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The NT-USB microphone from Rode is a reliable condenser microphone that produces an excellent sound; nevertheless, it has been on the market since 2014, so an upgrade is long needed (it connects to a computer through a USB-B cable). The Rode NT-USB+ is here to help. Inside of the NT-USB+ are some rather remarkable upgrades, such as improved circuitry, Rode’s Revolution Preamp technology, and an inbuilt DSP.
The outside design of the NT-USB+ is identical to that of the NT-USB, which is rugged and professional in appearance. (Oh, and it also features a port that is compatible with USB-C.) The Rode NT-USB+ is equipped with a pop shield that can be detached and a tripod desktop support. Additionally, it has a headphone jack that allows for direct monitoring with zero-latency. It’s one of the USB microphones that sounds the best that we’ve tried, and it’s a strong contender for the top spot on our list of the best gaming mics.
Rode NT-USB+ Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Microphone Type | Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Maximum SPL | 110 dB SPL |
| Sample Rate | 48 kHz |
| Bit Depth | 24-bit |
| Headphone Output | 3.5mm TRS |
Rode NT-USB+: Design
The NT-USB+ looks almost exactly the same as the first NT-USB. The NT-USB+ has a solid black metal body, and the Rode name is neatly printed in light silver across the front. Under the black metal mesh grille of the mic is a blue mesh pop filter. This is the most noticeable change between the NT-USB+ and the NT-USB in terms of looks.
On the right side of the mic, there is a 3.5mm high-power headphone output for zero-latency tracking, as well as two dials to control the mix (between the mic’s direct output and your PC’s playback) and the headphone volume level. You can buy this microphone from its official website
Rode NT-USB+: Sound Quality
If you are searching for a microphone that will make you sound amazing, you don’t need to look any farther than the NT-USB+ because it has the same strong and sturdy build as its predecessor and offers audio that sounds beautiful, is clear, and has a lower noise floor. However, it does have some difficulty dealing with stronger audio sources, and although the bit depth and sample rate are of studio quality, they are not high-resolution. If you are searching for a microphone that can be used for both recording and streaming, a high-resolution microphone like the Beyerdynamic Fox Studio microphone would be a better option for you.
Rode NT-USB+: Performance
The NT-USB+ is a USB microphone that has a cardioid polar pattern and a side-address pickup pattern. It records audio with a bit depth of 24-bits and a frequency of 48 kilohertz, which is an improvement from the NT-USB’s 16-bit bit depth, and it has a frequency response of 20 to 20,000 Hz. In addition to being powered via USB-C, it has a headphone connector, which enables direct monitoring with zero delay. The microphone is effective as a plug-and-play device, despite the absence of an on-mic gain control or a mute button or switch on the microphone itself.
Final Words
The Rode NT-USB+ is a very good internal update to the NT-USB. It adds Rode’s Revolution Preamp technology, an advanced internal DSP, and USB-C networking to what was already a very good USB condenser microphone.
The NT-USB+ has the same strong, sturdy design as its predecessor. It also sounds great, is clean, and has a lower noise floor. If you want a mic that will make you sound great, you don’t need to look any further. It still has trouble with louder audio sources, though, and its bit depth/sample rate is not as good as a studio’s but not as good as a high-res one either. If you want a mic for both streaming and recording, a high-resolution mic like the Beyerdynamic Fox Studio microphone might be a better pick.
Rode NT-USB+ review: The good and The bad
The Good
- Good voice quality
- Easy plug-and-play USB-C compatibility
The Bad
- No gain knob
FAQS
The audio can be recorded at a maximum quality of 24-bit and 48kHz on the capsule, which has a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Position the NT-USB so that it is 15 centimeters away from your mouth. 15 centimeters is about equivalent to the space between your little finger and your thumb when they are both extended.