The Rode brand name is one that needs little to no introduction. It is known quite literally all across the world, and famous for its stellar production of high performance and high-quality microphones. We’re about to find out if the popular Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone is any exception.
Bearing in mind, of course, virtually every microphone solution churned out by Rode appears to be an inevitable crowd-pleaser, with little disappointment in store…
A little about Rode
…Just in case you weren’t already in the loop, here’s a very brief background on the company. Rode is an Australian brand that made its debut into the world of home studio recording back in 1990. The completely Australian designed, built and manufactured Rode NT2, the first of its creations, formidably entered the recording sphere in that year. Rode has since continued to leave a renowned mark on audio-recording to this day.
Now that we’ve got that covered, how about we dive right into our review of the Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone. In this review, we will be taking a look at factors such as the design, build and, most importantly the quality of the sound and performance of the Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone.
The RODE NT-USB CONDENSER MICROPHONE
More and more in the modern day, we’re witnessing an upsurge of affordable USB microphones on the market. While they have definitely become more popular, USB mics do notably vary in degree when it comes to quality. However, given Rode’s long-standing positive reputation, many may feel a sense of comfort and assurance, seeing as the brand is rarely known to disappoint. Is the Rode NT-USB any exception?
Sound and Quality
Check Out the Rode NT-USB on Amazon
The Rode NT-USB offers a spectacular sound, which can be attributed to its high-quality cardioid capsule. The delivered sound is pretty crisp, clear and natural. The mic is impressively unaffected by common aspects such as popping (from plosive sounds) as well as sibilance. The impact of proximity to the mic is pretty insignificant, and it is not limited in terms of the number of angles in which you can use it. So, in a nutshell, you won’t be hopping around or craning your neck to get the best position.
Another wonderfully notable aspect about this microphone is the reduced level of sensitivity to vibration noise in particular. Even so when it is used with its accompanying tripod, which is pretty interesting given what you might have expected. Having accessories such as a shock mount or a suspension kit could give the ideal performance out of this mic. Although admittedly, these are also really optional nice-to-haves. You can really get by with just the tripod it comes with if you’d like.
The Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone truly does get down to business when it comes to recording vocals. Recording with immaculate clarity as a result of its extended frequency response above 10Hz is another perfect trait. It also captures loud singing superbly with virtually no distortion, along with the faintest whispers, just on the threshold of hearing, without a struggle.
Recording
Recording with this is mic is honestly sheer bliss. The microphone is used quite popularly for voiceover work, however, vocalists and instrumentalists commonly opt for it as well. And for good reason. The Rode NT-USB condenser microphone offers an easy to use utility, which is part of what makes this mic brilliant.
With its extended frequency response of over 10Hz, the range it accommodates is impressively broad. However, some might argue that recording the extreme “highs” would be a little limited with this microphone. Personally, I feel that those really are the “extreme highs”. Generally, the microphone performs impeccably in recording both vocals and guitars etc. with trouble.
For producers or musicians on the go, the Road NT-USB is really good for issues of portability. You can really just toss it into your bag and record from your hotel room or another studio and still maintain that industry worthy sound. The microphone works perfectly with most modern DAW software out there, this is for both Mac and Windows computers. It can also be used to record with an iPad, in which case you could use either Garage Band, the Rode Rec app or another application accommodating external microphones.
Performance Features
Rode NT-USB Microphone
The Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone has a frequency response ranging from 20Hz to 20kHz. It also features an SPL Max of 110dB. What is exactly does all of this mean? Well, in terms of functionality, it means that the microphone has a pretty dynamic range built into it. The microphone offers wonderful versatility in terms of the vocal ranges it can accommodate. Be it a loud baritone, or subtle soprano we’re dealing with. It may not necessarily be high enough for recording something like the kick or snare drums, however, the microphone performs exceptionally well for vocals and acoustic guitars etc. (your more mid-range frequencies basically.)
When it comes to the Rode NT-USB, we’re talking about one of the most delicate condenser capsules out there, also attached to an A/D converter. The microphone also offers a wonderful onboard monitoring system, which functions with the use of headphones. Users can connect their headphones into the jack at the bottom for monitoring. The monitoring system offers zero latency, great for studio level operation as it is loud and clean in sound. A great and popular set of headphones to use alongside this mic would be the Beyerdynamic DT770 closed-back headphones for monitoring. Have look at the review here.
The mic is a true mid-range package, beyond worthy of use by industry professional studios, and novices alike.
Design
Very well thought out in terms of design, the Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone offers a rather distinctive appearance. Diverging from the contemporary sphere-like build or the typical pill-shape, the Rode NT-USB is a slim condenser in its construct.
A great choice for recording vocals
The microphone has a really well-built capsule, firm controls as well as a standard thread accompanied by a suitable tripod stand. The tripod is really nice, however, as mentioned earlier, if you’d like you could opt for a suspension kit instead. Another really great feature is the attached pop-shield, fitted to it specifically for the ideal use of this microphone.
The Rode NT-USB condenser microphone really simplifies the overall recording process in a number of ways. It offers a basic “plug and play” functionality as it does not require any special drivers. This is great for if you’re not necessarily intending to plug it into an audio interface. And that’s the other thing, you could connect it to an interface, however, you don’t have to because the mic itself is the interface. The right-hand side features two controls. These are meant to be used for controlling the microphone’s volume and gain, respectively. On the underside of the microphone, you will find a standard 3.5mm jack that is intended for headphones.
Build
The microphone is amazingly solid in its construct. The diaphragm and capsule are encased in a slick black metal, making the mic feel very high-end. The accompanying pop filter is also perfectly sturdy, also made from a sleek black metal. Overall, for the price you’re getting this mic, the build is excellent quality and is really durable. This is no flimsy breakable microphone. The design and build of this mic beautiful, exuding all the pro quality that Rode is known for.
Unboxing
Upon opening up a new Rode NT-USB Condenser microphone, you get a few trinkets in the box. The box includes a pop shield, desk/tripod stand, a zip case as well as a really long 20-inch (6m) cable. The cable length is naturally a plus since you get much more mobility/flexibility out of it.
Final Thoughts
The Rode NT-USB condenser microphone is certainly worth owning overall. The microphone truly lives up to the caliber of its brand name, offering a high-end performance and sturdy build at a fair cost. The Rode NT-USB offers the potential for professional sounding vocals in your home music studio and would be a great addition overall. Check it out here on Amazon for prices, user reviews and more.