Rode NT2A vs Studio Projects C3

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:45 am

Hi All,

I'm not whether to post this in the budget or pro forum, but here it is.

I want to buy 2 large diaphragm condenser with switchable patterns (card. omni and eight).
Both the NT2A and the C3 are within my budget

I expect to use them as stereo main pair (xy, ortf, ms, blumlein)
for accoustical groups / choirs
And also for close up recording of acc. guitar, vocal, maybe more

Which ones would you prefer?
NT2A vs C3 ?

Any comments are welcome

Cheers

Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 12:35 pm

Hey!

Here is just what you may be looking for! This is a GREAT site...Thelisteningsessions.com. Go to this link to hear the NT2-A - very nice sounding mic in my opinion.

http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/session5.htm

This link is to there mic tests.

Hope that helps!

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:13 pm

How much of a hurry are you in?
I own a pair of C3s. I have a pair of NT2000s on the way. I've heard mixed reports about the NT2a compared to the NT2000, but looking at the specs and the description, one would think they are the same mic - one with switches, the other with knobs.

I'm pretty busy these days, but I might have a chance to set the two mics up side by side and do some simple comparisons.

I have a gig this coming weekend where I'm going to hang the NT2000s overhead (set to omni) for a performance that is happening in a circular venue. I don't think I can hang the C3s as well, but I might think about it.

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 11:14 am

As a huge Rode fan I'd certainly lean in the NT2000 direction as well. There's nothing bad I can say about the C3. If you get a good one (and that's just the luck of the draw with most Chinese product IMHO) it will do a nice job. I don't feel it is in the same league as the NT2000 however. I also know, from a conversation I've had with Peter Freedman (the founder and owner of Rode) that the NT2-A and NT2000 use the same circuitry aside from the NT2000's unique ability to provide completely variable pattern adjustments along with a variable bass rolloff frequency and slope. I have the NT1-A and NT2-A currently as I sold off my NT2000 to order a K2 tube mic. Not sorry I did. I wanted a mic with a slightly different character than the others I had, and indeed the K2 delivers in spades. I must say however, that the NT2000 is one heck of a sweet non tube mic. I've had AKG-414's and Neumann TLM-103's which had nothing on the NT2000. That utter lack of self noise that the Rode's have will spoil you.........

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:23 am

I have two K2's and I'm totally happy with them. I am considering buying 3 NT2's for toms. For $400 ea they seems hard to beat- Actually I'm expecting to land all three for 1k on ebay...

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:23 pm

Certainly nothng wrong with the Rodes and SP C3 being discussed. Still, you might want to look at a pair of the ADK TL. It's a rather nice mic.

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