Rode NTK, opinions?

[StudioRecorder]

Are there any Rode NTK users here?

Questions: Are they worth the buck? Is there anything better for the bucks payed? Performancewise, is there anything out there equally matched. What do u think of its performance?

 

[participant]

Great mic, esp. for vocals (male). Have also used on guitar amps. Would like to try on drum OH, although valve mics have a slower transient response. It has a smooth transient response, nice silky top end. Got a sequential serial # pair (not that that means anything) off eBay... $860 shipped.

You should be able to score one off eBay for around $400.

 

[cominginsecond]

Performancewise, is there anything out there equally matched.

I can't think of anything that good for around $450. Maybe the Baby Bottle? I haven't used it, but the Baby Bottle may be a little more versatile, given its flat response. I would imagine that the NTK probably squashes it on most vocalists, though.

 

[Richard Monroe]

NTK is a fairly hot, smooth mic apparently intended for vocals, especially ones that like a fairly pronounced proximity effect. Cardioid only, no pad, no bass rolloff. It needs a good warming up to sound good, at least a half hour. In it's price range, AKG Solidtube and Studio Project T-3 are mics that should be compared against it. I think the baby bottle is a different animal, and one I would be more likely to consider as an instrument mic than for vocals.-Richie