Question 1

Can I change the valve in my microphone myself?

Accepted Answer

It is strongly recommended to have this done by your nearest authorised RØDE service centre. However, if you wish to do this yourself, you must be very careful to avoid injury. Ensure the microphone is not powered and that you are grounded before touching any circuitry.

Question 2

Where can I find more information on tubes?

Accepted Answer

We recommend the following sites as a starting reference:

http://www.tubedepot.com

http://www.vacuumtubes.net

http://www.tubeman.com

http://www.audiotubes.com

http://www.thetubestore.com

http://www.vacuumtubesinc.com

http://www.tubeworld.com

http://www.worldtubeaudio.com

http://www.tubesandmore.com

Question 3

Will phantom power damage my microphone power supply unit (PSU)?

Accepted Answer

No, whilst these power supplies do not require phantom power, they are built to cope with being fed phantom power and this will not damage the equipment. It is however advised that where possible, to turn off phantom power when not in use.

Question 4

Is the 7-pin cable between the PSU and the K2/NTK mic a standard cable or is it unique to RØDE?

Accepted Answer

The cable between the K2 microphone and the K2 power supply uses a standard 7-pin XLR connection. Whilst not widely available, many good professional audio shop should be able to get hold of the parts to make one for you. The cable is pin to pin.

Please be aware that you should only use good quality cable and connectors for connection between the PSU and the mic. Replacement cables are available from RØDE through our chain of distributors, RØDE can only supply the cable in a standard 10m length.

Question 5

What tubes do you use in your microphones?

Accepted Answer

The tubes we use in our microphones have been selected to give our customers the best performance possible with our designs. Low noise, sound quality and of course long life are taken into consideration with every design and subsequent tube selection.

The tubes are purchased in bulk from various manufacturers which we then subject every tube to a series of tests that start with a 'burn in' period that will result in those tubes that do not meet our high tolerances being rejected. We test for noise, microphonics and output.

These tubes have a very long working life and in many cases we have found RØDE tube microphones that have been used for over 10 years that still meet full specifications.

RØDE Tube Mics, Tube (graded and selected for low noise)

RØDE NTV - ECC81
RØDE NTK - 6922
RØDE K2 - 6922
RØDE Classic - GE JAN 6072
RØDE Classic II - GE JAN 6072

Question 6

Are NOS (New Old Stock) tubes better than current production?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the tube. It could be a low-quality old tube!

Do some research on the tube sites and you will start to get an idea of what is good and what is just 'smoke and mirrors'. There is quite a lot of mythology surrounding tubes with wild claims being made. The reality is that tube technology was at its peak in the 50&60's and so it stands to reason that the manufacturers of that time did have some mature technology, and so produced high-quality, high-tolerance devices.

When transistors started to take over, the demand for premium and high specification tubes started to decline to the point where none of the high end producers in the US, Germany or UK were viable and so their production ceased. Tubes continued to be made in Russia and other 'soviet block' countries, and of course China - in many instances these were for military applications. These factories have been at the forefront of the current tube supply, but it must be remembered that other than the audio industry, there is no need for tubes today and that is why the brands such as Telefunken, GE, Sylvania, Mullard etc are not in the game anymore.

How will you know what to buy? There are many websites and vendors for NOS tubes and they supply lots of information. If you have the time, start reading and you will begin to see a pattern where certain old brands and styles keep being mentioned. That is a good guide.

The prices are rising because of rarity, but modern production for certain tubes such as the ones we currently use in our microphones is certainly equal to anything from the past. It comes down to knowing how to select and test, and of course grading them accordingly. It is fun to experiment, so go ahead, but please ensure you don't use tubes not designed for the circuit, or the results will not only disappoint, but could also damage your microphone.

Question 7

How would changing the tube in my RØDE microphone change the characteristics of my microphone?

Accepted Answer

This is a complex question, which depends on many factors. The tubes we use are of very high quality and have been selected to be the optimum choice for our designs. There are many NOS (new old stock) tubes on the market that in some cases can change the tonal, noise and distortion characteristics of your microphone.

While you may be happy with the result, you may also be disappointed and find the tube that came with the microphone sounds better. To find out, you will need to experiment and that can be expensive but of course the choice is yours if you wish to experiment.

We choose our tube type carefully to allow us to have enough stock to manufacture in the quantities required to satisfy our customers whilst keeping the mic characteristics constant and to ensure support for the product for many years to come.

Question 8

What is 'microphonics' in a tube?

Accepted Answer

All tubes are microphonic to a certain degree. That means if you tap them when in circuit you will hear that sound in your signal. Some are much worse than others, and can cause problems when they are modulated by vibration, or in extreme cases even by the sound you are recording!

How do you get a low-microphonic tube? Order one with that specification. It will have been tested, with many rejected from a batch. On average RØDE fail 20% of all tubes, this ensures that the ones we do use will be low-noise and low-microphonic.

Question 9

Can I purchase the power supply for my mic separately?

Accepted Answer

RØDE valve mics are sold complete with a power supply and connecting power cable. The power supplies can be repaired or replaced under warranty if faulty, but are not available for individual purchase.

For repairs in your country, please contact your local distributor using our technical support page.

Question 10

Where can I buy replacement tubes for my RØDE microphone?

Accepted Answer

All available replacement tubes can be purchased by contacting your nearest authorised service agent / distributor.

Question 11

Can I order a custom mic cable?

Accepted Answer

RØDE can only supply replacement cables in a standard 10m length. However, these cables can be modified by any competent audio service technician.

NTK

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