Room mics for drums- Rode NT1A or NT2A?

[Vinny]

Hey guys, I was simply just wondering if the $170 difference between those two mics is really worth it. I need some room mics for drums, and was torn between these two. There's obviously going to be a difference, but is it really worth the extra $$$? I have yet to find any shootouts between those two mics, and was wondering if anybody on here has any experience with those two and tested them both out? I figure for pretty much the same price of the NT2A I can get 2 NT1A's and have a stereo room, but I dunno. Other applications would include maybe some singing and acoustic guitar (but acoustic guitar would be recorded with my Oktavas once I get them, so it'd only be temporary.)

Thoughts? Suggestions for better mics around the price range?

Thanks so much for the help guys,
Vincent

 

[arv_foh]

In that price range, I would get an AT4040. I have an NT1A and I think it's a terrible mic for most applications, it's overly brittle and harsh sounding. You probably won't want to use it as anything other than a room mic. The 4040 will be a good room mic and you will be able to use it on other sources as well.

 

[BLUElightCory]

+1 on the Audio Technicas.

 

[vespiz]

Out of those 2, I'd pick the NT2a. So much more useful with the different pickup pattern, pads and filters.
You can do Blumlein, XY, M/S etc stereo recordings.
Plus it has a different diaphragm and body, which all together make it a better sounding mic.
(I have no experience with the AT4040)

 

[sawtooth]

Have you heard a jolly-modded NT1a over at http://www.oktavamodshop.com ?

Sounds very similar to a U87, not bad price either.

 

[Tommy Gun]

I think the NT2A sounds killer for the price. Very much like a C414, just a bit brighter. A friend of mine actually puts a shelf on it to make it sound more like a C414.

 

[ChrisTanakaCanwell]

Have you heard a jolly-modded NT1a over at http://www.oktavamodshop.com ?

Sounds very similar to a U87, not bad price either.

+1, I've been wanting to mod mine ever since I heard about that. The stock ones are decent for the price, but I agree with arv it's a little bright/harsh. I'm always happy with the room mic tones that I get out of it though.

 

[Skyweaver]

I had a Rhode NT1, lasted around 3 years with very, very little usage - horrible mic, will never buy another Rhode product again....

 

[tempe]

The only use I have found for my NT1a was an overly dark sounding harsh vocalist. It somehow made even that sound a little brittle.

 

[Melodeath]

Wow I'm now really interested in that OktavaMod of the NT1A. I don't own an NT1A, but I might get one just to get that mod. I always heard Rode mics were a little harsh and brittle, so I've never made an effort to try one.

 

[Fragle]

i'm digging the nt-1a for vocals (haven't used it as a room mic yet).
yes, it's bright, but with other mics i always find myself using a high shelf or any other high frequency boosts anyways, and as you know boosting highs = more noise. i think it's easier to trim down some of the highs (if necessary). perfectly reliable too.
now, if you're after a mellow vocal sound this is NOT the mic for you. but for what i'm doing it's perfect.

 

[Machinated]

30 seconds to mars used an NT1A on their last album, sounds incredible on that, but generally its a fiddly mic - brittle top end feel to it.

i've used AT4040's and NT1A's both as room mics and the AT4040 wins every time. NT2a could be cool though.