|
|
#1
10-06-2016, 09:39 AM
|
||||
|
||||
PSA: Røde NT1 (new version) owners
To semi-quote Monty Python from The Album of the Soundtrack of the Trailer of the Film of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 'purchasers of the Executive Version* of the NT1, the newer, charcoal-colored, flatter-response model, there is a failure mode you should know about. Purchasers of standard version (NT1A) need not read on - your unit is built differently. This is only for purchasers of the Executive Version*.'
 The new charcoal-colored Røde NT1 features a simplified body construction. The cone at the bottom of the mic that surrounds the XLR connector screws on. The middle, NT1A version featured a different construction method that had this cone pressure-fit and then held in by a pair of set screws. In this new version the cone simply screws onto the bottom of the body tube. It you remove the mounting flange that holds the mic into the stand, the cone unscrews and can be removed. Note the tension ring that is within the cone and be sure to return it to its rightful place when you reassemble it. With the cone off, a little tug on the interior frame will bring out the nicely-built works as a unit for a viewing. The cone is only tightened hand-tight because that is how it is accessed for service. Lovely. BUT. If that cone becomes slightly loosened you may experience intermittent hum, a raised noise floor, and general mayhem including static noise when the mic is handled. It seems that tying together the envelope of the mic securely contributes to the mic's ironclad shielding and thus to those lovely low self-noise figures (best production mic self noise in the industry) the NT1 series is known for. If you get these audible effects, remove the mounting flange and hand-tighten your end cone. Betcha it all goes away. We've got a "self-serve" booth in one of our studios that uses one of these mics. The mic is handled mercilessly by unskilled hands. How someone worked the cone loose I can't tell you. Some things are better left unknown. And now back to your regularly scheduled programming... Bob *Just kidding about the executive version stuff. Both NT1s are great mics.
__________________
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website) 
|
