NEW RØDE NT1 5th Generation XLR and USB Microphone Review / Test (32 bit float!!!)

Today, I have the Røde NT1 5th Generation Mic in the Audio Hotline Studio! This new version of the NT1 has some awesome tricks up its sleeve! This is the first ever Large Diaphragm Studio Condenser microphone with DUAL CONNECT technology... Yes, the NT1 went hybrid with a USB AND XLR Output! This also features Rode Connect and Rode Central compatibility so you can adjust the ON-BOARD DSP it is capable of!!! I know, I know, this upgraded NT1 is feature packed! On top of the fact that it has amazing new features, it is also the world's quietest Large Diaphragm Studio Condenser mic with a 4dBA noise floor level... THAT IS SO QUIET!
There are a lot of very awesome things with this new NT1, but I also really love the fact that they kept it true to the previous generation. This sports the same capsule as the 4th generation NT1. I personally like this, because I know I enjoy the sound of the previous NT1. To disclaim, YES the 4th Generation and 5th generation do sound identical when plugged in as an XLR mic.

There is quite a bit to unpack in this review, but I do also want to let you know that I did a comparison....
The comparison includes:
RØDE NT1 5th Generation
RØDE NT1 4th Generation
RØDE NT1-A

Check out the testing and audio samples and see if this is right for you! Every person has different expectations of audio gear. If the features are what you need, and you like the sound, then it is right for you!

Thanks for watching the Audio Hotline! I'll see you Audio Nerds next time!

======TIMESTAMPS======

Hello New NT1! / Cost / Disclaimer: 0:00 - 2:42
Features and Differences between Older NT1: 2:42 - 4:09
My Opinion of the new features: 4:09- 4:58
NT1 5th Gen Accessories: 4:58- 5:38
My Opinion on Accessories and Build: 5:38 - 6:34

Testing intro: 6:34 - 6:54
Proximity effect: 6:54 - 7:04
Plosive tests: 7:04 - 7:20
Polar pattern (rejection tests): 7:20 - 8:01
KITTY PURR TEST!!!: 8:01 - 8:16
Distance Tests: 8:16- 8:27
Guitar Tests (all usb): 8:27 - 9:52
NT1 Singing Test (XLR): 9:52 - 10:08
Untreated Room / Phone Test: 10:08 - 11:07
On-Board DSP tests and Rode Connect: 11:07 - 16:28
USB vs XLR Sound Test: 16:28 - 17:15
COMPARISON!!!
Rode NT1 5th gen VS Rode NT1 4th gen VS Rode NT1-A: 17:15 - 18:03

REVIEW / OPINION Section: 18:03 - 26:18
Thank you, Members!!!: 26:18 - 26:46

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======PRODUCTS IN REVIEW======
**Affiliate Links Below**

Rode NT1 5th Gen.:

RODE NT1 4th Gen:

RØDE NT1A:

If there is something else that you want to buy, but would like to help me out by clicking an affiliate link... Here are some storewide affiliate links!

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======Audio Hotline Info======

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============AUDIO============

Motu M2:
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2:
Zoom F6:
Zoom H6:
Apollo Twin Quad:

[tombuck]

Hot dang this mic sounds good. Kinda hard to believe it can do all these different things, but it’s so great!

[SteveEricJordan]

im right with you there, regarding the 10/10 rating.
this is simply my favorite microphone.
literally anyone could buy it for anything in a studio/home environment and achieve the best outcomes, simply by plug and play into a computer or even phone. kinda feels like the future if i'm thinking back 10 years.
not even talking about it SOUNDING the best and most round for warm, male voice recording, to me personally. warm, but not boomy, ultra detailed and very present.

[Burssty]

USB mics are VIABLE now. this is so cool

[usbrasilcafe]

Your review, this review, was a great help. Only recently have I been reviewing USB XLR mics. And within the last week, I've brought in six mics for review, two off-brands and four new Rode mics. I've focused on comparative audio quality, my daily use general purpose wireless systems versus microphones more specific to human voice. I wanted to address those beginning in online recording activities; basic entry level mic-audio gear for phone and camera hardware. While I've been in electronics since junior high school, much of my analog and then digital activities have been more as a 'button pusher' and 'knob twister' than setup engineer. The structure of your review, your broad stroke entry comments followed by technical details, works well for me. You've done a great job of organizing and delivering your opinions, which I perceive as being backed by actual use as much as a true understanding of the technical side of audio. Just wanted to let you know that subscribing was an easy choice. You're helping a 'boomer tech' get up to speed. And it's appreciated.

[theoutsiderjess]

I'm a really big fan of this microphone I'm not usually a big fan of condensers but Rode killed it with this one I love it and when I get a proper studio setup I will definitely be buying this mic

[mikedenney]

I never make comments on reviews of any sort but yours is a 10! You're very talented.

[milesian]

I just got this mic. When it arrived I was in the middle of recording a podcast on a different XLR condenser at home, where I only had my noisy Donner M Jack mini interface. So instead of continuing on the other mic, or trying the NT1 on that noisy interface, I decided to try it out straight to my MacBook Air via USB-C. And since Rode Central wouldn't connect for me, I gave 32-bit float a try, recording to Adobe Audition.

And I'm pretty damn impressed with the results. Soundwise, I don't think there's any discernible loss of quality over USB, and the 32-bit float saved me from having to use an interface, which let me stay at home instead of running over to my photo studio to record.

I also really appreciate the shock mount, adjustable pop filter, and cables that come with the mic. It's a really solid package.

And I should add: BEST KPT EVER!

[agambhasin]

I love my 4th gen NT1, I think I am gonna love this one too!

[sec]

Sounds a lot closer to the NT1-A than the NT1 to my ears.

[SylvainDuford]

The low-end on the Kitty Purr Test (tm) had me convinced.

[BxRISzN]

Just got mine in today, this is my first condenser mic and I’m in love

[RandyBooker]

For USB only, between the XDM 100 and this Rode Nt1 5th Gen - which would you say is better? And which is better for non-sound-treated rooms? Thank you in advance!

[homestudioacademy]

Thanks for such an awesome review! I was surprised that the usb-c connection sounds so good!

[Tmaxar]

What I would love to see from Rode is to come up with a portable sound recorder where you can connect your Rode NT1 through USB C and turn this amazing studio microphone into one you can travel with and take outdoors without having to carry a laptop. Wouldn't that be awesome!

[yevolution]

Honestly, this mic is just a MIRACLE. It's like a CHEAT ITEM in the audio world's mic domain. THERE'S SO MUCH POWER, FLEXIBILITY, AND CONVENIENCE IN THIS MIC at the price of 250 $. HOW THE F is that even possible right ? It's just WOW man. Dream mic right here !

[bradatherton]

8:04 ok meow, the 'kitty purr test' really sold me on it

[benperry]

You're a legend, I'm buying one right now!

[uncle-english]

Highly articulated, clear, comfortable... that's how I describe Rode Nt1. Same goes with this 5th Gen mic.
It's very hard to say I could be in any way unsatisfied with my current NT1. Yet it's awesome to have USB connectivity and those DSP functions.
What is more, it did perfectly well in the kitty purr test! What else could I ask for?

[FAISAL-odzx]

You made me buy this microphone, thanks man .. your video answers all my questions

[Dracomies]

I was initially concerned when I first clicked on the samples. But I think it's just that the USB mode sounds very different compared to the XLR mode. XLR mode sounds more like the real deal NT1. That said, RODE, ya gotta make a 32 bit float Videomic GO 2.