Does anyone have comparison advise for these two condenser mics? I am looking for a pair, mainly to mic upright piano. As I live in Australia it is cheaper for me to buy NT5s though the reviews I have read seem to favour the MK012s.
The trouble with comparisons to the 012s is that there is significant variation between individual mics, and with the chinese versions out on the market now ... :-?
I have a pair of 012s that are pretty close and a third that is quite a bit different. I haven't done enough comparison work to quantify the differences.
I also have a pair of NT5s and do not consider them inferior mics to the 012s - just different. The Rodes are certainly brighter than the Oktavas, but I don't consider them overly bright.
I can share some samples of NT5 recordings, but they are mixed files, not the raw recordings. While I have used the NT5s on a piano before, it was a grand and I put very little of those mics into the mix - there was enough piano in the main pair for that recording.
[edit] I started to question the NT5s on Orchestra on the second sample (I corrected it) - see this thread {old-link-removed} . The NT5s were the main pair for the choir and 012s were on the orchestra. Here's another sample from the same performance that features the choir.
Thanks so much for your effort in replying. The MP3s sound great and I can see that both these condensers can be used to great advantage. Do you think I could do better for a piano recording mic, keeping in this price range?
The Studio Projects C4s might be worth considering - they come with Omni and Cardioid capsules in a matched pair. I've never used them, but they are also supposed to be good "bang-for-the-buck" microphones.
While i have not heard the NT4, I find the 012's very usefull for drum OH application. For acoustic guitars i often find them too bright, am planning to get a pair of the Kel mics for a while now. I usually run these mics through the TFpro mic pres on the Emu audiodock.
Comments
The trouble with comparisons to the 012s is that there is signif
The trouble with comparisons to the 012s is that there is significant variation between individual mics, and with the chinese versions out on the market now ... :-?
I have a pair of 012s that are pretty close and a third that is quite a bit different. I haven't done enough comparison work to quantify the differences.
I also have a pair of NT5s and do not consider them inferior mics to the 012s - just different. The Rodes are certainly brighter than the Oktavas, but I don't consider them overly bright.
I can share some samples of NT5 recordings, but they are mixed files, not the raw recordings. While I have used the NT5s on a piano before, it was a grand and I put very little of those mics into the mix - there was enough piano in the main pair for that recording.
http://www.cheap-tracks.com/mp3/cheap-tracks_b&b_sample.mp3
NT5s XY on Hammered Dulcimer
http://www.cheap-tracks.com/mp3/cheap-tracks_uui_12-19-04_sample2.mp3
012s ORTF on orchestra
http://www.cheap-tracks.com/mp3/CrowsDream01.mp3
NT5s XY on Choir
[edit] I started to question the NT5s on Orchestra on the second sample (I corrected it) - see this thread {old-link-removed} . The NT5s were the main pair for the choir and 012s were on the orchestra. Here's another sample from the same performance that features the choir.
http://www.cheap-tracks.com/mp3/cheap-tracks_uui_12-19-04_sample1.mp3
[/edit]
Thanks so much for your effort in replying. The MP3s sound great
Thanks so much for your effort in replying. The MP3s sound great and I can see that both these condensers can be used to great advantage. Do you think I could do better for a piano recording mic, keeping in this price range?
The Studio Projects C4s might be worth considering - they come w
The Studio Projects C4s might be worth considering - they come with Omni and Cardioid capsules in a matched pair. I've never used them, but they are also supposed to be good "bang-for-the-buck" microphones.
I imported the 012's from the soundroom. These mics (sound-room)
I imported the 012's from the soundroom. These mics (sound-room) go through stringent QC's and are also more expensive. The stereo pairs are matched.
http://www.sound-room.com
While i have not heard the NT4, I find the 012's very usefull for drum OH application. For acoustic guitars i often find them too bright, am planning to get a pair of the Kel mics for a while now. I usually run these mics through the TFpro mic pres on the Emu audiodock.
Cheers!
Sidhu