DO NOT contact anyone on Telegram (or other service) that is pretending to be me and claiming you won something. I am not giving anything away. They are scammers trying to steal your money and data.
Honestly the 32 bit float is the main attraction for me. As an audiobook narrator, the ability to perform at full range without worrying about clipping is a HUGE selling point.
This review kind of blows all the other reviews completely out of the water. It's SO to-the-point, there's very little fluff and the microphone comparisons with the palette cleansers are perfect. You are clearly someone who is qualified to talk about microphone performance and this feels like a very reliable review. You cover an awful lot of potential uses; I especially like the comparison between treated/untreated recording space, which most reviewers tend to neglect. Thanks for the fab vid!
That's very kind of you to say Liam. Thank you very much for those kind words and for watching the video. There are plenty of fantastic audio reviewers on RUclips who do a great job, but I'm happy the video helped inform you more on the microphone. Have a great weekend.
That mic seems hard to beat. Sounded great on all the sound tests, it can bail you out if you accidentally put your gain too high, has USB and XLR so you can use it just about anywhere, and the famous NT1 super low noise. If I was only going to have one mic forever that's probably the one I'd get.
my brother you're speaking straight from my soul. that's why i got it. so happy with it and i don't even know if i'll ever need to get another one, other than the 6th gen of course.
@@SteveEricJordan have you ever had any latency problems with type-c connection? I saw a few things on the internet and im confused now but cant find any videos about it.
I have owned and used many mics, and my favorite was the NT1 4th gen, paired with a Focusrite 2i2. Since buying the NT1 5th gen, I don’t even use the Focusrite anymore. I have switched my main mic to the NT1 5th gen in USB mode. 32-bit float recording was a game changer for me. As a voice-over artist, Trying to scream without screaming is hard and sounds forced. Now I can act and not worry about doing pick-ups afterward. Huge time saver. I still use my MV7 when doing live things like podcasts or remote meetings. The NT1 is super sensitive and picks up a lot of noise you may not want (I’m looking at you, mouth noise) All things considered, this mic is worth getting. As an aside, I have never found a condenser mic that sounds good with my voice. It is low and soft, a deadly combination for most mics. Even a Shure SM7B doesn’t sound good. I need to EQ things to remove the base and low-minds, + boost the mid highs to bring out the quality in my voice. That being said, using the DAC built into the mic goes a long way towards making me sound good. Just my $.02 worth.
Was seriously contemplating getting the Lewitt LCT 440 months ago, I'm glad I waited this NT1 5th gen is really the next level it doesn't have the harshness the 440 has, thank you!!!
I rarely come back here, but this channel was the first thing I thought of when Rode announced this mic. The previous NT1 was already pretty incredible.
This is hands down, the most informative NT1 5th Gen comparison/review video I seen on RUclips. Thank you very much for making this, as this really help me decide if I'm going to upgrade from a NT1-A.
@@Alex-bl8uh Curious. What has been your experience with 5th Gen and why do you think it's not a worthy upgrade? I want multiple POVs so I don't waste my money lol!
That really means a lot to me. Thank you for the kind words, I'm very glad to know that the video helped you make a more informed decision. I hope you're getting some great recording done.
Melody is similar to the Phantom of the Opera theme, but the chord progression is a very common harmonic sequence used in the baroque period called the descending circle of 5ths sequence. The melody may very well have been used elsewhere but that's what I think of when I use it: Andrew Lloyd Webber, or Handel lol
32-bit float is the perfect thing for 1 person operations where you can't do everything at the same time, like monitor and change your settings while recording, because you are also performing. Since it's limited to the USB side of this mic, I can see mostly podcasters or video producers benefiting from it. For most other situations, you would really want to use the XLR cable to connect with. I just got one of the TASCAM X8 recorders with 32-bit float recording to use when I play live or record videos. Hopefully this will help with my 'guessing' at mic levels and save some otherwise overloaded recordings.
The only situation other than recording sound effects that I can think of for 32-bit float is for initially live sound that you'd want to clean up in post. For example, say you're doing a live broadcast of a local event like a parade or festival, and you suddenly encounter a louder sound than you had planned for in your gain staging process. You'd then be able to go in after the fact and bring the level down in the recorded file. Sure, processing in the live broadcast itself would help prevent that, but not everyone has that capacity.
@@fuchidawagyu7815 No - the U87 was clearly a better sounding mic - cleaner too listening back just now. I think I was referring more to the other budget level mics.
@@patrickgleason6610 the latency issues with this mic kill the USB mode operation, I work as a voice-over there has to be zero latency (singers using headphones will be the same).
Recording in 32-bit float is useful when you record a source that can go from very quiet to very loud and you don't know how loud this loud may get. Mastering in 32-bit allows you not to alter the original file, so you can easily undo this or that digital effect, if the software is designed that way.
Thanks for the review. Even not considering the floating point feature, it’s nice that the mic has a usb-c output so you don’t have to panic without an interface
The chord progression is actually very popular and Johann Sebastian Bach was very well known for using the circle 5th progression. You can find it in his work, to church songs like You are my Hiding Place, or even in Deep Purple's opening track to their 1987 LP Burn.
I had a 4th gen NT1, sold it because of how much room it took in, saying that it "picks up" a lot of the room is a major understatement. When I moved my set-up from a living room with a bunch of furniture to a room without anything around the microphone sounded worse than a cheap headset because of the excess in reverbiness. On a treated room that thing is a workhorse though.
You are a saint. Talking people down from buying gear they don't need. Your reviews are second to none in quality and entertainment. I slightly favor the 4th gens sound. The 32 bit float would be very beneficial for some creators but I think I'll get the 4th gen second hand and maybe eventually get a 32 bit audio interface when the tech further develops
Hey Bandrew, last time I left a long term review, you appreciated it, so here goes another. I bought this microphone based on your review about a year ago. And it's been fantastic! I only record vocals and this was an upgrade from the AT2020. While the end mixed result may be about the same, there's a huge difference in the tracking process. The NT1 5th gen sounds very clear and detailed and it easily brings the best performance out of me. So, yeah, thanks for another great recommendation :)
I’m buying one. Totally want the freedom to do sfx and explore the inner realms of the body of sounds. I would love to hear you explore sound fx capturing to see how far you can go with this mic.
Please note that you can not monitor directly from the mic if you use the USB C connection. I have suggested Rode develop an adaptor to allow headphone output and monitoring.
Very like the sound. 🧡 and its appearance, cool looking mic. I think might be a good one for teaching, in appropriate environment. It seems with XLR there is some more fullness. Also I think that this “some” improvement costs an amount of additional good interface if this is the first such a mic. :) The ability to use it without an extra interface might be interesting for some. Thanks for the review 🙌
As someone that's only concerned about the XLR connectivity, in terms of sound I'd say this new NT1 is a step backwards. It's super sibilant once again, sort of like the NT1-A or the Behringer TM1. The previous black NT1 remains a much better microphone.
Thank you for talking me off the ledge. I really like this mic. I even want this mic. But I do not need this mic. In fact, in my untreated space, I don’t think I could use this mic effectively. Nice slide whistle!
Love your content, you made it easy for me to purchase the NT1 5th gen , and it definitely sounds good with the UA Volt 276 interface. You should do a combination mic and interface compression vid on these. It definitely sounds really good for a budget set up. Keep up the good work 💯
I found the 5th Gen Rode NT1 to be too contrasting to my liking and I like the 4th Gen better than the 5th Gen. Also, just set your levels before you hit record so that you can avoid clipping. 32-bit float is great, but 24-bit is fine for me until I get it down to 16-bit for final multimedia production. If I am right, each bit represents 6dB, so 16-bit at 96dB is fine for just about every listeners who don't live in a quiet environment such as a whole-house air conditioner running in the background. Would I buy the microphone for 32-bit float? No.
I think the 4th gen is better than the 5th gen, the treble of the 5th gen is a bit rough I still prefer ksm32! Can we have a comparison video with PGA27, SM27, Beta27? thanks！!
Yeah, I imagine Rode isn't intending for the 5th gen to be a full-on replacement for the NT1 4th gen, but rather just another option for people who may not already have a good LDC, or are looking for a decent LDC with flexible connectivity (I'd recommend this over any of the other similarly priced USB-capable LDCs available right now). The slightly improved noise-floor is probably just a "might as well because we can for no extra effort" from Rode; 4dB vs 5dB self-noise is not going to make a difference in virtually any conceivable recording situation, and it otherwise sounds identical. I'm just hoping we'll see a price drop on the 4th gen, because currently its still at $269 while the 5th gen is available for $249.
I must be losing my mind but the NT2A and the Shure KSM32 sounded clearer and smoother that this new Mic to my ears. However I did think the Rode NT1 5th held up surprisingly well to the U87.
I've done recordings of brass band competitions and 32 bit float is definitely helpful - one less things to worry about. There's no chance to do sound checks because the performing band is changing and they can play from ppp to fff very quickly.
Reasons why this is my dream mic : 1. USB / XLR Functionality 2. Powerful Onboard DSP (Live Audio Processing [Rode Central / Rode Connect] , Reduced Latency and CPU Load) 3. 32 Bit Float
great channels and tests. Thanks for putting so many "S" in the tests. One sound that I feel could be missing is "clap", "clip" or even "polka" : saying " clipping polka claps" or similar words are likely to trick many microphone for transients (many wont translate it well especially in proximity , I think that's because of the SPL range) . Would love a Rode K2 (tube) test (don't buy one though, lol).
That melody started out a direct copy of the Phantom of the Opera Overture. It kinda fell apart as you went on. I’m very impressed by the mic so it’ll likely be a next purchase next time I’m looking for an LDC. I’m using the Zoom UAC-232 which also has 32-bit float and it’s a godsend for quickly getting a recording without needing to worry about clipping.
Yeah that seems to be what I was thinking of. Thanks. Glad the video was able to help you identify if the mic was right for you or not. Happy recording.
As more devices and software support 32-bit float, and if online conference software like Zoom support 32-bit float, they can reduce clipped audio before sending each packet out. That would be very interesting.
Would like to see the Earthworks Ethos tossed in as a reference mic, fwiw I found this Rode to be rather meh, seems to be missing something with your voice. Thanks for the review!
I have the 4th gen and I think I prefer the sound of the 4th gen a bit. Yet they sound pretty similar -- closer than the comparison between Nt1 4th and Nt1a. Bandrew is right. The new one is fantastic but it's unnecessary to sell the old to fetch the new.
May be itˋs just my hearing ( Austrian Audio Hi-X 60 with an old Apogee Elements 46 interface), but ist seems to be a regular old NT-1A (same housing, for starters) equipped with an USB-C port and the 32 Bit float technology. When compared to the 4th gen it sounded just like that, and reminded me of the NT 1-A to NT 1 4th gen comparisons from years back. Surely would explain the price difference to the original NT-1 Always great comparison videos, very consistent and increasingly funny. Thanks for that, Bandrew
Thanks for the review. No headphone output= much less useful. 32 bit float= groovy but not a "game changer." Sounds like a Rode to me, similar to the NT1A. The 4th Gen sounds a little better to me.
Bandrew thanks for the honest interview. I can always trust someone who comes across genuine like you. I think this is perfect for the absolute beginner or def gamers .Super affordable as far as nice go and decent sound with the clip gain thing. Cool mic.
Yes, I agree, 32-bit float for this type of microphone is not so necessary. For field recording - in Zoom F3, F6, Tascam X8, Sound Devices Mix Pre - yes, it's very handy, but in the studio microphone? I don't think so ;)
Yes and no . Your logic is sound but this is not really a studio mic. More a home studio novice mic or total amateur, people who have no idea about gain staging and in that respect it could be kind of useful.
The NT1 sounds really thin in USB mode. In XLR mode it reminds me more of the NT1A than the 4th generation NT1, and I prefer the tone of the 4th generation - although it's close. I do think this will be a very popular microphone, though, for a host of applications.
The 5th gen has to be an updated NT1a. I'm convinced of it. That's why they left the 4th gen on the market at the higher price point. The 4th gen just sounds better. But the 5th gen sounds fantastic too, so it's really personal preference.
Not sure if the song your thinking of is the Phantom Of The Opera but I am catching a bit of that in the song you made. Anyone else or am I just crazy?
Maybe my ears are shot but I feel like it didn't sound too different between the AT2020 or even some of the pricier mics. I did notice a lil pickup in the bass to lo-mid frequencies compared to cheaper mics, and the Neumann's had more clarity to me, but I'd say it stood it's own. Almost makes me wanna look at cheaper mics though, that AT2020 didn't sound too bad to my tired ears...
The melody might be Melissa by Por*o Graffitti, it's the same harmonic structure, or maybe Fly me to the moon, Idk there's problably a lot more songs that use that harmonic structure, I guess the more the merrier, love those chords!
Hello Podcastage, I hope you can help me with my issue. My RODE NT1-SS Suddenly producing white noise/static noise only. Before, recording on 11 o clock gain is okay. But now it seems the mic is not working. Tried it on different interface and XLR cables. Still same output. Help pls.
Being able to normalize something clipping that heavily is extremely impressive. I wonder if there are any quality differences between that and something recorded with the correct gain staging.
Effectively? No. We focus way too much on questions like this as audiofools lol. As a 25+ year industry engineer, I can honestly say that recording with a mic this neutral and clean can yield any sound you want to shape, as long as you’re good at shaping efficiently (any decent engineer should be, but most of us are not interested or can’t be bothered). If you take this mic direct into your computer and compare the signal to what we fought tooth and nail to scrape by with in the 60’s/70’s/80’s (even 90’s+ but especially talking tape machines etc.), you have WAY more to work with than was even imaginable back then. And there are 10,001 ways to f*** that signal up sexily and make it sound like a good ole 70’s recording if that’s what you want 😂 trust me. It all comes down to the final product, and any engineer worth half their weight would be more than happy to get talent on this mic at 32 float than many of the unbelievable things that happen in the industry instead (clients recording crap on their phones or STILL not knowing how to use a gain knob 🤦🤦🤦)
I was gonna get nt usb+ and i thought maybe I get nt usb mini which is half the price or save up to get XLR mic with an audio interface and out of nowhere this came out for 50% more than the nt usb+ in my region I think this is the best mic I can get my hand on and It would probably last a very long long time in my hands. thanks for your awesome reviews.
32-bit float seems like fun. I will be trying it out soon in the new interface I got. With that said, sounds like something that would make karaoke nights easier. 🤣. Honestly was surprised how good the usb sounded vs xlr. Still doesn't seem like a mic I care for sound wise with but that is just me. For a lot it would be just fine.
I have heard this mic tested in other reviews and I keep hearing the same thing. The mic in USB sounds more full, more of a broadcast sound design, mid neutral with smoother transitions between the frequency spectrum. In XLR mode it sounds a bit sibilant to me, less smooth across the spectrum and a bit thin but bright. A personal preference thing. Nothing that can't be corrected but does require some EQ. Other than that, pretty nice.
ARGH!!! I have to admit this one sounds better than all the others: Goodbye Neumann! And the dullness (or is it dullity, English is not my first language) of the 4th gen is gone! I may actually have to buy it. (EDIT) I just ordered one.
The NT1 Signature sounds like it is halfway between the 4th gen NT1 and the NT1a. Personally I think the NT1a is a frightfully bright mic and pretty unpleasant sounding so the extra brightness of the Signature over the 4th gen NT1 isn't a good thing. The rather balanced sound of the 4th gen was a pretty cool mic for its price but the Signature is just another overly bright condenser that I have no use for.
The only reason for me to get a NT1 5thG. would be USB with 32bit. Just as a mic it is in a narrow price range. NT1a is cheeper and NT1000 is better (ok, better than the old NT1) and many ohter nice mics are in the range. But i do not travel a lot and have to record somewhere and be happy to pung in the USB calble and do not need an interface.
So it seems like if you are using it for twitch/gaming, this thing will pick up the keyboard like crazy. Dang, it sounded amazing I was about to get it. Glad I seen this video
The 5th Gen is just a marketing tactic. Most ppl don't need a 32 bit float. But it's always a great feature if u want to sing without keeping a check on the gain. The quality while singing will be the same. So do you want to spend that extra money in a 32 bit float or are u comfortable with the previous mics? I personally feel Rode shud have come up with some out of the box features. I personally will still opt for Rode NT1 4th gen or the Rode NT1-A. Best choice!
If you have the NT1 4th gen already, absolutely keep rocking it and getting great sounding recordings. I always advocate for only upgrading when you are trying to solve a specific problem. Don't upgrade for the sake of upgrading or for the sake of shiny new toy syndrome.
Thanks, I definitely had the urge to buy it, but I already have a previous version of this mic. Doesn't make sense for me to purchase it at this time :)
you forgot to let it drop from chest distance to a hard floor before continuing, this things accidents happens all the time, and this way we would know if its a durable microphone.
Thanks for these reviews, so helpful. Was wondering if I could ask you, how the netflix show “you” gets such a bright sound with the actor sounding like they are so close to the mic? Is it because of the preamp they use or what?
I haven’t see the show, but I’d hazard a guess that they’re using an MKH 416 boomed over the talent. That mic is standard in film and voice over and created the iconic “IN A WORLD” sound, and can do this from a reasonable distance because of its tight and long super/hyper cardioid polar pattern. Preamps are not going to do something like that to the sound of a mic. Marketing and folklore have made preamps a huge topic of gear snobbery - people often say silly things like “don’t bother using a U87 unless you have [x] or [y] preamp”, when in reality these families of mics made historic recordings into console preamps without half the bandwidth and depth of our modern standardized designs - yes, preamps you’ll find in most any decent interface. A 1073, Red 7 or any other *sexy* preamp will just affect the harmonic distortion, dynamics, frequency response, and noise qualities of a mic, also having to do with impedance - whereas a standard modern pre will fairly reflect the default sound of the mic itself, like it or not. TLDR: haven’t seen the show, but sounds like an MKH 416 boomed off camera, not something a preamp would do.
@@CirclesandSounds I know what a raw MKh 416 and neuman u87 sounds like. You don’t get sound from a raw according like that that I know. There has to be more to it that’s why I wanted the pro to answer not to guess thanks for your input though.
I have a question man. Is about a couple other mics but you seem to be the only one on RUclips that I think can answer this question since you have them both. Basically I’m going to get either the Manley Reference or the Telefunken TF51. I honestly care more about your opinion than the price of each or what I would save or could. Naturally one is inclined to think the Manley has to be it since it’s more expensive. But I really liked what I heard from the Telefunken too. Even from other singers singing through it with no effects or compression or anything. I guess my real question would be which one sits more upfront in the mix or better in the mix right from the first recording, without adding any eq and stuff? You can say I’m a pop vocalist and maybe Rock but i do other genres as well. I know this can be a difficult question to answer but if you can I would so appreciate it man. And I know your thing with Manley and all that trouble you went through and the technical issues at first and stuff. But ultimately if you put that all aside, sound quality wise and sitting in the mix well as is, which one would you say has the edge over the other? Thanks so much man! This is a topic no one is discussing and I think (I may be wrong) that they have similarities and it would be tricky for a buyer like me to decide on which one to pull the trigger on. Thanks again! I really hope you read this lolol I know you got many many comments!!
Yeah. The microphone kind of built Rode. Wasn't it their first mic and they've just updated it and improved upon it and then rolled out other products along side it?
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The beginning sounds like: You are my hiding place - what is a Christian song.. but maybe there was a similar melody in some 90´s techno… Great MIC .. thanks for the review, might buy it
Hey Andrew… nice review…have this mic and enjoy it… NEW NEWS…. I am also a Logic Pro user and 10.7.5 and newer (10.7.7 now) supports 32 bit float. Whoo hoo.
DO NOT contact anyone on Telegram (or other service) that is pretending to be me and claiming you won something. I am not giving anything away. They are scammers trying to steal your money and data.
Hello! Can you help me with an advice please. In this moment i have a nt1a. Do you think is an upgrade tot change it with a nt1? Thanks!
Honestly the 32 bit float is the main attraction for me. As an audiobook narrator, the ability to perform at full range without worrying about clipping is a HUGE selling point.
Do you have any tips to improve diction?
That's an interesting alternative if you don't want to use compression or limiting.
This review kind of blows all the other reviews completely out of the water. It's SO to-the-point, there's very little fluff and the microphone comparisons with the palette cleansers are perfect. You are clearly someone who is qualified to talk about microphone performance and this feels like a very reliable review. You cover an awful lot of potential uses; I especially like the comparison between treated/untreated recording space, which most reviewers tend to neglect. Thanks for the fab vid!
That's very kind of you to say Liam. Thank you very much for those kind words and for watching the video. There are plenty of fantastic audio reviewers on RUclips who do a great job, but I'm happy the video helped inform you more on the microphone. Have a great weekend.
That mic seems hard to beat. Sounded great on all the sound tests, it can bail you out if you accidentally put your gain too high, has USB and XLR so you can use it just about anywhere, and the famous NT1 super low noise. If I was only going to have one mic forever that's probably the one I'd get.
my brother you're speaking straight from my soul.
that's why i got it. so happy with it and i don't even know if i'll ever need to get another one, other than the 6th gen of course.
@@SteveEricJordan have you ever had any latency problems with type-c connection? I saw a few things on the internet and im confused now but cant find any videos about it.
I have owned and used many mics, and my favorite was the NT1 4th gen, paired with a Focusrite 2i2. Since buying the NT1 5th gen, I don’t even use the Focusrite anymore. I have switched my main mic to the NT1 5th gen in USB mode. 32-bit float recording was a game changer for me. As a voice-over artist, Trying to scream without screaming is hard and sounds forced. Now I can act and not worry about doing pick-ups afterward. Huge time saver.
I still use my MV7 when doing live things like podcasts or remote meetings. The NT1 is super sensitive and picks up a lot of noise you may not want (I’m looking at you, mouth noise) All things considered, this mic is worth getting. As an aside, I have never found a condenser mic that sounds good with my voice. It is low and soft, a deadly combination for most mics. Even a Shure SM7B doesn’t sound good. I need to EQ things to remove the base and low-minds, + boost the mid highs to bring out the quality in my voice. That being said, using the DAC built into the mic goes a long way towards making me sound good. Just my $.02 worth.
Which DAW are you using?
I use Audition on PC, and apparently, that doesn't support 32-float....on a PC vs Mac.
Thanks.
Was seriously contemplating getting the Lewitt LCT 440 months ago, I'm glad I waited this NT1 5th gen is really the next level it doesn't have the harshness the 440 has, thank you!!!
I rarely come back here, but this channel was the first thing I thought of when Rode announced this mic. The previous NT1 was already pretty incredible.
NT1 gen 4 is still winner.
This is hands down, the most informative NT1 5th Gen comparison/review video I seen on RUclips. Thank you very much for making this, as this really help me decide if I'm going to upgrade from a NT1-A.
Not worthy of an upgrade from a nt1 a at all.
@@Alex-bl8uh Curious. What has been your experience with 5th Gen and why do you think it's not a worthy upgrade? I want multiple POVs so I don't waste my money lol!
@@Alex-bl8uh I agree I got it and it definitely not the sound I need it’s not crisp enough for studio recordings as far and rap and it is very low
@HonorFlowProductions of course it's not a worthy upgrade. Nt1 isn't even double the price of the nt a. So it can't be a significant enough upgrade.
That really means a lot to me. Thank you for the kind words, I'm very glad to know that the video helped you make a more informed decision. I hope you're getting some great recording done.
Melody is similar to the Phantom of the Opera theme, but the chord progression is a very common harmonic sequence used in the baroque period called the descending circle of 5ths sequence. The melody may very well have been used elsewhere but that's what I think of when I use it: Andrew Lloyd Webber, or Handel lol
32-bit float is the perfect thing for 1 person operations where you can't do everything at the same time, like monitor and change your settings while recording, because you are also performing. Since it's limited to the USB side of this mic, I can see mostly podcasters or video producers benefiting from it. For most other situations, you would really want to use the XLR cable to connect with. I just got one of the TASCAM X8 recorders with 32-bit float recording to use when I play live or record videos. Hopefully this will help with my 'guessing' at mic levels and save some otherwise overloaded recordings.
The only situation other than recording sound effects that I can think of for 32-bit float is for initially live sound that you'd want to clean up in post. For example, say you're doing a live broadcast of a local event like a parade or festival, and you suddenly encounter a louder sound than you had planned for in your gain staging process. You'd then be able to go in after the fact and bring the level down in the recorded file. Sure, processing in the live broadcast itself would help prevent that, but not everyone has that capacity.
Wow - there's a real richness to the NT1 that none of the other mics in the shootout seem to have. Nice review!
Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts on it. The NT1 is a great mic for sure.
Patrick even the U87? I feel it sounded better than the NT1.
@@fuchidawagyu7815 No - the U87 was clearly a better sounding mic - cleaner too listening back just now. I think I was referring more to the other budget level mics.
@@patrickgleason6610 the latency issues with this mic kill the USB mode operation, I work as a voice-over there has to be zero latency (singers using headphones will be the same).
Recording in 32-bit float is useful when you record a source that can go from very quiet to very loud and you don't know how loud this loud may get. Mastering in 32-bit allows you not to alter the original file, so you can easily undo this or that digital effect, if the software is designed that way.
Thanks for the review. Even not considering the floating point feature, it’s nice that the mic has a usb-c output so you don’t have to panic without an interface
The chord progression is actually very popular and Johann Sebastian Bach was very well known for using the circle 5th progression. You can find it in his work, to church songs like You are my Hiding Place, or even in Deep Purple's opening track to their 1987 LP Burn.
I had a 4th gen NT1, sold it because of how much room it took in, saying that it "picks up" a lot of the room is a major understatement. When I moved my set-up from a living room with a bunch of furniture to a room without anything around the microphone sounded worse than a cheap headset because of the excess in reverbiness. On a treated room that thing is a workhorse though.
you really can work around it with proper gain staging, performance, and gating. I agree it is very touchy, but the pay off has been worth it for me
Bandrew, please PLEASE do the Austrian Audio OC16. It's a hidden gem that should be getting a lot more love and attention.
Totally agree with you
Until Bandrew reviews it BoothJunkie reviewed it.
I’m saying!!!
Buy it and send it to him. This stuff ain’t cheap lol
@@suncworm he probably has it already but other things in line and finishing touches in recording. Eventually will review it and upload it.
You are a saint. Talking people down from buying gear they don't need. Your reviews are second to none in quality and entertainment.
I slightly favor the 4th gens sound. The 32 bit float would be very beneficial for some creators but I think I'll get the 4th gen second hand and maybe eventually get a 32 bit audio interface when the tech further develops
Great point you just made. I agree. I didn't not to purchase it, even tho I want it. I have the 4th gen.
@@Selftaught4 gen is better.
Dude, your review is exactly what all reviews of anything tech should be. That's amazing. You did a really good job
That's very kind of you to say. Hope the video helped and I hope you have a great weekend. Thanks for watching.
Hey Bandrew, last time I left a long term review, you appreciated it, so here goes another. I bought this microphone based on your review about a year ago. And it's been fantastic! I only record vocals and this was an upgrade from the AT2020. While the end mixed result may be about the same, there's a huge difference in the tracking process. The NT1 5th gen sounds very clear and detailed and it easily brings the best performance out of me. So, yeah, thanks for another great recommendation :)
You have the most comprehensive reviews. Thank you.
I’m buying one. Totally want the freedom to do sfx and explore the inner realms of the body of sounds. I would love to hear you explore sound fx capturing to see how far you can go with this mic.
Please note that you can not monitor directly from the mic if you use the USB C connection. I have suggested Rode develop an adaptor to allow headphone output and monitoring.
Very like the sound. 🧡 and its appearance, cool looking mic. I think might be a good one for teaching, in appropriate environment. It seems with XLR there is some more fullness. Also I think that this “some” improvement costs an amount of additional good interface if this is the first such a mic. :) The ability to use it without an extra interface might be interesting for some. Thanks for the review 🙌
I feel the NT1 5th resonates on your voice. I watched the episode on headphones & in the comparison it was pretty evident :D
As someone that's only concerned about the XLR connectivity, in terms of sound I'd say this new NT1 is a step backwards. It's super sibilant once again, sort of like the NT1-A or the Behringer TM1. The previous black NT1 remains a much better microphone.
NT1 gen 4 is still winner.
Lewitt 440 sounds awesome
Thank you for talking me off the ledge. I really like this mic. I even want this mic. But I do not need this mic.
In fact, in my untreated space, I don’t think I could use this mic effectively.
Nice slide whistle!
Love your content, you made it easy for me to purchase the NT1 5th gen , and it definitely sounds good with the UA Volt 276 interface. You should do a combination mic and interface compression vid on these. It definitely sounds really good for a budget set up. Keep up the good work 💯
Really glad the videos were able to help. Best of luck on the recording.
I found the 5th Gen Rode NT1 to be too contrasting to my liking and I like the 4th Gen better than the 5th Gen.
Also, just set your levels before you hit record so that you can avoid clipping. 32-bit float is great, but 24-bit is fine for me until I get it down to 16-bit for final multimedia production. If I am right, each bit represents 6dB, so 16-bit at 96dB is fine for just about every listeners who don't live in a quiet environment such as a whole-house air conditioner running in the background. Would I buy the microphone for 32-bit float? No.
I think the 4th gen is better than the 5th gen, the treble of the 5th gen is a bit rough
I still prefer ksm32!
Can we have a comparison video with PGA27, SM27, Beta27? thanks！!
True.
Solid review as always. I won’t be upgrading from my 4th gen but maybe in the future.
Yeah, I imagine Rode isn't intending for the 5th gen to be a full-on replacement for the NT1 4th gen, but rather just another option for people who may not already have a good LDC, or are looking for a decent LDC with flexible connectivity (I'd recommend this over any of the other similarly priced USB-capable LDCs available right now). The slightly improved noise-floor is probably just a "might as well because we can for no extra effort" from Rode; 4dB vs 5dB self-noise is not going to make a difference in virtually any conceivable recording situation, and it otherwise sounds identical. I'm just hoping we'll see a price drop on the 4th gen, because currently its still at $269 while the 5th gen is available for $249.
I must be losing my mind but the NT2A and the Shure KSM32 sounded clearer and smoother that this new Mic to my ears. However I did think the Rode NT1 5th held up surprisingly well to the U87.
You can save some bucks and get the Shure KSM42...same sound, no hi pass and padding...
@@vincemelamed Thank you!
totally agree with u. I was surprised with nt2a, and the last two Neumann mics sounded great.
fantastic work on this one, really wish it came with a mute button though. kinda a miss
I've done recordings of brass band competitions and 32 bit float is definitely helpful - one less things to worry about. There's no chance to do sound checks because the performing band is changing and they can play from ppp to fff very quickly.
Do the analog gain stages not clip?
32bit is only avalaible via USB-c, how do you commutate it in stage environment?
Reasons why this is my dream mic :
1. USB / XLR Functionality
2. Powerful Onboard DSP (Live Audio Processing [Rode Central / Rode Connect] , Reduced Latency and CPU Load)
3. 32 Bit Float
I would love to see a review of the JZ v12 (especially compared to the oc818)! Love the great work Bandrew!
I think this is gonna be my new main mic, so excited
BEST REVIEW ive seen. thank you for perfectly getting to the point. many comparisons back and forth. funny. puttin knowledge in. cool
Thank you for the very kind words. Happy to know it was enjoyable.
Thank you greatly for the value videos over the years! Keep up the amazing work!
You're welcome Dean. Thank you very much for the kind words and for watching .
i would like to request you review the rode NTK tube mic. You do a very good job with your reviews. proceed sir.
great channels and tests. Thanks for putting so many "S" in the tests. One sound that I feel could be missing is "clap", "clip" or even "polka" : saying " clipping polka claps" or similar words are likely to trick many microphone for transients (many wont translate it well especially in proximity , I think that's because of the SPL range) . Would love a Rode K2 (tube) test (don't buy one though, lol).
Too late. I bought Rode's tube mics a few years ago. Just haven't gotten around to reviewing them yet.
as always Thank you a TON for your GREAT content .
much love , and i was waiting for the sm7b for comparison , any way You are THE ABSOLUTE SOURCE
That melody started out a direct copy of the Phantom of the Opera Overture. It kinda fell apart as you went on.
I’m very impressed by the mic so it’ll likely be a next purchase next time I’m looking for an LDC. I’m using the Zoom UAC-232 which also has 32-bit float and it’s a godsend for quickly getting a recording without needing to worry about clipping.
Yeah that seems to be what I was thinking of. Thanks. Glad the video was able to help you identify if the mic was right for you or not. Happy recording.
Ty so much for all of your work. It's fascinating and so important for consumers.
As more devices and software support 32-bit float, and if online conference software like Zoom support 32-bit float, they can reduce clipped audio before sending each packet out. That would be very interesting.
Would like to see the Earthworks Ethos tossed in as a reference mic, fwiw I found this Rode to be rather meh, seems to be missing something with your voice. Thanks for the review!
I'd like to see it compared to the Earthworks Icon USB
I have the 4th gen and I think I prefer the sound of the 4th gen a bit. Yet they sound pretty similar -- closer than the comparison between Nt1 4th and Nt1a.
Bandrew is right. The new one is fantastic but it's unnecessary to sell the old to fetch the new.
Great video. Just got the NT1 5th gen. Sounds great
May be itˋs just my hearing ( Austrian Audio Hi-X 60 with an old Apogee Elements 46 interface), but ist seems to be a regular old NT-1A (same housing, for starters) equipped with an USB-C port and the 32 Bit float technology.
When compared to the 4th gen it sounded just like that, and reminded me of the NT 1-A to NT 1 4th gen comparisons from years back.
Surely would explain the price difference to the original NT-1
Always great comparison videos, very consistent and increasingly funny.
Thanks for that, Bandrew
Thanks for the review.
No headphone output= much less useful. 32 bit float= groovy but not a "game changer." Sounds like a Rode to me, similar to the NT1A. The 4th Gen sounds a little better to me.
The melody reminds me of Phantom Of The Opera or Nature Trail To Hell.
The melody is Phantom of the opera !!
Your reviews are always awesome
Bandrew thanks for the honest interview. I can always trust someone who comes across genuine like you. I think this is perfect for the absolute beginner or def gamers .Super affordable as far as nice go and decent sound with the clip gain thing. Cool mic.
Yes, I agree, 32-bit float for this type of microphone is not so necessary. For field recording - in Zoom F3, F6, Tascam X8, Sound Devices Mix Pre - yes, it's very handy, but in the studio microphone? I don't think so ;)
Yes and no . Your logic is sound but this is not really a studio mic. More a home studio novice mic or total amateur, people who have no idea about gain staging and in that respect it could be kind of useful.
this just seems so perfect, especially for upcoming artists etc. Gonna have to try it for myself >:)
The NT1 sounds really thin in USB mode. In XLR mode it reminds me more of the NT1A than the 4th generation NT1, and I prefer the tone of the 4th generation - although it's close.
I do think this will be a very popular microphone, though, for a host of applications.
The 5th gen has to be an updated NT1a. I'm convinced of it. That's why they left the 4th gen on the market at the higher price point. The 4th gen just sounds better. But the 5th gen sounds fantastic too, so it's really personal preference.
Not sure if the song your thinking of is the Phantom Of The Opera but I am catching a bit of that in the song you made. Anyone else or am I just crazy?
I agree. I have only a passing familiarity with the musical but thought of it straight away.
Maybe my ears are shot but I feel like it didn't sound too different between the AT2020 or even some of the pricier mics. I did notice a lil pickup in the bass to lo-mid frequencies compared to cheaper mics, and the Neumann's had more clarity to me, but I'd say it stood it's own. Almost makes me wanna look at cheaper mics though, that AT2020 didn't sound too bad to my tired ears...
You can definitely make good recordings with the AT2020 or the NT1 5th gen.
Would you say the AT2035 is worth the slightly higher price than the AT2020?@@Podcastage
On the Rode again. Just can't wait to get on the Rode again... 🎶 🎵 🎸 🎤
The melody might be Melissa by Por*o Graffitti, it's the same harmonic structure, or maybe Fly me to the moon, Idk there's problably a lot more songs that use that harmonic structure, I guess the more the merrier, love those chords!
@Podcastage / Bandrew
Could you please do a review on some of the Weissklang Microphones? I think they are getting under the radar somehow. 🤫😊
Hello Podcastage, I hope you can help me with my issue. My RODE NT1-SS Suddenly producing white noise/static noise only. Before, recording on 11 o clock gain is okay. But now it seems the mic is not working. Tried it on different interface and XLR cables. Still same output. Help pls.
Ayyyeee mann respect your grind! You’ve always helped me w your reviews! Thanks fam🔥
You're very welcome.Thank you for the kind words and thank you for watching.
Still prefer the 4th gen though
NT1 4th gen sounds much better, especially if you mod it with a RK12 or better capsules.
For my ears the 5th gen sounds more accurate
This is exactly the kinds of reviews I'm looking for! sub'd.
Being able to normalize something clipping that heavily is extremely impressive. I wonder if there are any quality differences between that and something recorded with the correct gain staging.
Effectively? No. We focus way too much on questions like this as audiofools lol. As a 25+ year industry engineer, I can honestly say that recording with a mic this neutral and clean can yield any sound you want to shape, as long as you’re good at shaping efficiently (any decent engineer should be, but most of us are not interested or can’t be bothered). If you take this mic direct into your computer and compare the signal to what we fought tooth and nail to scrape by with in the 60’s/70’s/80’s (even 90’s+ but especially talking tape machines etc.), you have WAY more to work with than was even imaginable back then. And there are 10,001 ways to f*** that signal up sexily and make it sound like a good ole 70’s recording if that’s what you want 😂 trust me. It all comes down to the final product, and any engineer worth half their weight would be more than happy to get talent on this mic at 32 float than many of the unbelievable things that happen in the industry instead (clients recording crap on their phones or STILL not knowing how to use a gain knob 🤦🤦🤦)
We made a tech product here in ‘straya.. & didn’t outsource the production.. nice job Rode 🇦🇺🙌🏻
Hi, I am disappointed to find out, that not a single Rode software supports the main selling point being the 32 bit float recording!
I was gonna get nt usb+ and i thought maybe I get nt usb mini which is half the price or save up to get XLR mic with an audio interface and out of nowhere this came out for 50% more than the nt usb+ in my region I think this is the best mic I can get my hand on and It would probably last a very long long time in my hands. thanks for your awesome reviews.
Glad you identified the mic that will serve you for years to come. Happy recording!
I like the slide whistle, but I can’t help feeling that it needs more Cow Bell.😂
32-bit float seems like fun. I will be trying it out soon in the new interface I got. With that said, sounds like something that would make karaoke nights easier. 🤣. Honestly was surprised how good the usb sounded vs xlr. Still doesn't seem like a mic I care for sound wise with but that is just me. For a lot it would be just fine.
Phantom of the Opera?
I have heard this mic tested in other reviews and I keep hearing the same thing. The mic in USB sounds more full, more of a broadcast sound design, mid neutral with smoother transitions between the frequency spectrum. In XLR mode it sounds a bit sibilant to me, less smooth across the spectrum and a bit thin but bright. A personal preference thing. Nothing that can't be corrected but does require some EQ. Other than that, pretty nice.
The USB just sounds less detailed, it’s okay that you prefer it but most won’t.
ARGH!!! I have to admit this one sounds better than all the others: Goodbye Neumann!
And the dullness (or is it dullity, English is not my first language) of the 4th gen is gone!
I may actually have to buy it.
(EDIT) I just ordered one.
Hope you're enjoying it. Happy recording.
The NT1 Signature sounds like it is halfway between the 4th gen NT1 and the NT1a. Personally I think the NT1a is a frightfully bright mic and pretty unpleasant sounding so the extra brightness of the Signature over the 4th gen NT1 isn't a good thing.
The rather balanced sound of the 4th gen was a pretty cool mic for its price but the Signature is just another overly bright condenser that I have no use for.
That Lewitt Kicking ass‼️‼️‼️
No onboard monitoring seems like a super weird design choice to me.
You crack me up 😂. On the other end ..great review
The only reason for me to get a NT1 5thG. would be USB with 32bit. Just as a mic it is in a narrow price range. NT1a is cheeper and NT1000 is better (ok, better than the old NT1) and many ohter nice mics are in the range. But i do not travel a lot and have to record somewhere and be happy to pung in the USB calble and do not need an interface.
So it seems like if you are using it for twitch/gaming, this thing will pick up the keyboard like crazy. Dang, it sounded amazing I was about to get it. Glad I seen this video
I'm glad the video helped you make a more informed purchase. Best of luck with the streaming.
@@Podcastage Thank you! Keep up the amazing and informative content, I've really been enjoying the hobby of headphones and mics.
Nice review! Using it for my podcast with Rodecaster Pro 2 and find challenging to avoid the sound of my lips an saliva haha. I like it though
The 5th Gen is just a marketing tactic. Most ppl don't need a 32 bit float. But it's always a great feature if u want to sing without keeping a check on the gain. The quality while singing will be the same. So do you want to spend that extra money in a 32 bit float or are u comfortable with the previous mics? I personally feel Rode shud have come up with some out of the box features. I personally will still opt for Rode NT1 4th gen or the Rode NT1-A. Best choice!
If you have the NT1 4th gen already, absolutely keep rocking it and getting great sounding recordings. I always advocate for only upgrading when you are trying to solve a specific problem. Don't upgrade for the sake of upgrading or for the sake of shiny new toy syndrome.
But you're NOT spending extra money on 32Bit float since the NT1 5th gen is CHEAPER than the 4th gen...
Thanks, I definitely had the urge to buy it, but I already have a previous version of this mic. Doesn't make sense for me to purchase it at this time :)
Happy to help! Glad the video can save you a few dollarydoos because they're becoming more and more difficult to get hold of. Have a wonderful day.
you forgot to let it drop from chest distance to a hard floor before continuing, this things accidents happens all the time, and this way we would know if its a durable microphone.
Although I would love to be able to have enough mics to do this, I don't think I will be adopting this test.
Phantom of the Opera melody? :-) this video made me get a NT1 (4th gen)
...thx!!
That's what it was! Hope the mic is treating you well.
@@Podcastage it sure diddly-does!!
Thanks for these reviews, so helpful. Was wondering if I could ask you, how the netflix show “you” gets such a bright sound with the actor sounding like they are so close to the mic? Is it because of the preamp they use or what?
I haven’t see the show, but I’d hazard a guess that they’re using an MKH 416 boomed over the talent. That mic is standard in film and voice over and created the iconic “IN A WORLD” sound, and can do this from a reasonable distance because of its tight and long super/hyper cardioid polar pattern.
Preamps are not going to do something like that to the sound of a mic. Marketing and folklore have made preamps a huge topic of gear snobbery - people often say silly things like “don’t bother using a U87 unless you have [x] or [y] preamp”, when in reality these families of mics made historic recordings into console preamps without half the bandwidth and depth of our modern standardized designs - yes, preamps you’ll find in most any decent interface. A 1073, Red 7 or any other *sexy* preamp will just affect the harmonic distortion, dynamics, frequency response, and noise qualities of a mic, also having to do with impedance - whereas a standard modern pre will fairly reflect the default sound of the mic itself, like it or not.
TLDR: haven’t seen the show, but sounds like an MKH 416 boomed off camera, not something a preamp would do.
@@CirclesandSounds I know what a raw MKh 416 and neuman u87 sounds like. You don’t get sound from a raw according like that that I know. There has to be more to it that’s why I wanted the pro to answer not to guess thanks for your input though.
I have a question man. Is about a couple other mics but you seem to be the only one on RUclips that I think can answer this question since you have them both.
Basically I’m going to get either the Manley Reference or the Telefunken TF51. I honestly care more about your opinion than the price of each or what I would save or could.
Naturally one is inclined to think the Manley has to be it since it’s more expensive. But I really liked what I heard from the Telefunken too. Even from other singers singing through it with no effects or compression or anything.
I guess my real question would be which one sits more upfront in the mix or better in the mix right from the first recording, without adding any eq and stuff?
You can say I’m a pop vocalist and maybe Rock but i do other genres as well. I know this can be a difficult question to answer but if you can I would so appreciate it man.
And I know your thing with Manley and all that trouble you went through and the technical issues at first and stuff. But ultimately if you put that all aside, sound quality wise and sitting in the mix well as is, which one would you say has the edge over the other?
Thanks so much man!
This is a topic no one is discussing and I think (I may be wrong) that they have similarities and it would be tricky for a buyer like me to decide on which one to pull the trigger on.
Thanks again! I really hope you read this lolol I know you got many many comments!!
Talk about a fully developed microphone. It’s rare one gets 5 chances to be great. Rode’s NT1 is a bit of a classic.
Yeah. The microphone kind of built Rode. Wasn't it their first mic and they've just updated it and improved upon it and then rolled out other products along side it?
My favorite mic ever.❤
Full Package Review 😂🤣... Specialy... That 2 Instruments puuuu paaaa 🤣🤣🤣... Love u From india Bro... Also i Want to buy Audio Interface ... From ur shop ....😎 how can i contact u..😊...
I don’t run a shop. I just review stuff online so people can make informed purchase decisions. Thanks for the kind words.
@@Podcastage 😊😊
@@PodcastageLOL!
Still got the original NT1-A Great Job Rode - Made In Australia 🌏
They make high quality mics and if you're still rocking the original that means they last long. Great value. Thanks for sharing Tim.
12:00 but seriously though, what melody is that?
Phantom of the opera.
@@BandrewScott well that is not what I expected. thanks anyway!
Setting record levels at capture time is soon going to be a thing of the past.
From your short voice tests, I thought the NT2 sounded the best.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on it. It's always great to hear opinions on what works and what doesn't Happy recording Michael.
The beginning sounds like: You are my hiding place - what is a Christian song.. but maybe there was a similar melody in some 90´s techno…
Great MIC .. thanks for the review, might buy it
NTI gen 4 still remains winner.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it Harvinder.
@@PodcastageThank you sir.
Hey Andrew… nice review…have this mic and enjoy it… NEW NEWS…. I am also a Logic Pro user and 10.7.5 and newer (10.7.7 now) supports 32 bit float. Whoo hoo.
WAIT REALLY! THIS IS FANTASTIC NEWS! Thank you!
I'm in between the 440 and new nt1 I love the 440 but I feel like it lacks the low end that the nt1 has to offer.