Rode NT2-A [9/16] Settings polar pickup patterns

Settings - Polar Pickup Patterns

1. There are three polar pickup patterns, hi-pass lters and

pad settings available on the NT2-A (g. 7).

2. The top 3-position switch located on the front of

the microphone controls the selection of the polar

pickup patterns. The most common position for regular

vocal recording is Cardioid. This is achieved by moving

the top switch to the centre position (g. 8).

When the cardioid position is selected, the microphone

picks up sound from the front of the microphone,

rejecting sound from the rear.

3. When the Omni position is selected, bottom position

(g. 9), the microphone picks up sound from all around

the microphone and there is less “proximity effect”

(an increase in lower frequencies or bass, when the

sound source is ‘closer’ to the microphone). The Omni

pattern is commonly used for room mic’ing or to record a

more natural sound when close mic’ing instruments.

4. When the gure-of-eight is selected, top position (g. 10),

the microphone picks up sound from the front and

rear, while rejecting sound from the sides. This pattern

is commonly used for interviews (2 people using 1

microphone between them) or in conjunction

with a cardioid microphone to use the M-S stereo

recording technique.

5. Experiment with the microphone; listen to the various

pattern, pad and high-pass lter settings and decide what

suits your current application best. Allow 5-10 seconds for

the microphone to stabilize when adjusting the controls.

You won’t damage the microphone no matter what

the switch position, so go ahead, experiment with

any combination!

NT2-A

fig. 8

fig. 9

fig. 10

fig. 7