Product Comparison: Rode NT1A vs Rode NT2-A

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Rode NT1A Ultra low noise

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Rode NT2-A Studio Microphone

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General Specifications

Brand

RØDE

Rode

Model

NT1-A

NT2-A

Origin

Australia

About the Product

The RØDE NT1-A 1" cardioid condenser microphone has become an industry standard; delivering the warmth, extended dynamic range, clarity and high SPL capability typically only featured on some of the world’s most expensive microphones.

The NT2-A carries on the tradition forged by the now legendary RØDE NT2. A professional large 1" capsule studio microphone incorporating three-position pick-up patterns, pad and high pass filter switches conveniently located on the mic body.

Key Specs

Microphone Type

Condenser

Polar Pattern

Cardioid

Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Figure-of-Eight

Minimum Frequency Response

20 Hz

Maximum Frequency Response

20 kHz

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Rode NT1A Ultra low noise

Besides the noise issues in the microphone, the frequency response of the mic was fantastic. Very good presence in the mid range, with a gentle 1K boost.
I love this mic. It has an extremely well balanced frequency response, and has massively improved the sound of guitars, vocals, and drums in my recordings. And for the price, it is an absolute steal, fit for anyone's mic locker.
Excellent low frequency response, (I record church organ concerts,) and low noise. Also sound great on vocals.
This microphone is one of the few microphones that can stand up against the more expensive microphones with a warm sound. It delivers audio very well at all frequencies.
Crazy harsh high end frequency response that won't be solved with amateur EQing. I suggest spending a little more on a better mic like Neumann's but this is a great beginner's mic. This will need an audio interface for A/D conversion and 48v Phantom powering.
The frequency response chart is what separates an amazing mic like Neumann, Telefunken, and AKG from the rest, and the Rode NT1-A has an average frequency response. It has a harsh high end and no body or warmth in the mid range.

Rode NT2-A Studio Microphone

I figured we could give the NT2-A a shot so we could exploit the figure-8 polar pattern. So, we got the mic set up in front of our vocalist, drums and amps off to the side, and the upright bass behind the mic... and it turned out this was the most perfect gear purchase I've ever made.
It sounds really good on male vocals and it's very smooth sounding without being harsh. I can usually run this mic though a SSL Alpha Channel with no EQ and get the sound I'm looking for.
This mic seem to capture all the harmonics and I was very satisfied with the sound. I put this particular mic through a universal audio 610 Mk2, I must tell you the sound was astonishing.
It is an incredibly warm and surprisingly natural sounding mic. It does not overly boost the presence like some mics, nor does it try to lie to you. It is a very accurate, rich, and balanced microphone.
It's a pretty flat responding mic with the only exception being maybe a small boost (maybe 1 db) at 5k.

Size & Weight

Height

7.36 in.

8.23 in.

Width

1.97 in.

2.17 in.

Depth

1.97 in.

2.17 in.

Weight

0.72 lbs.

1.9 lbs.

Features

Equivalent Noise Level

5 dBA

7 dBA

Maximum SPL

137 dB SPL

147 dB SPL

Output Impedance

100 Ω

200 Ω

Microphone Sensitivity

-31.9dB

-36.0dB

Interface

XLR

Power Options

+24V Phantom power required from mixer or inteface, +48V Phantom power required from mixer or inteface

Extras

Large 1” capsule with gold plated diaphragm, Ultra low noise, self noise of only 5dB (A), Wide dynamic range, True condenser (externally biased), Internal capsule shock mounting, Includes RØDE SM6 shock mount, pop filter and dust cover

Large 1” HF1 gold sputtered capsule, Ultra low noise, Internal capsule shock mounting, Includes shock mount, pop filter and dust cover

What customers say about "Features"

Rode NT1A Ultra low noise

Very sensitive, and sounds great! Excellent package for the money.
The mic is warm and extremely sensitive, but you'd pretty much have to stick it in front of a jet engine to overload it. The fidelity is awesome.
The need to apply any effects or to do any background noise cleanup is completely gone - there simply is no background hum nor hiss of any kind as I've isolated properly from the noise of my PC fans.
The microphone has excellent range as well. It works fine on acoustic instruments such as a mandolin or acoustic guitar at distances of well over a meter with great clarity, almost as if a small diaphragm condenser microphone was used in conjunction with it.
A shock mount, pop screen and XLR cable was included which made the price very reasonable for the quality.
Its an OK mic.... i really hate it, but have heard worse. i have a bunch of tracks that were recorded with this mic and the sibilance ("S" sounds) are horrible! distorted and pain inducing! and the singer wasn't shouting or singing in a high vol. its really muddy too.
When people say its harsh, believe them. The p's and s's peaked alot. I'm not great at recordings so for a beginner who is kinda breaking his pockets to buy a mic in this price range I would look else where.
It's a great mic. A bit heavy on the lower spectrum of the frequency range but descent enough for starters.

Rode NT2-A Studio Microphone

I am _extremely_ impressed with how well we could get clear vocals recorded in the same room as drums (without brushes!) and amped guitar+upright bass.
So anyway I use this for YouTube voice over and I love it. It's a very smooth presence boosted airy mic. This mic has dips in all the right places.
I love how the lowes sound lush and full and the highes are smooth without the harshness that some of my other mics have. I am a happy customer!
The Shock Mount is actually made very well and is a great improvement over the plastic ones Rode has shipped with their mics in the past. As a added bonus, the Rode K2 will fit the shock mount as well!
This is a very versatile mic, and it sounds great to my ears. I use it for acoustic guitar, vocals, mic'ing my amp, percussion etc. It sounds great capturing clean strat sounds on my amp, about 2 inches from the grill.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

Certifications

EAC, CE

EEC, CE

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download