Thoughts between Rode NT-1 Studio Projects C-1

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Frankm666

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Looking for my go to vocal microphone. Thanks for the help,
Frank
 
My bad, was thinking of other Rode model, NT-1 and C-1 about same price.
I own the C-1, wonderfully pleased with it.
 
Frankm666 said:
Looking for my go to vocal microphone. Thanks for the help,
Frank
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I have one of the older original Rode NT1's and I've been told the newer Rode NT1A's are a little different... but I like the original Rode NT1. The Studio Projects/797 Audio C1 mic is a good vocal mic if you like a bright hyped mic and don't mine a little harshness.
 
Which is brighter?

Is C-1 brighter then the NT-1? I'm really just concered with vocals. thank for the help. Frank Military
 
Frankm666 said:
Is C-1 brighter then the NT-1? I'm really just concered with vocals. thank for the help. Frank Military
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It's been a while since I sold my C1... and I never did a side by side test with the two... but if remember right... yes, the C1 was a tad brighter.
 
They're about the same.


I know that a lot of the earlier Rode NT-1's used 797 capsules. Not sure if that's still the case, but I wouldn't be surprized.

The Rode NT-1s and NT-2s, by the way, are probably a little harsher than the C-1s that I have had experience with anyway.
 
If ever there was a mic that was over-hyped it's the NT2 ... and you're right that the NT2 was originally an OEM model off the peg. Is the NT1A made in Australia? Is it one of their newer 'self-built' mics?
 
noisedude said:
If ever there was a mic that was over-hyped it's the NT2 ... and you're right that the NT2 was originally an OEM model off the peg. Is the NT1A made in Australia? Is it one of their newer 'self-built' mics?
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I was under the impression that Rode assembled them in their Australia plant using capsules made by 797. I am just going off what I have heard, though, so I'm not 100% certain on that one.
 
I don't know either. That would kinda pull the rug out from under their "made in Australia" tag though, so surely they haven't left themselves so wide open?
 
I don't think it was ever a big secret with their earlier NT-1s and NT-2s.

I mean they've always been "made" in Australia. With Chinese capsules, mind you, but still assembled and designed in Australia.
 
Good point - I remember seeing 'made in Australia' on the NT2 now. Oh well, I guess it's not that big a deal, it's the sound that counts!!
 
chessrock said:
They're about the same.


I know that a lot of the earlier Rode NT-1's used 797 capsules. Not sure if that's still the case, but I wouldn't be surprized.

The Rode NT-1s and NT-2s, by the way, are probably a little harsher than the C-1s that I have had experience with anyway.
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They're about the same

Yeah, but I seem to remember the C1 being just a tad brighter. And from what I understand there are three different NT1's... the first originals, then later they changed the diaphragm and etc without telling anyone which is thought of as the second version... then the newer NT1A... thats 3 different NT1's.

And who knows what your really buying these days with all the rebaged and counterfeit Chinese made mics on the market today.
 
DJL said:
And who knows what your really buying these days with all the rebaged and counterfeit Chinese made mics on the market today.
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Yup. Not a whole heckuva lot of difference, either way. The Rode mics, in general, tend to be bright and artificial-sounding on esses and sharp consonants. Subsequently, so does the C-1, and about 10-20 other mics that use the 797 or Shanghai Chinese capsules. To be fair, so do some of the Blue mics like the Blue Berry and 8-ball (and to a much smaller extent, the Dragonfly).

It's a trend I've been noticing with very few exceptions. I don't think my ears are lying, either. If that's a sound you like -- or don't mind (harsh, unnatural-sounding "s" and other consonant sounds on vocals), then knock yourself out and buy as many 797 capsule mics as your heart desires.
 
DJL said:
They're about the same

And who knows what your really buying these days with all the rebaged and counterfeit Chinese made mics on the market today.
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Don

What do you mean by "counterfeit"? Are you using the term generically or do you mean that (some) Chinese mics are made in violation of another's registered patent or other protected intellectual property rights?
 
Something else?

Is there another vocal microphone (LDC) in this price range that you recommend, Thanks, Frank
 
Frankm666 said:
Is there another vocal microphone (LDC) in this price range that you recommend, Thanks, Frank
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Audio Technica 4040 is nice. CAD M-177 is another good on if you're on a really tight budget.
 
Not sure how equal the NT1000 and the NT1A sounds, but compared to the C1, the NT1000 is not quite as bright.

I'd compare the sound "type" of the NT1000 to be more like the B1 rather than the C1. It sounds a bit more like the source, whereas the C1 tends to give it a bit more "sparkle" and "top" -- which may or may not be good, depending on the source and what you're using it for.

But let me stress again, I don't know how similar the NT1000 and the NT1A sound, so I may be leading you astray here!


Other mics?

In addition to the ones already mentioned (AT4040, CAD M177), in the same pricerange MXL V67G seems to be a darker version of the C1... i.e. also quite coloured, but in a different way. Or maybe you should test out the ADK Hamburg and Vienna series?

But don't rule out the Røde nor the SP mics. We all tend to have strong opinions on these mics, and many of the mics mentioned here have some kind of "signature" sound characteristic for that mic/manufacturer/whatever.


-- Per.
 
It really depends on the vocalist. What's harsh on one can be nice and bright on another. And, of course, what you hear soloing a channel may not be the same effect when you put it in a mix.

I've had some good results with the C1 cutting through for male lead vocals -- they sat well in the mix with minimal eq or compression. On the other hand, I had one guy where the Shure sm7b was best, and a gal who made the MXL69 sound glorious. It all depends on a bunch of variables.

-lee-
 
baekgaard said:
But don't rule out the Røde nor the SP mics. We all tend to have strong opinions on these mics, and many of the mics mentioned here have some kind of "signature" sound characteristic for that mic/manufacturer/whatever.
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And sometimes even the same models sound different from each other.

sdelsolray said:
Don

What do you mean by "counterfeit"? Are you using the term generically or do you mean that (some) Chinese mics are made in violation of another's registered patent or other protected intellectual property rights?
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For example, checkout this thread... http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=155616
 
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