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Author Topic: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?  (Read 5416 times)

Sam Costa

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Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« on: March 21, 2018, 06:16:38 PM »

I've been a long time fan of the SM81's for hat service and OH's, but I recently started reading more into the Rode NT5's for this and beginning to wonder if these mic's do just as good as the SM81's?
I'm looking at ordering some next week (for a fair price too) to add to my arsenal of mic's but curious to know if anyone out here has any real-world experience with the NT5 for this application? Most of the time would be used as Hats and OH's, some acoustic and violin services in medium sized venues.

Thanks.
Sam
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Luke Geis

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2018, 11:28:43 PM »

I must be on the other side of the fence? I am not a fan of the Shure SM81's for pretty much any use. They sound too dense and hollow to me. I have had better luck with cheap Behringer C2's honestly. Seeing as how the Behringer C2 is pretty much a copy of the Rode NT5 I would put my money on the Rodes's NT5. That's my opinion any way.
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Rob Spence

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2018, 11:58:11 PM »

I have both and the NT5 gets used more often for overheads.
The SM81s get good recognition as more folk know what they are and are happy if you use them.


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Erik Jerde

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2018, 12:23:26 AM »

I’ve used the NT5 for hat, snare bottom, and overhead duties a lot.  They always worked well for me and I liked them better than the 81s.
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Mal Brown

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2018, 12:32:48 AM »

OHD - nt5 or even the lower priced m5. just roll out some highs

Hat... I really prefer an i5 or a 57 in a sock ... the dynamic on the hat sounds more like a hat to me.  Sdc’s just seem overstated to my ear.

I’m one of those guys that starts rolling off the mains at 10, maybe 12k and I am significantly down by 16.  In my opinion, the only thing over 10 k is ear fatigue.

In hifi terms, I prefer KEF or B&W to Polk or Infiniti...
« Last Edit: March 23, 2018, 02:13:53 PM by Mal Brown »
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Helge A Bentsen

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2018, 05:20:57 AM »

I moved to DPA2011C and haven't looked back since.

It's superior to both SM81 and NT5 for just a few $$$ more IMHO

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Jean-Pierre Coetzee

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2018, 06:02:43 AM »

I’m one of those guys that starts rolling off the mains at 1, maybe 12k and I am significantly down by 16.  In my opinion, the only thing over 10 k is ear fatigue.

I low pass at 12k, you'll be shocked at how few people can hear the difference when A/B, none will notice if it's always been like that, very few sound systems are useful above 12k anyway, extremely beamy.

Regarding the mics, honestly the one that works for me, I'm not going to be picky but I really like the sound of the SM81 on snare bottom.
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Joe Pieternella

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2018, 06:23:17 AM »



I moved to DPA2011C and haven't looked back since.

It's superior to both SM81 and NT5 for just a few $$$ more IMHO

Not much more....

Over here we would be talking about a 165 vs 350 mic. And your suggestion would cost around 800 euros.
Not really a fair comparison by any means.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn G8341 met Tapatalk

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Helge A Bentsen

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2018, 09:41:39 AM »


Not much more....

Over here we would be talking about a 165 vs 350 mic. And your suggestion would cost around 800 euros.
Not really a fair comparison by any means.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn G8341 met Tapatalk

Here ( Norway) 2011c is about twice the price of a SM81 and it's much more usable IMHO

I use it for everything these days from hihats to guitaramps, it's my new "SM57" :)
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Robert Patch

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2018, 04:17:00 PM »

The NT5's haven't come out of the case since I started using Shure Beta 27's as overheads.
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Sam Costa

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2018, 04:49:46 PM »

The NT5's haven't come out of the case since I started using Shure Beta 27's as overheads.

Thank you for the replies fellas.
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Tim McCulloch

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2018, 06:14:08 PM »

The NT5's haven't come out of the case since I started using Shure Beta 27's as overheads.

Considering my general distaste for most Beta mics I'm curious as to what you like better about the 27s over NT5.
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Jay Barracato

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2018, 06:09:58 AM »

Thank you for the replies fellas.
My utility condenser mic is the audio Technica atm450. I tend to use that on all the sources you mentioned.

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Thomas Le

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Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2018, 10:38:14 AM »

I own both mics, the NT5 has a hotter signal and a more hyped hi end but the SM81 is more "flat"/smooth sounding. Each have their strengths, for a drum kit I would do NT5 for OH and SM81 for HH and ride.
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ProSoundWeb Community

Re: Rode NT5 or Shure SM81?
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2018, 10:38:14 AM »


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