Rode NT1 Review
Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
- For Vocals, Instruments & Live Stage
- Cardioid Pattern Reduces Ambient Noise
- Ultralow Self-Noise of 4.5 dBA
- Internally Shock-Mounted Capsule
- Shockmount Inhibits Vibration Noise
- Large 1" Gold-Sputtered Diaphragm
- Transformerless Output Stage
- Pop Filter Controls Vocal Plosives
- XLR Cable for Hookup to Mic Preamp
- Operates on 24 or 48 VDC Phantom Power
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 48,438 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Rode NT1. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Rode NT1. For example, 89% of 23,057 users who have commented on the Value for money of the Rode NT1 have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 114 Reviews
Why Rode?
Rode NT1 Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
Reviewed by Francisco on B&H Photo Video
I just got the NT1 kit, the Mic Is awesome... but when I opened the box I notice that something was wrong. I saw more than 10 unboxing videos and in all of them the box was different... and then when I open it I realise that they put the same kit that the Rode NT1A has, the shock mount is the SM6 and not the premium shock mount that use to come when you purchase this mic, the SMR and the pop filter is different. So my question is how are they going to charge the same amount of money if they are giving less quality products? Go to youtube and look for an unboxing or review and you will see that everybody was impressed by the mic and the premium shock mount, Rode even gave youtubers the mic so they can review it on their channels... but then they decide to send something different? ... More
Excellent value for a recording kit
Rode NT1 Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
Reviewed by Sims on B&H Photo Video
The savings on this Rode NT1 Recording Setup Kit is excellent and is nearly everything you need to get started with general audio recording or podcasting. The quality of the NT1 microphone is incredible, providing an almost perfectly flat response and a very low noise floor. The isolation mount and pop filter also work very well, although do note that the pop filter can only be mounted directly opposite from where the microphone arm connects. If you aren't recording straight on, you will either need to not use the filter, jury rig it to the side of the shock mount, or buy a microphone gimbal to allow the shock mount to be mounted off-center (which causes additional balance issues-see below). The Scarlett Focusrite interface is a respectable starter interface with a reasonably low noise floor and decent gain. I've plugged my setup into a different 4x4 interface for recording podcast interviews, but I have used the Focusrite before and find it to be a great solution for recording single tracks. The mic stand is also quite good, but do note that the NT1 with the shock mount is too heavy for the boom arm at any angle less than 45 degrees-you may need to sandbag the base of the microphone stand if you are short or plan to use the microphone sitting down. The headphones are the weak link of this package. They are reasonably neutral and provide generally better audio than earbuds will, but they are uncomfortable to wear and color the audio compared to a good set of monitor headphones. Replace these with a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50s if you don't have a decent pair of headphones and are in the market for some. I didn't try out the recording software provided in the package. I'm going into Adobe Audition and have tried Audacity as well. Both work great. As far as a plug-and-play kit only a few bucks more than the microphone itself, this is a great deal and definitely worth it if you are just starting out and need the basics. If you are having issues with getting good, clear recordings, make sure the microphone's white dot is facing you/the pop filter (it's a directional mic), and consider investing in some acoustic paneling for your recording setup. The NT1 will pick up a lot of ambient noise. ... More
Amazing Microphone
Rode NT1 Kit Condenser Microphone With SM6 Shockmount and Pop Filter
Reviewed by Luis on Guitar Center
This is my first ever xlr mic, before I used a blue yeti and this microphone really blew my mind. I decided to buy this one after reading many positive reviews and I am very happy. It captures my true voice and gives it a very clean crisp sound. Not to mention it's a very attractive mic. It is also a very quiet microphone, but if your in a noisy environment it will definitely pick up noise. You also get a 10 year warranty so looks like this will be with me for a long time. Some people say the pop filter isn't any good, but I have no problems with it and it works great for me, I prefer it over my other pop filters to be honest. I would recommend this microphone to anyone, if you are debating on purchasing this please give it a try! I was in your position and would have regretted getting a different mic! ... More
No buyers remorse here!
Rode NT1 Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
Reviewed by Greg on B&H Photo Video
I really like the microphone. The Rode NT1 deliveres as advertised. Included with my package deal was a Focusrite Scarlett Solo that I am not quite as fond of as I should be. After installing it I have found that my Windows 10 will occasionally roll its eyes up into the blue screen of death. Ive also noted, after leaving the machine on for prolonged times and after using various programs, that I have drops and flutters from the focusrite that are cured by resetting the computer and starting fresh. The folks at Focusrite have an excellent product that just needs better software integration. Yes, I installed it according to their directions as found with the product and on their web site. I suspect that this product was probably engineered to operate originally in the Apple universe. Perhaps this is a Microsoft windows OS problem more than a Focusrite problem, but Ive never experienced the blue screen of death on this machine before and Ive used it with all sorts of other applications with no problems at all. Im no fan of Apple products, so Im not switching computers just for the recording experience, Ill switch out the Focusrite out before doing that. The microphone stand, an Auray MS-5230F was included in my package and is a well made product, though I will likely get a desk mounted swivel boom at some point to free up floor space. The Polsen HPC-A30 head phones are surprisingly good for their price range. I dont expect to pay $300 for a package deal and have every component worth $300. That is a sweet dream, but it isnt going to happen. I have seen some unflattering reviews about these headphones and suspect some snobbery to be involved, or perhaps they were dealing with counterfeit product. That seems to be a real thing going on in the audio world. The software that I was directed to when registering the Focusrite included Addictive Keys, a product that is a well imagined and articulated piece of software. Ill play with it! Im generally satisfied with this purchase. ... More
The Standard of Quality
Rode NT1 Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
Reviewed by Dapper Dan on B&H Photo Video
I am a voice over artist from the Dallas area. I bought this microphone for my home studio where I record professional works, as well as practice. The first thing I noticed on this microphone was the build quality. Compared to previous Rode mics, the NT1 has a quality weight to it that really speaks for its durability. The black ceramic finish is cool to the touch and looks very sleek. Coupled with the SMR shockmount, the NT1 microphone is a sleek, sexy looking microphone that performs as well as it looks. The audio from this microphone is amazing, providing crisp and clear audio from any source you're recording. The Rode NT1 provides a unique sound; with bright highs, solids mids, and warm lows, it covers the whole spectrum and sounds very natural. My only two complaints both come from the new SMR shockmount. 1. The included pop filter, though very sleek, is not always effective. It does a fantastic job about 95% of the time, but occasionally some breath can get through, especially if you are doing an excited voice over. 2. The SMR shockmount is EXTREMELY effective and offers amazing external noise isolation with the Rycote Lyre suspension system. However, it lacks the ability to swivel left or right, which if you are trying to work in smaller quarters, may prove unwieldy. I myself have space to work with, so it really isn't a big issue, but it is something you should consider. Ultimately, even with these two gripes, this set up is still absolutely amazing. The deal you get here is astonishing and offers up professional studio sound quality. ... More
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nice mic!!
Rode NT1 Kit Condenser Microphone With SM6 Shockmount and Pop Filter
Reviewed by HIS502 on Guitar Center
I like this mic a lot! I have an akg c214 and an avantone cv12, and it handles sibilants better than both of them as far as vocals go. I am just not a fan of the bulky shock mount. It works great but, I just feel as though it is a bit of overkill.would definitely recommend it to others! Some ppl compare it to the Neumann's u47/u87 but I can clearly hear the differences. It is thinner than both in the bottom and top. Can't beat it for the price!
NT1. A nice surprise TL;DR at the end.
Rode NT1 Kit Condenser Microphone With SM6 Shockmount and Pop Filter
Reviewed by J.A. on Guitar Center
I initially called G.C. and asked for the NT1-A as I wanted a mic that had the mid boost and a great top-end. The pro audio employee looked in the system and said they had one. So, I said go ahead and set it aside for me. Much to my wild amazement, the employee didn't understand the difference between the NT-1A and the NT-1. Unfortunately, all they had in stock was the NT-1. I really wanted to try a new mic, so I figured, why not? I got home and immediately began running it through a shoot out trying to determine how it performed. Placed it on clean and distorted guitars, several acoustics, and put a barage of different styles of vocals through it. One thing I noticed right off the bat is that's a tad boxy sounding with a good amount of low-end. It additionally added a sort of warmth to the audio, although its freq response is dead flat, except for a small lift in the high-end. Initially, I hated it. I wanted to take it back the next day. It didn't give any of the sources I recorded the life I was looking for, but I treked on and began trying different micing techniques, which didn't do much of anything to alleviate the issues. But, once I began playing with the tracks and adding subtle EQ and compression here and there, they instantly popped and gave the vocal and acoustic tracks a great presence and life. The low end on the clean guitars was full and warm, but it kind of lacked on the distorted guitars. It has quickly become a favored mic. TL;DR: Add EQ and it sounds amazing. Good on vox, acoustic, and clean gtrs. Wouldn't recommend distorted guitars. ... More
this microphone is the real deal no joke
Rode NT1 Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
Reviewed by DRAKE THE GREAT on B&H Photo Video
brutally i'm going to be honest, before this beautiful piece of equipment i owned a mxl v89 this mic is very very good and clean mxl makes awesome mics and it had me and my producer trippin and flippin out about its clarity and sound, but then things got real i got more serious started to look into specs and what things ment as far as microphones go and the more i learned only made me feel dumb for even wasting my money on the mxl, then i spent about a good month researching microphones i looked at akg mics and specs neuman specs found that the neuman specs are the up most best far as build quality performance etc. started looking at these rode mics and heard through the grape vine that rode re-done there nt1-a witch is now the nt1 model found that the specs of the rode actually out do the neuman u87's as far as ohms go and self noise this thing is quit like awkwardly quit no hiss no hum no nothing what you say is what you get do to its extremely flat response it hardly has any peak at all and the peak at the end adds just the right amount of air it has such a rich and fresh tone and when i yield real close and it clipped it actually emulated the neuman's sound it had that dirty-ness that is actually wanted me and my producer lowered the levels on this thing to negative 40 db witch is un heard of this mic didn't show no sings of clipping when in fact any other mic would start to sound like sand paper at negative 20 db this mic is an amazing buy you cannot go wrong i cant stress this enough from its incredible engineering to the internal shock mount on the capsule its a musical feat in equipment you guys at rode have won me over with this one and ill also add the pre-amp that it was running through was nothing fancy it was about 250 $$$ and the vocals weren't compressed and it didnt even need much eq at all to sound good either hardly any so we ran a test and simply talked through the mic and heard my vocals coming through the monitors it sounds like real life its not even harsh on the s's you have little to no simbulance in your vocals with this thing buy one and find out yourself :) and to all you gear heads who do have avalon pre's yada yada plug this thing into it im sure you'll put your more expensive mics on the shelf i dont doubt it ... More
Great first big purchase for intermediate or experienced v/o
Rode NT-1 Cardioid Condenser Microphone with SMR Shockmount, Focusrite Interface & More
Reviewed by Michaela on B&H Photo Video
I was losing my mind over which microphone to start with during quarantine as I have been voice acting for about 15 years now, but also am not a millionaire so not about to drop $1000 for a microphone. This is a PERFECT, easy to use, and great for high toned voices microphone and audio interface setup that gets you out of the USB microphone range and into the player arena with other high caliber cardioid (you want cardioid over dynamic for most voice acting!) microphones such as the CAD or Neumann brand. Cords and stand are good quality. Headphones are average. Microphone, shock mount, and pop filter are WONDERFUL. If you treat this set well, it will last for a while. I re-use the box to carefully store all of the pieces while traveling! Note: downloading the Focusrite software was a bit of a hassle. ProTools Lite only lets you have two projects with the free version but it is easier than Abelton for sure. It works for me because I don't need to keep projects after I submit my voiceover audition. For bigger or multiple projects you will need to actually purchase the software. So happy I nabbed this little set! I think you will be too :) ... More
Fantastic sound and value
Rode NT1 Kit Condenser Microphone With SM6 Shockmount and Pop Filter
Reviewed by SYVmusic1 on Guitar Center
I'm kinda blown away by this mic package. Shock mount and pop screen are top notch and integrate nicely for great look and easy setup. The mic sound is exceptional, with a smooth frequency response. Vocals and acoustic sources wonderful, have yet to mic cabinets. Plugged into a standard mic pre it sounds like a more expensive mic...through a high-end mic pre (like my Demeter) it's brilliant! Bottom line a great go-to mic with no fuss getting a great sound. Price makes it an exceptional value as well.
Hi-fi heaven?
Rode NT1 Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
Reviewed by Manny on B&H Photo Video
This may be the ultimate hi-fi microphone. Incredibly quiet, superbly detailed and well balanced. What you get is an open, lively sound that accurately captures all the nuances of an instrument. Record in 24-bit and you just might be fooled into believing the instrument is playing in front of you live. Particularly impressive is its transient response, giving you a highly dynamic and crisp recording. The complaint here will be that this microphone is just too clinical, lacking a little bit of vibe. Microphone placement will therefore be extremely important to avoid overly bright and harsh recordings. In preliminary tests i've noticed that even tiny changes to microphone placement can make a significant difference. Pairing it with a vintage flavored preamp will also help. When recording electric guitar, there's a 5K presence that needs to be tamed a bit. This is not because the mic highlights this frequency range too much (an SM57 does it much more for example), but its transient response is so fast that the upper mid range can sound a little harsh. The microphone is also pretty unforgiving dynamically. It tracks every nuance of the source so well that less than stellar performances sound a bit amateurish. Clean electric guitar sounds great. Distorted guitar could get a bit fizzy. I was pleasantly surprised when recording acoustic guitar. Clean, sparkling sound with a strong but focused low-end. ... More
Incredible price for an incredible kit.
Rode NT-1 Cardioid Condenser Microphone with SMR Shockmount, Focusrite Interface & More
Reviewed by Jared on B&H Photo Video
Firstly the microphone. What can I say? It's a rode NT-1, has an incredibly clean sound signature that works great with my voice. If you're looking for a cheap, professional option that can last you years for any kind of voice work, this is it. It came with a faulty XLR cable but a quick register of the product on rode's website and a spare parts claim, I got sent a fresh xlr cable in a few days free of charge. The Focusrite Solo works surprisingly well and is a great budget option. I was worried about it not having enough phantom power due to it being a USB interface with no dedicated power but it works like a charm and a USB 3.1 port is more than enough to power the interface and the NT-1. The stand is serviceable, I currently have it standing straight up instead of how it's shown in the picture since it kept coming down. The headphones are really good! Although my only frame of reference is using a pair of $10 earbuds for the past few years for my pc, so make of that what you will. The supplied XLR cable works great and is a nice addition. Closing thoughts: An absolutely incredible kit at an absolute steal of a price. Perfect. ... More
Super Quiet and True to my Voice
Rode NT1 Kit Condenser Microphone With SM6 Shockmount and Pop Filter
Reviewed by Jeremy B on Guitar Center
After using a Rode NT1-A for the last 9 months, I began looking at mics with a flatter frequency response that would be truer to my voice without requiring much EQ. I record mostly dry voice overs, and had my eyes open for a mic that would give me a nice clean and clear recording. I checked into the specifications of a few mics that my local GC had, looking for one with both a flat frequency response and low self noise. The Rode NT1 stood out to me in both respects. I have now been using the Rode NT1 for the last few weeks, and can't see myself upgrading any time soon. It is exactly what I was looking for, and does exactly what I need - Extremely clean recordings that require little to no EQ. Thank you very much! ... More
I expected something good but this sounds amazing!
Rode NT1 Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
Reviewed by james on B&H Photo Video
I expected very good, but this is amazing, what it does for me....so clean, so smooth, such headroom. They really went to work on this one... ---the freq response is almost ruler flat unlike the NT-1A, so it is beefy and smooth on the lows, silky on the highs. The fuss about the NT-1A as harsh up high (though great for some people) has been addressed...the spectrum is like the supper pricey mics. The lack of little tuning bumps also means you can EQ it to sound like other mics, without the side-effect of a ringing response. You can make a nice crisp NT1-A! or a TLM-102-stalker by doing next to nothing.. so good.. ----the shockmount is compositive plastic, hi-quality.. no massive anchor of cast metal to tip over the tripod. The damping and vibration suppression testout (thump/spectrum testing) is way ahead of the stiff elastic-bungy type. The metal pop-filter? sweet! There is the personal match too, of course...this just works with me on voiceovers so well.. ... More
Great price for a quality mic
Rode NT1 Kit Condenser Microphone With SM6 Shockmount and Pop Filter
Reviewed by 3rdgencarpenter on Guitar Center
My wife has been a professional voice-over talent for about 35 years. My daughter (now 25) has been doing voice-over work since she was 12. With so many auditions coming in per week, the drive to their agent's Hollywood office just became too stressful and time-consuming. The Rode NT-1, plus a good pre-amp has solved all that. Now they're able to produce a warm, professional sound, here in our home studio.
A good upgrade
Rode NT-1 Cardioid Condenser Microphone with SMR Shockmount, Focusrite Interface & More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
WE upgraded from a pair of MXL-3000 (a microphone that I would NOT recommend - we had each of two mics fail twice inside of 14 months - and while we were recording. NOT a good place to live.) I'm giving this pair five stars, but wish I could give them slightly less than 5, but more than 4. They are solid mics, I love the shock mounts (the weight and size of the shock mounts are VERY stubstantial), and the kit was complete. The sound of the mics is very good, and the image is also solid. Although the specs don't say so, I feel like there's ... well, a presence -- I'd translate it to a frequency between 2500hz and 4khz - that feels missing. Once again, the mic specs and testing graph that came with the pair disagree with that assessment, so I'll leave it at that. As always, B&H provides decent service and excellent delivery. ... More
Great mix for price
Rode NT1 Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
Reviewed by Matteo on B&H Photo Video
This is a great little mic for the price. Perfect for small studio projects. Frequency response is good, but not as crisp in the high end as I am accustomed to with higher end mics. Low noise. SPL is good. I had to really push it to distort. The pop filter is not really any better than old school nylon hose, and maybe slightly better than standard pop filters. Only draw back is it's proprietary design. Not as universal as other filters. Only work in standard position on mic clip. No option for creative use or distance. All in all, well worth the low cost. ... More
Great sound for my voice
Rode NT1 Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
Reviewed by Daniel on B&H Photo Video
The Rode NT1 sounds even better than I expected based on the reviews. It has a rich but very clear sound, possibly with a little boost on the bottom end, but that may just be a result of how close you work it. The included pop filter is a bonus. Some people have noted that the pop filter is not perfect and lets through the occasional plosive, but I have not found that to be the case. The fit and finish of the mic are flawless, and the construction feels very solid. I am very impressed with this product, especially for the moderate price. If you buy one, be sure to register it with Rode to extend the warranty out to ten years. ... More
Fantastic sounding mics are a great value.
Rode NT1 Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
Reviewed by Virtual Trombonist on B&H Photo Video
I have been a big fan of Rode mics since I bought a Videomic Pro a couple of years ago. Also, I had borrowed a friend's pair of older NT1s and really liked the realistic, clean sound I got when using them. So, I took the plunge and ordered a pair of the new NT1s. I record mostly brass instruments, primarily trombone, but also brass quintet. So far, the sound of these mics is just beautiful. They have a nice, round, warm sound, without any of the harshness I have found with other mics. They also keep the sound extremely close to the way my ear hears it, so you don't get any funky change to the organic sound of the player/instrument that you have to deal with. So far, very impressed. I also like the included mounts. I would not have ordered the SM-2 shock mounts had I known how useful the supplied mounts would be... Great buy! ... More
A month in and still in love
Rode NT1 Microphone with Vocal Recording Setup Kit
Reviewed by Roan on B&H Photo Video
After a month of research, I chose the Rode NT1 mic for my voiceover work. The NT-1 is well-built, complements the warmth of my natural speaking voice, and captures the nuances of my character voices. I went for the Complete Studio Kit because I had read the AI-1 audio interface is also pretty solid, with powerful preamps and a really low noise floor. That it's already bundled with a sturdy Rycote shockmount with pop filter, and a premium XLR cable made this bundle purchase a no-brainer. It's exactly as I expected and more. Sleek, beautiful, and so easy to use (no drivers needed) that I can even hook the AI-1 directly to my android phone, tweak my phone settings, and record into my phone using my NT-1. Talk about ease-of-use and portability! Don't believe me? Check out this vid: https://youtu.be/tctONe0AGB8. ... More
