The Rode, like the ADK, really shines on tone.  However, whereas the TC is smooth but tame, the NTK is fiery.  On cabs it is crunchy, on acoustic guitars sparkly and full, and on vocals, you can hear the natural compression as you really lay into the mic. It is aggressive, but not in an unpleasant sense.  Not spot on for every voice, but right for most.   The NTK also has great SPL handling capabilities, but the mic is not overly sensitive, so Rock and Roll vocalists can scream their mulleted heads off, and it won’t distort the mic easily, but it is not so sensitive as to tap your headroom either (i.e. a TLM 103).  For a tube mic, this thing is impressively quiet too at a brow raising 12db self noise.  Rode often manages to stay a step ahead of their competition.  And while the Rode K2 is also in the under $699.00 price range, in my opinion, the K2 for all of its technological refinements such as variable patterns, lacks the sizzle and depth of the NTK.  If you are a tube lover who wants to hear the tubes with about $500.00 to spend and can forego pads and polar patterns, the NTK is tough to beat.  

 

Number 2: AKG C4000B ($649.00 street)

 

The number two spot was a tough choice for me, because I am so in love with the AKG 4000B.  If this review was highlighting “great mics under 699.00 to add to your existing collection” then the C4000B would take number one.   This is an absolute premium vocal mic that has not yet gotten the credit it deserves. As a pro studio owner, I have some heavy hitting mics, such as a U87 and even better, a U67, and the C4000B stacks up to the big guns.   In a world of mics that are so sensitive to the 5-10k range they pick up every sound the mouth can make (many unwanted!), mics with a beefy vintage sound and smooth top end are a welcome change. I think it’s unfortunate that some mics that sell do so because they "wow" people with hyped highs that sound "hi fidelity" instead of sounding warm and full. With so many manufacturers making “bright, brighter and brightest” microphones, the C4000b offers a welcome contrast.  Its inherent tone is marked by a pleasant, smooth sheen. On vocals it has that thick yummy, chewy vintage sound!  Lay some vocals into this mic and listen as it absorbs any harshness and turns it sweet. Croon into this mic and let its already silky tone enhance male and female vocals alike.  Listen to the natural compression factor as it works with your singer to warm up their performance.

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