TUBE mic's:RODE K2 vs CAD VX2

  • Thread starter Thread starter joeldadrummer
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joeldadrummer

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was hoping to get some help with a tube mic purchase. I know that everyone has their own opinion, but I wanted to get a tube mic mostly for recording vocals. I have used (and heard) the CAD VX2 and I really loved it, but it is a little out of my price range. I have also used the AT4060 but I did not like it quite as much. I have heard amazing things about the Rode K2 and the price is great, but I have never heard or used it. I assume these are all good mics, but does anyone have a lot of real world experience with the K2 vs the VX2? I don't have the pleasure of being able to compare these two mics with great pre's.

thanks
joel
 
I think Studio Projects T3 is awesome. It is my main vocal mic.
 
I haven't heard the K2. It gets favorable reviews from users on many forums. I do have a CAD VX2, and it's one awesome mic. It's rather different from the other tube LDs I have experience with. It's full, smooth, detailed and sensual all at the same time (1.25" Optema capsule). The 1.1" Optema capsule is also very nice, a bit less full perhaps but a bit more accurate. VX2s show up on eBay every couple of weeks, and they've been going for $800 to $1,000, depending on condition and whether the second capsule is part of the deal.

BTW, I swapped out the two tubes in my VX2 for some NOS German tubes. A very nice improvement.

The only downside about the VX2 is that it has been discontinued. Dwayne Gregg at CAD says they'll be serviced for years to come should the need arise.
 
I gotta throw a bone for the K2. It's amazing. I use to own a VS2480 and never could get great sounds out of the VS's preamps... I made some "good" sounds, but never "great"... until, I got me a K2. The thing blew me away. I wasn't expecting such rich clarity. I favor this mic for acoustics, vocals, and some percussion.

Highly recommend it. Never have been much of a CAD fan tho..., but I haven't used the particular mic you're referring to. You can get the K2 super cheap at www.bpmmusic.com :)
 
I bought a Rode K2 on account of many good reviews. At first I really liked it but to be honest it was my first crack at a tube mic. After testing it with my female vocalist for nearly a month, we are returning it. I'm sure it has its applications but the high end on this mic seems to be sizzly instead of smooth.

Perhaps I got a melon? Perhaps it just doesn't suit her voice? Either way it's going back and I'm flipping the extra coin for a Lawson L47MP.

Just my 2 cents, no flames please ;)
 
thanks for the feedback. I guess I should really find a way to try the K2 before I buy it. The Lawson L47 sounds great...but it is waaay more than I can afford right now. :(

any other tube mic thoughts are welcome...
 
MXL V77 has done me good. Discontinued, unfortunately. Can't vouch for the new MXL tube mic.
 
joeldadrummer said:
thanks for the feedback. I guess I should really find a way to try the K2 before I buy it. The Lawson L47 sounds great...but it is waaay more than I can afford right now. :(

any other tube mic thoughts are welcome...
Click to expand...

I havn't had a chance to try it yet, but for the price and great reviews its getting you might want to have a peak at the MXL V69ME. I'm sure there must be some drawback to a tube mic that is that cheap but again apparently the mic is winning alot of blindfold tests.

Just a thought.
 
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