Shootout of my Large Diaphragm Condensers at DVinfo.net

Chad Johnson · January 27th, 2011, 03:13 PM

So how do you rank these? I know the best/worst to me are obvious, but the 2 in the middle of my ranking are neck in neck. 4 Mics. I recorded them at 10db gain, but level matched them in post so louder won't read as better.

Mic 1 Rode NT2000
Mic 2 Audio-technica AT4050
Mic 3 Rode NT1
Mic 4 M-Audio Sputnik

Rick Reineke · January 27th, 2011, 05:35 PM

Based on the clips here, Chad's voice though the MOTU pre and A/D converter :

NT-1: I do not like the high-end .. at all.
AT4050: It's usable I guess.
M-Audio Sputnik: Smooth high-end and nice mid-range clarity, but contains some mild plosives. (which could be controlled by a stocking type pop filter. or surgically tweaked in post)
The NT2000 would be my top pick.. for today at least.

Surprise! Based on my experience with other M-Audio products, I thought the Sputnik would be dead last.

Chad Johnson · January 27th, 2011, 05:42 PM

I was pretty close, and did have a pop filter. I should have been a bit more back.

I have been really happy with the Sputnik as my main VO mic. I like the tube sparkle it give me. The NT1 - crap IMO. It was a really close tossup between the nT2000 and the AT4050 for me. I think I like the smoothness of the NT2000 over the slight extra sparkle of the 4050. Which is surprising. I was ready for it to be
1 - Sputnik
2 - 4050
3 - NT2000
4 - NT1

but instead for me its:
1 - NT2000
2 - 4050
3 - Sputnik
4 - NT1

Interesting.

January 27th, 2011, 05:42 PM	#3
Chad Johnson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arcata, Ca Posts: 750	I was pretty close, and did have a pop filter. I should have been a bit more back. I have been really happy with the Sputnik as my main VO mic. I like the tube sparkle it give me. The NT1 - crap IMO. It was a really close tossup between the nT2000 and the AT4050 for me. I think I like the smoothness of the NT2000 over the slight extra sparkle of the 4050. Which is surprising. I was ready for it to be 1 - Sputnik 2 - 4050 3 - NT2000 4 - NT1 but instead for me its: 1 - NT2000 2 - 4050 3 - Sputnik 4 - NT1 Interesting. __________________ My Work: http://www.youtube.com/ChadWork1 Sony FS5 :: Panasonic GH4 :: Sony PMW-EX1 :: FCPx :: AT4053b :: Rode NTG-3,

January 27th, 2011, 05:35 PM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Based on the clips here, Chad's voice though the MOTU pre and A/D converter : NT-1: I do not like the high-end .. at all. AT4050: It's usable I guess. M-Audio Sputnik: Smooth high-end and nice mid-range clarity, but contains some mild plosives. (which could be controlled by a stocking type pop filter. or surgically tweaked in post) The NT2000 would be my top pick.. for today at least. Surprise! Based on my experience with other M-Audio products, I thought the Sputnik would be dead last.