One of the problems posed by many podcasters, composers, and singers who are thinking about setting up their own recording studio is understanding what equipment to spend their money on.
If you enjoy music, podcasts, or both, creating a personal studio is a terrific idea.
However, you shouldn’t rush to buy musical equipment without doing your research.
You’ve definitely seen a YouTuber use a Rode microphone hooked to their camera at some time in the past few years, but the company produces much more than YouTube mics.
The Rode NT1-A, a reasonably priced large diaphragm condenser microphone ideal for anyone setting up a home studio or a professional one, is one of their most well-known products.
There’s a reason why the Rode NT1-A remains a best seller.
This is a wonderful option if you’re switching to a new XLR microphone or upgrading an old one of these in your studio and are searching for a nice condenser microphone to record voices and recording acoustic guitar.
The black outside mesh basket features robust, protective construction, and a little gold inlay provides a clear cue indicating which end of the mic the sound source should be pointed at.
A screw clip at the base of the shock mount secures the microphone, which fits there comfortably.
Through the use of a lever, the entire arrangement can be simply adjusted with respect to a mic stand at an angle.
The lever doesn’t need much pressure to keep everything firmly in position.
With lots of warm low-end substance in the mix without anything missing or sticking out in the midrange, the NT1’s vocal reproduction is clear and detailed.
The top end has a clear, airy quality, while the double-meshed pop screen is discrete.
It’s no wonder that such an aesthetically pleasing and highly functional condenser mic is so popular!
This article will review the Rode NT1-A so you can decide if it’s the right mic for your needs.
Pros
- High-end metal construction
- 5 dB of very low self-noise
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- You’ll need a good pop filter because of sibilance concerns and sensitivity to background noise
- Requires phantom power to be provided by another device
- Due to its all-metal construction, it is pretty heavy
Who Is The Rode NT1-A For?
- Any person replacing a USB microphone. The Rode NT1-A isn’t cheap, but it’s also not outrageously pricey, and most people who want to make their initial wise investment in a microphone should be able to afford it. This mic does the job whether you’re capturing your voice for a podcast or scheduling studio time with singers with an acoustic guitar.
- An individual with the use of phantom power. You won’t have any issues using this if you already own a recording device that can supply phantom power for the microphone.
- Individuals in studios. You won’t see your neighborhood newscaster utilizing a microphone like this when out and about. This Rode NT1-A is ideal for a studio environment because it isn’t designed to move around much.
How Does The Rode NT1-A Operate?
The Rode NT1-A is mounted at an upward angle with foam cushioning on the wall in the backdrop.
A shock mount cradle is included with the Rode NT1-A to reduce vibrations when recording.
Although setting up the Rode NT1-A isn’t difficult, the correct tools are still necessary.
It’s not a USB microphone, so you can’t just take it out of the package and connect it to a computer.
To link it to an audio device or speech recorder, you’ll need an XLR cable.
Thankfully, Rode also provides a travel case, a shock mount, and a respectable 6m cord in the box.
The next step you must learn is how to activate and position it after you have it mounted and have connected the XLR mic cable to your preferred interface.
Because it’s a condenser microphone, the Rode NT1-A needs power to operate like many other condenser mics do.
Phantom power can be used in this situation.
You will want a recording device or an audio interface that can supply the +48V, sometimes known as “phantom power”. (Also see, ‘Best Audio Interface For Podcast’)
Although this mic can also be suitably powered by +24V.
The Rode NT1-A’s moderately high sensitivity is another crucial aspect you need to be aware of.
Sensitivity simply relates to how responsive the mic is to sound, which is simpler than it may seem.
With a sensitivity of -31.9dB, this microphone is excellent at catching low noises.
This mic has a reasonably wide range that it can capture without requiring too much post-production when combined with a maximum SPL (the loudest noise the microphone can handle without distortion) of 137 dB(SPL).
This is very helpful when recording vocals and acoustic guitars because it will pick up whispers as well as loud singing.
Unfortunately, sibilance problems with s’s or t’s are somewhat sensitive to the huge 1-inch capsule.
If you decide to buy one of these microphones, it includes a pop filter that can assist with all this, but it isn’t the best, so you may want to think about replacing your pop filter at a certain point.
Build Quality Of The Rode NT1-A
The Rode NT1-A has a very high build quality and a modern appearance.
Although the stainless steel design feels sturdy, we nevertheless advise avoiding dropping or moving the microphone around too much because condenser microphones are more prone to breaking than stage microphones like the Shure SM58.
It isn’t the most portable microphone, measuring 190mm x 50mm x 50mm, but you can get away with throwing it in a bag.
Sound Quality Of The Rode NT1-A
The Rode NT1-A is an ideal vocal mic in every way.
With its great sensitivity and extremely low self-noise level of around 5 dB, it won’t interfere with any recordings.
Naturally, it’s not just for singing. The microphone occasionally plays specific frequencies louder or quieter (dips).
Practically speaking, this moderately flat frequency response indicates that you should be capable of recording vocals without significantly altering the sound.
This is just one of the factors that make this microphone so well-liked among amateur home studio users.
You’ll actually sound relatively realistic in the finished recording because of the flat response, allowing you to adjust it in post-production.
Should You Purchase The Rode NT1-A?
There is a reason why this mic is a best-seller.
It is the ideal choice for a quiet studio due to its flat response, excellent sensitivity, and minimal self-noise in addition to its cardioid recording pattern.
That can be contrasted with something a bit more adaptable, such as the Shure, which is a tough all-around mic that people can bring into the field in addition to the studio.
The Rode NT1-A device is made for use in recording studios. It gets a lot of things right, whether that is in a professional setting or just at your home.
The unpleasant sibilance difficulties and the requirement for a mode of phantom power to fully operate it are unavoidable drawbacks, but nothing is perfect.
Is The Rode NT1-A Worth The Price?
Every singer, podcaster, or musician will desire a microphone that they would not spend significant amounts of money on but still has all the essential components to offer the finest bang ever.
This is another element to consider while creating your home recording studio.
One thing you should avoid when creating a personal recording studio is choosing the first or cheapest condenser mic you come across.
The truth is that some condenser mics, particularly those that are priced under $100, notoriously produce harsh microphone sounds and lifeless tones.
In order to sound natural, crisp, clean, and clear, a microphone.
When combining sounds and songs with a low-quality microphone, you can have some difficulty.
You might also run into some issues during the mastering process. For all singers and podcasters out there, the Rode NT1-A is a fantastic option.
Because of the large diaphragm and numerous special characteristics of this microphone, you can get any sound you need.
It is the ideal microphone because it can be used by both experts and novices.
It may not be the cheapest mic on the market – but it is affordable for most, and you definitely get the most bang for your buck.
How Is The Rode NT1-A Different From The Rode NT1?
The Rode NT1-A was developed before the current version. With the exception of the frequency response, they are fairly comparable.
The NT1 has a fairly neutral frequency response compared to the NT1-A’s neutral-leaning frequency response.
The NT1 is a great option if you want a sound that provides you the freedom to mix and alter however you like.
The NT1-A, in contrast, offers a small high booster and a bass reduction if you prefer a somewhat more colourful response.
You really will not be disappointed with either option because both mics have extremely little self noises and overall great quality in terms of build, sound, setup, and aesthetic.
Final Thoughts
You can tell that sound professionals and artists frequently mention the Rode NT1-A microphone, and the reality that you are using one of the most adaptable mics available to you is a huge plus.
We hope that this article has helped you decide whether you should purchase this microphone for your at-home recording studio.
Even though this microphone has certain drawbacks of its own, thanks to all of its capabilities and high calibre output, it is among the finest options for both novices and pros.
