Microphone manufacturers seem to have a thing about being confusing about model numbers. The Shure 55 has been around since at least the 1940s and in many different incarnations from the original “fat boy” to the latest 55SH with its Unidyne 3 cartridge. AKG may have set a record with the many different versions of the venerable 414.

RØDE is no different with the NT1 which was their first studio condenser microphone. They then developed the NT1A. and now have released their new NT1 which has little in common with the original NT1 except for the headbasket. The new NT1 is far superior to the old one with a self-noise of just 4.5 dbA and a very smooth response as opposed to the original one’s hyped high-end response.

I see confusion on the forums all of the time where people think the new mike is the same as the old, a Chinese import with a hyped high-end, when in reality this latest version of the mike has a custom designed, edge-terminated capsule, and the capsule and the microphone are all built in RØDE’s factory in Australia.

My dislike for the name aside, this microphone is an amazing value and I would highly recommend it. It needs to be in your microphone locker.

We’ll take a look inside the new RØDE NT1 in this first new video of our “Inside” series.