Rode NT2 appreciation

[airloom]

Man, I've got a rode NT-2.
I bought it, oh 5 years ago.
It's pretty nice.
If you don't have one, you should.
Anyone else like 'em?

[markmeat]

Pretty much the only vocal mic I use now... at least it's my go-to... love it as a mono overhead... sounds real pretty on a clean electric guitar... yeah, I'd say I appreciate it.

MEAT

[pk]

While I never tried, much less owned an NT-2, I've had an NT1-A for a couple of years and it just sounds so good on pretty much anything in my modest studio. I'm now experimenting with more mics, many borrowed from friends and a couple of ribbon Fatheads on the way, yet the NT1A still holds it's own. I also just read a very positive review in SoS on the new Rode M3 (small condenser). Of course, I always prefer TOMB/user reviews to what a tech magazine has to say, but admittedly, I'll take SoS's words a little more seriously. Rode mics just kick ass, period.

[Rodgre]

I go through periods where this mic or that mic is my "go-to" mic, and a year or so ago, I went through it with the NT-2. I do like it a lot on many things. The only times that I would put it up and not be pleased is certain vocals, when I compare it to other mics. You know.... certain voices like certain mics like certain preamps...

I think it's a really solid mic that might not get as much props when buried in a field of a million inexpensive LDCs.

Others I put in a similar light are older CAD mics like the E-100/E-200 and the Studio Projects C3.

Roger

[kayagum]

Sneer all you want- Some people complain about the Rode NT series mics as being "too bright", but there are plenty of good uses for these.

Some examples:

* A wonderful room/distance LDC mic
* If you need something to cut through a mix
* If you need extra "ambience" (which is nearly always in theater sound design)
* Actually sounds fantastic when you're recording to a lower fidelity tape (think Portastudio). Haven't tried it on a wider tape format.

[slowblue]

Nice, I've had one for a number of years as well. I'd always cringe when I saw the Rode bashing, although I agreed with most of the complaints too hyped, too crisp, too brittle, for most of the rest of the line, I always thought the NT2 struck a nice balance. Agreed on using it as a room/distance mic, always liked it on acoustic as well. It's good to get that off my chest. Carry on.

[lotusstudio]

My first decent condenser mic was the Rode NT1000 and I liked it so much I got the Rode K2 tube mic. I think they are both really good mics for acoustic guitar and vocals - they get used just as much as the U87 (which tends to sound boxy on some singers).

[Jettison]

NT2s are good good mics.
I have 2 and have used them on everything. Too crisp? whatever.

[joninc]

ditto on the drum room mic. nice.

the nt2 was my first LDC and got used for everything for a while. i thought it was a great vocal mic too. through a Great River preamp ... then i heard it compared to some really high end stuff (brauner, U47) and it sounded grainy and thin. so i bought some nicer vocal mics.

but i still use the NT2 a lot for drum rm, acoustic, mandolin, percussion,
electric guitar sometimes. a good workhorse mic for sure.

[joel hamilton]

I used the NT2 as the main vocal mic for a couple of records. there is one at Studio G, and I will put it up once in a while when the vocal eems appropriate. I dont like it unless the pop screen thingy is on it, then I like it a bunch. The foam one that comes with it... that looks like a smurf afro. Or "smurfro."

[roygbiv]

I like mine a lot, but that's 'cuz it's probably my best mike

As others have already noted, it's a pretty good vocal mic.

Also (for me anyway) it sounds pretty tasty as the center overhead in a Glyn Johns setup for drums.

But the best part? The Ommmmni mode - very cool, but kind of scary the first time you engage it with head phones on - suddenly you can hear all those things that are trying to sneak up behind you.

[airloom]

yeah, I use it a a mono over head a lot.
It's got a pretty good sound, especially when you compress it right.
I also get a lot of use out of it as a room mic if I want to put one on an organ track. Close-mic your m3 with a 57, then put the NT2 in the room and mix them together to taste.
Instant awesome.

[Chris_Avakian]

i got one about a year ago, and have used it more than any other ldc i own this year. really solid as well. i dont know what happend to mine with its past owners, as i bought it on ebay, but it looks like its been through hell, and back. it still sounds great.

[airloom]

I didn't say they were durable as hell.
I've had some stupid-ass kids pull the cables out of them with the phantom power on.
I've had some stupid-ass drummers hit them with sticks.
Still sounds like $1bill.

[cyantologist]

used mine last week as a mono drum OH with great results. this will be my new "go-to" setup for drums, i think. i do see a lot of people complaining about these guys though.