I do a lot of vocal audio recording and I purchased the NT1 because reviewers said it wasn't overly bright like the NT1a. I was very pleased with the sound of my voice with the NT1 - so pleased that I do no EQ-ing at all with the recordings. And the mic is so quiet that it needs little noise reduction. In short it is perfect for my use.
@@khosla15 well i started loving nt1. It works just great in my home studio. Problem though is I learn to mix my vocal so I could make the best use of the mic. As for the soundcard, I'm not quite sure bro... If you mean audio interface by that, I use Scarlet 2i2. I will become a professional as soon as possible lol
@@itsADee thx for your comment i chose nt1 over nt1a because i could see that through the review there was more crunchiness to the sound of nt1a and also found nt1 sounds more natural than nt1a i sure am satisfied with nt1 but now that i have spent a few months after i got nt1 i realized the output of the sound does not differ much between mics in the same price range what matters most is the tone of your vocal and the engineering ability with your daw
Both of these mics seem perfectly useful in a variety of circumstances, honestly; the NT1 does have a somewhat softer, gentler tone, but if you're the sort to prefer a very modern sound, the NT1a is definitely the go-to. But I could flip a coin to decide which to use and be happy with either.
I am so glad I've found your channel. Everything is so greatly produced and well made. I was considering these mics, and this is really hard to choose. I think I like the NT1a just barely better.
I love my NT1. I looked at both, but I love the flat response and I can EQ what I put in. I do agree that the NT1a is a bit more modern sounding (as you put it), but you're absolutely right about the vintage sound in the NT1. Great Video!
Do you think it's better to have a brighter mic so you can cut the high frequencies if you want, or, have a more neutral sounding mic and eq it to suit your sound? I know boosting frequencies is not preferable.
I have been using four NT1-A for years now. They are reliable, robust and sound great all the time. I've found they work very well recording acoustic instruments. Excellent value for money.
I've only used these 2 mics for vocal/voice-over work. The NT1 is just better, hands down. Much flatter, can customize it more in post. The NT1a isn't bad; it might be suited more for people with bassy voices, because of the high-end boost. But yeah, that's my take. Great mics in general, though. Honestly can't be beat for the price. Makes it easy for guys on a budget to have professional quality.
I've got one of each, and the NT1 is the winner for me. They are both so close that it's insignificant because you're going to EQ them, but the NT1 comes with that Rycote lyre-style shock mount ($100 value) and the dual layer metal pop filter. I also think the NT1a tends to sound a bit brittle at the top. I much prefer adding some air to the NT1 with a nice Baxandall EQ curve at the top and giving it some bass boost if needed. What makes this a really tricky choice is that there are actually three different capsules that they use in these mics, and you don't necessarily know which one you're getting. They have some very different characteristics, but you really can't go wrong with either one. For the price, they are an outrageous value, especially the NT1. And honestly, I've been in a session where one of the original Neumann/Telefunken U47 mics just wasn't right for the vocalist, and we pulled out the NT1 and it sounded great. They really put a lot of thought and care into the circuitry design and manufacture of these mics, and they come with a 10 year warrantee. Honestly, they sound as good or better than any of the current Neumann line with the exception of maybe the TLM 107, which is about the only Neumann currently in production that I'd buy. But, I really don't need to because I've got some secret weapon vintage mics that I like even better. Great review!
Yesterday on prime day I pulled the trigger for an NT1A (98€) instead of NT1 (160€) ... It will be used for vocals ... Did I chose wrong ? Best regards !!
@@dankof You really can't go wrong with either. The NT1A supplies brighter overtones, which might make certain vocals sound more pleasurable to the ear without EQ. The NT1 however supplies a flatter, more natural tone which is great for EQing in post production because you start off with an unfiltered sound and can make small adjustments towards a more accurate sound you may be looking for.
I was considering buying the NT1a for acoustic guitar room mic. After watching a few hours of youtube videos and reading many reviews I finally found what I was looking for! The NT1a.
I've had both of these microphones and I recommend the NT1A especially if your trying recording vocals. Don't get me wrong, the NT1 is a great mic but I use the NT1A for all my music and it definitely helps cut through the mix better. Also with a little De-essing, Multiband Compression and EQ, you can you can make it sound pretty neutral if thats what your looking for. I'de say save yourself the $50
Happy New Year Deondre. I was just wondering, one year later how are you getting on with that MIC please, Because I am thinking of investing? Best wishes from an English bloke in a French forest. 👍🎙️
@@nigelcarren Happy New Year. I still stand by this mic. It has a great mid range and low end. Not that much on the highs but can be fixed with an Eq. I still use it to this day. Good luck 👍🏾
Whenever someone asks what mics they should get when they're starting out, I say, "get two black NT1 kits with the shockmount and windscreen." They are well-priced, have very little noise, and can be used on literally every source from drums to finger sounds for ASMR. You can have a dense mix full of NT1 tracks and there is no problem mixing them together. Once you have those two mics and large dynamic and a pencil dynamic, you can pretty much record anything, even drums. I don't know of any large condenser under $500 that I would rather have than an NT1. Maybe the CAD M179 is worth looking at if you need multi-pattern, or maybe if you need a mic with a transformer or a tube condenser, but most of the good ones aren't under $500, so even then, it's like, just wait until you have two NT1s.
In my hunt for my first "good" microphone, I went with the NT1 and I'm so, so happy with it! Your channel has been fantastic for comparing gear. I really appreciate it!
This is the best comparison I've seen about any component, showing specs, and testing vocals, situations, and instruments, this is amazing! your content is really good, you just saved me about 1 or 2 hours of research to know which one should I buy, thank you so much!
I like the NT1 better because I feel that it is better for mixing. The flat level allows you to customize it exactly how you want it, whereas the NT1-A has too much added variance.
I had an NT1a for years, and I finally got rid of it because, basically, there's nothing really bad about it, but there's nothing really good about it either, I think. Listening to this comparison, I feel like there's a similar "special-because-it's-nothing-special" quality to the NT1, but it's also SO much smoother and more pleasing somehow that I really have to wonder why the NT1a even exists anymore! If you want a different EQ curve, just EQ it in yourself! They're such insanely quiet mics that it's not like additive EQ is going to give you any noticeable noise floor! Save the little bit extra money and get the significantly more natural mic, I'd think... but maybe that's just me(?) Anywho, thanks for posting as always!
My interest is in VO only and the NT1 definitely sounded better to me on your voice. I bought it about 4 years ago but ended up selling it because it sounded a bit "dead" to me, but I also have a voice with more bass. So I'm thinking about looking into the NT1A now based on what you've demonstrated here. Great review, as always!
I just made a big test comparing different mics on my voice. The mics were TLM103, TLM107, TLM49, NT1, OC818, AKG414, TLM193, KSM32, SM86 and SE4400a. And the best one was NT1! Very surprising! I really wanted a Neumann microphone, but I just couldn't pick one since the NT1 sounded obviously better. I'm not saying it is better than Neumann, but for my voice - no doubt.
The NT1 is more neutral, but the NT1A sounds more like how you’d typically EQ vocals for a mix without any of the effort. Tough call, and I think it depends on the user’s voice more than anything. Both are excellent mics.
excellent call. its such a traditional thing to record the vocals as flat as possible.... then add your plug in of choice to sweeten the top end. the NT1A seems to naturally record vocals people want to hear.
I own a NT1A currently, but based on this video, I am hoping to purchase an NT1 - I feel like from listening, the NT1 has a deeper resonance, which I really like in hearing speech and vocals
I own the NT-1 and although in some cases I like the sound of the NT1-A more (acoustic guitar, that modern sound you talked about), I like that it came with a great shock mount, filter and an audio-interface and that it is able to produce warmer basses when needed. And since the response is fairly flat, I can do a lot with it in post. Still learning to make it sound less 'dry', though.
I just realized that that you have single handedly made a sub genre - microphone core - music about microphones made with those same microphones. It should have a wikipedia page.
Wow nice comparison!!! If you are a singer/music producer, NT1 makes more sense! You'll record flat vocals and then you can do your magic in post processing and make it sound professional. As a music producer myself I don't like the harshness of NT1-A around 3500khz. But use your ears and choose what's best for you! Good Luck!
As soon as I saw the charts of both mics I knew the NT1 is better if as you say you produce too and want to do the magic yourself because it's way flatter, no boost except for a slightly boost in the treeble zone while the NT1A basically got spikes boosting different frequencies in a way I don't get, I'll go for the NT1 :)
Skever Beats I’m gonna be honest I don’t understand half of this but I have a question. The NT1 makes your vocals sound flatter? So it is better for post editing. Does that make the NT1-A better for raw-unedited vocals?
@@azubi5510 So sort of I guess? But if you're using a mic for a live performance, 9/10 you're gonna be putting some EQ on it at least. I don't know exactly when you'd be stuck with a raw version of a mic
Just wanted to say thank you very much.. I work at a recording studio, As a security officer. A few Years ago I started to get interested in the equipment that they use at the studio . Thanks to you II am pretty knowledgeable about the equipment, Now I have regular conversations with some of the engineers about gear Thank you very much
The NT1a reminds me a lot of the sound of the Blue Bluebird, it’s too bright for a lot of my clients likings, even if I EQ out some of the high end. I’m getting the NT1 for my clients who record metal and rap vocals. Thanks for the video!!
Subtleties really show in voiceovers. The NT-1A is great, but can get harsh in voice acting, especially under compression or limiting. The NT1 gives a much more 'we want natural' voice with no extra EQ other than 80hz hi-pass. Love it for a variety of voices. Less boomy, if your voice is a little boomy. You can EQ the NT1 to sound like the NT1A, but not really the NT1a to be NT1. The Fourier transform of the EQ makes a little odd funk with the NT1A. (so if you like it love it, but don't try to flatten it like the NT1 or Neumann TLM 103..)
It's a very good comparison. Actually the first video I've seen in my mic pursuit and I'm glad I've watched it firstly to narrow down my mic choice and secondly, it served me as a hearing test, which I obviously passed. :) I like the NT1 more, it sounds more balanced and warm. Even with the acoustic guitar. Thanks a lot!
Dude you have the best mic reviews on the planet! NT1 on both electric, acoustic, and vocals. Sounds amazing I bought one and a sm7b cause of your other vid to see which ones will be best recording rock n roll.
@@DropoutFelon love the sm7b for recording and live the NT1 is good for the money but for my vocals no contest with the sm7b and cloudlifter. Just bought a beta 58a to try out after using 58s live at clubs for years. Plus I wanted to bring my own mic and not sing into others slobber. Ha
JeanClodVanShot surprisingly i observed the same, in some other comparisons though i found the nt-1A to be brighter and the NT-1 to be more flat. Dnt know what to believe
Owning both of these mics along with many others, I can confirm the smoothness of the NT1 which I use mainly for voiceovers. There's actually nothing wrong with either mic and both are good value for money, the NT1 does however feel more substantially built.
Just ordered my second nt1 thanks to you (the first one with the scarlett 2I2 was broken i think it made a super big wind noise or something, guitar didn't work on the scarlett etc, so i took the ai-1 kit, thank you so much, i've been subbed for a few weeks now, really helped me out (also the keyboard test is very well thought out, was gonna go and check a keyboard test when you did it x), love your videos keep up you deserve way more subs, i'd love to hear some music from you if you have a spotify or something)
If Rode made a mic that met in the middle of these two I'd buy several of them!! I got so fed up with the Sibilance boost (3.5-5 kHz) in the NT1-A that I gave it away to a friend. My NT1 is killer but needs a big boost at 14K to sound "crisp" for my Commercial VO clients. If Rode made a mic with the low end of the NT1-A, the flatness of the NT1 through the Sibilant frequencies then added the Air/Presence boost of the NT1-A it would be PERFECT!!!
@@Emel-nf1wg wow! Night and day differences... Especially for music. Listen on something better..... Wouldn't consider getting the NT1A. The NT1 is great
Thanks so much! These videos are really helpful and I strongly think that they should be sponsored and supported by big dealers like Sweetwater, Thomann, etc. because these videos definitely influence / convince people to buy particular mic over another, they should be displayed in microphone product pages as honest review. BTW how can we vote for the versus series? I really like to see a comparison between the NT1 and Neumann TLM 103. Thanks in advance.
This is exactly how to compare microphones. Just what I wanted to see! I was surprised to hear how similar they were, after Rode said they completely remade everything when moving from 1a to 1
@@xXJLNINJAXx and you are correct, when this comment was made i was microphone deaf and did not see the real difference, i myself now own an NT1 and its way better than the nt1A, so thanks
I LIKE your reviews, and especially your demos of response from all sides & distances, acoustic, electric & vocal! No particular preference here, but have the NT1-A (& M-3, among others) and use them with the Scarlett. Now, please show this old guy (75) how to livestream during Covid-19 isolation . . . !
an accurate description of both, nt1a can be a little too bright at the top end, especially for softly spoken vocals where the gain gets turned up making unwanted mouth sounds more noticeable
Excellent explanation of the frequency graph differences of the mics. You didn't mention Rode's 10 year warranty on these microphones which I suppose falls outside the purpose of this video however it's worth mentioning. If Rode thinks that their mics are good for 10+ years, it becomes an attractive option to choose a second-hand one if you are on a limited budget. I have personal experience with Rode's warranties and do not work for the company.
@@thelinthicums3295 My point was more that a used Rode mic, originally guaranteed for 10 years is a safer bet than a product that has a 1 year warranty.
I have both mics and agree with your conclusion. I actually tried the K47 capsule mod on the NT1a, and now it seriously rivals the NT1. (Even just using a cheap K47 capsule from Aliexpress). The sibilance is gone, and the capsule really seems to pair better with the NT1a circuit than the original capsule.
I have an AT2020 on a Samson spider mount through a Scarlett solo right now, looking at upgrading to an NT-1 or NT1-A package right now though. Hard to tell which one I want lol.
That was a great comparison, very concise and informative. I am trying to decide between the two and this provided me with details and suggestions, allowing me to form my own opinion. Thanks a lot, liked!
Bought NT1A .. (Not Harsh= Its Crispy Soft) Literally no noise, Clear, Needful base, needful Treble, Real life sounds, Compared with my friend's Blue Yeti.. Yeti was very Noisy and not that much clear.. Under $200 or Rs.20k NT1A is best.. Instead of at2020, Blue yeti, etc. Actually its a good deal (shock mount, Pop filter, Rode Xlr cable, Mic Pouch). Many UA-camrs says its lil bit harsh, but trust me it doesn't Matter. Rode having strong engineering team to think about this.. I was expecting too much treble but it sounds crispy soft..Wondered..If u r a good singer and if u know how to use the mic, this mic can provide exceptional Quality.
I appreciate this review so much. I have the same thoughts as you, the NT1A sounds way better for guitar and probably would be better on drums or other instruments. But I needed a spoken word mic, and as much as I got told to get the NT1A I am glad this video existed to show me the NT1 would be much better for what I need it for.
It looks like the NT1a has the typical vocal boosts in the low and high mids like a Shure would, and if that is what you are used to, the NT1a would be your choice. Keep in mind also that you can't boost what just isn't there, but you can cut what is.
Thank you for doing this comparison you can hardly tell a difference between the two except when you’re playing overdriven guitar the NT1 has a fuller sound and the NT1a sounds a bit scooped in the mids
Almost, I wanted to buy a sm57 for guitar recording. But after this video I figured I don't really need it. The NT1, that I already have, sounds fine to me
I am glad I have the NT1a, because I am recording guitars, and prefer it for that, too. But man, the NT1 sure has a nice roundness in comparison. Thanks for this great comparison!
I currently have the NT1-A and I am looking for a new microphone. The general applications is for music production. Vocal tracking, acoustic guitar tracking and also some drum room recording. I noticed a difference specially in the music test. Loved the guitar tones with the NT1. The NT1-A sounds cool but honestly I am pretty used to how it reacts to sound. So the choice is clear. Thanks for the video, it was very helpful man!
So yeah, nt1 scoops out the mid frequenzy’s and boost the trouble and color the sound more the nt1-a does. That’s why you Get less clearity on the mid section of the mic and the nt1-a has more clearity and sounds better according to the frequenzy response.
Thank you so much for this comparison. I currently have an Audio-Technica AT2020 and in the future I plan on upgrading my equipment. I have 4 mics on my list, one of them being the Rode NT1a, now I have changed that to the Rode NT1.
@@FrankenSTONE79 Are you working in a noise environment? What is your usual working distance? The SM7B really needs a lot of clean gain to work properly. You need a pretty beefy interface or mixer for that. An inline preamp can be a solution sometimes. But it can't compensate for the quality of the input.
@@ellef9331 if you are gonna spend the money for an NT-1a, then you should pay the little bit extra for the real nt1 or else you will be like "dammit, I think I really want the NT1" and then you will buy the nt1 which is how paying for the cheaper nt1A actually costs you more money in the long run. _Those clever marketers_
I do a lot of vocal audio recording and I purchased the NT1 because reviewers said it wasn't overly bright like the NT1a. I was very pleased with the sound of my voice with the NT1 - so pleased that I do no EQ-ing at all with the recordings. And the mic is so quiet that it needs little noise reduction. In short it is perfect for my use.
That is awesome to hear that the mic is working well for you. Best of luck on the Voice Over.
The Akg C214 has a bright sound. The NT1a is very neutral compared to that. :D
I will paint my nt1a to black
A Q T A II 😂😂😂💯
"I see an NT1A and i want it painted black"
I did. I had the old beige.
haha
@@Manuell110 haha
now that is a proper microphone test if I have ever seen one, thank you!
I'm purchasing NT1 tonight. Your video was so helpful in making my choice.
so how Wass the experience? which sound card do you have?
@@khosla15 well i started loving nt1. It works just great in my home studio. Problem though is I learn to mix my vocal so I could make the best use of the mic. As for the soundcard, I'm not quite sure bro... If you mean audio interface by that, I use Scarlet 2i2. I will become a professional as soon as possible lol
Dude this mic is awesome I own a nt1 along with presonus 24c audio interface and presonus e4.5 monitors just awesomeee
why did you choose the nt1 over the nt1 a, and how is it after a few months ?
@@itsADee thx for your comment
i chose nt1 over nt1a because i could see that through the review there was more crunchiness to the sound of nt1a and also found nt1 sounds more natural than nt1a
i sure am satisfied with nt1
but now that i have spent a few months after i got nt1 i realized the output of the sound does not differ much between mics in the same price range
what matters most is the tone of your vocal and the engineering ability with your daw
frequency response of the Rode NT1 microphone is a masterpiece
Both of these mics seem perfectly useful in a variety of circumstances, honestly; the NT1 does have a somewhat softer, gentler tone, but if you're the sort to prefer a very modern sound, the NT1a is definitely the go-to. But I could flip a coin to decide which to use and be happy with either.
Very True Statement! Couldn't have said it better
Ah, the NT1a. The Rode less taken...
Ha!
Hi Dan
Haha good one
Love it!
Sold millions units worldwide. I get the joke but that title doesn't fit to the NT1A precisely.
Lmfao 😂
I am so glad I've found your channel. Everything is so greatly produced and well made.
I was considering these mics, and this is really hard to choose. I think I like the NT1a just barely better.
Hey bro, seems Tom agrees with you 😂😂
NT1 still my main mic for spoken word easily, thanks in large part to exactly what you mentioned here since it is a lot more neutral
This side-by-side was extremely helpful! I'm ordering my NT1 tonight!
I love my NT1. I looked at both, but I love the flat response and I can EQ what I put in. I do agree that the NT1a is a bit more modern sounding (as you put it), but you're absolutely right about the vintage sound in the NT1. Great Video!
Do you think it's better to have a brighter mic so you can cut the high frequencies if you want, or, have a more neutral sounding mic and eq it to suit your sound? I know boosting frequencies is not preferable.
@@davidbrookes9424 I'm not sure it would make a difference.
I have been using four NT1-A for years now. They are reliable, robust and sound great all the time. I've found they work very well recording acoustic instruments. Excellent value for money.
finally! one of the most anticipated Versus Series! will listen again with my cans at home...
I've only used these 2 mics for vocal/voice-over work. The NT1 is just better, hands down. Much flatter, can customize it more in post. The NT1a isn't bad; it might be suited more for people with bassy voices, because of the high-end boost.
But yeah, that's my take. Great mics in general, though. Honestly can't be beat for the price. Makes it easy for guys on a budget to have professional quality.
I am a deaf mute, and even I can tell the NT1 is just better
_in past video comments I call NT1a mic the fake NT1_
I've got one of each, and the NT1 is the winner for me. They are both so close that it's insignificant because you're going to EQ them, but the NT1 comes with that Rycote lyre-style shock mount ($100 value) and the dual layer metal pop filter. I also think the NT1a tends to sound a bit brittle at the top. I much prefer adding some air to the NT1 with a nice Baxandall EQ curve at the top and giving it some bass boost if needed. What makes this a really tricky choice is that there are actually three different capsules that they use in these mics, and you don't necessarily know which one you're getting. They have some very different characteristics, but you really can't go wrong with either one. For the price, they are an outrageous value, especially the NT1. And honestly, I've been in a session where one of the original Neumann/Telefunken U47 mics just wasn't right for the vocalist, and we pulled out the NT1 and it sounded great. They really put a lot of thought and care into the circuitry design and manufacture of these mics, and they come with a 10 year warrantee. Honestly, they sound as good or better than any of the current Neumann line with the exception of maybe the TLM 107, which is about the only Neumann currently in production that I'd buy. But, I really don't need to because I've got some secret weapon vintage mics that I like even better. Great review!
X S I was thinking about getting the Neumann 102 in the future, you don’t think it would be a good investment?
Yesterday on prime day I pulled the trigger for an NT1A (98€) instead of NT1 (160€) ... It will be used for vocals ... Did I chose wrong ? Best regards !!
@@dankof this is late but you didn't :) some of my favourite singers used rode nt1a for a very long time
@@dankof You really can't go wrong with either. The NT1A supplies brighter overtones, which might make certain vocals sound more pleasurable to the ear without EQ. The NT1 however supplies a flatter, more natural tone which is great for EQing in post production because you start off with an unfiltered sound and can make small adjustments towards a more accurate sound you may be looking for.
They stopped providing the lyre style shock mount so it's just audio and price now ;-;
NT1. I'm all for neutral, and with these mics so low noise, I can boost a little here and there if necessary.
I was considering buying the NT1a for acoustic guitar room mic. After watching a few hours of youtube videos and reading many reviews I finally found what I was looking for! The NT1a.
broke boi, u went with the cheap option smh
@@stampboel9535 Or the intelligent option
I've had both of these microphones and I recommend the NT1A especially if your trying recording vocals. Don't get me wrong, the NT1 is a great mic but I use the NT1A for all my music and it definitely helps cut through the mix better. Also with a little De-essing, Multiband Compression and EQ, you can you can make it sound pretty neutral if thats what your looking for. I'de say save yourself the $50
Thanks
I am a Singer so should go for nt1a or nt1?
Dhawal Jain you know vocals and singing is the same thing right?
thanks bro, so for my rapping I should buy the NT1a?
@@teezimusic2637 any will do depends on the budget
I just bought a NT1 last night. One of the best musical decisions I made in my life. I love it and your advice helped me decide. Thanks 💯
Happy New Year Deondre. I was just wondering, one year later how are you getting on with that MIC please,
Because I am thinking of investing?
Best wishes from an English bloke in a French forest. 👍🎙️
@@nigelcarren Happy New Year. I still stand by this mic. It has a great mid range and low end. Not that much on the highs but can be fixed with an Eq. I still use it to this day. Good luck 👍🏾
Whenever someone asks what mics they should get when they're starting out, I say, "get two black NT1 kits with the shockmount and windscreen." They are well-priced, have very little noise, and can be used on literally every source from drums to finger sounds for ASMR. You can have a dense mix full of NT1 tracks and there is no problem mixing them together. Once you have those two mics and large dynamic and a pencil dynamic, you can pretty much record anything, even drums. I don't know of any large condenser under $500 that I would rather have than an NT1. Maybe the CAD M179 is worth looking at if you need multi-pattern, or maybe if you need a mic with a transformer or a tube condenser, but most of the good ones aren't under $500, so even then, it's like, just wait until you have two NT1s.
In my hunt for my first "good" microphone, I went with the NT1 and I'm so, so happy with it! Your channel has been fantastic for comparing gear. I really appreciate it!
This is the best comparison I've seen about any component, showing specs, and testing vocals, situations, and instruments, this is amazing! your content is really good, you just saved me about 1 or 2 hours of research to know which one should I buy, thank you so much!
I like the NT1 better because I feel that it is better for mixing. The flat level allows you to customize it exactly how you want it, whereas the NT1-A has too much added variance.
Rocking my NT1a since 2003, one best things I bought in my life 🎙️😍
After weeks of research, I've decided to get NT1 after this video. Thanks a lot!
I also decided after reading your comments. Thanks!
@@saesbyeol4458 And me after your comment
I had an NT1a for years, and I finally got rid of it because, basically, there's nothing really bad about it, but there's nothing really good about it either, I think. Listening to this comparison, I feel like there's a similar "special-because-it's-nothing-special" quality to the NT1, but it's also SO much smoother and more pleasing somehow that I really have to wonder why the NT1a even exists anymore! If you want a different EQ curve, just EQ it in yourself! They're such insanely quiet mics that it's not like additive EQ is going to give you any noticeable noise floor! Save the little bit extra money and get the significantly more natural mic, I'd think... but maybe that's just me(?)
Anywho, thanks for posting as always!
My interest is in VO only and the NT1 definitely sounded better to me on your voice. I bought it about 4 years ago but ended up selling it because it sounded a bit "dead" to me, but I also have a voice with more bass. So I'm thinking about looking into the NT1A now based on what you've demonstrated here.
Great review, as always!
Brilliant comparison, very well done. Thanks so much for taking the time to create this video!
Great job on the timestamps. I wanted to hear the polar pattern and that made it super easy to find!
Happy to hear the time stamps are helpful.
I just made a big test comparing different mics on my voice. The mics were TLM103, TLM107, TLM49, NT1, OC818, AKG414, TLM193, KSM32, SM86 and SE4400a. And the best one was NT1! Very surprising! I really wanted a Neumann microphone, but I just couldn't pick one since the NT1 sounded obviously better. I'm not saying it is better than Neumann, but for my voice - no doubt.
I have the NT1!
They nearly the same but one is slightly fuller
getting NT1 soon thanks to your review 🥰 the flattness just fits high & sharp voice better 😊
Nt1 beefy and smoother
Nt1a more colorful and crispy
The NT1 is more neutral, but the NT1A sounds more like how you’d typically EQ vocals for a mix without any of the effort. Tough call, and I think it depends on the user’s voice more than anything. Both are excellent mics.
excellent call. its such a traditional thing to record the vocals as flat as possible.... then add your plug in of choice to sweeten the top end. the NT1A seems to naturally record vocals people want to hear.
I own a NT1A currently, but based on this video, I am hoping to purchase an NT1 - I feel like from listening, the NT1 has a deeper resonance, which I really like in hearing speech and vocals
I own the NT-1 and although in some cases I like the sound of the NT1-A more (acoustic guitar, that modern sound you talked about), I like that it came with a great shock mount, filter and an audio-interface and that it is able to produce warmer basses when needed. And since the response is fairly flat, I can do a lot with it in post. Still learning to make it sound less 'dry', though.
Just wanted to leave you a little thank you comment to acknowledge how excellently thorough your review of these two products was. Thank you so much!
You're welcome Casey, I'm really happy to know it was helpful. Thank you for the kind words.
I just realized that that you have single handedly made a sub genre - microphone core - music about microphones made with those same microphones. It should have a wikipedia page.
sheeeeesh
Bought the NT1 after your review. Very pleased with it.
Love the more finished, airy sound of the Nt1a (I'm an old guy) more except on the electric guitar.
Wow nice comparison!!! If you are a singer/music producer, NT1 makes more sense! You'll record flat vocals and then you can do your magic in post processing and make it sound professional. As a music producer myself I don't like the harshness of NT1-A around 3500khz. But use your ears and choose what's best for you! Good Luck!
@Andrew M. Sheppard it hurts my ears lol
As soon as I saw the charts of both mics I knew the NT1 is better if as you say you produce too and want to do the magic yourself because it's way flatter, no boost except for a slightly boost in the treeble zone while the NT1A basically got spikes boosting different frequencies in a way I don't get, I'll go for the NT1 :)
Skever Beats I’m gonna be honest I don’t understand half of this but I have a question. The NT1 makes your vocals sound flatter? So it is better for post editing. Does that make the NT1-A better for raw-unedited vocals?
@@azubi5510 So sort of I guess? But if you're using a mic for a live performance, 9/10 you're gonna be putting some EQ on it at least. I don't know exactly when you'd be stuck with a raw version of a mic
You have solidified my search for a mic. Thanks so much my man
Just wanted to say thank you very much.. I work at a recording studio, As a security officer. A few Years ago I started to get interested in the equipment that they use at the studio . Thanks to you II am pretty knowledgeable about the equipment, Now I have regular conversations with some of the engineers about gear
Thank you very much
Perhaps the best comparison ever.. no bs and straight to the point
The NT1a reminds me a lot of the sound of the Blue Bluebird, it’s too bright for a lot of my clients likings, even if I EQ out some of the high end. I’m getting the NT1 for my clients who record metal and rap vocals. Thanks for the video!!
Ended up with an nt1 due to a previous video of yours. No complaints at all with it.
It really is an excellent microphone.
I always thank good effective reviewers so thank you! Among tons of other videos this one is just what I needed and it's competent test proceedure!
You're very welcome. I'm happy to help. Thank YOU for watching and for the kind words.
I like them both... I think I gotta go with the NT-1
Subtleties really show in voiceovers. The NT-1A is great, but can get harsh in voice acting, especially under compression or limiting. The NT1 gives a much more 'we want natural' voice with no extra EQ other than 80hz hi-pass. Love it for a variety of voices. Less boomy, if your voice is a little boomy. You can EQ the NT1 to sound like the NT1A, but not really the NT1a to be NT1. The Fourier transform of the EQ makes a little odd funk with the NT1A. (so if you like it love it, but don't try to flatten it like the NT1 or Neumann TLM 103..)
Nt1A for any musician out there it is the bomb
Thanks for this vid, had the NT1A in the mail today but will return it. NT1 already ordered 🤓
I prefer a brighter sound for dj applications so I would go with the NT1a!!!!! Great review 👍
It's a very good comparison. Actually the first video I've seen in my mic pursuit and I'm glad I've watched it firstly to narrow down my mic choice and secondly, it served me as a hearing test, which I obviously passed. :) I like the NT1 more, it sounds more balanced and warm. Even with the acoustic guitar. Thanks a lot!
Dude you have the best mic reviews on the planet! NT1 on both electric, acoustic, and vocals. Sounds amazing I bought one and a sm7b cause of your other vid to see which ones will be best recording rock n roll.
do u have a update on this?
@@DropoutFelon love the sm7b for recording and live the NT1 is good for the money but for my vocals no contest with the sm7b and cloudlifter. Just bought a beta 58a to try out after using 58s live at clubs for years. Plus I wanted to bring my own mic and not sing into others slobber. Ha
@@DropoutFelon plus hard to wrong with 57s for recording guitars but the NT1 is better and more clear to me for vocals and guitars than the NT1A.
You Deserve At Least 1 Billion Subscriber.
Really Good Work.
The difference between those two mics is only heard with the guitars, the voices are close to identical
JeanClodVanShot surprisingly i observed the same, in some other comparisons though i found the nt-1A to be brighter and the NT-1 to be more flat. Dnt know what to believe
@@agambhasin in the end I went for the nt1a for streaming and I couldn't be happier
JeanClodVanShot Great to know that! I am considering the NT-1 though! Cheers!!
@@agambhasin if you want to hear examples, you can check stuff on my channel, also I did stuff like eq and compression with my goxlr
JeanClodVanShot 400
Owning both of these mics along with many others, I can confirm the smoothness of the NT1 which I use mainly for voiceovers. There's actually nothing wrong with either mic and both are good value for money, the NT1 does however feel more substantially built.
which one would you prefer for rap or singing vocals?
NT1
I cant wait my nt1 arrived
Just ordered my second nt1 thanks to you (the first one with the scarlett 2I2 was broken i think it made a super big wind noise or something, guitar didn't work on the scarlett etc, so i took the ai-1 kit, thank you so much, i've been subbed for a few weeks now, really helped me out (also the keyboard test is very well thought out, was gonna go and check a keyboard test when you did it x), love your videos keep up you deserve way more subs, i'd love to hear some music from you if you have a spotify or something)
If Rode made a mic that met in the middle of these two I'd buy several of them!! I got so fed up with the Sibilance boost (3.5-5 kHz) in the NT1-A that I gave it away to a friend. My NT1 is killer but needs a big boost at 14K to sound "crisp" for my Commercial VO clients.
If Rode made a mic with the low end of the NT1-A, the flatness of the NT1 through the Sibilant frequencies then added the Air/Presence boost of the NT1-A it would be PERFECT!!!
FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACTS 🔥💯🎯
I can hear very little difference between the two listening through Sennheiser HD650 headphones so I'll save some money and go with the NT1-A.
Seriously? There's significant differences.
@@ramspencer5492 There is no difference.
@@Emel-nf1wg wow! Night and day differences... Especially for music. Listen on something better..... Wouldn't consider getting the NT1A. The NT1 is great
@@Emel-nf1wg yes there are
Thanks so much! These videos are really helpful and I strongly think that they should be sponsored and supported by big dealers like Sweetwater, Thomann, etc. because these videos definitely influence / convince people to buy particular mic over another, they should be displayed in microphone product pages as honest review. BTW how can we vote for the versus series? I really like to see a comparison between the NT1 and Neumann TLM 103. Thanks in advance.
This is exactly how to compare microphones. Just what I wanted to see! I was surprised to hear how similar they were, after Rode said they completely remade everything when moving from 1a to 1
The NT-1A sounded warmer and i loved it!!
.
Edit: That was so stupid of me, the NT-1 is a better microphone!
Odd, the 1A is brighter, and that's what i hear
@@xXJLNINJAXx and you are correct, when this comment was made i was microphone deaf and did not see the real difference, i myself now own an NT1 and its way better than the nt1A, so thanks
I LIKE your reviews, and especially your demos of response from all sides & distances, acoustic, electric & vocal! No particular preference here, but have the NT1-A (& M-3, among others) and use them with the Scarlett. Now, please show this old guy (75) how to livestream during Covid-19 isolation . . . !
Spot on!! Very reliable review, like always! Well done mate!!
an accurate description of both, nt1a can be a little too bright at the top end, especially for softly spoken vocals where the gain gets turned up making unwanted mouth sounds more noticeable
Excellent explanation of the frequency graph differences of the mics. You didn't mention Rode's 10 year warranty on these microphones which I suppose falls outside the purpose of this video however it's worth mentioning. If Rode thinks that their mics are good for 10+ years, it becomes an attractive option to choose a second-hand one if you are on a limited budget. I have personal experience with Rode's warranties and do not work for the company.
I do not believe the Rode warranty is transferable, i.e., it is for the original owner only.
I live in Australia. Rode fixes it's mics here and takes care of the guy that asks nicely; that is my experience
@@thelinthicums3295 My point was more that a used Rode mic, originally guaranteed for 10 years is a safer bet than a product that has a 1 year warranty.
NT1a is an incredible mic. great for ANYTHING. vocals, spoken, intruments, podcasts, etc
Great video! I prefer the NT1 that is more flat and add the colour I need on the mix 👍
For me, it isn't about quality but about curve. Great to know, thanks.
I have both mics and agree with your conclusion. I actually tried the K47 capsule mod on the NT1a, and now it seriously rivals the NT1. (Even just using a cheap K47 capsule from Aliexpress). The sibilance is gone, and the capsule really seems to pair better with the NT1a circuit than the original capsule.
I have an AT2020 on a Samson spider mount through a Scarlett solo right now, looking at upgrading to an NT-1 or NT1-A package right now though. Hard to tell which one I want lol.
I own both mics I prefer the nt1 specially on vocals, it has a more neutral and warm sound.
Great video. All the basics covered quickly and clearly. Fun as well.
That was a great comparison, very concise and informative. I am trying to decide between the two and this provided me with details and suggestions, allowing me to form my own opinion. Thanks a lot, liked!
Thanks man! I just bought the Nt1 + ai1 package!
My use cases is basically speech, should fit me perfectly!
Bought NT1A .. (Not Harsh= Its Crispy Soft)
Literally no noise, Clear, Needful base, needful Treble, Real life sounds,
Compared with my friend's Blue Yeti.. Yeti was very Noisy and not that much clear..
Under $200 or Rs.20k NT1A is best..
Instead of at2020, Blue yeti, etc.
Actually its a good deal (shock mount, Pop filter, Rode Xlr cable, Mic Pouch).
Many UA-camrs says its lil bit harsh, but trust me it doesn't Matter. Rode having strong engineering team to think about this.. I was expecting too much treble but it sounds crispy soft..Wondered..If u r a good singer and if u know how to use the mic, this mic can provide exceptional Quality.
I appreciate this review so much. I have the same thoughts as you, the NT1A sounds way better for guitar and probably would be better on drums or other instruments. But I needed a spoken word mic, and as much as I got told to get the NT1A I am glad this video existed to show me the NT1 would be much better for what I need it for.
It looks like the NT1a has the typical vocal boosts in the low and high mids like a Shure would, and if that is what you are used to, the NT1a would be your choice. Keep in mind also that you can't boost what just isn't there, but you can cut what is.
You made it so simple. Very good job
Thank you for doing this comparison you can hardly tell a difference between the two except when you’re playing overdriven guitar the NT1 has a fuller sound and the NT1a sounds a bit scooped in the mids
your video is so good. Love it. I already have NT1-A and now will buy NT1 because of your video. If I don't like it, it will be your fault :)
NT1 for sure, 3.5 kHz boost on the NT1A is just a bit harsh.
Strange, but to me the NT1A sounds better... Less shrill, less flat, less background pickup.
Superb video. Love the song too! The best comparision video I've ever seen. Thanks so much! Subscribed...
Great video! I'm glad I have the NT1! Have always wondered!
Andrew Kan yeah. You have a great mic there. You’ll likely love it for years to come.
@@Podcastage it's been serving me very well! What is your favorite mic currently?
its been 6 years Using NT1-A ♥
bought an NT1-A, after about a year got tired of the extreme boosts and cuts
This was the most helpful review thank you!
Hey! I love your content :) Can you please make a vid comparing the Nt1-a to the AT2035? Thank you!
Almost, I wanted to buy a sm57 for guitar recording. But after this video I figured I don't really need it. The NT1, that I already have, sounds fine to me
I prefer the nt1a, in my ears it's a fuller sound and gives off a modern sound like you mentioned!
Just purchased the NT1
I am glad I have the NT1a, because I am recording guitars, and prefer it for that, too. But man, the NT1 sure has a nice roundness in comparison. Thanks for this great comparison!
I currently have the NT1-A and I am looking for a new microphone.
The general applications is for music production.
Vocal tracking, acoustic guitar tracking and also some drum room recording.
I noticed a difference specially in the music test.
Loved the guitar tones with the NT1.
The NT1-A sounds cool but honestly I am pretty used to how it reacts to sound.
So the choice is clear.
Thanks for the video, it was very helpful man!
NT1-A user here. thank's for this review
That was great!! Love the creative element of your video. Totally agree and will purchase thank you :)
So yeah, nt1 scoops out the mid frequenzy’s and boost the trouble and color the sound more the nt1-a does. That’s why you Get less clearity on the mid section of the mic and the nt1-a has more clearity and sounds better according to the frequenzy response.
Personally I’m in the nt1a camp for vocals for sure!
Thank you so much for this comparison. I currently have an Audio-Technica AT2020 and in the future I plan on upgrading my equipment. I have 4 mics on my list, one of them being the Rode NT1a, now I have changed that to the Rode NT1.
Won't be that much of an upgrade IMO.
Have you considered something in the range of the Sennheiser MK4?
@@ellef9331 thanks for the input. I was also looking into the Shure SM7B and the Shure KSM8/B.
@@FrankenSTONE79 Are you working in a noise environment? What is your usual working distance?
The SM7B really needs a lot of clean gain to work properly. You need a pretty beefy interface or mixer for that. An inline preamp can be a solution sometimes. But it can't compensate for the quality of the input.
@@ellef9331 if you are gonna spend the money for an NT-1a, then you should pay the little bit extra for the real nt1 or else you will be like "dammit, I think I really want the NT1" and then you will buy the nt1 which is how paying for the cheaper nt1A actually costs you more money in the long run. _Those clever marketers_
@@ellef9331 once i get the better mic, i will get a better pre amp (Focusrite 2i4)
thank you. Im going go with the NT1