Large Condenser Mics

[MrGuitarguy]

I'm looking for a large diaphram condenser mic to record vocals, acoustic guitar and the ocasional electric guitar with. I've had several people recommend the Rode mics. The NT2000 and NT-2A both seem to have great reviews.

I haven't had much experiance with Rode mics. Anyone have any opinions.

The vox would be male, baritone, very, very similar (I'm told) to Alex band of The Calling. I mention it because the mic and the vocalist usually need to match. I'm currently just using the preamp in my M-Box.

Thanks for the help!

[tomteriffic]

Colin, the 2000 would probably be a touch warmer, but I don't know if it's worth the extra expense. The NT2A is a great mike for my baritone growl.

Another consideration might be the Studio Projects SP-1 in the same general price range as an NT2.

[silentman]

Look at the Joe Meek stuff. Affordable and great sounding.

[jwhitcomb3]

I used the Rode NT2 as my main vocal mic for my band's first album. It has a nice presence boost that makes the vocals pop out of the mix. It also does a nice job with acoustic guitar. We tracked the bass cabinet with it for our newest album...a very good mic to have around, and an excellent value.

I now use a Nuemann KMS-105 for vocals just because I sing better when I can strut around the room and pretend I'm Roger Daltrey.

-Jonathan

[Buzzy Fretts]

The Rodes NTK Tube mic is a great buy for 500. Especially if your looking for nice definition with added warmth. It works great on my baritone voice, but probably wouldn't work well with fem voices. Overall Rodes are a great bang for the buck.

[MrGuitarguy]

I've heard some good and bad things about the NTK. I haven't tried one so I personaly can't say anything. Did it at a lot of "warmth" to your recordings?

[savethematches]

I've got a Rode NT1 and love it. Awesome sounds on acoustic guitar and male vocals, but a tad too crisp for female vocals. The only problem I have with it is that the plastic microphone mount broke and I can no longer attach it to a stand.

I also have the Nady tube mic. I used it last night for vocals and acoustic guitar and am thoroughly impressed. Mucho bang for the buck.

[Lockbody]

One of my mics I really love is the AT4047 from Audio Technica.

As far as tube mics go, I like the AKG SolidTube. Of course, it's the only tube mic I've got.

[Stevieconlon]

I've got the Rode Tube NTK. I'm very happy with the mic. I use a good preamp--a Great River.

[Nuclear Wessel]

I got a Rode NT1 from a fellow HFC'er. I like it! IT is airy and crisp sounding. If you're looking for a warm up front voc sound, I've found Groove Tubes tube mics are good for that.

Remember when Alesis bought Groove Tube's mic business and sold them under the name GT Electronics? Those mic can be had for a steal on E-Bay these days. I got a $1300 studio tube mic, the GT Electronic AM62, for $180!!

[hikarateboy]

Boy, I wish I had more time to respond to some of these recording threads as thats what do with my Hamers much of the time and have made a pretty substantial investment in my studio/practice space so much so that its not in my house and has seperate control, iso and live rooms.

I have many mics at my place, Right now just in the Large diaphram area (vocal mic area) I have a AKG C-12 (Tube and $$$$), CAD E200, AT 4033, Numerous Chinese U87 clones and an Oktavia Ribbon.

It's really dependant on what your voice works well with. Mine sounds like ass on a real U87 (I have access to one) and even though it's 3500 its worthless for my voice. I would recomend that you buy local through a dealer that will let you pay for it take it home and return if its not right for you. That way you can find the mic that fits perfectly instead of guessing.

One thing I do want to mention is that even though the C12 is a $3k microphone you'd hope it would be magic on anything but its too bright for my voice. My favorite is one of the cheaper ones I have a AT 4033 which has a presence boost so almost doesnt make sense.

That said in todays world of digital only recording there is more treble than anyone needs. Condensor mics were often used and developled to counteract tapes inability to reproduce the top end by shoving more on it. Hence the smooth sound of tape since you arent getting a hi freq icepick in the forehead.

Today, People are still using the same mics BUT with out the highend attenuation supplied by tape and while there is more clarity on top there is also WAY too much high end on the majority of today recordings especially from amatures. Thus people are trying to use tube pres, eqs, etc to try and fix the problem when really mic selection may be a better place to start.

My friend Eddie Ciletti writes for mix and often talks about this on his website www.tangilble-technology.com .

So where am I going? For the last record we recorded almost all the vocals were done on the Octavia Ribbon. At first I thought it was too dark cause the highend I expected wasnt there but after all is said and done they were smoother and sat better in the mix.

Note: Our cd still had too much top if I were to be critical but the new stuff we are recording is moving away from that.

Sorry so long but the jist is maybe try a Ribbon mic? A lot of the Frank Sinatra stuff and the like was done with them or a U47 and that maybe be a bit spendy.

[Lockbody]

Sorry so long but the jist is maybe try a Ribbon mic? A lot of the Frank Sinatra stuff and the like was done with them or a U47 and that maybe be a bit spendy.

Ribbon's are supposed to be magic on guitar amps. One is gonna be my next mic purchase.

The AT4047 is lower-cost alternative to that U47.