Good Audio Interface / Preamp for Rode NT1A?

[Glenraid]

Hi peeps,

I'm going to get a Rode NT1A condenser microphone soon... Can anyone tell me what's a good Audio Interface / Preamp to go along with the NT1A? Possibly an external preamp would be preferred (cuz I heard an external one is better than a built in one? is this true?) -They shouldnt be too expensive also please cuz im only a beginner and this is my first set. But not too cheap that it compromises on quality also...

And just for information sake... How would you compare the Rode NT1A to an Audio Technica 2020? Is one significantly better?

Thankies!!!

 

[squarehero]

External preamps are quite expensive unless you get a really cheap unit like an ART Tube MP or a pretty decent unit like an M-audio DMP3. My suggestion is get a soundcard with decent preamps built in like a TC soundcard or a focusrite soundcard.

The rode NT1A has really bad sibilance which means that it will emphasize all those 'ess' sounds in vocals. It's probably better for fatter sounding acoustic guitar than vocals. The AT2020 is relatively flat and works on most things. You can say it is dull but utilitarian.

 

[kester]

my personal opinion is save up abit more and get the at2035 over the at2020, besides the fact that it comes packaged with more stuff like the shockmount holder, it also picks up less background noise. I have both and I have noticed there's a difference (and the price difference is not that great).