Rode NT1-A Microphone

Jun 6, 2010 by     25 Comments    Posted under: Music, Technology, Video

Building on the Audio Technica AT2020 and AKG P220 entry level studio condenser microphone reviews, this time up we’re taking a look at the Rode NT1-A. Priced just over $200 ($229 – B&H, Adorama, etc.), the Rode NT1-A delivers a high end sheen that I’ve not yet experienced with the previous two microphones, while at the same time, keeping it’s signal to noise ratio remarkably low. The Rode NT1-A is roughly the same size as the AT2020 and P220, and features a large 1-inch gold plated capsule. And just like the other two, the Rode NT1-A is a condenser with a tight cardioid pattern.

As is standard with most of today’s condenser microphones, frequency range is from 20hz – 20khz. Now here’s where things start to get interesting. According to Rode, the Signal-to-Noise ratio is 88 db. Which is quite odd, as the AKG has an S/N ratio of 78db and the AT2020 74db. However, when viewing the bar graphs inside my recording software, the Rode NT1-A had the closest to ‘flat’ of all three of the mics. In other words, on paper, it may not be the quietest, but when put to the eyes and ears, you can’t hear a thing (which, in this case, is good). The Rode NT1-A features no pad or roll-off switches, but achieves a maximum SPL of 137 db SPL, giving it the lowest range of the three microphones.

And while both the Audio Technica AT2020 and AKG Perception 220 feel like solid, if almost heavy, microphones, the Rode NT1-A goes the completely opposite route. Upon first unboxing of this microphone, I almost dropped it, as I was expecting something much heavier. It has the look and sound of a vintage tube mic, but definitely not the same feel. Likewise, the AKG comes with a solid (if only heavy plastic and foam padding) case, that makes just about anyone feel like a pro. Rode, while they do include a spider mount and pop-filter, there’s no case anywhere to be seen. Not even a decent, padded pouch (i.e. the Shure SM58 bank bag). At the end of the day, Rode gives you a fancy dust cover with a draw string. Fair enough, I don’t expect to be doing any ‘on-location’ work with this microphone, but a case would have gone a long way to making me fall 100% in love with this mic.

Overall conclusion

The Rode NT1-A is an outstanding mic for studio, voiceover and podcast work. It’s high on tone quality and vintage sound, while being light on the wallet, especially for what it is. It is the most expensive of the three microphones I’ve tested thus far, but when put head to head with the AKG Perception 220, you’re really going to have to dig in with a set of closed-ear headphones to really hear the difference. Conversely, if you’re using the Rode NT1-A solely as a spoken word/voiceover/podcast microphone, it’s outstanding. Of the three, the AKG seems most suited to functioning as an amped instrument’s recording microphone, as it has the highest SPL, while at the same time, requiring the most amount of incoming volume. The Rode does stand head and shoulders above the other two in the sensitivity department though. The AT2020 and P220 are very capable of picking up sounds in the desired sonic pattern, but both require the speaker to sometimes ‘swallow’ the mic to get an upfront feel, whereas the Rode presents this feeling naturally.

Rode NT1-A specifications:

  • Power – P48 (48V), P24 (24V) phantom supply
  • Acoustic Principle – Pressure gradient
  • Directional Pattern – Cardioid
  • Frequency range – 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Output impedance – 100?
  • Signal noise ratio – >88 dB SPL (A – weighted per IEC651)
  • Equivalent noise – 5 dB SPL (A – weighted per IEC651)
  • Maximum SPL – 137dB SPL (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1K? load)
  • Maximum output voltage – +13.7dBu (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1K? load)
  • Sensitivity – -32 dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (25 mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz
  • Weight – 326gm
  • Dimensions – 190mmH x 50mmW x 50mmD

Uncompressed .wav files:

Spoken Word:
Rode NT1-A Spoken Word Uncompressed

Singing:
Rode NT1-A Singing Uncompressed

Guitar:
Rode NT1-A Guitar Uncompressed

I make no claims about my singing voice and paltry guitar skills. :)

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  • http://www.mindyandphil.com Phil Thornton

    Too pricey for me :) , since I have to buy everything x2 (my wife and are both podcasting simultaneously) I think I would rather take that money and apply it to the presonus tube pre. great review though, thanks!

  • 40spokes

    Where are the singing and guitar? They are all the same! :-(

  • http://blog.turnthescrew.com/ Dan Taylor

    And thank YOU sir for catching that. Should be updated now.

  • http://blog.turnthescrew.com/ Dan Taylor

    If you're planning on driving two mics at the same time, I'd recommend the Presonus BlueTube – http://bit.ly/2N7nJ

  • 40spokes

    Good for vocal warmth. I think that it might not be optimally configured for instrument use. The warmth takes away from the full sound image of steel strings.

  • Amotaraso

    You have a beautiful radio voice :D With this mic at least. I do however, believe the settings are wrong for the guitar. It’s clearly not the sound I would imagine from this mic. But I will find out soon. Cause after watching your .wavs and seeing your youtube review, I ordered it. So hopefully it will be a succes.

  • JeanineC

    Is it possible to connect direct on the computer with this mic? or do I need something extra?

  • http://www.carteblanche2011.be CarteBlanche

    Hey,

    Looks nice

    Can you use it for a little festival?

    Greets: Carte Blanche Gistel,Belgium

  • Anonymous

    Can I plug this mic directly into my Apogee Duet soundcard?

  • http://blog.turnthescrew.com Dan

    One of the very best soundcards to use with this mic! :)

  • Thomas

    hi @c15d581a82ce476995fcbf61eb1642d2:disqus
    ,sorry to bother you again ;) do you think that the sensitivity is a disadvantage for recording spoken word without a proper booth? For example, does it not pick up the computer or heck, even the monitor? listening to your samples, the akg seems more quiet, there is some weird noise in your rode files.thanks in advance.

  • http://blog.turnthescrew.com/ Dan Taylor

    The Rode is very sensitive, and you’re most probably correct that some background noise is apparent in the recordings due to the lack of an isolation booth. In the end, it really comes down to which you prefer. I’d recommend heading to your local sound shop and make a few recordings. Any retailer worth their salt will let you take the recordings home to review. This way, you’re already sure that you’re making the right choice before the $$ even hits the countertop.

  • Regner Techitong

    Hi, Dan! I was wondering if it would sound like these if you just use a pre-amp/audio interface.

  • http://blog.turnthescrew.com/ Dan Taylor

    Hi Regner. The Allen&Heath is an extremely transparent mixer, so I would imagine the sound would be quite comparable.

  • Peter

    Hey Dan. I just bought one of these to do recording on my Macintosh computer and I was wondering if it comes with a cable that can go into my computer or if I’ll have to purchase one. 
    Thanks

  • http://blog.turnthescrew.com/ Dan Taylor

    If you purchase the CRS (Complete Recording Solution) version, everything you’ll need is included.

  • Damien

    Hey Dan, could you please tell me if you somehow managed to tage off the popfilter from the Rode spider mount?

    MfG from Germany

  • http://blog.turnthescrew.com/ Dan Taylor

    Hi Damien. To be honest…after a while it didn’t really bother me that much. I still wish that Rode would have given me the option, but at the end of the day, it didn’t bother me that much so I’ve just left it attached.

  • Tyler

    hi!, i was just wondering if you can help me with this little problem im having, im debating whether if i should get this mic, but heres the problem, im not sure if my pre-amp could even power this mic, i have a (ART MP Tube USB Series), do you know if this would be possible?..would help me alot..thanks!

  • Paul A.

    Hi Dan. Interesting we have similar backgrounds. I was also a voice major but also gave it up because I could not see myself living life as an opera singer, unemployed or not. I have seen a bunch of your videos, and finally found your website.   It has also been some time since I have done recording.  I used to have Shure mics and Presonus firewire for Mac stuff. That was good, but being in Japan, with its premium on storage space, I am looking at something like Yeti Pro (some praise, some laugh at). It would provide, like the Zoom H2, stereo for mic and voice. I have the Zoom H2 (used in your video video) and am unsure if the Yeti Pro (or plain Yeti)  is better, but it claims zero latency, That was my problem with the H2.  As a line in Mic, great, But USB and Garageband?  Previously recorded tracks were ok on headphones, but the vocal currently recorded was way behind. Heard that Yeto and Yeti Pro were better, but not sure. Also not sure if this is a USB thing or not, and wonder whether mics plus USB or Firewire is the way to go still?  Thanks!

  • Mike

    Hey Dan,
    After checking out you site, I’m thinking of getting the rode. I was planning on using an mbox in conjunction to help out with sound quality. In your opinion, will this setup suffice for simple VO work?

  • http://blog.turnthescrew.com/ Dan Taylor

    HI Paul. I’ve personally never used a USB mic, as I tend to prefer the control that I can gain by putting effects, or in my case, a tube pre-amplifier before the the signal arrives at the point of recording. I’ve heard good things about the Yeti, and as it’s Blue, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with just about anything they produce.

  • http://blog.turnthescrew.com/ Dan Taylor

    Hi Mike. Sounds like a perfectly acceptable setup. If you can swing it, try adding a T.Bone from thomann for an instant sound booth. http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_micscreen.htm

  • Paul

    Hi again, Dan.  Really torn and confused by the options, but I like your review of this mic, so I am still considering  USB or not. Plus interface. 

    One idea is no interface-just the Yeti Pro. Yet it doubles as an XLR phantom powered  mic, in case USB MIC proves not so good.So I could connect it to  a usb or firewire powered interface/mixer for  hooking to A) computer  (late model iMac Intel) and possibly B)  a sound system for live performances.

    The ONLY drawback I see to this best-of-both worlds compared to two mono mics (like the rode for voice and, for example, Shure 57 for guitar), is that with stereo mics in a single pod, I would not be able to get the guitar and voice isolated.  That is why I am now leaning toward two mics and an interface.

    Does that make sense?

    The other question is the best interface. I mainly use GarageBand and see here people mentioning the M-box. Also seen Fast Track pro and ultra, and Tascam 122 and 144.

    I normally record voice, guitar (prefer miked guitar to built in pickup), and keyboard (-M-audio 88 interface)

    Does it matter which of these I use (do you favor one over the other) from the standpoint of

    1) being able to record  a voice track  while listening to previously recorded tracks? (I understand being able to hear current track with zero latency, but have not been able to tell if I could also listen to earlier track with my current recording and not get all confused due to latency).

    2) being able to hook up to a sound system –most commonly two mics in, one for guitar and one for voice, for live concerts?

    Thanks and sorry for asking so many questions!

    paul in Kyushu, Japan

  • Evilfts14

    so i was gonna ask if you knew hot to set up the rode NT1-A with m-audio fast track if i need an adapter or mixer with phantom power

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