Turtlerock Forum

Rode K2, Yes or No?

I'd say yes. I've used them before as overheads. Great price, good (enough) sound.

I went mic shopping and the K2 was on my listening list and ended up with an older U87ai. Couldn't be happier.

Not sure about the K2, but If you're a radiohead fan the vocals on ok computer were tracked with a Rode NT1 apparently.

yeah, i'm a radiohead fan, i tracked a record recently using NT1's on the vocals and they sounded pretty darn good.

i really wanted a 'tubey' mic for vox and acoustic git though...

K2 is great but if you want an excellent valve sound and cheap MXL V69M. Just do a search almost every Studio review recommends them highly. K2 if you need variable pattern options and cleaner all rounder sound.

It's the next mic on my to buy list. Nice smooth sound, varabile pola pattern makes it very usable. I end up hiring at least on on most jobs
I do.

Not sure about the K2, but If you're a radiohead fan the vocals on ok computer were tracked with a Rode NT1 apparently.

Actually it was a Rode Classic, not an NT1. I believe some were also done on a U47...

"Vocals were recorded alternately with a Neumann valve 47, and an Australian Rode valve mic, through a Urei 1176 compressor, and a Pultec valve EQ on a few things. "With months of hindsight, I actually think the Australian mic is a bit too bright, but if it's a good performance, that's it. Maybe the vocal sound suffered from the fact that it was occasionally just thrown down, but I don't think so."

Cheers

Chris

way to wreck my "nigel godrich in dr quin medicine woman's castle" fantasy chris...

Actually I read in SOS the Radiohead mic was a valve Oktava!!

Hi Toddddddddddd

Here's a real left-field solution if you are looking for tubeness. Get yourself a chinese made SM Pro MC03 (http://www.smproaudio.com/MC03.htm). Its nicely designed, 200V (no starved tube here), 9 pattern tube mic that sounds, well, OK. I got 2 off ebay for around $350 each.

Here's the real gem. Send it up to Joe Malone in Brisbane - for around $170 he'll check the mic over (some of the caps can be badly microphonic, and there are other things he can fix as needed), and install a little circuit board that can be activated by applying phantom power to the mic. This gives a different flavour of tubeness: with "phantom off" you get the sound of a good modern tube (think Rode Classic II), but with "phantom on" you get a more classic tube sound (hmm - think C12 but with a Neumann-type capsule). The "phantom on" setting is more sensitive to impedance: at higher impedances, the difference is not nearly so great, but get a 600 ohm or so preamp happening, and its *nice*.

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shhhh - don't tell anybody, but i have an sm pro mc03. just retubing it now (just vintage NOS telefunken - nothing too special). i didn't know joe at JLM did upgrade mods, tho. it'll be shipped off to him shortly!!

it's impedence issues will be fine, once i've built a jlm micro pre with variable impedence!!

oh, by the way - the 9 polar patterns are handy and the overall sound is certainly stickier than an NT1 or the basic mxl type of LDC thing. . .

chris.

Chris - where did you source your NOS tele's - I'd like to replace the stock 12AX7's with something along those lines as well, although my impression is that the valve brand is not as key to the sound quality in these mics as it is in some others.

toddd, if your a Sydney lad you're also welcome to borrow one for a little tryout if that would help.

not a sydney-ite, but joe lives just around the corner from my place in brissie ;)

thanks for the help guys, i think chris' solution sounds really cool (and cheaper). i have used one of these before, didn't realise they could be modded either...

i'll post with how i go getting something happening...

hi chris p

the tubes are through norm, here on the forum - http://www.turtlerockmastering.com/foru ... highlight=
"For Sale....High Grade well matched Tubes/Valves"

haven't recieved them yet, but am replacing all existing 12ax7's (hhb radius10 and sm pro mc3) as well as getting 2 full sets for the la2a clones i'm building . . .

chris.

I was under the impression that they came with the Joe malone mod now. although I will need to confirm it.

Secondly the MC03 Is awesome. I have compared it next to an NTK, and it is not near as harsh and abrasive as the NTK. Its like a secret weapon if you will.

I havent used a rode mic I like though.

i was trying to avoid the outright statement that the mc03 is "better" than a rode (edit - nt1).

but it sure is better, to my ears!

first up, new tube. the JLM mod will happen later. . .

chris.

toddd

to answer your inital post

... yes

street price - about $925 ish - maybe a bit less.

Happy with mine on most vocals.
I have used it in preference to AKG 414 TLII and AT 4033 and AT4050.

The shock mount it comes with is great!