Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

dg27

dg27

New member
I'd like to buy a budget LDC and am looking at two:

A-T 4040

Rode NT 1 kit

By default I was leaning toward A-T only because of their reputation, but I have seen a lot of good reviews of this Rode.

I'm looking for a warmer vocal mic than what I have, which is a Samson MTR201A.

Any advice?
 
Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

You should add the sE Magneto to your short list. Technically it's a back electret, but I really like mine.
 
Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

Thanks, TO--will check it out. FYI: It's been discontinued.
 
Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

dg27 said:
I'd like to buy a budget LDC and am looking at two:

A-T 4040

Rode NT 1 kit

By default I was leaning toward A-T only because of their reputation, but I have seen a lot of good reviews of this Rode.

I'm looking for a warmer vocal mic than what I have, which is a Samson MTR201A.

Any advice?
Click to expand...

Rode has a reputation for brighter, treblier mikes, so if it's between these two, as much as I like Rodes, I think the A-T will do a little better on the "warm" front.

Understand that "warm" is an adjective normally reserved for tube condensers, and those normally don't come cheap. The gold standard is the Neumann U87AI and those street for about $3600. There are a number of clones at lower pricepoints; I hear good things about the Avantone C12, but haven't tried one personally. The Rode NTK is no slouch, *slightly* brighter than the U87 but very pleasant quality (you can listen to a shootout here), as long as you can deal with an external transformer box and special cable (which is par for the course with this type of mic). Both of these are going to be about twice your current budget, and I wouldn't recommend the ones I see at lower pricepoints like the MXL, Nady or Behringer offerings.
 
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Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

Thanks, Liko. Yes, I'm aware that "warm" is usually associated with pricey tubes, but reviews tend to cite some budget models as warmer than others. So I appreciate you pointing this out regarding the A-T versus the Rodes. This agrees with what I've read.

Thanks for weighing in.
 
Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

dg27 said:
Thanks, TO--will check it out. FYI: It's been discontinued.
Click to expand...
Yup, but readily available and at a great price ... b-e mic's have a darker/fuller tonality than the typical condenser diaphragm in my experience,
 
Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

Oh, almost forgot to mention the Neat Worker Bee; KILLER mic for the $$$.

Quick recording of my live rig using the Worker Bee from about 12" back.

 
Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

I really don't think you can go wrong with either one. They are both fine mics. Can you buy both a a place with a return policy and return the one you don't like as much?

I have an NT2, a pair of NT3's and an NTK and I love them all.
 
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Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

I pulled the trigger on the AT 4040. The store (B&H) has a mic sound room where you can compare. And they have a 30-day return policy, so I can bring it back if I'm not happy with it. Thanks to all who weighed in.
 
Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

Thanks. I hope it'll be an upgrade from my Samson MTR201A.
 
Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

Recorded two singers tonight, one male and one female. Very happy with the 4040. Quieter than the Samson (no noticeable internal noise). Not too bright and more natural sounding, in my book warmer. Used the same pop filter and this mic seems less susceptible to sibilants.

Very happy with the purchase.
 
Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

Wow that's cool that you have access to the B&H comparison room! That would be SOOOO detrimental to my credit card balances if I could regularly visit that place!

Glad you like the 4040. Most definitely an upgrade to the run-of-the-mill budget condensers out there.
 
Re: Budget LDC: AT 4040 versus Rode NT-1

B&H is great. No one works on commission, so they never try to up-sell.
 
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