Korena
Product detailSKU #1274115056256

RODENTK Large-Diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone

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RODE NTK Large-Diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone
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Independent shopping perspective

The Korena take

A one-inch tube condenser with its own power supply. For vocal and acoustic tracking where you want warmth and body rather than clinical accuracy.

RODE NTK Large-Diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone product detail
Product studyRODE NTK Large-Diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone

Strong match

Who this is for

  • Lead vocals needing weight and a softened top end
  • Acoustic guitar or brass tracked in a treated room
  • Studios with space for the mic and its supply

Consider the trade-offs

When to look elsewhere

  • Live stages or fast setups — it needs mains power
  • Anyone wanting pattern options; this is cardioid only
  • Reference-flat capture for classical or measurement work

What matters in use

The specifications, translated

Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.

Detail 01

Valve/tube circuit

The tube adds harmonic content, thickening the midrange and rounding sibilance instead of reproducing the source exactly.

Detail 02

Dedicated power supply

Runs from its own included supply rather than 48V phantom, so it needs a mains outlet near the stand.

Detail 03

1-inch capsule

A large diaphragm gives fuller lows and a stronger proximity effect, which flatters voices worked close.

Detail 04

Cardioid only

No omni or figure-8. Rear rejection is fixed, so room control comes down to placement and treatment.

Detail 05

158dB max SPL

Very high headroom. Safe in front of loud amps, brass and drums without the capsule overloading.

Detail 06

760g

Heavy for a mic. It needs a solid stand and a mount rated for the weight, or it will droop.

Final check

Know before you order

  1. 01Give the tube a few minutes powered before the first take
  2. 02Side-address: sing into the face of the mic, not the top
  3. 03The power supply takes an outlet and desk or rack space

Product questions

Before you decide

Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.

01Does the NTK run on phantom power?

No. It uses its own power supply, which comes with the mic. You still need a preamp channel with gain for the mic's output.

02Why is a tube mic different from a regular condenser?

The valve stage adds harmonic colour and compresses peaks gently, so vocals sound thicker and less brittle. It is a flattering sound, not a neutral one.

03Can I record loud sources with it?

Yes. 158dB max SPL is high headroom, so guitar cabs, brass and drum rooms are all within range.

04How long should I let it warm up?

Several minutes powered before tracking. Tube circuits drift while cold, and the tone settles once the valve reaches temperature.

Reference

Full specifications

The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.

4 detailsSound
Capsule
1 inch
Polar Pattern
Cardioid
Frequency Range
20Hz–20kHz
Sensitivity
–38.0dB re 1V/Pascal (25mV @ 94dB SPL) +/- 2dB @ 1kHz
1 detailsPickups & controls
Active Electronics
Valve/tube impedance converter with bipolar output buffer
1 detailsBody & build
Color
Gray
3 detailsConnections & power
Output Impedance
200 ohm
Maximum Output Level
29.0mV (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1 kohm load)
Power Options
Power supply included
2 detailsSize & weight
Weight
760
Equivalent Noise Level A Weighted
12dBA
3 detailsOther
Address Type
Side
Acoustic Principle
Pressure gradient
Maximum SPL
158dBSPL

Complete your setup

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