As a content creator without much sense for complicated tech, I often find myself at a bit of a loss when it comes to producing professional content. For the longest time, my podcasting and streaming audio have been handled by a trusty Blue Yeti microphone, a solid, if entry level, unit that allowed me to skip deeper thinking and produce decent enough sound. But Australian manufacturer RØDE has been quietly changing the game in the background for years now, offering users easy-to-use and powerful units that have rightfully earned the company a reputation for quality. Late last year, the RØDE NT-USB + hit the market with a refined, immensely satisfying microphone that allows even simple folk like myself to master studio-quality sound, and maybe even learn about processing along the way.
The RØDE NT-USB+ has a surprisingly sleek form factor given the power this microphone is packing. The unit is comprised almost entirely of durable, black and matte metal but due to its compact size manages to avoid feeling overly clunky, coming in at just over 500g. The large mesh grille is side-facing and emits a soft blue glow when plugged in – a nice touch that does nothing outside of aesthetics but for that I appreciate it all the more. Further down the unit you’ll find two discreet knobs, one for overall system volume control and one for sound monitoring through the microphone’s zero-latency capabilities. The latter is particularly useful for some users as the unit effectively operates as an all-in-one sound system when plugged in, sending and receiving at 24-bit/48kHz, a marked improvement over its predecessor’s 16-bit offering.
I’d be remiss to not mention how disappointing, and often frustrating, it is that the unit doesn’t have a dedicated mute button. The inability to quickly and easily mute yourself is largely the only real issue with this formfactor and despite all of my praise for its visual appeal and compact design, I never didn’t miss having a mute button. The unit itself is essentially flawless if for the lack of a mute button, but there are some headaches around the included stand too. RØDE has been rather generous with the gear that comes in the box, including a mostly-effective pop filter, a desk stand, a ring mount and a 3m USB-C to C cable. It’s a hefty bundle to unpack but the desk stand is a lightweight plastic that I could never fully get to sit just right, a lengthy process of gentle nudges of the adjustable mic arm and positioning. Fortunately, I was able to strap the unit to my existing boom arm, and the included stand can be made to function, but it marks one of the few disappointments of the unit.
Fortunately, though, they stop there, as the audio quality you’ll get out of the RØDE NT-USB+ is nothing short of fantastic. The simplicity of the USB microphone can not be overvalued enough in this content creation market, and the ability to plug and play a unit that produces raw audio that sounds clean and professional is excellent. After connecting the unit via USB-C (your computer will likely have a C connector but this can be gotten around via adapters), you can start using the microphone instantly to record high-quality audio. Using the 3.5mm headphone jack on the unit you can monitor your sound quality in real-time too, a function that becomes even more useful once you factor in RØDE’s backend software.
RØDE Central is a fantastic tool that pairs with your microphone to check for updates before allowing you the ability to overlay several post-processing filters for a more rounded, studio-quality sound. Each user will find their own way through these options but to list them off you’ll have access to a compressor, noise gate, high-pass filter, APHEX Aural Exciter and Big Bottom processing. For podcasting I tend to use all of these to some degree and combined with the adjustable input volume slider, you can tweak your voice to sound silky smooth and full-bodied.
The contents of the RØDE NT-USB+ box
Frequently while recording the WellPlayed DLC Podcast (Australia’s juiciest gaming podcast), I will be interrupted by passing trains thanks to my house’s proximity to a track, and of course my overly friendly dog. Thanks to the unit’s impeccable build quality but these sounds are all but mitigated on our recordings, the tech and software together are smart enough to not include or catch background noise or unnecessary pops and spikes. The unit also pairs with RØDE’s Connect and Reporter software for even more options. However, for those without the luxury of a desktop setup, the RØDE NT USB+ still offers terrific raw audio and thanks to its compact design, you’ll be able to achieve this on the go with relative ease.
Final Thoughts
Depending on your choice of retailer you’ll be able to grab a RØDE NT-USB+ for around the $249 mark, clocking it in as one of the pricier plug-and-play models on the market. This is a price of admission well worth paying, however, the simplicity of the unit and its tremendous sound output make it a dream for content creators looking for an easy way to replicate studio-quality audio. The USB-C connectivity might be a pain point for older units, and the lack of a physical mute button remains a sticking point for me, but it’s hard to deny the appeal and power of this Sydney-made unit. Grab it, plug it in, and sound like a pro. Can’t ask for much more than that.
Review unit supplied by the manufacturer
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