Rode NT5 Cardioid Condenser Studio Mic

Rating:

5

Without a doubt in the top 3SDCs I've ever used, and the other 2 include the big brother, the NT55s. The lack of filters and pads never really affected me. If you're using them live, the filters and pads can be useful, but in the studio you generally have these options all over the place, preamps, DAWs, etc.

They give a really clean sound without sounding thin and high-focussed. You can give them gain for miles without encountering any noise and they work in virtually every situation.

I've used these and the NT55s for all manner of instruments and on some really subtle, quiet, foley and love them.

If you're looking for versatile, well priced and just generally lovely SDCs, grab a pair of these or the NT55s!

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Rating:

5

I own 2 of these and have done for some years, I was fortunate enough that the 2 I ordered also seem to be pretty well matched.

I've put this mic up against an AKG C415b, Nuemann KM184, STC-1 and SE1a... and for me, the NT5 wins every time. Its characteristics are great I bearly ever need to touch the EQ, and even if i do it's usually more to do with the source than than mic (ie a room issue).

I religiously use these live on drums as overheads or hi-hat/ride etc and it smashes the AKG C1000 to bits in this! (which for some odd reason so many venues seem to have!?). I've also used these as an xy pair on acoustic guitar and it's great there too... no replacement for using LDC's for a fuller warmer sound but plucks or layered acoustic sounds will usually sound great with a pair of these.

If I were to criticise this mic it would be that at certain higher frequencies this mic with the cardiod capsule exhibits characteristics closer to an omni capsule and this can (although admittedly VERY rarely) be particularly evident in live situations.

Overall this mic is an absolute bargin infact it's practically stealing from Rode, the option to upgrade with an omni capsule is also a bonus. The only mic I can see better than this (at least available on the new market today) is the NT55 which comes with the additional omni capsule as mentioned and a switchable hi-pass/lo-cut filter and switchable pad.. of course these features are useful but as long as the mixer your using has these features then happy days, and to be honest I rarely actually need them anyway!

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