Røde NT1-A review - The classic from Rode in test - Condenser microphone with pop shield and microphone shockmount - For recording, streaming and podcasting
The Rode NT1-A* is probably one of the most popular recording microphones. The Complete Recording Kit provides professional accessories. We have taken a close look at the NT1 model
Rode NT1-A: First impression and scope of delivery
At first glance, the large-diaphragm condenser microphone looks high-quality. It comes with a 6-meter XLR cable, a microphone spider and a pop shield. So you only need a microphone stand to have a professional setup.
The first impression is good, it’s fun to take all the accessories out of the packaging. The setup also works smoothly, you screw the spider to the microphone and the pop shield to the frame of the shock mount. This also allows you to vary the distance between the pop shield and the microphone. The threads look high quality.
The sound of the Rode NT1A with cardioid polar pattern
Thanks to the cardioid polar pattern and the fairly linear frequency response with a slight boost in the treble, the condenser microphone sounds high-quality and clear in the treble. At 5 dBA, it is a very low-noise microphone; Røde even says it is one of the most efficient studio microphones in the world. However, this also depends very much on the preamplifier.
If you want to use the same microphone with USB instead of XLR connection, you should take a look at the 5th generation: Røde NT1 5th Generation Test. This saves you the USB audio interface and allows you to connect the microphone directly to the PC.
In the video above, we tested the sound for you and recorded both speech and guitar. You can also hear that the pop filter does a really good job with vocal recordings and podcasts.
Large-diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone: What does that mean?
This term sounds like a tongue twister for audio beginners, so let’s explain it briefly.
Large diaphragm: This stands for the diaphragm, which must be at least 2.5 cm in size for a microphone to fall into this category. The large diaphragm captures more detail and produces a warm, full sound – ideal for vocals and acoustic instruments.
Condenser: This is a type of microphone. It uses a diaphragm and a counter electrode that generate voltage changes through sound movement, which are converted into an audio signal. Phantom power is required to use the microphone. So your microphone is not usually broken if it is extremely quiet, you have simply forgotten to use phantom power.
Cardioid characteristic: This is the directional characteristic.
Durable and high-quality - a basic investment
The model has been available from Thomann in exactly this form since 2009, and variants of the NT1 have been around since the 1990s. This durability is also noticeable, as the microphone is not only suitable but recommended for vocal recording and most instruments. Even models that are years old can still be used well, the threads are of high quality and the capsule is just as durable. It is a real workhorse in the studio. And with exactly this studio quality, it comes at a really reasonable price.
Most studios have purchased this microphone as a basic investment, it has very low self-noise and still has a solid dynamic range. The housing is simple and robust, and you can take it apart and repair it (or have it repaired). And: If the spider or the pop screen do break, the Røde SM6 (the name of this mounting combination) can also be bought again.
★★★★★
The sound is balanced and the treble is clear. The sound performance is definitely right!
★★★★☆
It is and remains an XLR microphone, which has no special connectivity. But the XLR interface is of high quality.
★★★★★
The workmanship is absolutely top quality and a selling point for this microphone! It is durable
Røde NT1-A Test Conclusion: Customer reviews prove the microphone right.
So there are many reasons why this microphone is sold so often. It combines professional sound and low price and has become the industry standard. This makes it one of the best studio microphones in history. So if you are looking for a mic of this type, we can give it a clear recommendation! Get a stand and off you go. If you want the same Mic with USB-C, check our Røde NT1 5th Gen Review.
You can find more microphones here: Podcast microphones, Streaming microphones, USB microphones
Links marked with * are affiliate links. There are no additional costs for you, some of these links are with an automatic discount for you. We mark these links for transparency and would never recommend bad products!
