Not Bad for the Money 
by Ken Kuglen from Manhatten,NY, August 2008
Music Background:  Prducer,Engineer for 34 years

The NTK got a little too much high end edge. The mic's output is a little too much in the 6khz and 12 khz range, which gives the mic kind of a tinny sound. With the use of a good preamp like an Avalon VT737 the sound can be normalized resulting in a pretty good vocal sound without alot of sibillance. These days ,It seems like alot of the less expensive condensers do have much more treble than what's needed. On a positive note the mic is wonderfully built allowing easy access of the twin triode vacuum tube simply by unscrewing the bottom half of the mic. Overall for 500 dollars it's not too bad a tube mic for vocals.

  It's Sizzles !! 
by John Petrocelli from New York City, June 2007
Music Background:  Hypnotist - Voice Over and Fromer Guitarist - CBGB era

This is one warm, sizzling microphone. It oozes sensuality in the right hands like no other microphone. In my huge arsenal of 25 years of microphones, I constantly come back to this one when I want to bring out that intimate sound ...

Lets just say ... on the outside ... it may be metal ... but inside ... it just blows in your ear.

  Lets Be Brutal 
by Guy Tanzer of Tanzer Records from Cape Town, South Africa, May 2007
Music Background:  Composer/Violinist/Pianist/Record Owner

I was amazed by the clarity and warmth of the NTK.Lets be honest, most well known microphone brands trade on their name.I have auditioned most brands out there, and can say with the greatest of confidence that you dont have to spend $7000 to get a good sound.

  My New Favorite Vocal Mic 
by Tony from PA, March 2007
Music Background:  Home Voice-over Studio

This mic has replaced my Shure condenser for almost all my voice work. I do a lot of spoken word production which requires an intelligible mic with a distinct presence. The NTK has both. My production now stacks up better on-air against the bigger studios. I also record rock and folk vocals and again, the Rode does very well in these applications. I use the Rode through an Aphex 207 pre, an ART Pro VLA compressor, and then an Aphex 204 Exciter (w/big-bottom) before the Presonus Firebox takes it to digital. A little tweaking has enabled me to manage the high end fizzle associated with the NTK and proximity effects are very workable with this design. If you need a quality vocal mic and can't afford a Neumann, this is an excellent and affordable alternative.

  YES!!! 
by IMAGO RECORDING STUDIOS from Lexington, Ky, February 2007
Music Background:  Recording Engineer, pro musician, and Independant producer.

I don't really use this mic for vocals much, but It makes a fantastic mic for drum overheads(I've got two), Guitar and Bass cabinets. Great all-round mic for studios on a budget.

  Tasty Tube Vocals 
by Sanchez from Seattle, WA USA, December 2006
Music Background:  Little bit of live sound and recording, guitarist, beginning bassist and keyboardist, digital music creation (Reason!!!)

Tube Mic on a budget. Great for adding some warmth to project studio recording. Worked well on vocals and acoustic guitar. Might have rated it higher, but I don't have too much mic experience. But I got the sounds I wanted out of this mic, and that's good enough for me. Let's hear it for Rode!

  I still love the NTK 
by Joe from New Jersey, October 2006
Music Background:  Home Recordist

I bought an NTK back in 2003, not too long after they were released. I had read several great reviews, and it seemed like a good purchase for $499. I can honestly say that all the hype that surrounded this mic was well deserved. I have used it on female and male vocals with great success. It can get overly sibilant, but with careful placement this can be mitigated. I have also used the NTK on acoustic guitar in a pinch, and hand percussion.

Last year, I purchased a second NTK for use on drum overheads. I love the sound. Again, placement is critical (but when is it not?). Surprisingly, the two NTKs are matched pretty well, considering they were produced several years apart. Interestingly, the first NTK I bought had the serial number written on it with a marker, and now they actually have it printed on the casing, which is much better, since that marker wiped off quickly under normal use.

One more thing: let these mics warm up for at least an hour. They just sound better.

Overall, a great buy. Highly reccommended.

  A must for vocals 
by Nathan , October 2006

Another great mic by Rode. This company continues to surprise me with their affordable great sounding microphones.

This mic may not fit every singer, but it will sound fantastic on most. If your looking for 1 decent mic for vocals and don't want to break the bank check out this mic first. If your looking to expand your collection with a tube mic this is a perfect addition.

  great sound 
by Tavarie Smith from Michigan, July 2006
Music Background:  Artist and producer engineer

just a beautiful sound I just love it, it sounds so warm and smooth and this mic is just "wow" it will open up your eyes and ears.

NTK great for project studio use 
by Anonymous from Pasadena, CA, March 2006

I use the NTK in my project studio. Works greats for vocals and acoustic guitar. I'd recommend it to anyone needing a LDC mic for this capacity.

Awesome! 
by Bob Manor , August 2005

What a great mike - not just for the money. This mike is a clear example of why you do not need to mortgage your house to get absolutely pro sound- Rode has done the recording musician a huge favor. If you want warm and clear vocals and acoustic guitar, this is perfect- buy one and set the mike up and play and sing. You won't be sorry.

Big Sound Small price 
by meteor sound from Brooklyn, NY, April 2005

Last year I got some great vocal sessions to track and I needed a new vocal mic. I wanted a tube mic and I couldn't afford a Neumann. Most of the other tube mics were way our of my price range. After trying about 3 different mics in the same range this one blew them all away. It sounds Warm and rich. I've had artists who brought their own beats track vocals over their stuff with this mic and I had to bring the fader down because the sound was too big for their track. It comes with a great case too.

Rodes Ntk Tube Mic 
by Tmagic from Memphis Tn, May 2004

Great mic sounds silky smooth... No harsh hi's like the audio technica....Sounds warm like no other mic i have heard.. will make anyone sound like someone...Best Mic Under 2000 by far... If you want better get a Sony..

Damn Good 
by Byram Joseph from Toronto, April 2004

This mic is GREAt for Vocals! I did vocals with it, using only its power Supply, No preamp. and It sounds soooo good! CLEAR, AND BUTTER WARM! I used the neumann TLM103 and this mic is way better!!

NTK mic of a different color 
by Anonymous , March 2004

I recently added an NTK to my color plate. Many ask me if it's "good" or "bad". There is no good or bad with most microphones. That's like asking if blue is good or orange is bad. This mic is built like a tank and sounds GRRRRRRREAT! What amazes me is the clarity. It is fairly bright yet smooth and not strident like most bright mics. When cutting vox is simply track and compress.....NO EQ needed. YMMV

Great mic, great price 
by Anonymous from Griffith, IN, February 2004

I've become a big Rode fan in just a short time. My first taste of Rode was the NT-1, and recently added a pair of NT-5s. Both are sweet mics at killer prices. But the NTK was the holy grail for me of sorts. A little more pricey than I thought I could afford, but when I compared, it blew me away how much quality I could get for such a low price. I haven't been at all disappointed. I've worked with and lusted over some great mics from some great names, but I've never been happier with how my voice sounded than with the NTK. Don't let the low price fool you... this one could easily sell for twice as much and still be a great deal. This mic also look great. Put it in front of a vocalist, and it seems to bring out the best.

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