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The Rode NT1 5th Generation cardioid microphone (which costs $259) is one of the few microphones that we’ve tested and found to be suitable for use in both home and professional recording environments. The accompanying software that Rode provides also adds value, as do the luxurious extras that come along with the product.
It’s possible that you won’t use the analogue input at all, despite the fact that the XLR input is really helpful for recording audio of a clear and high-quality. If this is the case, USB-only devices, such as the JLab Talk Pro ($149), have a significantly lower price point and are an excellent choice for recording and streaming scenarios that are not mission-critical.
Rode NT1 5th Gen Specifications
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Acoustic Principle | Pressure Gradient |
| Active Electronics | JFET impedance converter with output buffer |
| Capsule | 1.00″ |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Output Impedance | 100Ω |
| Maximum SPL | 132dB SPL |
Rode NT1 5th Gen: Design
There does not appear to be anything about the Rode NT1 5th Generation that quickly differentiates it from its previous iterations at first appearance. The microphone line, which was the very first product line ever established by the firm in the year 1991, exudes an ageless studio aesthetic, since very little of its exterior has changed in the past three decades. You already have a side-address cardioid microphone, which means that you use it vertically; additionally, it comes with a specific pop shield and shock mount. Therefore, there is no need to fix it if it isn’t broken. These are all essential components that should be present in a high-quality broadcasting microphone designed for use in a studio setting.
Rode NT1 5th Gen: All In One
The NT1 5th Gen is exclusively an input device. There is no dedicated earphone jack on this device. There is no physical volume control either. This won’t necessarily be an issue, as we’ll see. You can just connect in and start recording if you want to make a quick recording and don’t plan on listening to it afterwards.
However, the Rode Connect app is required for the majority of usage. Connecting numerous Rode USB devices enables low-latency cue mixing. It demonstrates that the NT1 is involved in far more than simply the A-to-D conversion. You can buy this microphone from its official website
Rode NT1 5th Gen: Performance
The NT1’s versatility is most clear in its ability to record all kinds of instruments with ease and in how well it works as a voice mic. In this way, the mic’s natural warmth in the low-mid range and its gently rising response in the high treble region make it sound good with most singers. This gives the sound a touch of richness and sparkle that you don’t get with condenser mics that sound more neutral.
Final Words
It’s marketed as a studio condenser, but video creators and broadcasters will find it to be just as useful. Recordings of any kind, from vocals to instruments, will benefit from the 32-bit float feature and the warm, genuine, and detailed tone.
What weI like most, though, is how far beyond the call of duty RODE took their USB implementation. They could have just allowed the device to connect, given it some sort of unique selling point over the NT1-USB (like 32-bit float), and called it a day.
Rode NT1 5th Gen review: The good and The bad
The Good
- Excellently built
- Versatile nature
The Bad
- Very sensitive
FAQS
Why does my Rode NT1 sound muffled?
The Rode NT1-A cardioid condenser microphone is one of the quietest mics in the world, and it comes with a lot of useful extras. It makes very little noise on its own, so you can easily record clean, clear sounds.