Rode NTK or NT2000, or...?

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11miles

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Hey, guys!

I've been cruisin on the net, for some answers, but did not find them yet.

The story begins; i need a condenser mic, for recording male vox (rock oriented music).

So i went doyn to a music store and checked out some mic, the budget being around 600$ (europe money that is)
I auditioned:
-Audio Technica 3035 (wanted the 4040, but was sold the day before)
-Groove Tubes 44 (i think it was?)
-Studio Projects C3
-Rode NT2000

I work in a recording studio with lots of over 600$ budget mics (brauner, NEumann, AKG, and the AT4040) IThroguh the Isa 430 or SSL channel strip everything is great, including the AT. But at home, i would have to satisfy (for now) with the RMe FF800 Pre-amps and convertors. Anyway
The AT sucked, big time, and so did the C3.At least in comparisson to the other 2. No body, a lot of sizlle i that upper mid-range section

Surprisingly the GT did really well, had a lot more beef than the AT, and was still clearer.
BUt the ROde was even greater. My voice is a bit midrange, tenor like, and i really need a mike, that would give me a bit of that bottom end.
The way i see it, its better t have to much and then cut it with Eq, right, then not to have it at all, and sound like a pee-wee!

So i almost bought the NT2000. I asked the salesmans what difference was between the NTk and the 2000? He said in the powersupply, and the multipatter of the 2000?

Well he forgot to mention the cact the 2000 was FET, when NTk is Tube.

I was wondering what the maind difference would be and what to expect.
I will ofcourse go back and try out both of them again!

What does that bring, Tubey mic sound?
Life expectancy, is a couple of thousands of hours only, right. More prone to breaking up?
But a lot better sounding?

Would it be wise to buy it from the ebay, Even though i can get a really bad tube in it?
I think i really dont need the multi patten thing just yet. Some like to record vocals or guitars in omni if thee room is nice. My room is to dead to use it as a natural ambient room.

Would you suggest me any other mc to try it out?

Thanks in advance
 
I like the NTK, nice sounding mic, especially for the $$.
 
...or, if you really liked the sound of the NT2000, check out the new NT2-A...same capsule, multi-patterns (fixed not variable like the 2000) and same sound characteristics for a lot less dollars...I have 4 Rode mics (NTK, NT4, NT1000 and NT2) and all are very nice, quality products...very useable...highly recommended!
 
Thanks for the reply

I was hoping on some add info on the difference between the NTK and 2000, though...


Thanks for the offer on that US guy, but i dont think that is an option because i am from Europe and he wont post it further than USA.
Thanks anyway.

Why would i want a NT-2a?

WHat about that hypothesis on getting a more rangefull mic and then cutting it with Eq, instead of more present one, with lkess character, like an AT, and then EQ-it? CAn you boost the frequinces as good as you can record them?
I think not! ;)

Still would like soem info on the diff. between the NT's?
 
11miles said:
Thanks for the reply

I was hoping on some add info on the difference between the NTK and 2000, though...


Thanks for the offer on that US guy, but i dont think that is an option because i am from Europe and he wont post it further than USA.
Thanks anyway.

Why would i want a NT-2a?

WHat about that hypothesis on getting a more rangefull mic and then cutting it with Eq, instead of more present one, with lkess character, like an AT, and then EQ-it? CAn you boost the frequinces as good as you can record them?
I think not! ;)

Still would like soem info on the diff. between the NT's?
Click to expand...

On your hypothesis, your thinking is correct. It's always better to use cuts than boosts when you EQ, and trying to add body to a voc with eq is never going to get it. Don't forget about proximity effect, and how to use it when singing.
I can't give you the comparison you're looking for on the two Rodes, but I do have an NTK and it sounds like we may have similar voice characteristics. The NTK has been working nicely for me. It, and an Oktava MK-319 have been the two mics I've been reaching for most often lately for vocs.

Cheers, RD
 
"Why would i want a NT-2a?"


...read my post again...if you might want the NT2000, then you should consider the NT2-A because it costs a lot less and is the same mic WITHOUT variable patterns...it has 3 patterns, but they are fixed...the NTK has only cardioid pattern...so..."costs less...sounds the same as an NT2000"...that's why you would want an NT2-A...
 
''so..."costs less...sounds the same as an NT2000"...that's why you would want an NT2-A...''

Thanks for that!

I did not know that, really!

Anyway, i will give them another shot and i'll se what to get.

I've beent thinking on getting a good pre-amp aswell.

LEt sey if u were on a limited budget, lets say 1000$. WOuld you buy a cool pre-amp and a good mic or vice versa?
Example, Studio Projects C1 and a Mindprint En-voice Mk2?
 
The NTK has been working very nicely for me. I can only compare it to the AT4040. While I like the AT a lot, I favor the NTK for my voice. I don't plan to sell it but the AT4040 will probably go soon since I really only need once LD condenser mic.
 
Another vote for the NTK. Great on strong male vocals (tenor to baritone/bass range). Used it on a Jewel "Wanna-Be" with pretty good results as well, but for soulful male vocals it's by far my favorite mic in my locker (really a closet).
 
Heres my take on the nt-2000 variable pattern thing. You stated that the application was vocals.

Some of the reviews have trumped up this feature, saying how you can start at cardiod and then dial in some room by heading twoards omni.

I think that it would be smarter to track as dry as is humanly possible because you don't know how much ambience is going to be appropriate later on when your mixing , or compressing.
the variable pattern thing doesn't seem like it's worth the extra $$$$$ where vocals are concerend.Just my take :)
 
a couple of thoughts on the NTK

the Power Supply can be a pain to have to deal with

the mics are big and heavy... this can sometimes be troublesome

I found the mics to be a bit harsh, but I've also had and heard very good tracks with them
 
I'm pretty happy with my NTK. My vocal range is something like Ben Folds or James Taylor. (I don't know the technical term for it but is that kind of where your voice is?) I find this mic very flattering. I haven't figured out yet how to help the bass in my voice (is there bass in my voice? ;) ) with it but it gives that "airy" quality I like. I haven't tried any other LDC's yet, so I can't compare it with anything, sorry.
Edit: added a question.
 
11miles said:
Hey, guys!

I've been cruisin on the net, for some answers, but did not find them yet.

The story begins; i need a condenser mic, for recording male vox (rock oriented music).

So i went doyn to a music store and checked out some mic, the budget being around 600$ (europe money that is)
I auditioned:
-Audio Technica 3035 (wanted the 4040, but was sold the day before)
-Groove Tubes 44 (i think it was?)
-Studio Projects C3
-Rode NT2000


Would you suggest me any other mc to try it out?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Word is the AT 4047 (transformer balanced) is an excellent male vox (rock) mic. It's on my wish list.
 
...it seems nobody's noticed that this thread is well over a year old...my guess is the dude decided on a mic by now... ;)
 
kidvybes said:
...it seems nobody's noticed that this thread is well over a year old...my guess is the dude decided on a mic by now... ;)
Click to expand...
I bet he's still on the fence
 
well, when you consider how many places won't let you return a mic now . it's a harder proposition to choose wisley !!!! :(
 
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