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Rode NT1

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Sound Quality
Directionality
Connectivity
Features
Compatibility
Durability
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16 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [16]

84
Total expert reviews: 16
  • with a score: 5
  • without a score: 11
Highest score by microphonegeeks.com
100
Average score based on 16 reviews
84
Lowest score by Tom's Hardware
70

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
90
A revamped classic condenser mic that's just perfect for vocals and a lot more besides
The Rode NT1 condenser microphone is a redesigned version of the NT1A, featuring a new HF6 capsule and Rycote's Lyre system to minimize external vibrations and reduce self-noise to 4.5dBA, making it one of the quietest 1-inch cardioid condensers in the world. It is a versatile mic that performs exceptionally well for vocals, guitars, and other instruments, and comes with a pop shield and shock mount for added convenience.
+ pros
  • Extremely low noise level of 4.5dBA, making it the world's quietest 1-inch cardioid condenser microphone.
  • Sleek and protective design with a dark shade of grey, nickel-plated aluminium body, and military-grade ceramic coating.
  • Includes Rode's SMR shock mount with a unique double-Lyre suspension system and an all-metal pop rectangular filter.
  • Crisp and detailed sound with warm low-end body and airy clarity in the top end, making it suitable for vocals, guitars, and hand-held percussion.
- cons
  • Lack of switches for bass roll off or a pad may preclude it from close-mic'ing very loud sources such as drums or amplified guitars.
The Rode NT1 is a new transformerless microphone that combines innovative surface-mount electronics with a classic vintage studio mic voicing. It has a low self-noise of 4.5dB EIN, elegant engineering, and comes with a superb shockmount and filter included.
+ pros
  • Elegant engineering.
  • Classic tonality.
  • 10-year warranty.
  • Superb shockmount and filter included.
  • Very low noise.
- cons
  • There's really nothing to complain about at the price, unless you feel you need pad and roll-off switches.
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Expert consensus

The Rode NT1 is a high-quality studio condenser microphone with a wide frequency response range, low self-noise, cardioid polar pattern, dual connectivity options, and durable construction, making it a versatile and reliable choice for recording vocals and acoustic guitars.

The Rode NT1 is a high-quality studio condenser microphone that is particularly well-suited for recording vocals and acoustic guitars. It produces clear and detailed sound with a wide frequency response range of 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz, and has an incredibly low 4. 5 dBA of self-noise, making it one of the quietest studio condenser microphones available.

The microphone has a cardioid polar pattern, making it most sensitive to sound sources in front of it while rejecting sound from the sides and rear. It offers dual connectivity options through XLR and USB-C cables, allowing for both analog and digital interfaces. The Rode NT1 is compatible with a wide range of devices and software, making it a good choice for home and studio recordings.

The microphone is made with high-quality components and housed inside a durable 6061 Aluminum enclosure, and is internally shockmounted with a Rycote cradle to minimize handling noise. However, users should take care to avoid exposing it to water or subjecting it to rough handling. Overall, the Rode NT1 is a versatile and reliable microphone that can produce excellent results in a variety of recording situations.

Sound Quality

The Rode NT1 is a high-quality studio condenser microphone with a wide frequency response range and low self-noise, making it an excellent choice for recording vocals and acoustic guitars in a home studio.

The Rode NT1 is a high-quality studio condenser microphone that produces clear and detailed sound with a wide frequency response range of 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz. It is particularly well-suited for recording vocals, thanks to its mid-range emphasis, crisp highs, and warm lows, which help vocals sit confidently at the front of the mix while avoiding sounding harsh or gritty.

The NT1 also has an incredibly low 4. 5 dBA of self-noise, making it one of the quietest studio condenser microphones available. It is effective at reducing background noise, but not quite as thorough as some other microphones aimed at gamers and streamers. Overall, the Rode NT1 is an excellent choice for home studio recording of vocals and acoustic guitars.

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Directionality

The Rode NT1 microphone has a cardioid polar pattern, low self-noise, and is versatile for recording vocals, cymbals, and instruments in a controlled environment.

The Rode NT1 microphone has a cardioid polar pattern, making it most sensitive to sound sources in front of it while rejecting sound from the sides and rear. It is versatile and can sound good on vocals, cymbals, and instruments, but off-axis sound sources may result in a change in response.

The microphone is quite sensitive to sound and can pick up sound from different distances quite well, but positioning is important. The Rode NT1 has an extremely low self-noise of 4dBA, making it suitable for recording in a well-treated room, but it may pick up some environmental noise such as whirling fans.

Overall, the Rode NT1 is a high-quality microphone that is well-suited for recording in a controlled environment and capturing sound directly from the source.

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Connectivity

The Rode NT1 5th Generation microphone offers dual connectivity options through XLR and USB-C cables, allowing for both analog and digital interfaces, making it a versatile option for different recording needs.

The Rode NT1 5th Generation microphone offers dual connectivity options through XLR and USB-C cables, allowing for both analog and digital interfaces. Switching between the two options is simple and straightforward, and the microphone is instantly recognized by your device. The quality of audio transmission varies depending on your recording needs and the connectivity option you choose.

The USB connection allows for dialing in effects like filtering, compression, and Aphex’s classic Aural Exciter, making it ideal for digital sound recording. However, if you're looking for a plug-and-play option, a dedicated USB microphone may be a better choice. Overall, the Rode NT1 microphone offers versatile connectivity options for different recording needs.

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Features

The Rode NT1 microphone lacks a built-in headphone jack, physical gain or volume knobs, and a mute button, but is a high-quality microphone suitable for recording vocals, instruments, and podcasts that may require additional equipment for optimal use.

The Rode NT1 microphone does not have a built-in headphone jack or physical gain or volume knobs. Monitoring has to be done through system audio or an audio interface, and volume adjustments need to be made through recording software or interface. While the microphone does not have a mute button, muting can be easily done through a mixer or audio interface.

Overall, the Rode NT1 is a high-quality microphone suitable for recording vocals, instruments, and podcasts, but may require additional equipment for optimal use.

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Compatibility

The Rode NT1 microphone is a versatile device that is compatible with a wide range of devices and software, making it a reliable and flexible choice for home and studio recordings.

The Rode NT1 microphone is a versatile device that is compatible with a wide range of devices and software. It can be used with PCs, laptops, and tablets with USB ports, as well as professional audio interfaces and mixers with XLR inputs. The microphone is also compatible with most popular digital audio workstations (DAWs) and recording software.

This makes it a good choice for home and studio recordings. The NT1 is compatible with most operating systems, including Windows and Mac OS, and should work with any software that supports USB audio input. Overall, the Rode NT1 is a reliable and flexible microphone that can be used in a variety of settings.

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Durability

The Rode NT1 microphone is well-built and internally shockmounted, but not waterproof and should be handled with care.

The Rode NT1 microphone is made with high-quality components and housed inside a durable 6061 Aluminum enclosure. While it is not specifically designed to withstand drops or impacts, it feels robust and well-built. The microphone is internally shockmounted with a Rycote cradle, which minimizes handling noise.

Additionally, the included Rode NTSM6 Suspension Mount completely protects against any unwanted bumps or vibrations. However, the Rode NT1 is not waterproof and should not be exposed to water or moisture. Overall, the Rode NT1 is a durable microphone that is suitable for use in a variety of settings, but users should take care to avoid exposing it to water or subjecting it to rough handling.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all microphones.

Rank Change Price Microphone
Wirecutter
Tom's Guide
MusicTech
Music Radar
PianoDreamers
PC Gamer
SoundGuys
CNN Underscored
PCMag
IGN
1
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Blue Yeti
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1
11
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1
-
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2
- $97
Shure SM57
The Shure SM57 microphone is highly regarded for its exceptional sound quality, durability, versatility, and compatibility, making it a popular choice among musicians, producers, and recording engineers for capturing instruments and vocals in various live and studio settings.
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1
1
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-
-
-
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3
- $109
Elgato Wave 3
The Elgato Wave 3 is a versatile and reliable USB microphone designed for content creators, podcasters, and live streamers, featuring a cardioid polar pattern, two connectivity options, advanced features, and compatibility with both PC and Mac.
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1
3
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8
4
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Blue Yeti X
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2
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1
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The best affordable condenser mic for vocals
26 Jun 2024 (5 months ago)
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Best for USB and XLR Inputs
10 Jul 2024 (4 months ago)
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The Blue Yeti microphone is a versatile and durable device with four directional patterns, a built-in headphone jack, and compatibility with a wide range of devices and software, making it a popular choice among content creators, podcasters, and gamers. The Shure SM57 microphone is highly regarded for its exceptional sound quality, durability, versatility, and compatibility, making it a popular choice among musicians, producers, and recording engineers for capturing instruments and vocals in various live and studio settings. The Elgato Wave 3 is a versatile and reliable USB microphone designed for content creators, podcasters, and live streamers, featuring a cardioid polar pattern, two connectivity options, advanced features, and compatibility with both PC and Mac.
Expert consensus not yet generated.
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