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For more than three decades the RØDE NT1 has been the microphone a lot of people buy when they get serious about recording at home. RØDE says the NT1 was first introduced in 1991 and calls it the world's most popular studio microphone. The 5th Generation model keeps the part people liked, a quiet, warm sounding large diaphragm condenser, and adds something no earlier NT1 had: a USB output, so the same mic can run straight into a computer.
What it is
The NT1 5th Generation is a large diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone built around RØDE's HF6 1 inch true condenser capsule. Cardioid means it picks up mostly from the front and rejects sound from the rear, which helps in untreated rooms. RØDE lists a smooth frequency response, high sensitivity and high SPL handling, so it can sit in front of a quiet vocal or a loud guitar amp. RØDE designs and makes it at its own facilities in Sydney, Australia, and offers it in black or silver with an aluminium body. Setup steps and specs are in the official NT1 5th Generation user guide.
Very low self noise
The figure RØDE leads with is self noise. Every condenser produces a small amount of hiss from its own electronics, and lower is better, especially for quiet sources like spoken word and acoustic guitar. RØDE rates the NT1 5th Generation at 4dBA and calls it the world's quietest studio condenser microphone. In practice that means you can raise the gain on a soft performance without the background hiss becoming part of the recording.
Dual Connect: XLR or USB
The headline change is what RØDE calls Dual Connect. The mic has both an XLR output and a USB output. Over XLR it behaves like a classic studio condenser and plugs into an audio interface or mixer that supplies phantom power. If you already own a good interface, see our guide to the best audio interfaces for home recording; this is the route you will likely use.
Over USB, the microphone becomes its own interface. RØDE says it has a professional grade interface built in, with its Revolution Preamp, analog to digital conversion at up to 192kHz and on board digital signal processing. That makes it possible to record studio quality audio with nothing but the mic and a laptop.
32 bit float recording
The USB output can record in 32 bit float, which RØDE describes as a world first for a studio microphone and calls unclippable. With a normal 24 bit recording, if the singer suddenly belts and the level goes over the top, that peak is distorted for good. A 32 bit float file has so much headroom that you can turn an overloaded take down afterwards and recover it cleanly. RØDE says this lets you record everything from a whisper to a scream without worrying about setting gain. You need recording software that supports 32 bit float, and on Windows RØDE provides a custom ASIO driver that also lets you run up to eight NT1 5th Generation mics over USB at once.
Built in processing
When you use the digital output, the on board DSP can apply APHEX processing, including compression, a high pass filter, a noise gate and the APHEX Aural Exciter and Big Bottom effects. You set these up in RØDE's free RØDE Connect and RØDE Central apps, either with the simple VoxLab editor or the advanced editor. This is useful for podcasters and streamers who want a finished sound without learning a full mixing chain. If you are tracking music, you may prefer to record clean and process later.
What comes in the box
- A studio grade shock mount
- A pop filter
- An XLR cable with Neutrik connectors and Canare cabling
- A USB-C cable
That is a complete starter kit apart from a stand. Few studio mics at this level include a shock mount and pop filter as standard.
How it compares
The NT1 5th Generation is a step up from entry level condensers such as the Audio-Technica AT2020, mostly in its lower noise, included accessories and USB option. If you are deciding between a condenser and a dynamic mic in the first place, our guide to condenser vs dynamic microphones walks through the tradeoffs, and our list of the best microphones for home recording covers other options.
Who it is for
- Buy it if you record vocals, voiceover or acoustic instruments in a quiet room and want one mic that works with or without an interface
- Buy it if you podcast or stream and like the safety of 32 bit float
- Skip it if you record in a loud, untreated space or mostly on stage, where a dynamic mic is often the better tool
Where to buy
NT1 5th Generation at RØDE
RØDE NT1 5th Generation in silver
RØDE NT1 5th Generation in black
For more recording gear, browse our home studio hub.
