Rode NT-USB Mini review

Our Verdict

The Rode NT-USB Mini is a competent microphone that will get the job done. Audio is a little gain-heavy and the lack of whatsoever adjustments on the mic itself forces fixing in editing, but this is a good-value choice if you're a podcasting novice.

For

Piece of cake to use
Skillful audio quality
Built-in headphone output

Against

Gain-heavy audio
No gain command on mic
Stiff, non-adjustable stand

Tom's Guide Verdict

The Rode NT-USB Mini is a competent microphone that will go the chore done. Audio is a fiddling proceeds-heavy and the lack of any adjustments on the mic itself forces fixing in editing, but this is a good-value option if y'all're a podcasting novice.

Pros

+
Like shooting fish in a barrel to employ
+
Skilful audio quality
+
Built-in headphone output

Cons

-
Gain-heavy sound
-
No gain command on mic
-
Stiff, non-adjustable stand up

The Rode NT-USB Mini marks the arrival of one of the most recognizable names in microphones into the race to build the all-time USB microphones. Rode is all-time known for its on-camera video microphones or lavaliers, simply as podcasting and streaming have connected to affect how people consume data and entertainment, rivals like Blueish were quick to introduce products that catered to semi-pro and amateur broadcasters.

Rode NT-USB Mini specs

Price: $99

Connection: USB

Ports: USB-C, 3.5mm aux out

Condensers: 1

Directional patterns: Cardioid

Size: 5.six 10 2.2 x 3.five inches

Weight: 1.three lbs

With the NT-USB Mini, Rode is set up to accept on entries like the Blueish Yeti Nano and the HyperX QuadCast. For $99, Rode'south new production is a hefty and premium quality microphone that delivers compelling recording for the price. But its limited control options and static stand makes its on-the-get use a somewhat cumbersome affair.

Check out our picks of the best microphones overall
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Rode NT-USB Mini review: Price and availability

$99 MSRP
Broad pick of stockists

The Rode NT-USB Mini can exist institute at only most every major retailer. The $99 mic is available at Best Buy, Amazon, Sweetwater, B&H Photograph Video and Micro Center. As a recent addition to the Rode family of microphones, it may not drop beneath that $99 price indicate for a while.

The NT-USB Mini sits in the middle of the Blue Yeti Nano at $79 and the HyperX QuadCast at $139. In that location's also the HyperX QuadCast Southward at $159, simply the only major deviation there is that it offers RGB lighting.

Rode NT-USB Mini review: Design

Extremely compact, though no behave case included
Easy to mount on unlike stand

"Brusk and stocky" is the best style to describe the NT-USB Mini. It sports an all-matte black and a clean design overall. It has ane giant knob up front to control headphone gain, while the back has a USB Type-C port and a headphone jack.

The NT-USB Mini is also a hefty microphone with a substantial weight. The plastic and metal construction feel good in the hand, and you immediately know you lot're holding something more professional person.

The microphone floats on a mount that can swivel 360 degrees. This gives it great versatility, as the Rode NT-USB can exist mounted on only about any stand up from a simple desk mount to an overhead arm.

The stand up that comes with the NT-USB Mini is fine. Information technology has a business firm base that magnetically clips to the mic. Unfortunately, its flat non-adaptable base makes it so that you have to arrange yourself toward the mic, not the other way around.

Given that the Rode NT-USB Mini might be used for traveling podcasters or musicians, it's unfortunate that Rode does not include a conveying example; in fact, there's not fifty-fifty ane sold separately. While Rode does make cases for its other microphones, it would take been nice if the company used that approach for the NT-USB Mini besides.

The NT-USB's design might not popular with color like the Blueish Yeti Nano or the QuadCast Southward, but Rode does sell color identification accessories that tin help set multiple mics apart in a podcasting room.

Rode NT-USB Mini review: Sound quality

Good quality in the right conditions
However, is proceeds-heavy, with no onboard proceeds command

The NT-USB Mini records decently for the most function. It can't compare to the larger studio microphones that run through an audio interface, merely for what information technology is, the resulting sound is acceptable. Information technology definitely beats the built-in mic constitute on a pair of headphones or an iPhone.

As a podcaster, I took the NT-USB Mini with me on an extended trip. Getting it set up was easy. All it required was plugging in the USB Type-C cablevision into my Microsoft Surface Pro 5. Windows immediately recognized the device and let me start recording. There's also the Rode Connect podcasting and streaming plan that can be downloaded for increased functionality.

While practiced, my producer would complain near the high proceeds that the NT-USB Mini gave my voice. Adjusting it within software didn't do much, and unfortunately in that location isn't a proceeds dial on the microphone itself: a missed opportunity on Rode's part. Because the NT-USB Mini is trying to be a condenser mic for spoken word, singing and music recording all at once, the base recording sound profile Rode has implemented tries to serve too many masters.

I recorded my bear witness in a sound-insulated attic, but even then, the Rode gave my vocalization a somewhat hollow sound, every bit if speaking in a in a claustrophobic sound berth.

Unfortunately, the congenital-in headphone monitoring jack did non do a slap-up job in letting me know how my voice sounded while recording. The monitoring picked upwardly so much minute surrounding audio I was scared that a door opening down the hallway was as well existence recorded. Luckily, that was not the case. But that does raise the question: why was the mic relaying sounds to me that wouldn't finish upward in the recording? Luckily, I had a producer on paw who could human activity equally a second pair of ears, only many podcasters don't take that privilege.

The NT-USB Mini also has an internal pop filter which did a good job of reducing any popping sounds, though it wasn't perfect. There were times when certain phrases would still crack.

Rode NT-USB Mini review: Verdict

Even with some complaints, the Rode NT-USB Mini is a skillful microphone for the cost. In that location aren't many other units on the market that can offer its level of quality for less than $100.

That said, be enlightened of the NT-USB Mini'south flaws earlier you buy. It won't take that studio-like quality you'd expect from more expensive microphones running through an audio interface. Only again, it costs a fraction of the price.

For those taking their first steps into podcasting or streaming, the NT-USB Mini can be a slap-up starting point. Shows will audio much more professional person than they will if you resort to the internal mics on phones or laptops, and the Rode Connect software, while basic, has enough functionality to get a podcast off the basis.

With its meaty size, affordability and audio quality, nosotros can't complain too much well-nigh the package overall. As long as the Rode NT-USB Mini is approached with the right expectations, it's a worthwhile purchase.

More: We've found the best headphones with a mic for vocalism and video calls

Imad Khan is news editor at Tom's Guide, helping directly the mean solar day's breaking coverage. Prior to working at the site, Imad was a total-fourth dimension freelancer, with bylines at the New York Times, the Washington Post and ESPN. Outside of piece of work, you tin can observe him sitting blankly in forepart of a Word document trying desperately to write the start pages of a new book.