RODE NT1

This mic is a knockout for value and delivers a very real and full-bodied result. The best in this price range and anything close...

Here's the specs:

Acoustic Principle Pressure Gradient
Active Electronics JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer
Capsule 1.00"
Polar Pattern
Address Type Side
Frequency Range 20Hz - 20kHz
Output Impedance 100Ω
Maximum SPL 137dB SPL (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1KΩ load)
Maximum Output Level 13.7dBu (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1KΩ load)
Sensitivity -31.9dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (25.00mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz
Power Options
Weight 326.00gm
Dimensions 190.00mmH x 50.00mmW x 50.00mmD
Output XLR

Again, this mic is better than most in all areas...It outperforms mics that cost 3x as much!

OVERALL OPINION

I like the ease of use. I appreciate the excellent and faithful reproduction it produces...It records like a dream and, if placed properly can capture exactly what you want...It's well built but I wouldn't recommend tossing it down a flight of stairs...

This mic is excellent for home studios and more than capable of handling its' own in commercial studios...I use this mic for recording and have songs currently on Fox and CWTV shows...To my ear, it's even better than the higher end RODE models- though they are each great as well...

Total steal for the price...

I have already bought two more so I would obviously come back for more and will again...These mics are my have workhorse for vocals and acoustic instruments....

I have used he NT1 microphone many times in the last year or 2. Generally the NT1 microphone was made to be an affordable mic. But then it turned into being a top quality mic overnight. I think Rhode was actually surprised by the success of it and its popularity. This mic brand new doesn’t cost that much at all compaired to some mics on the market. For all the mics in the 100 to 300 dollar range the NT1 could be your best bet. This mic is still being sold and hasn’t been replace yet to the best of my knowledge. It actually replaced the older model (cant remember what the name was). But every since this mic came out a lot of people have been using it in major and small studios.


OVERALL OPINION

Overall, the mic is very affordable and it’s a must have for you. I feel that if you are recording at home and need a top notch mic for a good price (and who doesn’t need that) then this is the one you will need to get. You can also try it and if you don’t like it you can take it back. But I am almost sure you will love it and not return it. You can even find some of these used online for half of what they cost brand new. I recently saw one on guitar centers website under the used section and thought about getting it for a back up mic to have around but didn’t get it. The one that I have has been holding up great and I don’t think it will every go out on me (knock on wood). it’s a great value for the price and im happy having it. I didn’t try the other model before this one came out but I just cant remember the name of it. They don’t make it anymore though.

I wanted a great quality studio mic for my new home digital studio. I did a lot of research, and was very impressed with what I found out about Rode. Still, I was hesitant up until I actually plugged the Rode NT 1 in and gave it a test flight. I bought my first pair from American Musical Supply, and paid $199 (that seems to be the standard asking price on line). However... I later decided I wanted another pair for certain recording applications, and found this mic for $169 at BPM Music. Each place included free shock mount.

This is a sweet mic! I'd been in radio for 17 years (11 as a PD at a top rated station), so I know my way around mics. Still, I didn't think I could afford some of the top names I was familuar with. I'm doing some freelance radio work on the side now, as well as songwriting and recording my own music. So, I needed a mic that would give me the rich warmth I was used to getting at radio. The Rode NT 1 has blown me away. What an incredible deal for the $$$. You get clarity, warmth... hey, I could go on forever... but I never thought a mic that costs so little could perform as beautifully.

So far, I'm still on the honeymoon with this baby. You will want a pop stopper... but even the manufacturer tells you that. Sure, there are better mics out there... but I can't imagine getting more quality for less money.

Listen... just go to the Rode website to read about how this mic is put together. I hate to keep saying the same thing, but you will be amazed at the craftsmanship that goes into building such an affordable mic.

Take it from a picky old radio guy who knows good sound when he hears it... buy this mic. Buy it. Do yourself the favor. Buy it. Actually, if it makes you feel better spending up to, or over, ten times this amount for a mic... knock yourself out. But if you want extra money to spend on other goodies, while not sacrificing quality, the Rode NT 1 is for you.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com