I would be prone to stand it up in the box I think, so I have answered my own question... I'm wary of sag from laying it horizontally over time.

I would definitely shoot Rode a note about whther to store the mic vertically or horizontally. They would be the best source.

The NTR QuickStart guide: http://wpc.660d.edgecastcdn.net/8066...quickstart.pdf

The section on the travel screw isn't exactly about storage, but I would assume that travel = storage to some extent.

"The travel screw supplied will secure the ribbon element
in place during transportation. This must be installed
when transporting or moving the microphone,
and must be removed when recording.
To remove, secure the microphone in an UPRIGHT position.
Carefully unscrew the travel screw, removing it
from the microphone completely. Store the screw in a
secure location when not installed in the microphone.
To install, secure the microphone in an UPRIGHT position.
Carefully screw the travel screw into the microphone
top, taking care not to over-tighten."

here's Rode's reply!

Hi Nick,

Thanks for getting in contact.

This is a bit of a myth dating quite a while back. While yes ribbons can be quite sensitive, the weight of the ribbon part of the microphones motor is so extremely small it is all but impossible for it to sag under its own weight.

The NTR in particular is also quite robust in its own right and as such you should have no concerns storing the microphone in whatever orientation you like. Obviously treating it with care will assist in maintaining its longevity however there are no concerns with ribbon sag when stored flat.

Thanks for sharing this - very useful information! My pair arrived today - looking forward to working with them soon.

Here is a sample of a Rode NTR pair on steel string acoustic guitar. Also, by way of comparison, another file of same setup, with Rens Heijnis modded TLM49 pair.

Signal chain is mics into Forssell SMP2b preamp, Forssell MADC4a ADC then Nagra VI on AES. Both pairs parallel AB at 20cm spacing, ~1m from instrument.

No processing of files has been done, native 96k 24bit.

The NTR is an impressive microphone, as is the new Forssell SMP2b preamp.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?...Hc&usp=sharing

PS. Apologies for my playing. :(

You have this set up on Google Drive so that the file can only be heard if they request special permission from you. Not sure if this is what you want..?

Apologies, I have changed the link. See how it goes now.

Seems to still have same problem.

Besides hijacking a thread the playing is astonishingly annoying and silly. You put it out there, you get back what you get back. Pretty sure I won't be using your microphones just because of this post and this video but lots of luck to you.

Are you sure? Google cannot play 96/24 files, so you have to download them. If you click on the file, it says it can't be played and offers a download link.

Interesting, thanks for sharing these recordings.

Also, thanks for recording something listenable (some of the stuff people post as mic tests makes me cringe..."she sells seashells", ugh...)

The Rodes sound lovely, but I prefer the TLM49s here. The Rodes sound a bit less intimate -- perhaps it's mic placement, or perhaps its the figure-8 picking up more room (it sounds like it is a lively room)

It worked for me, i.e., Google made it clear it could not play the files and downloaded them. They both sound great! The non-Rode tracks seem to have a more pronounced mid-range while the Rode mics seem relaxed and sweet throughout their range. Note the generous use of scientific terminology.

new review from UK publication Sound On Sound (if you have a subscription):
Product Review - Rode NTR

a YouTube workout of the NTR: key jangle test and guitar:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fumf...I5l-y&index=11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCar...I5l-y&index=12

a 'making of' doco on the Katie Noonan promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kKg...I5l-y&index=14

Has anyone had a chance to compare a pair of Rode ribbons with the stereo Coles 4050?

I guess that would apply to Coles 4050 owners generally.

Hi Geoff,

I have Coles 4040 pair and an NTR pair. Will see if I can do a comparison soon and post some samples.

That would be great. The 4050 is based on the 4040 I believe (from what I've read). I suppose the powering and impedance matching of the Rode may make a difference, although you may have a similarly impedance matched mic pre for the Coles. Both fig 8, so that's a good start! The Coles looks very good on paper, and why shouldn't it be? There's not a really big difference in cost either.

Thanks for posting this. I have one on the way, and I bought it primarily because I like to mix ribbon and capacitor mics on my acoustic guitar—from the samples I heard to date, and my experience with RODE, I was ready to part with my money.

That said, what was particularly useful to me from your post, was the ability to download your file and EQ it. I am absolutely delighted with how well the output of this mic takes EQ! Both rolloff on the low end and air on the high end... and even small adjustments in wood sound (500 range). Can't wait to get my hands on it.

Can be very nice for chamber music.



In this case, soloist pair.

Time marches on so the full review is now available to non-subscribers.

Damn, I missed this the first time. Repost a link?

It looks and sounds good! At least not a standard stock ribbon that many brands feature. Price tag is quite normal for this niche. BTW, 1.8u ribbons are quite reliable if you know how to handle them properly. I have an experience working with 1.2u foil ribbons, these are more fragile, but still rather stable if you don't blow right into the mic.

Hi David

Did you ever manage to try this out - I was so pleased to see you owned both mics. If you do get an opportunity it would invaluable (to me). Something simple and straightforward.

Hi Geoff, no not yet, sorry. Been very busy with other things. Will try to get to it soon, its still on the todo list. But its stinking hot at present and all I want to do is go to sleep in the A/C somewhere. Terrible time of year here.

Thanks David,

It's hard to imagine being warm over here, I'm wearing a woollen fleece whilst typing this - hope that makes you feel warmer!

Anything you're able to do with the ribbons would be gratefully received, but I know that there'd be a bit of fiddling around with it.

Enjoy the heat and long days, we have to wait a while before we get them here.