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Rode NT1A

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

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Expert reviews [18]

85
Total expert reviews: 18
  • with a score: 5
  • without a score: 13
Highest score by makebeats101.com
100
Average score based on 18 reviews
85
Lowest score by gearspace.com
74

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
81
A home studio workhorse.
The Rode NT1-A is a high-quality condenser microphone that is perfect for recording vocals in home or professional studios. It has a flat frequency response and low self-noise, making it a reliable and popular choice for almost two decades.
+ pros
  • High sensitivity and max SPL of 137 dB(SPL) make it great for recording vocals.
  • Comes with a 6m long XLR cable, shock mount, and carrying case.
  • Well-built with a stainless steel construction.
  • Cardioid polar pattern and flat frequency response make it ideal for recording vocals without changing the sound too much.
  • Low self-noise and accurate frequency response make it a popular choice for recording vocals and instruments.
  • Shock mount and pop filter included, making it a great value for its price.
- cons
  • Sensitive to sibilance issues and may require upgrading the pop filter.
  • Heavy and requires a sturdy mount.
The Rode NT1-A is a good, affordable large-diaphragm condenser mic with a hot output and no-frills features. It is sturdy, comes with a quality shock mount, and sounds good on various instruments and vocals, but lacks a pad and can be a bit bright on some cymbals.
+ pros
  • Affordable price point ($199 street price)
  • Sturdy shock mount included
  • Clear and bright sound, good for smooth-voiced singers
  • Pleasing results when recording onto tape
- cons
  • Lack of pad can cause overload on mic preamps with loud sound sources
  • Brightness can be a drawback on some cymbals and for male vocalists with a razory high end
  • Slightly thinner sound compared to other mics in its price range, may not be the best choice for punk-rock drumming or capturing lower-mid note resonance.
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Expert consensus

The Rode NT1A is a high-quality condenser microphone with a wide frequency response range and cardioid directional pattern, ideal for recording vocals and acoustic instruments in a professional studio setting.

The Rode NT1A is a high-quality condenser microphone that produces clear and detailed sound with exceptional audio fidelity. It has a wide frequency response range of 20Hz to 20kHz, making it an excellent choice for recording vocals, acoustic guitars, and other instruments.

The microphone has a cardioid directional pattern, which is ideal for recording vocals and reducing background noise in a quiet environment. It is not well-suited for recording in a noisy environment, but it has a low self-noise level and is one of the world's quietest studio microphones.

The Rode NT1A microphone is highly compatible with a wide range of devices that feature a standard XLR input, including audio interfaces, mixers, and preamps. It is a reliable and durable microphone that can withstand regular use in a recording studio or home setup. The microphone is ideal for recording vocals, acoustic instruments, and podcasts in a professional studio setting.

It is not suitable for users who require digital connectivity options or USB port. Overall, the Rode NT1A microphone is a great choice for professional musicians, vocalists, and podcasters who require high-quality sound with exceptional audio fidelity.

Sound Quality

The Rode NT1A is a high-quality microphone with a wide frequency response range, high sensitivity, low self-noise, and internal and external shock mounts, making it an excellent choice for recording vocals, acoustic guitars, and other instruments.

The Rode NT1A is a high-quality microphone that produces clear and detailed sound with exceptional audio fidelity. It has a wide frequency response range of 20Hz to 20kHz, making it an excellent choice for recording vocals, acoustic guitars, and other instruments. The microphone has a high sensitivity, extended dynamic range, and low self-noise, making it perfect for recording vocals.

It captures even the subtlest nuances and the loudest moments with an expansive dynamic range. The NT1A has a characteristic bright sound that has come to be associated with many Rode designs, which can be traced back to a significant boost in the microphone's frequency response between 3-15kHz.

The microphone has an impressively low self-noise level of only 5dBA, making it one of the quietest studio microphones on the market. It also features internal and external shock mounts that help to reject noise and vibration, ensuring clean and transparent recordings. Overall, the Rode NT1A is an excellent choice for vocalists, musicians, and podcasters who require high-quality sound with exceptional audio fidelity.

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Directionality

The Rode NT1A microphone is ideal for studio recording in a quiet environment due to its cardioid directional pattern, low self-noise level, wide frequency range, and high sensitivity.

The Rode NT1A microphone has a cardioid directional pattern, which is ideal for recording vocals and reducing background noise in a quiet environment. It is not well-suited for recording in a noisy environment, but it has a low self-noise level and is one of the world's quietest studio microphones.

The microphone has a wide frequency range, high sensitivity, and is good at picking up low-level sounds, making it ideal for recording vocals, acoustic guitars, and other instruments. It has a great range and dynamic range, making it well-suited for recording from different distances.

Overall, the Rode NT1A microphone is a great choice for studio recording in a quiet environment.

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Connectivity

The Rode NT1A microphone has only XLR connectivity, requires phantom power, and is ideal for professional studio recording of vocals, acoustic instruments, and podcasts.

The Rode NT1A microphone has only one connectivity option, which is XLR, making it suitable for professional studio equipment. It does not have any digital connectivity options or USB port. The quality of audio transmission is not affected by the connectivity options, but it can be influenced by the quality of the preamp and recording device.

The microphone requires phantom power to operate, and it has gold-plated connectors that ensure top-quality connections and low noise performance. The Rode NT1A microphone is ideal for recording vocals, acoustic instruments, and podcasts in a professional studio setting. It is not suitable for users who require digital connectivity options or USB port.

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Features

The Rode NT1A is a condenser microphone that requires an audio interface or mixer with XLR inputs, but comes with a pop shield and shock mount to improve recording quality.

The Rode NT1A is a condenser microphone that does not have a built-in headphone jack, mute button, or volume controls. It requires an audio interface or mixer with XLR inputs to connect to a computer or other recording device. However, it comes with a pop shield and shock mount to improve the quality of recordings.

The microphone is compatible with most preamp devices, which typically have gain or volume controls that can be adjusted to control the microphone's volume. This makes it a great choice for professional recording studios or home recording setups that already have preamp devices. However, for those who require a microphone with built-in controls, the Rode NT1A may not be the best option.

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Compatibility

The Rode NT1A microphone is highly compatible with a wide range of devices that feature a standard XLR input, making it a versatile choice for recording vocals, instruments, and other audio sources in a variety of settings.

The Rode NT1A microphone is highly compatible with a wide range of devices that feature a standard XLR input, including audio interfaces, mixers, and preamps. It has been tested and found to work well with popular devices such as the Focusrite Scarlett Recording Audio Interface and the Behringer Xenyx 802 Mixer.

As a standard XLR microphone, it does not require any specific software or operating system to work and should be compatible with any system or software that supports XLR microphones. This makes it a versatile choice for recording vocals, instruments, and other audio sources in a variety of settings.

However, it is important to check the specifications of your specific device to ensure compatibility.

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Durability

The Rode NT1-A microphone is well-built and sturdy, with a stainless steel construction that feels tough and durable, making it a reliable and durable microphone that can withstand regular use in a recording studio or home setup.

The Rode NT1-A microphone is well-built and sturdy, with a stainless steel construction that feels tough and durable. It has a metal grille over the diaphragm and a nickel-plated body with a satin-like finish, making it a good-looking addition to any recording setup. Several reviewers have mentioned that they've dropped their Rode NT1-A microphones multiple times, yet they still work great.

However, it's important to note that the nature of being a condenser microphone makes it easier to break than a stage mic like the Shure SM58, so it's still recommended to handle it with care and avoid drops or moving it around too much. Overall, the Rode NT1-A is a reliable and durable microphone that can withstand regular use in a recording studio or home setup.

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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
- $76
Blue Yeti
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.
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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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-
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1
3
-
8
4
- $115
Blue Yeti X
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2
-
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1
Show all rows
Rode NT1A did not receive any endorsements this month.

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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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