Rode vs MXL

[tvolhein]

How much improvement in sound will I get if I upgrade from an MXL 603s to Rode NT5?

- Acoustic guitar and other acoustic instruments
- Good room sound
- About 8" from the 12th fret (am getting a good live sound from this)
- Fireface 800
- Into the box


Thanks in advance,

t

Tom Volhein
http://www.tomvolhein.com

 

[omtayslick]

Not sure that would be an upgrade.

 

[guitar zero]

May be a little better, but you're probably better off saving a little more. The one I'm really interested in/saving for now is T.H.E. mics. Pair will run you around $1400. Harvey speaks highly of them.
http://www.mercenary.com/theaudio.html

 

[WhiteStrat]

How much improvement in sound will I get if I upgrade from an MXL 603s to Rode NT5?

- Acoustic guitar and other acoustic instruments
- Good room sound
- About 8" from the 12th fret (am getting a good live sound from this)
- Fireface 800
- Into the box


Thanks in advance,

t

Tom Volhein
http://www.tomvolhein.com

Tom--So you're recording w/just one mic, right? I own both of those, and while my guitar and room won't sound like yours, I could do a mini shootout for you. In spite of the differences in the setups, you'd at least get to hear if there's any discernible difference and then project how that might work in your setup.

Let me know if you're interested and I'll see if I can put something up this weekend.

BTW--I'm not offering a comparison or opinion now, 'cause I don't know. I've used the Rode's a lot, but not the MXLs--and never on the same project at the same time, so I don't even have an accurate frame of reference.

 

[omtayslick]

Not sure that would be an upgrade.

Sorry, that sounded flippant. I just don't care for that Rode mic. Sounds a little tinny to me. Make sure that you can hear it before you buy.

 

[WhiteStrat]

As mentioned earlier, here's a comparison of those two mics with my acoustic. Just a couple different patterns I tracked tonight. I made no adjustments--no eq, no compression--not even any volume adjustments or normalizing (just so you can see how hot they are relative to each other). FWIW--it's the same exact take, so you're really comparing apples to apples. And two channels of the same exact pre's--Symetrix 202.

The Rode NT5

The MXL 603S

The mp3's are 320kbs--so they'll take a minute to load or download.

 

[antichef]

thanks whitestrat! nice playing, and it's good to hear a few different things at different frequencies the way you did.

I like the Rode a little better - the highs are smoother. I don't have any Rode mics. Your 603 sounds better than my MXL 991 before I modded it (and still better now, since I screwed it up). Originally, it had really harsh highs. When I had done nothing but change the capacitor that couples to the capsule, I fancy that it sound more like your NT5 than your 603, but that's from tenuous memory. If it had sounded like your 603 originally, I probably wouldn't have touched it.

 

[tvolhein]

sure

Tom--So you're recording w/just one mic, right? I own both of those, and while my guitar and room won't sound like yours, I could do a mini shootout for you. In spite of the differences in the setups, you'd at least get to hear if there's any discernible difference and then project how that might work in your setup.

Let me know if you're interested and I'll see if I can put something up this weekend.

BTW--I'm not offering a comparison or opinion now, 'cause I don't know. I've used the Rode's a lot, but not the MXLs--and never on the same project at the same time, so I don't even have an accurate frame of reference.

Thanks, I'll give a listen

t

Tom Volhein
http://www.tomvolhein.com

 

[tvolhein]

As mentioned earlier, here's a comparison of those two mics with my acoustic. Just a couple different patterns I tracked tonight. I made no adjustments--no eq, no compression--not even any volume adjustments or normalizing (just so you can see how hot they are relative to each other). FWIW--it's the same exact take, so you're really comparing apples to apples. And two channels of the same exact pre's--Symetrix 202.

The Rode NT5

The MXL 603S

The mp3's are 320kbs--so they'll take a minute to load or download.

Your playing is excellent and the sound you are getting is beautiful.

What are the mic placements?

t

 

[WhiteStrat]

thanks whitestrat! nice playing, and it's good to hear a few different things at different frequencies the way you did.

I like the Rode a little better - the highs are smoother. I don't have any Rode mics. Your 603 sounds better than my MXL 991 before I modded it (and still better now, since I screwed it up). Originally, it had really harsh highs. When I had done nothing but change the capacitor that couples to the capsule, I fancy that it sound more like your NT5 than your 603, but that's from tenuous memory. If it had sounded like your 603 originally, I probably wouldn't have touched it.

Thanks antichef. I've got too admit, I was surprised at how close these mics were; I guess I just expected more of a noticeable difference. But you nailed this difference that is there--at least to my ears as well: the highs are smoother on the NT5.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Personal taste, but I think the 603's would sit better in a complex mix. The Rode's sounded good and might work better as a soloed guitar, or in a singer songwriter demo.

 

[WhiteStrat]

Your playing is excellent and the sound you are getting is beautiful.

What are the mic placements?

t

Thanks for the kind words. I attribute the sound more to the guitar than I do to the mics or pres (as it should be, no?). I record amost exclusively (as opposed to performing) so I was very focused on the pure acoustic sound and not the appearance or electronics when I bought this. (Playability is top priority for either live or studio.) I found and fell in love with a Seagull Artist Mosaic. The cedar top creates a very warm and articulate sound--perfect for recording my music. (BTW, the electronics are great for pluggin' in & playing live, just wasn't a priority for me.) But I digress...

For mic placement, I tried to replicate what I imagined you were doing--which as it turns out, is pretty much how I mic it, too: pointed at the guitar, just past the 12th fret (about the 14th, actually), angled just a few degrees towards the sound hole, about 8-10" away from the guitar.

 

[tvolhein]

... For mic placement, I tried to replicate what I imagined you were doing--which as it turns out, is pretty much how I mic it, too: pointed at the guitar, just past the 12th fret (about the 14th, actually), angled just a few degrees towards the sound hole, about 8-10" away from the guitar.

That is exactly how I mic it.

But, I am hearing a delay or stereo effect or something. Is it just the room? or the nature of the guitar? Or maybe the drugs

And to Harvey's point, most of my recordings are more complex, so I suppose right now I don't need to spend the extra cash for the Rode's. But I sure like the sound that you are getting.

t

 

[CIRO]

I´m hearing some stereo thing too...

In the last two harmonics (01:26 / 01:27), MXL sounds more "airy" (or hissy?), don´t know...Rode has more presence.Both sounds very good.

Tks for sharing, White Strat!
Nice Playing and tone!


Ciro
www.soundclick.com/ciromoreau

 

[WhiteStrat]

That is exactly how I mic it.

But, I am hearing a delay or stereo effect or something. Is it just the room? or the nature of the guitar? Or maybe the drugs

And to Harvey's point, most of my recordings are more complex, so I suppose right now I don't need to spend the extra cash for the Rode's. But I sure like the sound that you are getting.

t

I'm sorry--I should've been more clear. I tracked everything twice. You indicated that you only use one mic, so I didn't want to do X-Y or any stereo configuration. So recorded twice and sent one left and one right. (For those of you doing the math at home, yep, that means a total of 4 tracks: 2 for the Rode (spread L & R) and two for the MXL (spread L & R).

So that's what you're hearing. I'm a junkie for doubling guitar tracks. No delay or FX--just played it twice. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Armistice]

I own them both. The quality is pretty much the same, NT5 tends to be a bit darker / bassier than MXL. I use them on different guitars, depending upon what they sound like, rather than a desire to get better quality.

Mostly I use my AKG these days though...

If you're upgrading, save some more and go higher, is my advice.

Cheers

 

[tvolhein]

Is this the Seagull?

Thanks for the kind words. I attribute the sound more to the guitar than I do to the mics or pres (as it should be, no?). I record amost exclusively (as opposed to performing) so I was very focused on the pure acoustic sound and not the appearance or electronics when I bought this. (Playability is top priority for either live or studio.) I found and fell in love with a Seagull Artist Mosaic. The cedar top creates a very warm and articulate sound--perfect for recording my music. (BTW, the electronics are great for pluggin' in & playing live, just wasn't a priority for me.) But I digress...

For mic placement, I tried to replicate what I imagined you were doing--which as it turns out, is pretty much how I mic it, too: pointed at the guitar, just past the 12th fret (about the 14th, actually), angled just a few degrees towards the sound hole, about 8-10" away from the guitar.

WhiteStrat,

Is this the Seagull you have
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...16959&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=155507289

Tom

 

[WhiteStrat]

WhiteStrat,

Is this the Seagull you have
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...16959&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=155507289

Tom

Yep, that's basically it. When I bought mine, I was buying "last years stock"--an older model that had been played a lot in the store. It played like a dream though (None of the Seagulls I tried were bad, but you know they vary--this one played like a dream & I had to have it) so there was no picking options. Ironic, since I'm primarily a lead guitarist, mine has no cutaway--just the standard double bout shape. And scratches. Mine came with lot's of scratches. (Cedar--esp with the satin finish like they do--does that more easily than spruce!)