Product Comparison: Rode NTK vs Rode K2

Advertiser Disclosure

This site is a free online resource that strives to offer helpful content and comparison features to its visitors. Please be advised that the operator of this site accepts advertising compensation from certain companies that appear on the site, and such compensation impacts the location and order in which the companies (and/or their products) are presented, and in some cases may also impact the scoring that is assigned to them. The scoring that appears on this site is determined by the site operator in its sole discretion, and should NOT be relied upon for accuracy purposes. In fact, Company/product listings on this page DO NOT imply endorsement by the site operator. Except as expressly set forth in our Terms of Use, all representations and warranties regarding the information presented on this page are disclaimed. The information which appears on this site is subject to change at any time. More info

Rode NTK Tube Condenser Microphone

Check Price

Best Pick

Rode K2 Tube Vocal Microphone

Check Price

General Specifications

Brand

RØDE

Model

NTK

Origin

Australia

About the Product

Like it’s bigger brother the K2, the RØDE NTK is a premium valve condenser microphone designed to provide incredible detail and warmth in the studio. Its cardioid polar pattern is perfect for most single instrument recording scenarios.

The RØDE K2 is a premium valve condenser microphone featuring dual 1” gold sputtered diaphragms. Infinitely variable control of the polar pattern from omnidirectional through cardioid and bidirectional/figure-8 provides the freedom and flexibility to excel in any recording situation.

Key Specs

Microphone Type

Tube Condenser

Polar Pattern

Cardioid

Cardioid, Figure 8, Omnidirectional

Minimum Frequency Response

20 Hz

Maximum Frequency Response

20 kHz

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Rode NTK Tube Condenser Microphone

I have relied on the NTK day in and day out , year after year- it is my go to microphone for silky vocals, and beautiful warm acoustic guitar. I am proud to have it not only in my mic collection, but front and center. This mic can hold its own with any mic, and I mean any.
This thing is warm and fuzzy all over. It really brings out the personality of the voice. Every detail is there, crisp and airy but still full-body. And when you push it, it pushes back perfectly.
This is one warm, sizzling microphone. It oozes sensuality in the right hands like no other microphone. In my huge arsenal of 25 years of microphones, I constantly come back to this one when I want to bring out that intimate sound ...
Fantastic for mid and highend sources. Was recording some Brasilian tropical bird whistles the other day and the NTK reproduced the sound superbly, beyond what I would have expected--they really sang. Real good for vocals as well, IMO, and also low end sources that are not high SPL.
The high-end frequency boost on this microphone makes some vocalists sound very shrill. This has only happened with a couple of people, and I have heard that this decreases dramatically if you upgrade the tube in the microphone.

Rode K2 Tube Vocal Microphone

The Rode K2 large diaphragm condenser microphone is absolutely the best mic that I've ever used for recording vocals, acoustic guitar, violin, ukulele, and djembe. It's very warm and rich.
I've also used it on acoustic guitar, and it does a great job when its set on the omni pattern and placed about 2 feet from the guitar. It gets a great blend of sheen plus the warm low end of the body.
Like others have said, the variable polar patterns are such a HUUUGE benefit. I have no idea why other mic manufacturers do this. You can simply dial in how much of the room you want to hear by not clicking on a preset setting, but gradually moving from one polar pattern to another.
After a 15 minute warm up, it is rock solid for as long as you can stand to record it. The smoothness of the frequency response is a MAJOR plus for an engineer, requiring only simple, non-obtrusive EQ to obtain spectacular results!
The Rode K2 is a very accurate mic: so much so that I was surprised by the flatness of the response and lack of color. This is a good thing!To say that the sound is "warm" is not to say that it has more bass. The tube gives it a more "rounded" and smoothe character.

Size & Weight

Height

8.19 in.

Width

2.17 in.

Depth

2.17 in.

Weight

1.68 lbs.

1.8 lbs.

Features

Equivalent Noise Level

12 dBA

10 dBA

Maximum SPL

158 dB SPL

162 dB SPL

Output Impedance

200 Ω

Microphone Sensitivity

-38.0dB

-36.0dB

Interface

XLR

Power Options

PSU

Extras

Large 1” capsule with gold plated diaphragm, Class “A” valve circuitry, Hand selected and graded 6922 twin-triode valve, Dedicated power supply, Internal capsule shock mounting, High level of RF rejection, Ultra low noise, Wide dynamic range, High strength heat treated steel mesh head, 10 year extended warranty when you register your microphone

Large 1” capsule with gold plated diaphragm, Class “A” valve circuitry, Ultra low noise, Wide dynamic range, Hand selected and graded 6922 twin-triode valve, Dedicated power supply, High strength heat treated steel mesh head, Continuously variable polar patterns. From omni, through cardioid to figure 8, controlled at the power supply., 10 year extended warranty when you register your microphone

What customers say about "Features"

Rode NTK Tube Condenser Microphone

The Rode is wonderfully smooth and silky mic. in the highs and lows. It's however, a smiley curve microphone. Great for bass guitar, kick drum, electric guitars/amps that are a bit too midrange-heavy when recorded. It also is brilliant on cymbals,bells, triangle, soprano voice, chimes...
I love this microphone and the sound I get from it. Obviously results will vary based on your voice and setup, but when I did a direct comparison of all of the mics this had the best sound out of the box.
This microphone has a warm, silky and extremely clean sound, there is no doubt that voices can compete with much more expensive microphones
The first is that it definitely needs at least a half hour to warm up. I can hear a distinct difference between the sound when I've just turned it on versus letting it sit for a little while.
it's very sensitive. This is not a microphone for a noisy room. The same sensitivity that makes it great for noise work also makes it very unforgiving, so if your home studio is in a kitchen or next to an air conditioner this might not be the mic for you.

Rode K2 Tube Vocal Microphone

This is a special microphone. Its has high SPL, it's has multiple mic patterns and it's tube makes any source just work. The carrying case has extra room to store an XLR cable so just grab and go.
This mic has it all, high Psl, tube warmth, variable patterns, own power supply. But the best thing it has is a great great sound.
It does require a little bit of extra setup because it uses and exterior box for powering the electronics, but Rode provides ample cable to do so. And, you should allow the tube at least 10 minutes to warm up and settle before recording "keeper" vocals.
It sounds incredible for the money and will take a ton of SPL. If you let the mic warm up really well it turns super silky and just makes everything not just "tubey", but super "mellow tubey", if that makes any sense.
The low noise, high SPL handling, and balanced sensitivity are a joy to work with in almost every way.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

Certifications

EEC, CE

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download