I have both the Rode NT4 and the SONY ECM-MS957 in my mic collection.
The NT4 is much quieter (less self noise) and is better suited for
recording quiet soundscapes. The MS957 can pick up a wider sound
field with its MS capsule configuration than the NT4 can with it's
permanent XY pattern.
I've had some good success using these two microphones together to
record in 4 channel surround...the MS957 looking forward and the NT4 to
the rear.
a few observations on the NT4:
- this mic is fairly sensitive to handling noise, so be sure to use it
with a shock mount when in the field.
- the foam windscreen that comes with the mic is pretty much useless
when recording outdoors. I use a much larger foam windscreen ( one
that fits a Neumannn U87 normally). This windscreen covers the
capsules nicely and leaves some air around them.
- the NT4 comes with both a stereo mini plug cable and an XLR stereo
cable...this is nice and gives the user some flexibility when
connecting the mic.
- poke around on line and you can get the NT4 for around $350.
the Shure VP-88 which was mentioned earlier in this thread is higher
priced microphone that these two and is much larger in size, but has a
number of pattern switching functions that give the user more options.
hope this helps,
Will
On Friday, October 15, 2004, at 04:44 PM,
wrote:
> Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 17:04:28 -0000
> From: "Greg Weddig" <>
> Subject: Re: Audio Technica stereo mic vs. Shure VP-88
>
>
> Maybe someone can chime in about the Rode NT4 xy mic. There has been
> some discussion about it here in the past, but I don't remember what
> the consensus was on it's suitability for field use. It's in the $450
> price range.
>
> --greg
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
"Microphones are not ears,
Loudspeakers are not birds,
A listening room is not nature."
Klas Strandberg
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