Rode K2 Condenser Microphone - How to Change the Tube (DIY)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ต.ค. 2024
- ** DISASSEMBLY BEGINS AT 3:00 **
Change, swap, replace - WHATEVER - the tube in your awesome Rode K2 large diaphragm condenser microphone. The Rode K2 is one of the most popular tube mics in modern production because of its moderate price tag & excellent sound. The stock tubes are nice to begin with (6922), but changing to a different tube yields a whole new sound!
** COMPATIBLE NOS TUBES INCLUDE: 6DJ8, ECC88, 6922, E88CC, CV2493, CV2492, E188CC, 7308, E288CC, Cca, 6H23, 7DJ8, PCC88 **
In this video, Lansky covers the simple tube swap process for the K2.
The lovely piano piece in the background is Mendelssohn's Rondo capriccioso, Op. 14 performed by Anthony Zheng - • Video
Nutso Mad Scientist intro/outro music by QuadkilleR - www.QuadkilleR.com
Special thanks to Brent Jessee Recording & Supply, INC. at www.AudioTubes.com
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Nice video! Do you know if you could use a Neumann U87 on a Rode K2? If so, would it help the K2 sound more like the Neumann U87? Thank you very much for any information!!
Thanks for the information! Yeah it is a long video for short moves but still I appreciate the fact it is here in open access!
Realistically is there a quality difference or only a difference?
How long does the original tube that comes with it last for on general use ?
which tube would make my K2 sound warmer for an acoustic instrument please?
Do you think the new Telefunken Black Diamond series tube would work on this model or the Rode NTK? I will soon make the purchase for this microphone but if not I might just spend the money for a preamp or something else.
Any tube that is designated as 6DJ8, 6922, or 7308 will work. It turns out that Telefunken historically produced a diamond-series tube that is compatible: www.audiotubes.com/6dj8.htm
As far as preamp consideration is concerned, I think the K2 pairs very nicely with quality preamps. Is there a particular model you are considering?
+Lansky Sound Although, I mostly have experience doing hip hop, recording rapping and singers a few times, most tell me to go for an Avalon 737. I wish, but I would rather spend my money on building a dream Lunchbox using the Api 512 c (or the new 512 v if it is not all too expensive), a Focusrite Red 1, an SSL Vhd, and the Rupert Neve Designs 518, and hopefully a couple of eqs and an SSL compressor. Unless you have any other recommendations for singers and or rappers this is what I will probably go with. I am open to recommendations.
You cannot go wrong with any of your choices & I'm happy to hear you're interested in investing in such solid gear. I do not have enough experience to comment with authority on the devices you have listed, but I think you are on some very good tracks here! I do think it is worth replacing the stock tube in the Rode K2 with a high-quality NOS tube if you are intending to use it as the resulting sound is much improved. It would be awesome to hear about what you decide to do!
Lansky Sound Ohh definitely. I will have to post something soon, seeing as how all of my work as an engineer, producer and artist are all on other sites. I honestly had my mind set on the NTK, with a new Telefunken tube, but if these sound even better, I will have to go ahead and make this purchase and see for myself.
PGE II Music
I couldn't tell you how the K2 compares to the NTK. I get the feeling you'll be happy with whichever you choose! If you can afford to step up a notch, I would recommend the Mojave Audio MA-200 over the Rode mics. In the end, it's going to be how the mic is used that makes your tracks sound their best.
Or a NOS 6922 telefunken? Please help me with this, gladly appreciated
+Zaki El Horan Use the 6922! This is a compatible tube that will swap out perfectly with the stock tube. Here is a link to a guide for what kind of NOS tubes are compatible: www.audiotubes.com/6dj8.htm
Good luck!
dumb question, why do you have to warm it up? Im trying to buy this mic but I heard it's too harsh for vocals, which is the only reason I'm trying to buy it for...
Here is info on why tubes should warm up: sound4vo.com/some-like-it-hot-tube-microphones/
I wouldn't say the K2 is has a harsh quality to it, but I will say it has a distinctive, almost compressed old-school tonality in my opinion. While changing the tube may improve the flavor, it will not cause such a dramatic difference that the microphone sounds totally different. On vocals, I find the K2 to be big & warm, but definitely not clean or modern.
If you are looking for a modern, very clean vocal microphone, I strongly recommend the Mojave Audio MA-201. I have a lot of experience with this model & will attest to its lovely quality on vocals of all kinds, as well as instruments. The only thing I'm not super fond of putting into this microphone is a violin. Vocals tho, get a MA-201 if you even have a doubt in your mind.
How long do the tube for the k2 last
+Yusuf Khshi A NOS tube can be expected to run for at least 10,000 hours of usage! That's a lot of time. Here's an article you may find helpful: www.tubefreak.com/tubefaq.htm
As for the lifespan of the K2 itself, is a really excellent microphone. I expect mine to last as long as I take good care of it! I see no reason why it should stop working for fifty years or more. Maybe a whole century, dude! I could pass this on to my grandchildren haha
10 years...
Thanks for 9 minutes of a 30 second video
Thats the most psychopath intro I have ever seen. The rest of the video is nice.
😂😂😂😂😂
Why would you have to replace the tube.. what happened to that previous one?
Tons of reasons can trigger this. Tubes have an expiration.. think of it like a light bulb.. after hours and hours of being on and in use the tube gives out. You start getting hiss (one of the most common signs of it going bad) sometime it completely give out and you might even get abnormalities in gain.
different tubes impart different tone qualities as they amplify the electrical signal. a different tube can completely change the performance of the mic! I do it because it's fun :)
Hi can i use a nos telefunken ef800 tube ?
+Zaki El Horan You cannot use the EF800 as it is an identical pin-out to the 12AX7. This is a smaller tube that is not compatible.
Giving you a thumbs down for saying "the bottom is on the opposite side from the top."
+Notown Sound Records HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do it on a blanket, not in your hand!
How much time should i allow k2 to sit powered on to warm up the tube?
I usually wait an hour to let the tube fully heat up & stabilize. I find the noise floor settles down & response smooths out. New manufacture tubes may not require this long, but I've also read that valve tube mics (like our beloved K2) require about an hour regardless. What are you recording? It would be cool to hear!
Well i'll record acoustic guitar and vocals.Mine is stock rode russian made tube.So i have to let it warm up for an hour?Also is there any way to check whether the tube is properly warmed up or not?.Thank you
Yes, 45 minutes to an hour is recommended by me! Having said that, the microphone will still work just fine if you don't wait at all. I find it sounds best after warming up & stabilizing.
To check if the tube is properly warmed up, you will need one of these: www.amazon.com/Mattel-30188-Magic-8-Ball/dp/B00001ZWV7
Just kidding! No way to really test. Good luck!
Well...what is this magic 8 ball?🤔
;D