A pencil condenser microphone might just be the most versatile microphone with a single pickup pattern in a recording engineer’s arsenal. You can use them for acoustic instruments of all sorts—brass, woodwind, strings, guitars, and even some lower-volume percussion. The petite form factor also makes them a natural choice for stereo pairs. When it comes to top-shelf pencil condensers, the two most ubiquitous are Neumann’s KM184 and the Schoeps MK4. In designing the Rode TF-5 microphones with the assistance of legendary recording engineer Tony Faulkner, Rode created a truly remarkable microphone that redefines expectations.
The Design of the Rode TF-5 Microphones
Like all pencil condensers, the TF-5 has small-diaphragm condenser microphones with the primary objectives of flat frequency response both on and off-axis, phase coherency between pairs, and rejection from the rear node of the cardioid pickup pattern.
Unlike all other pencil condensers, the TF-5 boasts Rode’s very own proprietary capacitor capsule. This combines some brilliant design choices and its JFET impedance converter. The Rode TF-5 comes without pads or filters and is sold as a matched stereo pair. Its specs include a signal-to-noise ratio of 80dB, 112dB of dynamic range, and peak handling of 139dB SPL with only 1% total harmonic distortion.
Though the packaging is efficient and well-intentioned, I would have loved to see these mics come with a transportable case. I’d truly like to take these microphones with me everywhere.
The Sound
These microphones are largely uncolored and have a natural, accurate, smooth, and slightly airy sound. This is thanks to its tight pickup pattern, natural off-axis response, and frequency response deviating only +/-3dB from 30Hz – 20kHz. All these characteristics make them ideal in various stereo microphone configurations and hence, they sell only in pairs. They come packaged with a thoughtfully designed stereo bar, marked with handy measurements for various microphone angles and stereo configurations. Also, the spring-loaded clips show a similar attention to detail.
Using the Rode TF-5 Microphones
I’ve taken the TF-5 on many test runs using different instruments, locations, and styles of music. Each time, they justify their inclusion in my microphone package. Placed over the hammers of a somewhat weathered upright piano, the microphones helped bring out its character. It has an exceptional level of clarity and gave me a stunningly smooth stereo field. That’s what happens when you have a great off-axis response… You can adjust your microphone angles to capture a custom-fit stereo field per song. This is especially helpful in cases where a pianist may have written a piece that prefers one or another range of the keyboard.
As drum overheads, they not only capture the brilliance of the cymbals but also show surprising warmth. To really push these microphones, I arranged them in an X-Y pattern, aligned parallel with the neck of an acoustic guitar, with the capsules offset to capture a stereo field across the width of the fretboard. These mics delivered smooth frequency responses and excellent plectrum detail even in this less conventional arrangement. This is a game-changer in the field of pencil condensers.
As with all Rode microphones, the TF-5 comes with a 10-year warranty. Look around your studio — how many pieces have lasted more than 10 years without service? With the TF-5, Rode continues to establish itself in the small circle of trusted microphone manufacturers that are accepted by industry professionals while remaining affordable for serious hobbyists.
Shop the Rode Microphones TF-5 for at Adorama.
