KVR Audio

peakles · Post by **peakles** » Fri Apr 10, 2020 2:04 am

Hi guys!

I am a composer and last year I began to produce soundtracks for documentaries and advertisement and I'm searching to improve my work. This way, I'm investing more both in knowledge and home studio equipment (hardware and software). I record at home acoustic and electric guitars and some percussion. I have an AT2020 and a SM57. There is a sale on which I can buy a matched pair of rode NT5 for 165euros, and I'm considering getting it. I'm pretty satisfied with the sound of my guitar actually, but I'm wondering if these mics could be useful for me. So, I'd like to hear from you, do you think it could be useful for me? Like, giving me other options or would it be an improvement to the sound of the recording guitar? Thanks!!

enroe · Post by **enroe** » Fri Apr 10, 2020 4:16 am

A Rhode NT5 pair is typically used for stereo-recording of a band, a choir or any stereo source.
It needs phantom powering (48V), so additionally you need a stereo-preamp.

If you predominantly record your guitar or your percussions in a home-studio environment
a single good micro would be the better choice.

peakles · Post by **peakles** » Fri Apr 10, 2020 9:21 am

Hey, thanks for replying. I have already a stereo preamp. But it does make sense to maybe save more money and invest in a better LDC. Thanks again!

djboomstick · Post by **djboomstick** » Fri Apr 10, 2020 2:07 pm

I have a matched pair of nt5 i think they are great .
Improvement over the 57/2020 set-up is subjective .

I recorded an acoustic guitar with my pair of nt5 equipped with the omni capsules for a super wide stereo effect . That was fun .

Also , used them on piano , percussion overheads , and vocal groups with excellent result .

They are sensitive enough to pick up wind from air conditioning and other ambient noises .
Witch can either be a problem or exactly whats required depending on the situation .

I prefer the rode nt5 over shure sm81 or akg 300b . When i spent an afternoon directly comparing the 3 it was pretty clear the rode was a superior mic .

They are definitely useful to me .

I think my pair at the time was about double what your sale price is.

ThomasHelzle · Post by **ThomasHelzle** » Fri Apr 10, 2020 3:26 pm

Where would that sale be?

Cheers,

Tom

peakles · Post by **peakles** » Sat Apr 11, 2020 2:40 am

Hey! Thanks for the replies.

Yeah, it seems that these are very good mics, but, unfortunately, they're gone. It was a sale in Keymusic, a shop from Netherlands and Belgium. All B-Stock are 30% off. If it's interesting for you, you can check at their website

https://www.keymusic.com/outlet/

Thanks again!

ThomasHelzle · Post by **ThomasHelzle** » Sat Apr 11, 2020 9:53 am

Ah - too bad. We just ordered two for 100 Euro more...

Thanks and cheers,

Tom

peakles · Post by **peakles** » Sat Apr 11, 2020 2:24 pm

Yeah, the price was really good, actually. I probably thought too much about it. There was a pair of Neumann KH80 DSP for 600, and I also overthought and lost it. I'm regreting not have taken both now hehehe

all the best!

Nobdi · Post by **Nobdi** » Sat Apr 11, 2020 2:36 pm

enroe wrote: Fri Apr 10, 2020 4:16 am If you predominantly record your guitar or your percussions in a home-studio environment
a single good micro would be the better choice.

...unless you want to record like it is "normaly" done

- 2 mics for a stereo recording of percussion and for acoustic guitar 1 mic pointed at the hole and 1 for the fretboard.

enroe · Post by **enroe** » Sat Apr 11, 2020 3:38 pm

Nobdi wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 2:36 pm
enroe wrote: Fri Apr 10, 2020 4:16 am If you predominantly record your guitar or your percussions in a home-studio environment
a single good micro would be the better choice.
...unless you want to record like it is "normaly" done - 2 mics for a stereo recording of percussion and for acoustic guitar 1 mic pointed at the hole and 1 for the fretboard.

I know people who need 4 microphones to record a single acoustic guitar.
With this argumentation you can increase the number arbitrarily.

For a newby it might be better to start with the first obvious step.

ThomasHelzle · Post by **ThomasHelzle** » Sat Apr 11, 2020 4:49 pm

peakles wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 2:24 pm Yeah, the price was really good, actually. I probably thought too much about it. There was a pair of Neumann KH80 DSP for 600, and I also overthought and lost it. I'm regretting not have taken both now hehehe

all the best!

Not bad - I have two Neumann KH 120 A and they are unbelievably good. I recently finally treated my room and put them on proper stands and now they sound even more stunning - the sound is not coming from the speakers but is just "there".
Also unbelievable how much sound and power can come out of such small speakers.
Laurie Anderson "Monkeys Paw" and you are checking several times if you REALLY have the subwoofer off....

At the time I bought them I though I'm a bit crazy but 6 years later they still make me happy each and every day...

The microphones we ordered arrived today - at least in theory, since they were the Rode M5 pair, not the NT5s, so back they go...

Cheers,

Tom

Septimon · Post by **Septimon** » Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:23 pm

The M5 are not bad at all. I use them for overheads and they do a great job

Funkybot's Evil Twin · Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:30 pm

I've got a set of NT5's. Small diaphragms produce produce a faster transient. More airy and fragile sounding than a large diaphragm. Sometimes that's a nice option when recording acoustic guitar. I wouldn't use two on an acoustic guitar personally, but you could always experiment.

peakles · Post by **peakles** » Mon Apr 13, 2020 1:30 am

ThomasHelzle wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 4:49 pm Not bad - I have two Neumann KH 120 A and they are unbelievably good. I recently finally treated my room and put them on proper stands and now they sound even more stunning - the sound is not coming from the speakers but is just "there".
Also unbelievable how much sound and power can come out of such small speakers.
Laurie Anderson "Monkeys Paw" and you are checking several times if you REALLY have the subwoofer off....
At the time I bought them I though I'm a bit crazy but 6 years later they still make me happy each and every day...

The microphones we ordered arrived today - at least in theory, since they were the Rode M5 pair, not the NT5s, so back they go...

Cheers,

Tom

Oh, sorry to hear that they shiped the wrong pair =(

And really nice to hear about the KH 120A. Yeah, I'll try them with the KH80, but as far as I could read, the KH120 are really a even better than the KH80. =) Maybe I'll save more and go for them =)

I wish you all the best!

peakles · Post by **peakles** » Mon Apr 13, 2020 1:31 am

Funkybot's Evil Twin wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:30 pm I've got a set of NT5's. Small diaphragms produce produce a faster transient. More airy and fragile sounding than a large diaphragm. Sometimes that's a nice option when recording acoustic guitar. I wouldn't use two on an acoustic guitar personally, but you could always experiment.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, now that the sale is over (and I didnt' buy it), I'll think better about it, but it seems a nice option to have.

Would a pair of rode NT5 be useful for me?