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RODE NT2 Review – Studio Sound

Originally published at www.rode.com.au/stusound.htm; rescued from Internet obscurity 2010-05-14.

by Dave Foister

So which came first, the model number or the company name? Did the hitherto-anonymous designers come up with the NT2 RODE NT2 and seize on RØDE as an amusing brand name, or did RØDE already exist and the model number follow? Either way, I smell a rat, or more likely some obscure Australian marsupial.

The resurgence in interest in microphones has already been noted in Studio Sound and elsewhere, surrounded as we are by ever more shiny new computers, we have rediscovered the pivotal role of the microphone and the fun and variety on offer from the plethora models available. This trend has been helped on by the appearance of several previously unknown microphones, many from Eastern Europe, and a renewed interest in vintage microphones from both users and the original manufacturers. In fact there have been so many new and revived microphones introduced to us over the last couple of years that it must be getting more difficult for yet another model to get itself noticed. Yet that is precisely what the RØde NT2 has done.

Some new microphones attract initial attention by virtue of their appearance — new materials, a new sleek shape, an unusual color — but no-one could accuse the NT2 of using such a ploy. It follows a remarkable number of recent introductions in shamelessly modeling itself on the basic U87 shape, complete with something approaching the original Neumann color. It has a similar side-fire grille assembly concealing a 1-inch diaphragm, mounted on a fat, tapering body with an XLR fitted at the base. Just to catch you out, the XLR plugs is facing neither the front nor the back, but the side, an orientation I have never seen before and which must have been specified out of sheer bloody-mindedness.

Given that both Cardioid and Omni are present, a figure-of-eight characteristic must be knocking around somewhere, so why is it not available?

The NT2 carries fewer switches than the original for reasons which are, on the face of it, hard to fathom. The one switch on the back selects a 10dB pad in one direction and a bass roll-off of unspecified frequency in the other — the two cannot be used together (an odd compromise), although a center position disables both. The polar-pattern selector switch is mounted in the expected place on the front of the body, but curiously offers only cardioid and omni patterns. One or the other alone would be understandable, but given that both are present a figure-of-eight characteristic must be knocking around somewhere, so why is it not available to the user? This seems a curious omission which, if put right, would make the NT2 even more of a contender.

A big plus is that is comes as standard with an elastic suspension, which is just as well as there is no other way of mounting it on a stand. The suspension is sturdy and well-balanced, firm enough to allow easy aiming while light enough to provide effective shock absorption, and the swivel includes a locking knob, which is small but adequate for the not inconsiderable weight of the microphone. A very unexpected bonus is a spare set of elastic bands for the mount. Unusually, the suspension’s stand-mounting thread is 3/8- inch and an adaptor for 5/8-inch stands is supplied as standard.

The packaging is designed more for safe long-term storage that for cosmetic presentation; the whole kit comes in a big anonymous white cardboard box, with the microphone and suspension separately packed in pretty basic, black, plastic cases. The microphone itself is in a soft pouch within its case, complete with a bag of silica gel which RØDE take the trouble to suggest should be kept with it, at the diaphragm end, to reduce the risk of moisture-related problems arising.

The build quality of the whole kit is reassuringly solid and careful, if not as sleek as the icons it seeks to emulate. The fit of the body parts and the engraving quality are good, the suspension is well-designed and nicely finished, and removing the body sleeve reveals a carefully assembled PCB with high-quality components and wiring and moisture protection applied where appropriate.

This is a microphone with a definite character.

The performance of the NT2 sits well with the visual impression and the specs, and confirms the rumors one has heard about it. This is a microphone with a definite character, although not so pronounced as to make it only suitable for certain applications. It is honest enough to fit snugly into various specific areas where its undeniable high-mid lift is a pronounced advantage. Pulling solo instruments, particularly up-front ones such as saxophone, out to the front of a mix is an effortless job for the NT2, and it shines on vocals, bringing a singer a step or two forward of the backing with no EQ whatever.

This is by no means to suggest that its sound is bright or hard — in fact the depth and body of the large diaphragm is always in evidence and nothing ever sounds thin. What we have is a full, rich sound with a subtle but exploitable presence — for many people the ideal way to get a result. The noise floor is as low as one has a right to demand of a modern condenser design, and the off-axis coloration is minimal. All in all, the performance of the RØDE is quite extraordinary for the price; it joins the growing ranks of newcomers who together are redefining what we can expect of inexpensive microphones, and is likely to find its way into an awful lot of studios from the most cost-conscious to the most exalted.

Read more about the RØDE NT2 condenser microphone.

5 Responses to “RODE NT2 Review – Studio Sound”

  1. petermetcalfe

    December 26th, 2015 at 6:41 am

    I have an NT2 . What do you recommend as an accompanying mic for top quality acoustic guitar recordings.

  2. Mark Montfort

    February 25th, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    Hi Peter,

    I’m bouncing around the net looking at NT2 stuff as I weigh whether to hold onto mine or not. Saw your post.

    My suggestion would be: Why not another NT2? (And, no, I’m not trying to sell mine -I’ll most likely hold onto it). In addition to vocals, the NT2 shines on AG. And adding a second NT2 gives you both a ‘consistent’ sound when recording more than one thing at a time, plus glorious stereo micing on piano, drum OH’s, and ensembles (instruments and vox, though I’d stop short of a choir -admittedly, though, I have not attempted a choir with it).

    Other good AG mics I’ve used include (in my order of preference within each category):

    1) LDC’s: Neumann U87; Blue Bottle Rocket Type 1 (= their older Type B) with their various swappable capsule options; Shure KSM 32 (well, it’s a 3/4″ capsule, so not technically a LDC; still…); Blue Bluebird (very similar specs as the Rocket Type 1, but with a fixed capsule).

    2) LDC Tube mics: CAD VX2; Neumann / Gefell CMV-563 (like the Blue Bottle Rockets in that it has swappable capsules, happily interchangeable to and fro with the Blue’s. BTW, Geffel is now making these again); Rode K2.

    3) SDC’s: Nakamichi CM300 and CM100’s; Octava MC-012’s.

    4) Dynamic: AKG D224

    You can get a great sound with any of these (and of course, others have different favorites as well). Rode also make the SDC NT5’s, but I have not used them, so cannot personally say.

    Best!

  3. Frank de Vries

    September 1st, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    The Rode NT2 has a rather poor implementation of the low-cut filter.
    When the low-cut filter is activated, the self noise of the microphone rises to an unacceptable level. I assume they terminate the capsule with a (relative) low resistance, which is the worst way to implement a low-cut filter!

  4. lorenzo

    August 2nd, 2017 at 2:39 am

    I bought an NT2 back in 96; it was my 1st pro mic, and I still own it today.
    Itook the inner mesh layer out of it and it has made the sound a lot more open and airey, I always sing with a pop filter, and I think it’s a great improvement overall.

  5. Tommy

    October 4th, 2022 at 10:07 am

    I also bought an nt2 in the mid 90’s and still use it for vocals and acoustic guitar. This is my favorite mic for both.I have at least a dozen different mic’s
    But none of them compare with my nt2.

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