Freesound Forums

I've been doing all my voice and dialogue work with a Rode M3. It seemed just fine but then I had a listen to some online comparisons from a Pro VO artist using various Large Diaphragm mikes. Then I listed to the difference between 'plain' Large Diaphragm mikes and Tube mikes. Well there was a most noticeable difference in sound. The non tube mikes seemed 'clinically' accurate but the tube mikes sounded so much, for the want of a better word, 'Richer'. So I am now saving up for a 'cheap' tube mike (Rode K2). But before I take the plunge, I was wondering if there are opinions out there on the various types of Large Diaphragm mikes. Was I just hearing things?

Cheers

David

PS I know the Neumann mikes are considered the standard but as an Australia I really prefer an Australian made mike and the K2 represents the most I am willing to pay for a mike.

Was I just hearing things?

Not at all, tube mics do sound warmer than solid state mics because of the nature of tubes (valves) . The K2 does get good reviews.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul04/articles/rodek2.htm

Hmmm. My concern, after looking at a lot of reviews of the K2 now that it may not be the right mike for me. 30-40% of reviews are less that ideal and of the 60-70% that are positive reviews, 10% suggest modifications to the K2 (ie replace the tube with some other brand) to bring it up to speed.

Obviously there are some reviews that are coloured (ie some just think all Rode mikes are crap). Others suggest that it is the way that the K2 is set up that will make or break it. With little experience in audio and none with tube mikes, I am assuming that the mike plugs into the power supply and there is a standard XLR connection from the power supply to the interface (or in my case the Zoom H4N). But then I saw comments like "turn up the gain to really warm up the tube". Since the K2 power supply only seems to have an on/off switch and pattern control knob, do I assume that the K2 would be better suited to an interface other then the H4N and if so - what?

Cheers

David

Went with the NT1-A. Couldn't really justify the expense of a K2.

Cheers

David

I recently had an opportunity to work with a Shure Sm7B as a vocal mic. Totally loved it, very nice presence and full-body sound like a voiceover mic should have (We were doing mostly male sung vocals through it, but did try it out with spoken wordish stuff as well)

We also have an old standard RE20 (actually an RE27 in our case), but even though it used to be a semi-standard for broadcast voice we use it for Bass guitar cabinets...