Introduction
The Rode NTR, a versatile ribbon microphone, delivers top-notch sound quality for various recording needs. Let’s explore its features, pros, cons, and overall performance.
Design and Build
- Robust and sleek metal construction
- Modern, minimalist design
- Well-suited for studio settings
Performance
- Captures warm and natural sound
- Exceptional for vocal and instrument recordings
- High sensitivity, ideal for intricate sound details
Pros
- Superior sound quality
- Sturdy and durable build
- Great for a wide range of recordings
- Captures nuanced sound intricacies
Cons
- Requires a preamp with a lot of gain
- Slightly heavy for some mounting setups
Overall Verdict
The Rode NTR is a top-tier ribbon microphone, excelling in capturing rich and detailed sound across various audio recording needs. While it demands a preamp with considerable gain, its exceptional performance and durable build make it a reliable choice for professionals and enthusiasts.
Darin Dipietro –
Update 9/19/16- well the one that made it in tact also had a broken rubber grommet and the head basket wouldn’t stay on. Sent back and waiting for replacement.The replacement for the original mess up mic also can with one half the head basket off and the ribbon was not secured with its travel screw. The mic sounded fine and the rubber grommets were in tact so it’s a keeper. It truly is a fantastic sounding mic but Rode has some serious quality control issues in the shipping department. Though their shipping kind of disproves the “ribbons are fragile” thinking….. Waiting yet again for stereo mic’ing tests.Original post:Ordered 2 but one appears to have traveled through a hurricane at some point on it’s journey- head basket knocked off and torn rubber grommet that holds the ribbon in place. Also both mic’s ribbons were not held securely in place with the “travel” screw- just floating in their suspension brackets. Looks like a one month wait for a replacement for the one.I put the one that did make it mostly unscathed through a couple of sessions- Trombone, electric and acoustic guitars and piano. It excelled on all three. While it’s proximity affect is stronger when compared to my other ribbons- Royer R121, AEA R84 and a couple of old Russian made ribbons, it does have an extended top end that’s round and natural. This is not a mic I’d used for close mic’ing purposes, I find a good starting point is about 16″ off a guitar cab and a foot off of an acoustic guitar- both extremes compared to my normal mic’ing placements. That’s not a problem when you’re recording one piece at a time or in a separate room, but if it’s a live band situation in one room, or there’s a lot of bleed between rooms, then the extended distance will have to be taken into account.I mainly picked these up for drum overheads but looks like the shipping issues put that on hold.
Hiroyuki Ikezi –
I purchased a couple of Rode NTR to add microphones which sound different from condenser microphones at my recording studio, since some pianists indicated they prefer somewhat mellower sounds.I have used NTR only a few hours of piano recording with Neumann TLM193 side by side. As expected from frequency response, NTR tracks indicate some detail of sweet high notes of the piano are missing. But, they are recovered by boosting above 5 kHz to compensate. NTR shows it’s sound color that condenser microphones do not have and I feel it is nice. Sensitivity and noise level of NTR is very similar to TLM193.NTR looks very attractive. It is heavy, i.e. not for bringing out to field recordings. NTR eventually will be used for recording vocals and other instruments. I will add more comments as more recordings with the use of NTR will be made.
Dan Olson –
This is a really good sounding mic although I find myself going back to condensors more often than this, but it certainly has it’s applications. Get a good mic stand, it’s a beast!
Jim Winterbourne –
I’ll keep this simple: It sounds like other excellent ribbon mics you may have heard -but with less coloration, increased frequency response, and excellent build quality.With acoustic instruments you get a warmth and richness that’s so attractive I bought a second one to make a stereo pair. You do still lose some of the higher end frequencies (which are generally better captured by good condenser mics) to its particular “ribbon roll-off.” Make no mistake, this is audible, and you might say it’s the other edge of the double-edged sword. I actually pair this with a Neumann TLM102, and I can add blend clinical highs of the Neumann with the richness of the RODE to create a surprisingly accurate representation of the sound I hear at the source.The “active ribbon” technology means it’s operable like a condenser mic, running on the same phantom power from your interface/console.You’re able to register your NTR with RODE (who builds every part of this particular mic in house, in Australia) to get a 10 year warranty which includes one ribbon replacement.For me, all this added up to an easy choice (and one which I doubled-down on happily). This is a terrific microphone.
John Drake –
One of the best I have ever usedThis is one beast of a mic but what a beautiful warm sound. Well built, complete with a mic mount and dust cover (and carriage screw), this is one really nice looking and nice sounding mic. If I have anything to say in terms of improvement… why at over £400 can’t they provide an aluminium carry case for this? the box it comes in is very nice, heavy and very fancy but I would sooner have that money spend on a decent protective case – just a thought.
Mr T. –
Well worth a lookGood results with strings, voice and piano. I like the transit screw – be careful not to lose it. You can take the clutch-bolt out of the mount provided and reverse the bit which the mic is screwed into. This gives a more flexible range of mounting angles on a given stand.
Ciuczek –
Das beste für mein SaxophonIch spiele Tenorsaxophon und mache manchmal aufnahmen im Homestudio mit einem Mixer (R8).Mit diesem Mikrophon gelingen mir die besten Aufnahmen: der Klang ist natürlich, mit tiefem Timbre, warm und detailgetreu. Ich bin begeistert, das Mikro gibt wieder, was am Saxophonklang am schönsten ist.
Amazon Customer –
Original voice equalityExcellent