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Re: Rode NT1-A Matched Pairs (was Hello all!

Subject: Re: Rode NT1-A Matched Pairs (was Hello all!
From: "Toby Sinkinson" tobysinkinson
Date: Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:57 am ((PDT))
I have a chance set, and one thing about them relevant to this discussion i=
s
that the pair utilize two slightly different shock mounts...which became
somewhat problematic when I went the DIY windscreen direction.  Not a huge
deal but I had to custom make each windscreen separately.  I haven't notice=
d
an extreme difference in frequency response though...

Toby

On Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 3:24 AM, Rob Danielson <> wrote:

>
>
> Hi Bruce--
> I've never had a chance to personally compare Rode-matched and chance
> pairs. I'm pretty sure that Rode selects sequential or near
> sequential serial numbers-- opposed to matching measured performance.
>
> I've paired-up a couple of dozen NT1-A's and a few of the pairs had
> small differences in the character of the high frequency noise (which
> would become audible only under the most demanding of applications).
> No differences that were obvious to the ears.
>
> Rode often ships dealers sequential or close to sequential orders.
> You could contact some larger volume dealers who have a good number
> in stock and ask them to check their inventory and hand-pick a pair.
> Even the larger eBay dealers might do this and you can save some $.
> I know one dealer who has done this for me if you want to contact me
> off-list. < <type%40uwm.edu>>
>
> Incidentally, Rode has 10 year warranty if you register them:
> http://www.rodemic.com/warranty.php Tech Support will look at any mic
> that is not working up to spec and fix or replace it. Turn around was
> about 14 days.
>
> Don't forget you'll need a phantom power supply to operate these
> condenser mics with your D-50. No need to buy the expensive one from
> Sony. Rob D.
>
> =3D =3D =3D =3D =3D
>
> At 6:50 AM +0000 6/30/09, brucethehoon wrote:
> >Apologies for not realizing this and asking sooner, but for MY
> >purposes, is there any advantage to purchasing the NT1-A in a
> >matched pair, or will just buying a couple of them on Amazon
> >suffice? I want to buy them tomorrow if possible :)
> >
> >--- In
> ><naturerecordists%40yahoogroups.com<naturerecordists%2540yahoogro=
ups.com>
> > <naturerecordists%40yahoogroups.com>,
> >Rob Danielson <> wrote:
> >>
> >> At 8:00 PM +0000 6/29/09, brucethehoon wrote:
> >> >Thank you so much for your reply. The number of private email
> >> >replies I got rather overwhelmed me and as such I didn't get back to
> >> >the group in my usual speedy manner.
> >> >
> >> >To update, I have purchased the PCM-D50, realizing that I really
> >> >don't care how much this costs, but ruggedness is a factor.
> >> >
> >> >That said, as requested below, my first and most important use will
> >> >be to record one hour or more of waves / surf at a california beach
> >> >with 30mph winds gusting to 50mph.
> >> >
> >> >I will have the unit on a sand compatible tripod (legs buried) and
> >> >would like to record the EXPERIENCE of being there. While not
> >> >necessarily suggesting a binaural setup, I would like to play it
> >> >back later and be fairly able to close my eyes and be there again.
> >> >
> >> >If I was able to pack the whole setup (excluding tripod) into an
> >> >average sized backback, that would be "portable" for me.
> >> >
> >> >Spending ANOTHER $300-500 on microphones seems reasonable to me. I
> >> >can appreciate that it might seem absurd to drop so much in advance,
> >> >but I would rather take the risk of spending too much money than
> >> >take the risk of getting a lower quality recording during a once in
> >> >a lifetime trip.
> >> >
> >> >I am using Shure E5C's as my listening method, so I suppose anything
> >> >they can't play, I don't care about, when it comes to quality :)
> >> >
> >>
> >> Hi Bruce--
> >> In the $300-$500/pair price range, the rigs that John Hartog and
> >> variations others have made for Rode NT1-A's have produced striking
> >> recordings and these ultra low-noise mics provide the ability to
> >> record very quiet locations too.
> >>
> >><http://www.rockscallop.org/how/barrier10.html>
> http://www.rockscallop.org/how/barrier10.html
> >>Any condenser mic will
> >> require phantom powering which the PCM-D50 doesn't have. The cheapest
> >> way to provide phantom powering (with no compromise in quality) is
> >> with a portable phantom power supply like an Art Phantom II or Rolls
> >> PB224.
> >>
> >> For dealing with steady winds that strong, Rich Peet has some designs
> >> made with "Shop Vac" filters that work very well. [Contact him
> >> directly at  If you go with a traditional
> >> zeppelin approach, I'd favor a larger than usual "basket" size with
> >> 3-4" of dead air space around the capsules, an inner liner made of
> > > taut panty hose stocking and an outer layer of long pile fake fur (2"
> >> or longer). Here are some NT1-A ideas:
> >>
> >><http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-reports/Rode_NT1-A_Mics/NT1-A_index.htm=
<http://www.uwm.edu/%7Etype/audio-reports/Rode_NT1-A_Mics/NT1-A_index.htm>
> >http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-reports/Rode_NT1-A_Mics/NT1-A_index.htm<h=
ttp://www.uwm.edu/%7Etype/audio-reports/Rode_NT1-A_Mics/NT1-A_index.htm>
> >>
> >> Another thought. Surf and wind are quite loud so you can get by with
> >> small electret mics and put some energy into making wind protection
> >> for them. The tiny Panasonic WM-61A's mics are very accurate in terms
> >> of tonal response and can be purchased in a variety of packages well
> >> under $100 a pair:
> >>
> >><
> http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-reports/PanasonicWM-61A_OtherBinauralRigs/=
docs/CompareCommercialLavs_1_2009.doc<http://www.uwm.edu/%7Etype/audio-repo=
rts/PanasonicWM-61A_OtherBinauralRigs/docs/CompareCommercialLavs_1_2009.doc=
>
> >
> http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-reports/PanasonicWM-61A_OtherBinauralRigs/=
docs/CompareCommercialLavs_1_2009.doc<http://www.uwm.edu/%7Etype/audio-repo=
rts/PanasonicWM-61A_OtherBinauralRigs/docs/CompareCommercialLavs_1_2009.doc=
>
> >> The popular Shure WL-183's are larger and quieter. You'll find lots
> >> of discussion about the WL-183's in the list archive. These electret
> >> mics will produce considerable "hiss" if used in quiet locations
> >> where the record level is turned up high but they are fine in loud
> > > locations. Rob D.
> >>
>
> --
>
>
>
>









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