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I bought a K2 tube mic which sounds fantastick in omni and even between omni and cardioid (its variable) but when you record vocals using the cardioid pattern it sounds like its going through a phase shifter- I used this "feature" to my advantage in a particular song but, come on! Something is wrong here- any ideas?
:?:

Comments

Markd102 Thu, 06/03/2004 - 21:55

HG wrote: Mike is right, the best of project studio mics is Studio Projects. Apart from the NT5, Rode is horrible.

That's more than just a little unfair.

Take it back and get another. See if that does the same thing.

Peter Freedman at Rode is very much like Alan at SP. He'll bend over backwards to help you.

Doublehelix Sun, 06/06/2004 - 09:03

I've got the NTK, and it is really fantastic. I hear that the K2 is even better!

Everything is subjective, and anyone who says that the K2 is "horrible" is just being an ass. You may not like it, and prefer another sound, but that does not make it "horrible".

You may say that If I were you, I would look elsewhere, that is your progragative based on your opinions...

Your post is horrible imho...grow up, be responsible, and tell us *why* you prefer another sound. Just to slam a whole company because you don't like them is quite childish.

Back to the original question...

Something is obviously wrong, no one would design a mic that sounds like it is phasing...

maintiger Mon, 06/07/2004 - 09:19

An update- I emailed Rode USA and got a prompt response from Daniel. He asked me if #1 we were warming the mic up for at least three minutes and #2 if we were singing on the side with the dot in cardiod... bingo! Duhhh. We were singing on the wrong side of the mic! Now it doesn't sound like its going through a phase shifter in cardioid! (although its an useful sound for some applications)

We did an extensive shoot out with the K2 on male vocals against a U87, an RCA 77, a rode nt1, an oktava 319, a GT am11 and a shure 58. We were going through different preamps as well, a Grace 101, a sytek, a sytek with the BB option, a rane ms1 and a couple other preamps that are not even worth mentioning. (actually Art, motu and Bboys- they weren't even in the same ball park) The sound went into Digital Performer using Apogee rosetta converters. The veredict?:

On this particular male vocal we got the best sound of all using the K2 through the sytek with the BB option and the mic right in between omni and cardioid. Omni was too "airy," cardioid not "airy" enough. Next was the U87 through the Grace in cardioid- it was a silky sound but we liked the above mentioned K2 sound slightly better. I am sorry to say we didn't try the '87 in omni. Next best sound was the RCA D77 through the Grace. A strong robust sound but lacking a little in hi end.

The Rode NT1 was what it might be to some a surprinsigly good sound considering the competition, but it did not surprise me at all as I like and use that mic a lot. The Oktava, GT and Shure mics were bringing up the rear- as a footnote, the Oktava had a really in your face sound that actually might be the best in some other song for this particular singer.

All in all, the K2 is becoming my favorite mic and we are using in on vocals for an album we are recording. I've also used it on female vocals (Susi, who sings in our band) and I like it as well (or maybe even a little better) as my other mic of choice on her voice, an RCA D77. I am sorry to say the I don't have a SP C1 to add to the shoot out but I am planning on getting one in the near future based on the positive comments from everyone on this site.

maintiger Mon, 06/07/2004 - 13:58

yeah, let me eat crow, it tastes good. - it was a pretty stupid thing... oh well. I guess I looked at the writting on the bottom of the mic and that side "looked" to me like the front- and I do have an NT1 that has the same dot in the front! Must be getting senile or something- maybe too much rock 'n' roll!

anyway, this mic is great, I wanna another one for the pair!

maintiger Mon, 06/07/2004 - 14:43

If you are "counting" the crows are actually mostly pretty good....

I understand that the K2 is supposed to be 'better" than the NTK but I haven't heard one (NTK) so I can't tell you... NTK and T2 owners seem to be happy with their gear so that says something- On the other hand, I heard less positive statements from AKG solid tube owners, like the mic is ok but... I still would like to check one out, though-

hey Mike, you're in LA- whereabouts? I'm in Whittier.

maintiger Mon, 06/07/2004 - 16:11

Yeah, if you have the C1 or the T3 we should definitely get together and have a mic shoot out- Or we should just get together and shoot the breeze anyway-

We are doing originals and covers like in beatles- fleetwood mac- jackson browne- sting- and so many more influences styles- we are currently involved with 2 recording projects- you can listen to some older stuff on the link at the bottome of my post (the nowhere radio one)

maintiger Mon, 06/07/2004 - 17:09

How cool- looks like we should get together and compare notes as we have totally different stuff- I have a sytek and a Grace, as well as a couple other preamps )less reputeable)- I have the K2 and a RCA D77, rode NT1 and a couple of Oktavas 319- My friend Larry has a couple of U87's and bunch of other mics as well.

Im going to Puerto Rico in a couple of days and be gone til the 18th- On the 19th we'll be recording some drums if you are interested-

anonymous Mon, 06/14/2004 - 03:35

YEP i sure did.. i like all the mics but the k2 seemed to have the edge over the others.. i'll pick up a KSM44 with in a year to add to my studio...
i may not pick up a T3 seeing that i already have 2 tube mics now, 2 hole different sounds but 2 none the less.. i wanna pick up a few fet mics like the ksm44, at4050 a ribbon mic or 2 for a different flavor.

my k2 is gonna mainlky be used for vocals only.. it may get used on acousic guitar and a violin here and there, but i got it b/c vocals sound great.. if i sound good through this mic.. i know my artist are gonna sound better. LMFAO

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