Sunday, March 27, 2011

NT1-A

Today I think I'll start off my reviews of microphones, starting with one of my personal favorites, the Rode NT1-A.

The NT1-A is a large diaphragm condenser microphone, slightly tweaked from the original NT1 and released in an anniversary package which includes...
the NT1-A, neat little felt bag, 6ft XLR cable, and a shockmount with a fabric popscreen attached. The NT1-A is a pretty significant upgrade from the NT1, having all its circuitry redone and its frequency response extended on both ends.

This is a phenomenal microphone. It's marketed as the quietest microphone available, referring to its super low self-noise, and for good reason. You have to crank the input of this microphone up pretty high to hear its own workings sound off, and before that you can pretty much hear EVERYTHING that is happening in the room that it's in and noises coming from your body you didn't know you were making. The NT1A is great for recording all types of vocals, acoustic instruments like guitars, woodwinds, piano and brass on occasion, and can even make a great overhead for drum kits.

The rest of the anniversary package is alright. The XLR cable is just a stock cable who's manufacturer doesn't stick out in my mind right now, nothing special. The sockmount is also ok, although the pop filter can't be taken off of it which is pretty annoying. Where the pop filter connects to the shockmount is pretty flimsy, mine has pretty much broken off already. If I move it wrong it may snap off at this point. But other than that the NT1A is a great addition to any studio!

EDIT: Since so many people asked, the anniversary package can be picked up for around $230 USD so you might be able to pick it up on it's own for less, while getting a stereo matched pair can cost up to $600

19 comments:

  1. this could be something for me to look into later. thanks

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  2. I've been thinking of getting a new microphone to make samples for my music, this seems perfect!

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  3. What does one of these cost? It looks like a great microphone for someone serious about getting good sound.

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  4. yes, it looks like proffesional ****

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  5. If I ever start podcasting, I'll know what to get.

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  6. This new version seems to be a really nice upgrade from the older version!

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  7. This is information I can use.

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  8. I was wondering the same as Emogoth, how much is the cost? I think you should include that in the review. It's great though! :)

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  9. If I was into music recording, I'd invest in one of these

    Sadly I'm not

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  10. Great mic, but i think i can't afford to buy it :(

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  11. If only it was smaller, something that can be kept on a body thats moving. But you just don't get good sound on microphones that are that small.

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  12. never thought about professional mics. theyre always so expensive ._.

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  13. Nice review :) True about the money part :P

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  14. it looks nice. But you should review them comparing price as well.

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  15. So if I just want to record talking, what do you suggest?

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  16. Well it really depends, this is a pretty pricey microphone to just do podcasts, you can get dynamic mic for way cheaper like a shure SM57 or even some other cheaper one, and there wouldn't be too much difference in quality
    Don't get me wrong though, this thing is awesome and records amazingly

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  17. hmm... so with that thing I could record everything. not in one set but seperately.

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