Bonafide Posted June 25, 2001 Share Posted June 25, 2001 First off. thank you for your time. I can really only afford $500 for a new mic. I am mainly using this for vocals as I already have a couple that I like for acoustic. I HATE this price range.. Like so much other gear, the market is flooded with options and all seem so close. Yet.... Hard disk recording, mic pre is an ART Pro Channel. Strong voice. CAD E200, E350 ? AKG C3000 ? RODE NT2, NTK tube ? SHURE KSM32 ? AUDIO TECHNICA 4047, 4050 ? STUDIO PROJECTS C1 ? Geez, this drives me nuts. How do I compare? I really need expert advice. Any and all REAL-LIFE opinions are very welcome. Thanks a ton, Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 25, 2001 Share Posted June 25, 2001 I have heard a lot of good things about the KSM32, but my personal experience has been with the AT4050. I personally found its sound to be appealing on vocals and lots of other things (like acoustic guitars, for one). I definitely consider it a swiss army knife microphone. -Danny ------------------ Of all the things that I have lost, I miss my mind the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattzen Posted June 25, 2001 Share Posted June 25, 2001 I've used the 4050 and KSM and for vocals the Rode NTK is head and shoulders above. Lots of mic for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip OKeefe Posted June 25, 2001 Share Posted June 25, 2001 I've got five large diaphram mics (not counting ribbon mics) that I use for the vast majority of my lead vocal tracking sessions: Two Telefunken ELA M 251 E's, a LOMO M3 on a MC012 preamp, a Stephen Paul modified AKG C-414 EB and a Rode NTK... that should tell you something about what I think of the Rode... I've never been as fond of the NT2 though... It just never impressed me that much. I will say this for the NTK though, you'll never overload it with a vocalist - it can take ridiculously hot levels without flinching. The KSM32 is a nice mic (definitely check it out for yourself) but if you can swing a bit more, I greatly prefer the KSM44. I'd also look at the A/T 4047 ad 4050, as well as the Rode NT1000 and maybe even the SP C1 (although I have not heard those, so I can't comment about their sound). There's actually LOTS of good quality mics out there right now, and either of the Rode (NTK / NT1000), Shure (KSM32 or KSM44) or A/T (4050 / 4047) would be a good mic, but only YOU can decide what sounds best to you and what works with your own particular voice. When you go to try the mics out, make sure you either bring your ART preamp or that the store has one like it so you can hear what it (the mic) sounds like with the preamp you plan on using... the mic is only part of the equation here... (personally, I'd check out a Joe Meek VC3Q if I was you instead of the ART, but to each his own... and besides, you didn't ask for our opinions about that anyway, did you? http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif ) Best of luck, and let us know what you decide to get... Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html email: pokeefe777@msn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonafide Posted June 25, 2001 Author Share Posted June 25, 2001 Hey Phil, Have you heard the Pro Channel? I shopped pre's all last month. The Joe Meek VC3Q was not even a choice.I had it for a day and returned it. Bought the VC6 and returned it., Both were great on instruments but just didn't do it on vocals. The DBX 576 and Mindprint en-Voice both lost out to the Pro Channel. I have to agree with all of the feedback that I recieved on the ART, Best $700.00 I have spent this year. I got over the brand name and purchased simply on performance and value. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenElevenShadows Posted June 25, 2001 Share Posted June 25, 2001 These comments are for vocals: CAD E200, E350 ? 200 is a little dark for my tastes, but not bad on guitar cabinets. E350 haven't used. AKG C3000 ? Too much emphasis in the high-mids for my tastes. RODE NT2, NTK tube ? NT2 has a great deal of emphasis in the 12kHz range, so this makes it sound fairly airy sounding. Not the warmest mic, though. On mine, a blast of breath without a pop filter will render it useless for ten minutes. Heard good things about the NTK, but never heard or used one. SHURE KSM32 ? Same as comment for NTK. AUDIO TECHNICA 4047, 4050 ? Never heard the 4047, but heard good things about it as well. I like the 4050 for vocals, and consider it to be noticeably better than the 4033, which I find to be a little bit midrangey and not very large sounding. STUDIO PROJECTS C1 ? I know nothing about this mic. Phil's very favorable comments about the NTK really have me curious now! I am currently using a modified AT4060 tube cardioid condenser, which I am extremely happy with. I am supposed to be getting a Lawson L251 at some point -- I won the Lawson drawing at the last Los Angeles AES, which is the only way I can afford something like this!!!! Both these mics are well over the $500 range, though. For $500, you can certainly get a really nice mic nowadays, though, so I would not despair. How much does the NTK go for? ------------------ Ken/Eleven Shadows/d i t h er/Nectar http://www.elevenshadows.com 4 music, travel, more! http://www.cdbaby.com/elevenshadows Ken Lee Photography - photos and books Eleven Shadows ambient music The Mercury Seven-cool spacey music Linktree to various sites Instagram Nightaxians Video Podcast Eleven Shadows website Ken Lee Photography Pinterest Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Throatsinger Posted June 25, 2001 Share Posted June 25, 2001 Ken, I just picked up a pair of NTKs for $469/ea. Steve Steve Sklar http://khoomei.com http://www.bigskyrocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Posted June 25, 2001 Share Posted June 25, 2001 I like the AT-4047/SV for vocals. It does not have the high-end graininess of the AT-4033. The 4047 doesn't have real good "back-end rejection", but that is not a problem if you are tracking your vocals seperatly. A good deal for about 499.00. -Hippie In two days, it won't matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_dup2 Posted June 25, 2001 Share Posted June 25, 2001 how are the NTK's as drum overheads? I've used NT1s and they were okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip OKeefe Posted June 25, 2001 Share Posted June 25, 2001 I've heard the Pro Channel. I would certainly agree that it sounds better than the Tube MP, but while I think it would be useful with some mics and in some situations, I find it is still pretty colored and it's not a color that I would want / need / use often enough to justify the price. I DO like the Pro VLA though - IMO, that's ART's best product. As far as the Meek stuff, I do agree it's great on instruments. I think the 'trick" with the Meek stuff is to go easy on the compression and EQ when doing vocals. The preamp is all you really need, and maybe a touch of the compression - but I admit the compressor is VERY easy to overuse / abuse. For pristine vocals it's hard to get the hang of the compressor and learn how to dial in, but once you get the hang of it, it's a great box. The NTK's seem to be going in the $450 - 500 range, and IMO are worth every penny. I have not used them as overheads (I currently own only one) but as a "room mic" they're great! Ken, I'm in total agreement with your assesment about the sonics of the other mics you listed. BTW, congrats on the new Lawson - I'd be interested in hearing your impressions when you get it. I'd love the chance to do a shootout of the original 251's, and the Lawson and Soundelux 251 clones. Guess I had better go get Lynn's Mic Shootout CD, huh? http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html pokeefe777@msn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Submersible Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 I've never been as fond of the NT2 though... It just never impressed me that much. I will say this for the NTK though, you'll never overload it with a vocalist - it can take ridiculously hot levels without flinching. I've noticed a very hard edge in the upper midrange on my NTK that accenuates nasal quality and breath sounds. It could be distortion, but I notice it only on vocals. The first vocalist I've tried it on hates it so much, she refuses to track with the NTK. Not having another one to compare it to, I have no way of knowing if this thing is operating correctly. Anyone else have this problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonafide Posted June 26, 2001 Author Share Posted June 26, 2001 Very cool and Thanks a ton. I just got home with the NTK.. Looking forward to using tonight. GC had it for $500.00 very nice looking mic. Hey Phil, Just a thought on the Pro Channel, Maybe you are thinking of the ART TUBE Channel?. You mentioned that you like the Pro VLA. The Pro channel is made up of the Pro VLA, Pro MPA and the Semi-parametric Tube EQ but with the added vari-mu compression circuit as well. Coloration? That's the Meek stuff. The whole POINT in buying this unit was because of the fact that it has very little coloration, actually virtually none until you start to crank the upper gain stages but that is expected from just about any tube pre. It took weeks of reviews and a whole lot of unbiased honesty to go with ART over many other 'more hip' or 'boutique' pre's. It's just my opinion but it is indeed real life experience. I just the bought the NTK out of sheer user reviews, experienced users. I have'nt heard it yet but so far the advice that I have gotten here has been very helpful. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelandre Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 Hey Submersible, I just bought 3 NTK's and didn't notice this problem. Maybe you should check if the inside shockmount came loose. Mine did and I had to glue it back on. Check this thread: http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001669.html Regards, Andre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clintbennettyahoo.com Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 I also have a KSM32 and a 4050. I picked up a NTK last week on the sheer strength of the across the board good user reviews. I have to say, on vocals (and other stuff) the NTK really sounds much richer and fuller than either of the other two. Definitely a bargain at the price. This message has been edited by clintbennett@yahoo.com on 06-26-2001 at 09:51 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 Bonafide, it'd be great to hear your user reviews of the ART Pro Channel and the NTK. Fill us in as time permits. Thanks -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Submersible Posted June 27, 2001 Share Posted June 27, 2001 I just bought 3 NTK's and didn't notice this problem. Maybe you should check if the inside shockmount came loose. I opened it up, and the "earplug" was glued firmly in place. I neglected to check its alignment, though--maybe it's touching something it shouldn't be. More likely, it just doesn't work with my singer's voice. C'est la vie. It sounds fantastic with guitars (electric and acoustic.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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