Why does the NT3 exist?

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leavings

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I have a Rode NT1, NT1a, and NT3. I use the first two all the time. They're amazing for vocals, guitar, piano, ambient sounds...everything I record on them sounds good.

The NT3, on the other hand, seems totally useless. I've tried using it for all of the same applications and it is a consistent disappointment. It's too airy, meatless, hollow...I know it isn't a mechanical issue unique to my mic because a friend also has an NT3 which sounds equally flavorless.

I don't know a lot about microphones, even the ones I own, so I have to ask. What's the difference in these mics? Should I be getting a better (or at least comparable) sound out of the NT3, or are these mics meant for completely different purposes?

Thanks, Peter
 
Hmmm. I've never used one, but my guess is it's probably just a shitty mic.

If it was any good, then I don't see why Rode would have felt the need to come out with the NT5, NT4, etc.
 
Well, the NT4 and NT5 are completely different products. I don't think they numbered them to indicate a progression in a series, because the 3, 4, and 5 are nothing alike, nor are they similar to the 2 or below...
 
The NT1 is a LDC cardioid, the NT2 is a LDC multi-pattern mic, the NT5 is a SDC cardioid mic, the NT4 is a SDC stereo cardioid (same capsules as the NT5) mic, and the NT3 is a MDC cardioid mic... try the NT3 on some bass amps with 10" speakers and see what you think.

ADDED: Oh yeah, and the NT3 can also operate on a battery... I think the NT3 was kind of Rode's answer to the AKG C1000S.

But...
freshmattyp said:
Bottom line for me is Harvey has hard earned credibility. DJL has none. No one has any idea of what DJL has done. Not a clue. There's no web link, no posted work, no real name, nada, bupkus. DJL, you are just an opinionated asshole with no credibilty to back up anything you say. Your 3000+ posts of nonsense speak volumes about your "experience". Your lack of even basic conversational skills or the ability to form a coherent thought continue to amaze me. I have met some flaky bass players in my day, but you take the prize. Congratulations. And for God's sake, learn the difference between your and you're and their, there and they're. Repeat the 4th grade if necessary.

Oh, yeah, it's "damn" you moron. You can't even cuss right.
Click to expand...
So don't expect too much.
 
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The NT3 was designed as a good general purpose mic and for this the fact that it does not have any character is a good thing.

I bought a number of NT3,s when I started recording some large Fairground Organs and did not find anything about them to worry about.

The one thing I would def. not use them for is close vocals but for most other things they are fine.
 
I've never seen anything on the Rode site that helps differentiate the various LDC models. I guess this is up to the user...

My daughter and her band spent a lot of hours in fron of an NT2 while doing their EP in Los Angeles last month. This mic does a very fine job on her vocals.

On paper, the NT2 appears to have more bottom than the NT1000. Other than specs, the available information doesn't tell me what each should be used for.
 
DJL said:
Oh yeah, and the NT3 can also operate on a battery... I think the NT3 was kind of Rode's answer to the AKG C1000S.
Click to expand...

But the NT3 is better sounding, why the NT3 exists? Because it's a nice microphone, it looks good and it sounds good, although a little bright, but good!
 
Han said:
But the NT3 is better sounding, why the NT3 exists? Because it's a nice microphone, it looks good and it sounds good, although a little bright, but good!
Click to expand...
I like the NT3 for recording some bass amps and yes on most things I think the NT3 sounds better than the AKG C1000S also.

But...
freshmattyp said:
Bottom line for me is Harvey has hard earned credibility. DJL has none. No one has any idea of what DJL has done. Not a clue. There's no web link, no posted work, no real name, nada, bupkus. DJL, you are just an opinionated asshole with no credibilty to back up anything you say. Your 3000+ posts of nonsense speak volumes about your "experience". Your lack of even basic conversational skills or the ability to form a coherent thought continue to amaze me. I have met some flaky bass players in my day, but you take the prize. Congratulations. And for God's sake, learn the difference between your and you're and their, there and they're. Repeat the 4th grade if necessary.

Oh, yeah, it's "damn" you moron. You can't even cuss right.
Click to expand...
So don't expect too much.
 
I own one.

Its kinda bright-ish but decent.
I basically got it because it can operate on a battery (9v) and its solidly built.
I can hook it up to my little Marantz tape deck and not worry about plugging any thing in.



I sometimes use it on a guitar amp (haven't tried bass amp... will let you know my impressions on that in about an hour) and sometimes on my classical or acoustic for more cut in a mix.

Leavings, I agree that by itself it doesnt really impress in "critical" recordings, but I find when using it as contrast to other mics within the context of a mix its sometimes usefull.

Definitely not a good vox mic, as wilkee said but I dont know about it it not having any character..... that is if you are meaning that in a nuetral sound kinda way.
I think its kinda peaky in the upper end (upper mids) similar to the way my MXL V93 (2003) sounded.

DJL..... I think the NT3 is hypercardiod as oposed to cardiod.

Does have decent rejection.

I know Track Rat has mentioned he like the C1000 on snare.
Maybe I should try the NT3 out and see.

-mike
 
Re: I own one.

formerlyfzfile said:
DJL..... I think the NT3 is hypercardiod as oposed to cardiod.

I know Track Rat has mentioned he like the C1000 on snare.
Maybe I should try the NT3 out and see.

-mike
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Your right Mike thanks... I'll edit my post. Oh, and I prefer the C1000S over the NT3 on snare.

Well, it too late to edit it... but that's ok because the new disclaimer that freshmattp wrote for me below covers that. :)

But...
freshmattyp said:
Bottom line for me is Harvey has hard earned credibility. DJL has none. No one has any idea of what DJL has done. Not a clue. There's no web link, no posted work, no real name, nada, bupkus. DJL, you are just an opinionated asshole with no credibilty to back up anything you say. Your 3000+ posts of nonsense speak volumes about your "experience". Your lack of even basic conversational skills or the ability to form a coherent thought continue to amaze me. I have met some flaky bass players in my day, but you take the prize. Congratulations. And for God's sake, learn the difference between your and you're and their, there and they're. Repeat the 4th grade if necessary.

Oh, yeah, it's "damn" you moron. You can't even cuss right.
Click to expand...
So don't expect too much.
 
Sometimes "no answer" is better than a "wrong answer".
 
Q. What's upstream from a mic in the signal chain?

A. The source material.

Q. What's downstream from the mic in the signal chain?

A. The preamp, the recorder, and possibly a lot of other stuff.


To criticize any mic in isolation may be a tad short-sighted.

Each mic has a context where it works fine, and is for *you* to explore its value in the context of *your* material and *your* rig.

If it doesn't work in your setting, no matter how much you try with it, then simple solution - sell it and get something else.

Part of the fun of recording is invariably the experimentation.
 
Re: Re: I own one.

DJL said:
Your right Mike thanks... I'll edit my post. Oh, and I prefer the C1000S over the NT3 on snare...
Click to expand...
Hummmm. I don't know how much credibility I have, but I compared the NT3 and C1000 on acoustic guitar once and I thought the C1000 ate the NT3's lunch. Of course, if you like having acupuncture performed on your ear drums, be my guest and use the NT3 instead.
 
I saw some pictures from the recording of an album by this girl named Kotoko...and apparently she uses the NT3 as a vocal mic.

I personally think she has a pretty darn good sound. Extremely over-processed by American standards, but it's a good sound, nonetheless. A very refined sort of artificial. She has that sound in all her albums and it hasn't grown tired on my Asian ears, but others will probably hate it if they're not used to the Japanese pop sound.
 
Re: I own one.


Definitely not a good vox mic, as wilkee said but I dont know about it it not having any character..... that is if you are meaning that in a nuetral sound kinda way.
I think its kinda peaky in the upper end (upper mids) similar to the way my MXL V93 (2003) sounded.

-mike [/B]
Click to expand...

When I say it has no character I do not mean that it has a flat Freq. response just that it does not cloud any part of the spectrum.

The BBC used to have a range of monitor speakers that were very highly regarded and these had a very flat freq. response, yet anyone who knew anything about sound could recognize a tubby type of lower mid-range.
 
Re: Re: Re: I own one.

Flatpicker said:
...Of course, if you like having acupuncture performed on your ear drums, be my guest and use the NT3 instead.
Click to expand...
BTW, not trying to insult anyone who likes the NT3, just saying that it sounds bright and harsh to me. It also sounds "meatless" and "hollow" like Peter said. (good description, btw...)
 
Well, I have an NT-3, and I'll put in my 2 cents.

1) I've never liked it on my voice. I much prefer my V67. However, if I ever had a singer come in who sounds like Robert on "Everybody Loves Raymond", it might just be the first mic I reach for.

2) In general, it is hyped in the high end. As for meatless and hollow, that hasn't been my experience. But I really like to play with proximity effect and mic placement; I've found some places on the acoustic where it sounds great.

3) I think that it was originally designed to compete head-to-head with the C1000S. Personally, I like the sound of it better than the C1000S on most sources I hear, but YMMV.

4) When Rode was still hyping this mic (which they haven't done in a while), the application they chose was Hi Hats. I've never miked a drum kit, so I can't comment. But that was their mic of choice for the hats. I've also read about a few touring acts who have used it for that application.

When I first bought it, I thought that it would be the right mic for someone who wanted to just buy one mic, and have it be OK on just about anything. Little did I know that I'd become totally addicted to gear, and need to take a 6 month break from this board to help settle down a bad case of G.A.S.

-mg
 
mgraffeo said:
Little did I know that I'd become totally addicted to gear, and need to take a 6 month break from this board to help settle down a bad case of G.A.S.
Click to expand...
Good to know it aint just me - LOL!
 
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