A few years ago there was a revolution in USB microphones. There were a number of high-quality microphones before this time, but the revolution had nothing to do with the microphone itself, but what came with it: its software.
The software has become a major selling point for the new generation of microphones, allowing mixing and even processing to be done in one place, making many third-party software mixers obsolete, and allowing the user to send a single source to their streaming or recording software of choice. . This addition made USB solutions as viable as the XLR microphone/hardware mixer combo for a fraction of the cost. Among the microphones at the forefront of this revolution was the Rode NT-USB Mini, a microphone that’s small in stature, simplistic in design and packed with real power.
In the box, you get an NT-USB Mini microphone with a built-in kickstand, a stand that attaches to the stand magnetically, and a USB-C to USB-A cable. The microphone itself is built like a brick. Typical of Rode microphones, the capsule is solid and has some weight for its size.
What surprised me was the fact that the stand itself was quite light in comparison. One would expect a sturdier foundation, but it left me wanting a bit. I will say, however, that the small stature of the NT-USB Mini itself keeps the center of gravity low, so you don’t run the risk of it being knocked over. However, I like the magnetic connection to the stand for easy transfer from stand to mic stand. There are threads where the NT-USB Mini connects to the stand, so it can still be screwed in properly.
“At the affordable price of $99.99 USD, the NT-USB Mini isn’t priced at an entry-level microphone, but it offers much more than any entry-level microphone can offer…”
I maintain that the microphone should not be left on the desk. Put it on a stand and close to your face, especially since it’s a condenser mic and ambient noise will be insane when the mic is too far away.
Setup is easy and when you’re done you hear a fantastic condenser mic. The sound of my voice captured by the NT-USB Mini was so warm and clear with just the right amount of bass and treble without so much midrange. In terms of EQ, I only made the tiniest of changes to get it right, but I could easily use it as it is out of the box.
But you can go one step further and download Rode Connect, the software that turns your microphone into a full-fledged recording studio and streaming station at a low cost. This software turns your PC into a Rodecaster Pro in almost every way. The user interface looks identical to the Rodecaster surface (maybe we’ll see an update to reflect the look of the Rodecaster Pro II?) and features so much of its functionality, including the ability to combine up to four microphones, add two additional virtual sources, allowing you to add sources such as music, chat, game and more.
In addition to these sources, access to Soundpad opens up your production to instantly integrate stings, audio clips, and sound effects without the need to add them in post.
“The sound of my voice captured by the NT-USB Mini was so warm and clear with just the right amount of bass and treble without so much midrange.”
Although it lacks the total number of playback sources that some other microphone softwares offer, in addition to the features I’ve already listed, they have a crucial feature that none of the others offer. Rode Connect can record. Either as a stereo mix or as a multi-channel recording, this can all be done from this software, eliminating the need for additional software for podcast recordings, for example.
However, I have some problems with the NT-USB Mini. First, its volume control is difficult to operate. The knob doesn’t stick out from the mic, the only part you can manipulate is through the bottom and the knob was a bit stiff. I admit that once you get it set up the way you want it, you shouldn’t mess with it that much.
Another thing about the knob is that pressing it allows you to watch with zero lag. I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to hear yourself in the mix with the rest of the audio. The ability to mute the microphone for yourself exists in the software, so this button function can be used elsewhere.
One feature that could replace it is microphone muting, something that doesn’t currently exist on the hardware. Being able to quickly mute the mic, especially on podcasts or streams, is paramount, and leaving that out of the mic felt like an oversight. This is a situation where the software slows down the process. Even with the current functionality, other options could be explored. A long press of the knob or perhaps a capacitive touch to the top of the microphone à la the Elgato Wave microphones could have preserved the design while incorporating a key feature in the NT-USB Mini.
At the affordable price of $99.99 USD, the NT-USB Mini isn’t the price of an entry-level microphone, but it offers much more than any entry-level microphone can offer, but is more affordable than other options with a software solution. It’s also a price that favors people buying multiple microphones for a podcast setup.
Also available for the NT-USB Mini are color-coded caps and cable covers that would allow you to distinguish between the different microphones and where they connect to the computer. The color coding extends to the software, so you’ll know which mic you’re controlling based on color (assuming you’re assigning the right mics to the right places).
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