Topic: Rode NT2 Opinions?

[Nick Graham]

Most of the tapes I've heard with these have been on-stage Kimock recordings, which I realize aren't exactly a good representation of what they'll sound like from the section.

Charlie Miller recently sent me a tape of Phil & Friends 6.30.01 from the section (nt2>v2>sbm1), and I really dig the sound. Anybody else have an opinion on these one way or another? Any particular tapes (good or bad) I should check out?

[jpschust]

im NOT a fan of anything r0de makes.  I always feel like their build quality is cheap and the sound is brittle and dry, but my ears aren't your ears and your money isn't mine.  Listen to a LOT of tapes and make your decisions from there.

[ChoobieWoobie]

Charlie Miller recently sent me a tape of Phil & Friends 6.30.01 from the section (nt2>v2>sbm1), and I really dig the sound. Anybody else have an opinion on these one way or another? Any particular tapes (good or bad) I should check out?

Was this on stage or an audience recording?  If it's audience, i'm giving my nt2 a spin out to the next show i tape.

[muj]

brittle and spitty.
the ntk is popular among norwegian rappers.

but then again what do the norwegian hip hopper's know about mics anyway?

[Brian Skalinder]

all you rode bashers need to run some critical tests...SAME gear, SAME show, SAME spot, head to head

Thanks for volunteering!  Let us know when you're done with the comps - I'm sure there are plenty of people here interested in hearing it.  

[muj]

those mics are well respected by many outside this little hobby..people with far more critical ears than most here..not just norweigan rappers

LOL + T for that.

to be honest Rode used to be a popular brand,but with recent flood of
chinese based mics,which in some cases sound better at lower cost.
still they all have one thing in common the strident high,mainly because of the capsule design.Rode claim to have shifted their production to australia ,so maybe things are getting better.

[jpschust]

ive blind tested a whole bunch of the r0de mics in the studio against a number of mics, ive also looked at the build quality (mind you ive seen at least 3 r0de mics fall apart from very minor wear and tear), and ive looked at the price- for what its worth they might as well be made by behringer.

[marc0789]

harsh, dry, two dimensional, and yes, I think "brittle" is a good description. Too many hq low priced alternatives out there, particularly several ADK mics, to fool with these, imnsho.

[jpschust]

sometimes bandwagon bashing is just that, but often times it reveals a truth about equipment.  there's a reason you see most top end audio guys basing behringer gear.  there's a reason you see oktavas ripped to shreads a lot.  conversely there's a reason you see companies like neumann and schoeps praised a lot.

[jpschust]

what are you talking about?  my tickets have been going up and i havent even touched yours.  listen, i respect your opinion, you are listening with your ears, not mine (obviously).  

anyways, my point is this- sometimes there is a bandwagon for a reason.  also, at the pricepoint of the nt2 (450ish used for a pair, 6-800ish for a new pair) i think there are a variety of other mics that are available that:

a. give you more bang for your buck in terms of fq response and overall build quality

b. will retain their value beyond the first few days

[Nick Graham]

Looks like I started a monster here...certainly not my intention. +T to everyone who's responded. I'm really wanting some LD mics, and don't have the cash for ADKs (unless I sell the MBHOs, which ain't gonna happen), so the few NT2 tapes I've heard I really liked.

Just looking for a few more opinions, since all but 2 of the Rode tapes on archive.org are stage tapes, and I'll rarely if ever be stage taping.

[jpschust]

if you are looking for a LD card condensor mic you might take a look over at studioprojects.com

i just reviewed their sd c4 mics and gave them a pretty positive review.  their LD mics have been getting rave reviews

[mizary]

i ran the nt5s for couple nights of the the fall primus tour and there were several other mics there everytime..those sources never popped up....but then i guess the warfield "just sounds good" right?

I have those two recording (nt5 > usb pre 1.5 ?) and they are my favorites from the fall tour...  and I have most of the tour.

--mizary

[mmmatt]

I'm using my nt5's at kdtu tonight at the chicago hob.  It will be my goal to get another source near me for a direct comparison.  I'll let you know how that goes, and post a link to my show at the archive when I get it transfered.  Do I smell a team Rode?

Matt

[mmmatt]

Well, the KDTU show went well, but the mix was terribly boomy and I assume my recording will be as well.  I don't think this is going to be the worlds best test.  I did make contact with one other taper there however.  He and I are in contact and I will get a copy of his source.  He was running skg c-1000s and I'm not sure what pre.  The c1000 recordings that I have heard are all lacking in the low end, so I think that may have helped him.  There was also a guy running scheops, but he came right at the last minute, and blew out of there right away.  I wasn't able to talk to him at all, but I'll keep my eyes open for that one as well.  We were all FOB DFC, so it should be a good comparison in that regard.
I'll let you know when I get things transfered.

Matt