The Rode NT1 is a basic: first launched within the early 90s, the NT1 was Rode’s (then Freedman Electronics) first microphone. It was allegedly so standard that its gross sales had been mentioned to have taken off “like a rat up a drainpipe,” incomes it the nickname “Rodent-1” — which was then modified to “RØDE NT1.” This unverified story of how the model obtained its identify is sort of probably apocryphal, however it doesn’t change the truth that the NT1 has been a well-liked studio mic for over three a long time.
However if you’re searching for the greatest gaming microphone, a studio mic most likely isn’t your first selection. Studio mics are usually analog-only, which suggests you’ll want an audio interface to make use of them together with your PC.
Rode’s latest NT1 — the NT1 fifth Technology — is the model’s first microphone with dual-connectivity, which is cleverly applied: tucked contained in the mic’s XLR connector is a USB-C port. Turning a studio mic right into a USB mic entails extra than simply an added port, after all, and the NT1 fifth Technology has its personal audio interface and digital sign processor (DSP) for high-resolution (24-bit/192 kHz) recording. It additionally options 32-bit float recording, which permits for nearly unclippable audio (although you’ll want a DAW that helps this). The NT1 fifth Technology is accessible in each black and silver.
Design of the NT1 fifth Technology
The NT1 fifth Technology seems just like its predecessors. It has a machined aluminum physique in a matte black end (it additionally is available in silver), with an internally shock-mounted HF6 capsule underneath a silver mesh grille. It measures 7.44 inches (189mm) tall with a diameter of two.05 inches (52mm).
Like most of Rode’s microphones, the NT1 fifth Technology feels strong and well-built, although it weighs lower than it seems. The microphone alone weighs 10.86 ounces (308g), which is lighter than each the Rode NT-USB+ (1.2lbs/540g) in addition to the compact Rode X XCM-50 (1.08lbs/492g).
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The NT1 fifth Technology is a side-address cardioid microphone, so positioning issues: the mic sits vertically and also you communicate into one aspect of it. The aspect you communicate into is indicated by a small gold dot on the mic’s neck (this isn’t in any other case readily obvious, as Rode’s emblem and the mic’s identify are printed on the opposite aspect).
The NT1 fifth Technology is a dual-connect mic that helps each XLR (analog) and USB-C connectivity, and the underside of the mic options an XLR connector with a built-in USB-C port. You do want a reasonably slim USB-C cable to suit subsequent to the XLR prongs (fortunately, Rode contains one).
The mic is fairly easy, general, with no onboard controls for acquire, quantity, or mute, and no headphone jack for direct zero-latency monitoring. This isn’t too stunning for an XLR mic (which is what the NT1 has been, up till this era), which plugs into an audio interface. However many USB mics do have these options — when you’re not planning on switching to an audio interface ultimately, you might discover the dearth of controls irritating.
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The NT1 fifth Technology comes with a number of equipment within the field, together with Rode’s SM6 studio microphone suspension shock mount equipment ($59 if bought individually), which encompasses a removable pop filter. You additionally get a 9.8-foot (3m) USB-C to USB-C cable, a (vibrant pink) 20-foot (6m) XLR cable, a mud cowl, and a wavy blue “XLR ring,” which fits contained in the mic’s plug to assist safe free third-party XLR cables.
The shock mount measures about 5.25 inches (133mm) in diameter and is roughly 8.27 inches (210mm) deep. The pop filter is 5.25 inches (133mm) in diameter and attaches to the entrance of the shock mount, sitting round 2.5 inches (63.5mm) in entrance of the mic. It has two axes of adjustment and a telescoping arm, which extends for a complete peak of 10 inches (254mm). The shock mount and pop filter are primarily fabricated from metallic and add an additional 1.5 kilos (682g)) to the mic’s weight.
The shock mount is designed to connect to a increase arm or a microphone stand, however the mic doesn’t embrace a desktop stand. It’s most likely value investing in a increase arm when you’re interested by upgrading your audio setup anyway, however — when you’re not fairly there but — there are many USB mics on our record of greatest gaming microphones that include desktop stands.
Specs
| Capsule Kind | Stress Gradient Condenser |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Polar Sample | Cardioid |
| Orientation | Facet Tackle |
| Pattern Charge | 48/96/192 kHz |
| Bit Depth | 24-bit (32-bit floating) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 3-pin XLR |
| Cable | USB-C to USB-C (9.8ft/3m), XLR (19.6ft/6m) |
| Software program | Rode Central, Rode Join, Rode Unify |
| Dimensions (L x W) | 7.44 x 2.05 x 2.05 inches / 189 x 52 x 52 mm |
| Weight | 10.86 ounces / 308g |
| MSRP / Value at Time of Assessment | $259 / $259 |
| Launch Date | Feb. 20, 2023 |
Efficiency of the NT1 fifth Technology
The Rode NT1 fifth Technology is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone with a side-address cardioid polar sample. It has a large frequency response of 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz, and it data audio in 24-bit in addition to 32-bit float (extra on this in a second) at sampling charges of 48, 96, and 192 kHz. This places its recording high quality nicely above most gaming microphones, which prime out at 24-bit/96 kHz (and that’s only some).
Some of the notable new options of the NT1 fifth Technology is its capability to file 32-bit float audio, which permits for a considerably bigger dynamic vary than customary 16- or 24-bit audio. The dynamic vary of 32-bit float audio is so giant that it nearly eradicates clipping, which is a sort of waveform distortion that occurs when audio is just too loud. (“Just about,” as a result of there are a number of causes for clipping — not all may be averted by recording in32-bit float.) Because of this the NT1 fifth Technology will be capable of seize audio at any quantity degree with out distortion, making it ultimate for conditions the place there is perhaps sudden spikes in quantity (comparable to stay occasions).
Dynamic vary is just not the identical as decision, which corresponds to bit-depth. Bit-depth refers back to the variety of bits of knowledge an audio pattern has, or the variety of amplitude ranges it will possibly seize. The theoretical most bit-depth may be calculated by elevating 2 to the facility of [number of bits] — 16-bit audio can have at most 65,536 steps (2^16), 24-bit audio can have 16,777,216 steps (2^24), and 32-bit audio can have 4,294,967,296 steps.
The dynamic vary is predicated on the distinction between the loudest and softest sign that the mic can file, and that is a lot bigger in 32-bit float than it could be in customary 32-bit. It is because 32-bit float is coded otherwise — as an alternative of being coded as a hard and fast level quantity, it’s coded as a 24-bit quantity (nicely, really, 1 bit signifies signal and 23 bits are for the fraction) with an 8-bit exponent. This doesn’t change the utmost bit-depth or decision, however it does change the dynamic vary. Recording in 32-bit float is beneficial in some conditions, however it’s not objectively higher than recording in customary 24-bit in most conditions — particularly for players, streamers, and podcasters in a managed setting.
The NT1 fifth Technology has the identical HF6 condenser capsule as its 4th-gen predecessor, so it hasn’t modified a lot by way of sound. It was, and nonetheless is, a great-sounding mic, particularly for vocals: it’s crisp and clear, with a heat lean and an honest quantity of depth. You’ll must be cautious with positioning, nevertheless, as a result of getting too shut shortly ends in too a lot depth (proximity impact), and the mic has a reasonably tight cardioid polar sample.
Options and Software program of the NT1 fifth Technology
The NT1 fifth Technology works nicely as a plug-and-play system, and it doesn’t require any software program to run. It really works with three of Rode’s apps: Rode Central, Rode Join, and the recently-released Rode Unify. You don’t must obtain all of those apps, as all will allow you to alter the NT1 fifth Technology’s superior DSP settings. Rode Central is only for adjusting DSP settings (and updating firmware), whereas Rode Join and Rode Unify embrace recording and channel mixing instruments.
Rode’s apps allow you to entry the NT1 fifth Technology’s superior DSP settings, which embrace a compressor, a excessive go filter, noise gate, and Aphex enhancements “aural exciter” and “massive backside.” Along with toggling these settings, you can too fine-tune them at a granular degree (which you’ll’t do with Rode’s NT-USB+).
That is, after all, solely relevant when the mic is plugged in by way of USB; none of this is applicable when you’re utilizing it with an analog XLR connection.
Backside Line
The Rode NT1 fifth Technology is a wonderful mic, however so had been its predecessors. The large change — and it’s fairly massive — is that the previously XLR-only NT1 is now a USB-C mic that may file 32-bit float audio. I’m undecided what number of customers want twin connectivity on a mic, however it is perhaps tempting for somebody who’s seeking to transfer right into a extra skilled audio setup (although you might additionally simply purchase two mics). I need to love the NT1 fifth Technology as a plug-and-play USB mic, however it doesn’t have a lot of the options USB mics include, comparable to acquire management and an on-mic headphone jack — not a difficulty when you use it as an analog mic with an audio interface, however not my first selection for a USB mic.
The NT1 fifth Technology’s capability to file 32-bit float audio is exclusive on this sort of mic, however it’s not one thing the typical particular person has a lot use for. Bear in mind, dynamic vary is about quantity, not decision. 32-bit float is most important in conditions the place quantity ranges are unpredictable, e.g., stay concert events, or journalists in warzones — not streaming by your self (relying on the streamer, I assume).
The NT1 fifth Technology is a good mic and it’s very versatile, however most customers don’t want that a lot versatility. The Rode NT-USB+ is a wonderful USB mic with on-mic controls that prices $100 much less, whereas the Rode PodMic is a strong XLR mic for simply $99, and you might purchase each for the value of the NT1 fifth Technology. In fact, when you’re seeking to file in 32-bit float, it is a pretty budget-friendly possibility.