Rode NT1 is a classic. First released in the early 90’s, the NT1 was Rode’s (then Freedman Electronics) first microphone. It was so popular that it was said to have increased sales “like a mouse in a drainpipe”, earning it the nickname “Rodent-1”, which was later changed to “RØDE NT1”. This unconfirmed story of how the brand got its name could possibly be apocryphal, but the fact remains that the NT1 has been a popular studio mic for over three decades.
But when you are looking for best gaming mic, a studio mic probably isn’t your first choice. Studio mics are generally analog-only. That means you need an audio interface to use it with your PC.
Rode’s latest NT1 (NT1 Gen 5) is the brand’s first microphone with cleverly implemented dual connections. Inside his XLR connector on the mic is a USB-C port. Of course, adding a port isn’t the only way to turn a studio mic into a USB mic. The NT1 Gen 5 features a proprietary audio interface and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) for high definition (24-bit/192 kHz) recording. It also features 32-bit float recording for virtually clip-free audio (requires a DAW that supports it). The NT1 Gen 5 is available in both black and silver.
NT1 5th generation design
The NT1 5th generation is similar to its predecessor. It has a machined aluminum body with a matte black finish (also available in silver) and features an internally shock-mounted HF6 capsule under a silver mesh grille. It is 7.44 inches (189mm) tall and 2.05 inches (52mm) in diameter.
Like most of Rode’s mics, the NT1 Gen 5 is lighter than it looks, but is robust and well-built. The mic alone weighs 10.86 oz (308g), lighter than both mics. Get on NT-USB+ (1.2lbs/540g) Compact Roadx XCM-50 (1.08lbs/492g).
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The NT1 Gen 5 is a side-address cardioid microphone, so placement is important. The mic is positioned vertically and you speak into one side of the mic. The speaking side is indicated by a small gold dot on the neck of the mic (this is not easily recognizable as the Rode logo and mic’s name are printed on the other side).
The NT1 Gen 5 is a dual-connection mic that supports both XLR (analog) and USB-C connections, with an XLR connector on the bottom of the mic that houses a USB-C port. You’ll need a fairly slim USB-C cable that fits next to the XLR prongs (Luckily, Rode includes one).
The mic is very simple overall, with no onboard controls for gain, volume, or mute, and no headphone jack for zero-latency direct monitoring. This isn’t all that surprising for an XLR mic plugged into an audio interface (as was the NT1 up until this generation). However, many USB microphones have these features. If you don’t plan to switch to an audio interface in the future, the lack of controls can be frustrating.
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The NT1 Gen 5 ships with a few accessories, including Rode’s SM6 Studio Mic Suspension Shock Mount Kit with removable pop filter ($59 if purchased separately). It also comes with a 9.8ft (3m) USB-C to USB-C cable, a (bright red) 20ft (6m) XLR cable, a dust cover, and a wavy blue “XLR ring”. The mic plug helps fix a loose 3rd party he XLR cable.
The shock mount is approximately 5.25″ (133mm) in diameter and approximately 8.27″ (210mm) deep. The pop filter is 5.25″ (133mm) in diameter and attaches to the front of the shock mount approximately 2.5″ (63.5mm) in front of the mic. It has two adjustment axes and a telescoping arm that extends to a total height of 10 inches (254 mm). The shock mount and pop filter are mostly metal and add 1.5 pounds (682g) to the weight of the mic.
The shock mount is designed to attach to a boom arm or mic stand, but the mic does not include a desktop stand. If you’re looking to upgrade your audio setup anyway, a boom arm is probably worth the investment.
spec
| capsule type | pressure gradient condenser |
| frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| polar pattern | cardioid |
| orientation | side address |
| sample rate | 48/96/192 kHz |
| bit depth | 24 bit (32 bit floating) |
| connectivity | USB-C, 3-pin XLR |
| cable | USB-C to USB-C (9.8ft/3m), XLR (19.6ft/6m) |
| software | Rode Central, Rode Connect, Rode Unify |
| Dimensions (length x width) | 7.44 x 2.05 x 2.05 inch / 189 x 52 x 52mm |
| weight | 10.86 oz / 308g |
| MSRP / Price at time of review | $259 / $259 |
| release date | February 20, 2023 |
NT1 5th generation performance
The Rode NT1 5th Generation is a large diaphragm condenser microphone with a side-address cardioid polar pattern. It has a wide frequency response from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz and records audio in 24-bit and 32-bit float (more on this later) at sampling rates of 48, 96 and 192 kHz. This puts its recording quality well above most gaming mics, which top out at 24-bit/96 kHz (this is just a few).
One of the most notable new features of the NT1 Gen 5 is the ability to record 32-bit float audio, which allows for significantly greater dynamic range than standard 16 or 24-bit audio. The dynamic range of 32-bit float audio is so great that it virtually eliminates clipping, a type of waveform distortion that occurs when audio is too loud. (Clipping is “virtually” because there are multiple reasons for it. Recording in 32-bit float doesn’t avoid all of them.) Means you can capture audio. Situations where unexpected spikes in volume can occur (such as live events).
Dynamic range is different than resolution, which corresponds to bit depth. Bit depth refers to the number of bits of information an audio sample has, or the number of amplitude levels that can be captured. The theoretical maximum bit depth can be calculated in powers of 2. [number of bits] — Up to 65,536 steps (2^16) for 16-bit audio, 16,777,216 steps (2^24) for 24-bit audio, and 4,294,967,296 steps for 32-bit audio.
Dynamic range is based on the difference between the loudest and quietest signals a microphone can record, which is much higher with 32-bit float than with standard 32-bit. This is because 32-bit floating point numbers are coded differently. Instead of being coded as a fixed-point number, it is coded as a 24-bit number (actually 1-bit indicates the sign and 23-bit indicates the fraction). Bit exponent. This doesn’t change the maximum bit depth or resolution, but it does change the dynamic range. Recording in 32-bit float can be useful in some situations, but in most situations it’s not objectively better than recording in standard 24-bit.
The NT1 Gen 5 uses the same HF6 condenser capsule as its Gen 4 predecessor, so there are no major changes in terms of sound. It was and still is a great sounding mic, especially for vocals. It’s crisp and clear, warm and lean and has just the right amount of depth. Be careful with your placement though, as it will fail if you get too close. that too It has great depth (proximity effect) and the mic has a fairly tight cardioid polar pattern.
NT1 5th generation features and software
The NT1 Gen 5 functions well as a plug and play device and does not require any software to run. Works with three Rode apps: Rode Central, Rode Connect and the recently released Rode Unify. You don’t need to download all these apps as you can adjust the advanced DSP settings of NT1 Gen 5. Rode Central is just for adjusting DSP settings (and updating firmware), while Rode Connect and Rode Unify include recording and channel mixing tools.
Rode’s app gives you access to the NT1 Gen 5’s advanced DSP settings. This includes compressors, high pass filters, noise gates and the Aphex extensions ‘Aural Exciter’ and ‘Big Bottom’. Not only can these settings be toggled, but they can also be tweaked at a finer level (which is not possible with Rode’s NT-USB+).
Of course, this only applies if the microphone is connected via USB. This is not the case when using analog XLR connections.
Conclusion
The Rode NT1 Gen 5 is a great mic, but so was its predecessor. The big change (and a pretty big one) is that the previously XLR-only NT1 is now a USB-C mic capable of recording 32-bit float audio. I don’t know how many people will need dual connections on the mic, but it might appeal to those looking to move to a more professional audio setup (although you can buy two mics) . I would love to use the NT1 5th Generation as a plug-and-play USB mic, but it lacks most of the features that USB mics have, such as gain control and an on-mic headphone jack. I use it as an analog mic with an audio interface, but it’s not my first choice for a USB mic.
The NT1 5th generation’s ability to record 32-bit float audio is unique for this type of microphone, but it’s not something the average person has much use for. Remember, dynamic range is about volume, not resolution. 32-bit float is most needed in situations where volume levels are unpredictable, e.g. live concerts or journalists on the battlefield, if you’re not streaming yourself (I think it depends on the streamer).
The NT1 Gen 5 is a great mic and very versatile, but most users don’t need that much versatility. The Rode NT-USB+ is a great USB mic with on-mic control for $100 less, and the Rode PodMic is a solid XLR mic for just $99, both at 5th Gen NT1 prices. Of course, when recording in 32-bit floating point, this is a fairly budget-friendly option.
