Rode NT-USB Mini review
Our Verdict
The Rode NT-USB Mini is a competent microphone that will go the chore done. Audio is a little gain-heavy and the lack of any adjustments on the mic itself forces fixing in editing, merely this is a good-value option if y'all're a podcasting novice.
For
- Like shooting fish in a barrel to utilize
- Good audio quality
- Born headphone output
Against
- Proceeds-heavy audio
- No proceeds control on mic
- Stiff, non-adjustable stand
Tom'due south Guide Verdict
The Rode NT-USB Mini is a competent microphone that volition become the job washed. Audio is a trivial gain-heavy and the lack of whatever adjustments on the mic itself forces fixing in editing, just this is a good-value option if you're a podcasting novice.
Pros
- +
Easy to use
- +
Skillful audio quality
- +
Built-in headphone output
Cons
- -
Gain-heavy sound
- -
No proceeds control on mic
- -
Stiff, non-adjustable stand
The Rode NT-USB Mini marks the arrival of one of the most recognizable names in microphones into the race to build the best USB microphones. Rode is best known for its on-photographic camera video microphones or lavaliers, but every bit podcasting and streaming have continued to affect how people consume information and entertainment, rivals similar Blue were quick to introduce products that catered to semi-pro and apprentice broadcasters.
Rode NT-USB Mini specs
Price: $99
Connectedness: USB
Ports: USB-C, 3.5mm aux out
Condensers: 1
Directional patterns: Cardioid
Size: 5.6 x ii.2 10 three.v inches
Weight: 1.three lbs
With the NT-USB Mini, Rode is ready to accept on entries like the Blue Yeti Nano and the HyperX QuadCast. For $99, Rode's new product is a hefty and premium quality microphone that delivers compelling recording for the toll. But its limited command options and static stand makes its on-the-go utilize a somewhat cumbersome affair.
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Rode NT-USB Mini review: Price and availability
- $99 MSRP
- Wide selection of stockists
The Rode NT-USB Mini can exist found at merely about every major retailer. The $99 mic is available at Best Purchase, Amazon, Sweetwater, B&H Photo Video and Micro Middle. As a recent addition to the Rode family of microphones, it may not drop beneath that $99 toll point for a while.
The NT-USB Mini sits in the middle of the Blue Yeti Nano at $79 and the HyperX QuadCast at $139. There's also the HyperX QuadCast S at $159, only the but major deviation in that location is that it offers RGB lighting.
Rode NT-USB Mini review: Design
- Extremely compact, though no carry instance included
- Easy to mount on different stand
"Curt and stocky" is the best manner to describe the NT-USB Mini. Information technology sports an all-matte black and a clean pattern overall. It has one giant knob upward forepart to control headphone proceeds, while the back has a USB Type-C port and a headphone jack.
The NT-USB Mini is also a hefty microphone with a substantial weight. The plastic and metallic construction feel good in the hand, and yous immediately know yous're holding something more than professional.
The microphone floats on a mount that tin can swivel 360 degrees. This gives it great versatility, as the Rode NT-USB tin be mounted on just about any stand up from a simple desk mount to an overhead arm.
The stand that comes with the NT-USB Mini is fine. It has a firm base of operations that magnetically clips to the mic. Unfortunately, its flat non-adjustable base makes it and so that y'all take to conform yourself toward the mic, non the other fashion effectually.
Given that the Rode NT-USB Mini might be used for traveling podcasters or musicians, it's unfortunate that Rode does non include a carrying case; in fact, there's non even i sold separately. While Rode does make cases for its other microphones, it would take been prissy if the company used that approach for the NT-USB Mini as well.
The NT-USB's design might not pop with color like the Blue Yeti Nano or the QuadCast S, but Rode does sell color identification accessories that can help set multiple mics autonomously in a podcasting room.
Rode NT-USB Mini review: Audio quality
- Skilful quality in the right weather
- Withal, is gain-heavy, with no onboard gain control
The NT-USB Mini records decently for the most function. It tin can't compare to the larger studio microphones that run through an audio interface, but for what it is, the resulting audio is acceptable. It definitely beats the congenital-in mic found on a pair of headphones or an iPhone.
As a podcaster, I took the NT-USB Mini with me on an extended trip. Getting information technology set up was piece of cake. All information technology required was plugging in the USB Blazon-C cablevision into my Microsoft Surface Pro 5. Windows immediately recognized the device and let me start recording. There'south also the Rode Connect podcasting and streaming program that can be downloaded for increased functionality.
While good, my producer would complain about the loftier proceeds that the NT-USB Mini gave my voice. Adjusting it inside software didn't practice much, and unfortunately in that location isn't a gain dial on the microphone itself: a missed opportunity on Rode's part. Because the NT-USB Mini is trying to exist a condenser mic for spoken give-and-take, singing and music recording all at one time, the base of operations recording sound profile Rode has implemented tries to serve too many masters.
I recorded my show in a sound-insulated attic, just even and so, the Rode gave my voice a somewhat hollow sound, equally if speaking in a in a claustrophobic audio berth.
Unfortunately, the congenital-in headphone monitoring jack did non do a groovy job in letting me know how my voice sounded while recording. The monitoring picked up so much infinitesimal surrounding audio I was scared that a door opening down the hallway was also being recorded. Luckily, that was not the case. But that does raise the question: why was the mic relaying sounds to me that wouldn't end up in the recording? Luckily, I had a producer on mitt who could act every bit a second pair of ears, but many podcasters don't have that privilege.
The NT-USB Mini also has an internal pop filter which did a good task of reducing whatsoever popping sounds, though information technology wasn't perfect. There were times when sure phrases would still crack.
Rode NT-USB Mini review: Verdict
Fifty-fifty with some complaints, the Rode NT-USB Mini is a good microphone for the price. There aren't many other units on the market that tin can offer its level of quality for less than $100.
That said, be aware of the NT-USB Mini's flaws before you buy. Information technology won't have that studio-like quality you'd wait from more expensive microphones running through an audio interface. But again, it costs a fraction of the cost.
For those taking their first steps into podcasting or streaming, the NT-USB Mini tin exist a great starting indicate. Shows will audio much more than professional person than they will if yous resort to the internal mics on phones or laptops, and the Rode Connect software, while basic, has enough functionality to get a podcast off the footing.
With its compact size, affordability and audio quality, we tin't complain too much nigh the package overall. As long as the Rode NT-USB Mini is approached with the correct expectations, information technology's a worthwhile purchase.
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Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/rode-nt-usb-mini
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