This is a game-changing mic that has been around for a few years. You may have already used it, but if you haven’t, you’ve definitely heard about it. We’re talking about the RODE NT1.
In this review we record some acoustic guitars and I sing badly into it (you know me!) The point is, this was a game-changing mic. It was the first affordable large diaphragm, good sounding, microphone out there!
I focused on vocal and Guitar because this Mic is perfect for the home recordist who would be using a lot of virtual instruments!
Although this is such a popular mic, I’ve never actually used one! Watch the video below to see my real-life first-time thoughts on this mic! Let’s take a look at the description from the RØDE website:
“The RØDE NT1-A 1″ cardioid condenser microphone has become an industry standard; delivering the warmth, extended dynamic range, clarity and high SPL capability typically only featured on some of the world’s most expensive microphones.”
The manual says incredibly quiet cardioid condenser microphone and it’s pretty darn quiet, I’ll give you that! I’m not hearing any hiss or any noise or anything.
I love a lot of different microphones, but I can understand why this particular one has sold in bucket loads and why so many people talk about it! Many people have made great independent records using it! What a great mic! Bravo! Thank you RØDE!
RØDE has been kind enough to give us ANOTHER one of these to giveaway to one lucky viewer! Please watch the review above and then enter the giveaway! Remember, the more actions you take the high you increase your chances of winning!
Have a marvelous time recording and mixing,
Warren
Enter to win!
RØDE NT1 1 cardioid condenser microphone
$269 Value
Rode NT1 vs. NT1-A
Although similar in name and physical appearance, the NT1 and equally popular NT1-A have subtle individual characteristics. The original NT1 first came out in 1997. Following the NT1-A’s success, Rode redesigned it from the ground up, paying particular attention to the capsule. They also made it extremely durable using military-grade ceramic and loads of incredible manufacturing techniques that Rode is famous for.
The NT1 has been described as rich and full, with extremely low self-noise. This is perhaps one of its most impressive features, as it’s still a very sensitive microphone that captures tons of detail. Inside the NT1, the transducer is suspended using Rycote’s Lyre System, which drastically minimizes external vibrations. Overall, the NT1 has an incredibly low 4.5 dBA of self-noise.
The NT1-A also came out in the late ’90s, and it quickly became an industry-standard, budget-friendly mic for vocals and acoustic instruments. Similar to the NT1, the NT1-A captures instruments with clarity and detail; it also has the ability to handle high SPLs, making it suitable for a variety of instruments.
Tech Specs
Microphone Model | Rode NT1 | Rode NT1-A |
Dimensions | Length – 187mm / Diameter – 50mm | Length – 190mm / Diameter – 50mm |
Net Weight | 395g | 326 g |
Acoustic Principle | Pressure Gradient | Pressure Gradient |
Active Electronics | JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer | JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer |
Directional Pattern | Cardioid | Cardioid |
Frequency Range | 20Hz ~ 20kHz | 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz |
Output Impedance | 100 Ohms | 100 Ohms |
Equivalent Noise | 4.5 dBA SPL (as per IEC651) | 5dBA |
Maximum Output | 8.0mV (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1 kOhms load) | 13.7mV (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1 kOhms load) |
Sensitivity | -29 dB re 1V/Pa (35mV @ 94dB SPL) +/- 2dB @ 1kHz | -32 dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (25 mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz |
Dynamic Range | 128 dB SPL | |
Maximum SPL | 132 dB SPL | 137dB SPL |
Signal / Noise | 90 dBA SPL (as per IEC651) | |
Power Requirements | 24V phantom power 48V phantom power |
24V phantom power 48V phantom power |
Output Connection | 3 Pin XLR Balanced output between pin 2 (+), pin 3 (-) and pin 1 (ground) |
3 pin XLR balanced output between Pin 2 (+), Pin 3 (-), Pin 1 (ground) |
On paper, there doesn’t appear to be a drastic difference between the NT1 and NT1-A. They both have super low self-noise, they have the SPL tolerance of a dynamic mic, and they’re practically identical physically. Still, however, most people who have used both tend to hear them as two very different mics.
Rode NT1 Frequency Response
Reading the chart, we can tell right away that the NT1’s response is super flat. There’s a slight low-end roll-off before it becomes totally flat until a gentle 1 dB lift between 4kHz and 10kHz. It finally rolls the high-end off at around 15 kHz.
What all this means is that the NT1 reproduces frequencies between 30 Hz and 4 kHz super accurately. It doesn’t color anything between those two poles; it simply captures what really exists. On vocals, for example, the NT1 does a great job of capturing a true representation of someone’s voice.
Rode NT1-A Frequency Response
Right away, you can see the NT1-A has a completely different frequency response compared to the NT1. There are tons of boosts and dips across the entire spectrum, compared to the almost completely flat NT1.
There’s a gentle 1 dB lift from about 100 Hz to 250 Hz. From the upper mids into the highs, there’s quite a bit of boosting going on, culminating in a roughly 2.5dB boost at the 12 kHz mark. The result is a much brighter microphone compared to the NT1. This can be great for capturing subtle harmonics in the high-end, or adding a bit of extra air to a source. However, lots of people would describe the NT1-A as “harsh” compared to the NT1.
Rode NT1 vs NT1-A: Conclusion
Taking the frequency charts into consideration, these are two very different mics. Ultimately, it isn’t about which one is ‘better,’ but what color you’re going for and why.
With the NT1, you’re getting a super flat, accurate representation of an instrument or voice. With the NT1-A, you’re getting a hyped high-end for extra presence and clarity in that area — a brighter sound overall.
Both can handle a variety of high SPL sound sources, both have been used and loved on vocals and acoustic instruments, and both have extremely low self-noise. If you’re going for flatness and accuracy, try the NT1. If you’re going for bright and hyped, give the NT1-A a go!
Cool!
Thanks @plap-disqus-39b1b0fc4a4f43d604bbb161072120b9:disqus!!
This would be a useful addition to my set up. Been struggling with an old usb Blue Snowball mic for vocals and it is just not cutting it now that I actually know how to mix. It would be wonderful to work with a microphone of better quality. Fingers crossed.
Fantastic @RhymingOverBeats:disqus! Yes, I was impressed!!
Wouldn’t it be MARVELLOUS if I were to win this mic, Warren? Hehehe.
Haha best of luck to you and everyone else @akashsama:disqus!
Hey Warren: I tried the previous incarnation, the grey/silver ones, and I was really impressed with the price/quality ratio. I used them for Voice Overs and Overheads, so far, really good.
Cheers!
Thanks ever so much @felipegonzlezavalos:disqus! I really appreciate your great insight!
Thanks to you Warren, for keep doing this very friendly, kind and educational audio crusade 🙂
Keep rocking!
Aw shucks thanks ever so much @felipegonzlezavalos:disqus!
Superb give away Warren, I’ve been after one these mics since I first heard one; and good luck to everyone entering !
Thanks @plap-disqus-ff685590317f1330efc73f396ac92cd7:disqus! You Rock! Best of luck to you and everyone else!
Great Demo. I have 2 NT2A, 2 NT!A, a NT3 and a pair of matched NT5’s. Used all the time ecept for the SM57 on the snare.
Wow that’s great other @barrymeintjes:disqus!! Thanks for sharing your set up, I really appreciate it!
Very cool indeed, thanks 4 sharing!
Thanks @annemariebush:disqus!! I hope you’re well!
I am doing great, thanks!
Hi everyone, currently hunting for Rode NT1-A on ebay which will be the last edition to my new studio set up in West London. For now anyway 😛 Soon I will be running my new website, so I will keep you guys posted. That is a set up for recording bands, however I do already record drums online. Samples of my work will be available on the studio website very soon. If any of you need live custom drums for your recordings just get in touch and I can send you samples. In regards to Produce Like A Pro – hands down one of my favourite learning channels. Thanks Warren!
Hi @plap-disqus-f75ce735a80f6ac091aea546866fb4bb:disqus where are you based in West London? I have many great memories of that area! I’m really glad you enjoy the Channel! Thanks for being a bog part of our community! Best of luck to you and everyone else!
Love this channel! Great stuff guys and gals! Thanks.
Thanks ever so much @jimgardner1973:disqus!!
well i think i enterd the details correct for the Road nt1 mic compitician. all the best to the winner whoever that turns out to be lol 🙂
Hi @plap-disqus-f7a124943b6aa6654d787f07eee84d2c:disqus Best of luck to you and everyone else!
4.5 dba self-noise (that IS quiet) and the flattest frequency response curve I have ever seen on a mic, according to the Rode NT1 data sheet.
Hi @plap-disqus-f76a89f0cb91bc419542ce9fa43902dc:disqus I agree! I’m pretty impressed to say the least! There are so many great affordable mics now!
I have an OLD MXL V67G that rocks, but this mic would be a nice addition to my huge mic locker….when I win this I will have 3 mic’s! LOL!
Wow nice @disqus_uzeqyj9cN7:disqus! Best of luck to you and everyone else!
I just registered to twitter to increase my chances. Never thought the day would come, but I’ve been trying to get my hands on this mic for months. Keep up the good work, Mr Huart! Cheers
Hi @disqus_tEEKIZyFVP:disqus That’s great to hear! Bless you! I wish you and everyone else the best of luck!
Aw man it would be wonderful to win the NT-1. I purchased the mic a few months ago and I never got to open it. I had to sell it on Craigslist because I needed money to move. This would be the greatest gift ever, good luck to everyone joining 🙂
I’m sorry to hear that @disqus_zfZaiaILm4:disqus! I wish you and everyone else the best of luck!
Great job on vocals, Warren! Your guitar work was amazing, as expected!
Aw shucks thanks ever so much @plap-disqus-13fe9d84310e77f13a6d184dbf1232f3:disqus! That’s very kind of you!!
I m emtering the vive away as always, hope to win this time 🙂
I like your voice.
This microphone is so quiet it made me almost blow my speaker cone: I was used to a little hiss with other mics but with this one I couldn’t hear any. So turned the gain way up to hear something. Still…pure silence. So I thought the mic or my preamp was broken. I went to the mic and tapped it to check. Having forgotten that the preamp gain was still set on insane I heard a BOOOOOOM! I was shocked but fascinated at the same time 😀
My entries always get stuck at 15. I come back to tweet the contest and it says I have 13 entries. Then I tweet it and it says I have 15. Next day…back to 13 again. Not sure what I am doing wrong.
If I remember correctly there is a link displayed in the “Tweet about this give away” which discribes how to get the right URL for the tweet. Maybe twitter uses sometimes URLs which are no longer pointing to this tweet the next day…
Hi. Just wanted to point out (as the owner of an original NT1) that the new NT1 is very different to the original. Yes, the original was popular but I think that was because it was one of the first “affordable” condenser. mics
However, it had a well-known design flaw that made it very bright and sibilant – “The old NT1 used a variety of capsules, but most of them are based on
the Neumann K67 design, which has a fairly sharp high-frequency boost.
The K67 was intended to be used in a circuit that provided
high-frequency de-emphasis, also known as “corrective EQ.” But the NT1
circuit does not provide that correction. Simply put, the NT1 capsule
and circuit don’t get along.” (https://microphone-parts.com/pages/rode-nt1-mods).
Cheers!
Excellent demo, video and song. Thanks Warren!
I own one and love it really shines through a uad 610 and an la 2a going in my apallo
wow!it would be nice to have NT1.. it will be my first branded condenser mic if ever..
Hi, I hope someone can help with this question. If you win, you get notified by email? Or where do you see who wins the giveaway? Thanks!
Awesome Mic to recording guitars and vocal.
Great opportunity, I hope to win
Sir, I Want To Win The Mic, I Want To Be a Singer, I’ll Use YouTube For That & You’ll Be The Person Behind My Success, I Learned Many Things From You, You’re a True Expert. I Need To Win This Mic, I’ve Done Everything You Said. This is Not Only a Recording Device, It Can Change My Life, If I Make It.
Your a Genius Sir I Respect You So Much, I’ll Meet You in Person One Day I Wish, You’re a Legend, My Hero!
Awesome!
i enter wrong user name on the youtube RØDE NT1 1 cardioid condenser microphone
my user name XXw2n-R-6cJRSamiDh2KZA