheap equipment. That it sits this well in a mix that required a lot more expensive equipment to record is just the thing I was trying to point out. But next time, I'll probably post something a little more poorly recorded to show off the vocal sound... I think my point got a little lost.

the vocals lay well because thay have a great bed to lay in. when the music is sonically even, you know it's a lot easier to get the vocals to fit.

your point wasn't lost with me, it's just that the kit sounded good too.

good job...

 

[alanhyatt]

Hey Alan, it might be cool if you could give us all some pointers on ways that we can get different eq effects with our mics using mic placement. I get the proximity effect stuff on a basic level, but I don't know what kinds of other sounds we can get. Wanna share some wisdom?

Charger,

Its not really anything technical. Once you have the proximity issue and the actual placement of the mic, it then comes down to what mic to use for the application.

This may not apply to all of the users on HR, as it does take quite a few mics to get everything down the way I want. Those with more limited mic selection need to work on the placement and proximity more, like you did. The vocal came out good, and you used no EQ. You can use EQ if you choose, but most time those who use EQ tend to boost. When you boost you add more noise and distortion, that is one of the reasons I prefer to go as dry as possible, and use mic selection as my EQ. Remember, I am from the old school, as Harvey is.

Nothing is wrong in recording if the end result is what you want it to be. The one you need to please is yourself. If you hire me to produce an album, then the one that has to be pleased is me. Harvey and I offer sound recording tips, but it is up to you to use them, modify them, or whatever to make it work for you.

Check out the new Artist Profile on our website. I thought it would be a good arena for guys like to get your songs up. Anyone who is interested, I am happy to put it up. Rich Bishoff is up there now. Go to http://www.studioprojectsusa.com/spartistprofile.html

Keep recording!

Alan Hyatt
PMI Audio Group