Introduction
The Rode NTK is a high-quality studio condenser microphone designed for professional audio recording.
Design and Build
- Sturdy metal construction ensures durability.
- Sleek and classic design exudes professionalism.
Performance
- Captures rich, clear sound with exceptional detail.
- Versatile for various vocal and instrument recordings.
Features
- Cardioid polar pattern reduces background noise.
- Wide frequency response (20Hz – 20kHz) captures nuances.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Sturdy build
- Versatile for various recordings
- Reduced background noise
Cons
- Sensitive to handling noise
- Requires phantom power
Conclusion
The Rode NTK impresses with its sound quality and durability, despite minor drawbacks. Ideal for professional studios seeking top-notch audio fidelity.
Johnevoice –
Great price, quality build, packaging – fantastic sounding mic. I am using it for recording mostly male voice (classical, jazz, pop, Latin, old school standards (Sinatra, Tormé, Bennett). Smooth, warm and responsive & priced reasonably. I’m in love!
Nima –
If you already purchased this mic, I am going to help you out immensely if you feel like the mid/hi’s are a little ‘brittle’, ‘bite’, or ‘harsh’ for a tube microphone. The stock microphone sometimes comes with different tubes depending on when/where they were manufactured, which are either the Electronic Harmonix, Sovtech, or some Chinese model. The one I purchased came with Electronic Harmonix, which isn’t bad. The stock mic could be wonderful for you and the applications you want to use it for, but I found for vocals it was not warm enough and very sibilant/brittle.
You can buy a different, high-quality NOS tube for this microphone and swap it out. It’s as easy as replacing a light bulb. Google tube upgrades for the Rode NTK (brands like telefunken, mullard, amperex will come up) and you’ll also see how to do it. I personally got a telefunken e88cc, let it warm up, and my microphone sounds absolutely different than the stock response. It’s much warmer, far less sibilant, and very pleasing. It is now almost an entirely different mic. Some people go as far as also modding the capsule itself, but I don’t find a need that with a telefunken tube.
It’s a very sturdy microphone, so I would recommend you consider buying if you haven’t, but factor in up to $100 for a potential tube upgrade (which you may not desire if you feel the stock mic is good enough) when deciding between this and other mics as well.
Don Corleone –
This microphone is awesome! Although it could be a little harsh on the upper frequencies particularly sibilance issues. The solution is to buy a different tube for this mic and I wish I would have done this earlier. I bought a new Telefunken Black Diamond tube and it makes a significant difference, like night and day. This mic paired with a decent preamp (I run with the Golden Age Project Pre 73), makes the vocals sound crispy. Certainly a quality and sturdy microphone, I’ve been running mine since 2015 with no issues and used it on countless songs for @trupeople
Amazon Kunde –
Das Mikro ist gut, Preis/Leistung ebenfalls, besonders für Stimme geeignet ohne zum EQ greifen zu müssen. Meines war direkt von Amazon und stark verbilligt aber als neu gekennzeichnet, wie erwartet hat es sich dann als refurbished herausgestellt. Weiters ärgerlich: in der Beschreibung steht “mit Spinne”, es war aber keine Spinne mitgeliefert sondern nur das starre Plastikgelenk. Amazon bietet keine Möglichkeit fehlendes Zubehör nachzuliefern, das Mikro deswegen zurückschicken will ich aber auch nicht.
James Long –
I’ve been working with this microphone for only a couple weeks now but I must confess, I’m rather impressed with its capabilities. I do find it it needs a little time to warm up, I like to allow in about a half hour minimum but after that the detail is so clean, precise and that ever so grateful silky smooth touched it only you too can deliver is absolutely brilliant . I did replace the tube with a Telefunken – E88CC and that did produce a remarkable angelical smoothness that is absolutely magical. But even with the stock factory tube and the build quality I found the microphone to be worth twice as much is the asking price.
N. Gramlich –
This microphone is absolutely phenomenal. I changed the tube inside (swapped for a Telefunken E88CC), and what it can do is magic. The highs are crystal clear (careful or you’ll get some major sibilant crackles), the mids are warm, and the lows are smooth. I need very little EQ with this mic, just enough to drop out some of the highs – but once it warms up (I give mine a solid hour before really using it) – oh man… what a thrill. If you’re looking for something that gives a flat response, this isn’t it (CAD E100S might suit you better). It does color the vocals, but the beautiful sounds that it helps create are well worth it.
For reference – I am a woman with a very low voice. Were I a man, I’d put myself in the mid-tenor range. My son, who is a low-tenor-mid baritone doesn’t quite like it as much as the Shure SM7B, so for what it’s worth, if you have a very low voice, you may want to go with something else. I still love my Shure, but the Rode is the best mic for my tonal qualities.
Craig Carlson –
I bought these for mobile talk show recording and just added them to the rig–so far so good. The budget didn’t allow for Neumann or Schoeps.
It’s a good bang for the buck. On the high end it doesn’t quite have the clarity of my Schoeps mics which is what you get for $2,000 more I suppose, but I’m splitting hairs. So far, very happy with these.
TheLiberal Hindu –
So I bought this mic for voice over and vocals work. As soon as I got this beauty I ordered original Telefunken gold vacuum tubes made in 1950. Tubes arrived and as soon as I replaced NTK’s tube with the Telefunken, magic started to happen. Sound which was already great became more warm and smooth. Remember its a sensitive tube condenser mic and not dynamic mic, so it will catch a lot of background noise. So treat your room properly for noise if you do your recordings at home, because it will pickup ambient noises. All in all a great tube microphone at this price, if you want warm silky vocals, then just go for it.
AMVoice –
Great mic – excellent sound. I have been a pro voiceover artist for over 30 years and have dealt with a variety of studio mics. In building my own studio I really wanted a front end that had a clear and smooth full-range sound. The R0de NTK was recommended to me by another “big voice” artist, and completely lives up to the recommendation. Everyone I have talked to says it’s about the best value out there. If you have cash to blow, you can get a “noyyyyyymannnnn” (raise eyebrows here), or you can enjoy the sound of this mic and take the extra $3200 and spend it on more gear. The hard plastic padded case for the mic and power supply are a nice touch. Don’t forget to buy a shock mount for it!
Enjoy –
Amazon Customer –
Rode NTK Mic is a true professional mike.
Alexandre –
Jai un studio denregistrement hiphop rap et jadore le ntk serieux qualite parfaite
Thomas Bastien –
I ordered this microphone for rap vocals, it is perfect for it as it provides a natural yet bright and warm sound, which is very pleasing. Unlike other condenser mics, this mic is not sibilant at all. I had a Shure SM7B before, and this is light years ahead from it.
Karen Barman –
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I was very upset when I received my mic from this seller and it didn’t include the power cord for this device.