Rode K2

[HA_DA_JA]

Anyone use a Rode K2 and care to comment on there uses and how it compares to their other mics? I think it might be one on the narrowing list of choices for backup vocal duties and general acoustic recordings.

[Wiz]

I have nearly pulled the trigger on a K2 many many times...

I have owned a number of their microphones over the years....and used plenty...but never that particular one.

I owned and or used a lot, NT1, NT2,NTK, Classic, Classic II, NT5.

All those LD condenser microphones had a particular sound about them, that I didn't like. My first ever condenser mic was the NT2 which I bought, geeze ... nearly 20 years back, at the time it was the only affordable one I came across.

Rode have a pretty extensive demo flash thingy on their website so have a look at that.

I really would like to try a K2 and a NT2000, the NT2000 being the standout for me going by all the stuff I have listened to online. Which you really can't go by completely.

I will say this for Rode though, their service is excellent. They replaced the capsule in my NT2 about 10 years after I bought it, no cost, free return shipping, no questions asked.... unbelievable.

[Djembe]

I have used a K2 quite a bit, particularly on vocals. It really makes a difference swapping the tube - I have a NOS Mullard in mine and it sounds great. Even the techs at Rode were impressed when I took it in there for a new diaphragm.
With a good vintage tube in there, I think it is one of the best value LDC mics around.
One thing is not to get too close on vocals. I think this is the mistake people make who find it harsh.

[HA_DA_JA]

Are they still made in Australia? Cause they seem to be nearly half price of what they used to be when they first came out?

[we88]

I have and use one regularly on female vocals, but I can't compare it to much as it is the only thing i have of this type. by way of demonstration and all recorded at home you can hear how it sounds by (within the context of electronic music) following the link below. - all but one track (Vendetta) was recorded with this mic directly to disk through a ULN2

http://actualrussianbrides.bandcamp.com

[walding]

Yep I have one, replaced the tube to a NOS Phillips made it much nicer, don't really like it as a vocal mic, it sounds a bit phasey in the top end and lacks a bit of 100-200.

I really love it as a room mic, did a fantastic recording using it for a whole band in a flat, everyone that hears coments on the sound and them I tell em it was one mic.

[jkhuri44]

I really would like to try a K2 and a NT2000, the NT2000 being the standout for me going by all the stuff I have listened to online. Which you really can't go by completely.

i was in the Rode factory 6 months ago. And at that time, all mics were made in Aus. Event, the monitor company which they took over, is also made in Aus....factory is pretty awesome, got a whole tour.

[waitup]

Agreed. If you get the chance to check out the Rode factory it's very interesting!

I really would like to try a K2 and a NT2000, the NT2000 being the standout for me going by all the stuff I have listened to online. Which you really can't go by completely.

i was in the Rode factory 6 months ago. And at that time, all mics were made in Aus. Event, the monitor company which they took over, is also made in Aus....factory is pretty awesome, got a whole tour.

[JamesM]

Ive had a nt2000 fow a couple of years (its for sale) and its a great sounding mic... My experience is that it either sounds great or it sounds terrible, theres somthing with that big presence peak that either works or not.

One of the best parts of the mic is the fully variable polar pattern (same as the k2) which has a quite a strone effect on the frequncy balence of the mic, furthur towards omni has less upper mid push and more open top, whereas furthur towards f8 has less top and more upper mid push my favourite position is the middle third of the space between card and omni.

[GlennS]

I have found the K2 to be generally "almost there" on some things & terrible on a few things. The one thing I really liked it on (after an assistant suggested it) was snare drum. Considering you can get them for around $400 second hand it's almost worth it to get one just for that, and a few other things they are handy for (like a vocal that doesn't seem to suit any other mic).