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Rode NT1A Studio Condenser Microphone

Low distortion. Higher SPL capability. SM1 shockmount included.

 
Because this item is used at your mouth or ear, it cannot be returned once opened due to health reasons. details
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Pro-quality mic for home studios!
Up until the late 80's, high-quality condenser mics were only offered by boutique manufacturers at boutique prices. None but the biggest corporate recording studios could afford them. Around the same time, many bands were abandoning the "big-studio" model and adopting DIY production ideals made popular by the hardcore punk scene. More musicians recorded and released their own music, and Rode recognized new demand. Starting in 1990, their now-legendary NT1 condenser mic brought studio-quality performance to the emerging, budget-conscious home-studio market. For today's Do-It-Yourselfer, Rode's anniversary edition NT1-A continues the tradition of quality and affordability, with redesigned features for the latest digital recording methods.

True-condenser operation
Most low-cost condenser mics use an electret design, where a small electrical bias, or charge, is permanently attached to the condenser element. This technique is cost effective, but it can't match the quality of the traditional condenser design. Unlike electret mics, the NT1-A is a true condenser microphone, externally biased like its boutique cousins, but at a fraction of the cost. State-of-the-art surface-mount electronics and transformerless circuitry used in the NT1-A make it one of the quietest microphones in the world - at any price range. The internal shockmount system further isolates the mic from its environment to prevent floor vibration and handling noise from entering the signal path. With a self-noise rating of just 5.5 dBA, any audio source can be captured with sparkling brilliance and clarity. Your recorded tracks will be filled with the subtle characteristics that used to only come out of professional studios.

Cardioid pickup pattern
You may worry the NT1-A is too quiet, too pristine for your needs. After all, digital production techniques leave no place for mistakes to hide. Fortunately, Rode designed the mic with a cardioid pickup pattern. Ambient noise from the back and sides of the condenser element are automatically rejected, leaving nothing but your intended source. You get all of what you want, and none of what you don't. Your tracks will be clean and tight, making the editing and mixing process much smoother. Project studios live and die by their output quality and quick turnaround. The NT1-A gives you more of both.

The specs
As with any home recording gear, a microphone must be versatile if it wants to stay in the budget. The NT1-A gives professional results with any input source. It features a wide 132 dB dynamic range and a maximum Sound Pressure Level of 137 dB to cover the quietest cymbal chimes to the boomiest bass parts with equal clarity and presence. The full-range frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz is capable of reproducing whatever you record with spot-on accuracy. Use it as a room mic for rhythm and instrument tracks, then prop it up on a boom stand for rich, warm vocals. Why spend your money on a bunch of 'source-specific' mics, when the NT1-A will do it all?

Get a matched set
For many engineers, the quickest way to a great-sounding track is to set up a pair microphones and record the music in stereo. The thinking is, capture what your ears normally hear and you can't go wrong. If this sounds good to you, Rode offers the NT1-A as an acoustically matched pair. You'll receive a certificate of testing to ensure proper balance and equal sensitivity on each mic. There's no need to compensate between one mic and the next, just set 'em and forget 'em. NT1-A's require 48v phantom power, so be sure your mixer or preamp supports this feature.

Included accessories
Rode includes an external shockmount and soft zippered pouch with an individual mic, or two shockmounts and a molded plastic carrying case with the matched pair.
The Anniversary Model NT1-A is a complete redesign of the now legendary NT1 classic studio microphone. From the new nickel-plated body to the state-of-the-art surface mount electronic circuitry, the NT1-A will leave you asking "how can RODE offer a microphone that sounds this good, for so little money?" It takes advantage of the huge RODE investment in advanced large scale manufacturing allowing premium performance, durability, consistency, and construction at a price that anyone can afford. With a self-noise figure of only 5.5 dBA, the NT1-A is one of the lowest noise studio mics in the world -- regardless of cost. Unrivalled low distortion, higher SPL capability, and extended dynamic range make it well suited for even the most demanding digital recording applications.

Certified Matching Pair
Matched pair has been acoustically matched for equal sensitivity from each mic. Includes certificate of testing.

Technical Info

Acoustic Principle: Externally polarized 25mm (1 in.) condenser.

Active Electronics: JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer

Pickup Pattern: Cardioid

Frequency Response: 20Hz ~ 20kHz

Output Impedance: 100 Ohms

Sensitivity: 31.9dB re 1volt/pascal (25mV @ 94dB SPL) +/-2dB

Equivalent noise: 5dBA (SPL (per IEC651, IEC 268-15)

Maximum Output: + 13.7dBu (@ 1% THD into 1kOhm)

Dynamic Range: 132dB (per IEC651, IEC 268-15)

Maximum SPL: 137 dB (@ 1% THD into 1kOhm)

Signal/Noise: >88dB (1kHz rel 1 Pa; per IEC651, IEC 268-15)
Sure, it has remarkable specs--only 5 dBA self-noise and a substantial 137 dB SPL handling--but what you'll really love is the warm, smooth sound! Includes pouch and shockmount. Choose the Matched Pair for accurate stereo recordings.
11/20 New stock arrives in zZounds' warehouse, New, Pair, with Mic Bar, Stands, Cables, and Pop Filter, available for immediate delivery.
11/20 Fresh from the truck! New, Pair, with SM1 Shockmount, and Pop Filter, order before they are gone!
10/02 Just added to the site! New, Anniversary Pack, pick yours up today!
09/16 New to zZounds, New, Anniversary Pack, orders being accepted.

What Our Customers Say About zZounds

"I'm very happy with zZounds and the product I bought from them and would recommend them to anyone." - customer on November 12, 2009

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Rode NT1A Studio Condenser Microphone Reviews

480 People rated this product :
           10 out of 10
           10 out of 10
  zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Great sound!"
Feature:
Shock-Mount and Case.

Value:
This is as good as it gets for the price when buying a condenser mic.

Desirability:
Uhh. It's a very good-looking mic with shapely curves and a delightful coat of shiny wet gold.

Sound:
Noise free. What a beautiful microphone! I can't help but first comment on how noise-free it is. I understand condensers pick up a lot more sound than other mics (dynamic mics). This microphone is a condenser - it picks up a lot of sound, but it picks up very little noise! I love it.

Support:
I know nothing of their support services, but I do know this mic appears to be of good working quality and not the type to break in a long while.

Overall:
For as long as I own this mic, I will be most likely happy with it.

Submitted: 07/09/2007
Style of Music: rock
25 of 25 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
Thanks for your opinion!
           10 out of 10
"Buy this microphone!"
Feature:
includes a shock mount, and also a pop filter (although that may have been included by the retailer). I have not had any problems with them, although I do not routinely mount and unmount the mic

Quality:
sturdy, well built, professional looking

Value:
There are some cheaper large diaphragm condensers in the $100 range, but like most rock-bottom accessories you buy, you will wind up wanting something better very quickly. Not so with this mic; it will last you until you start wanting something in the $5k+ range.

Sound:
outstanding sound. My vocals cut through the mix much better than with my previous mics, without needing to boost the gain. Subtle nuances are picked up also, which were missed with my other mics - picks up room characteristics (ambience) much more (could be a minus, but i think my other mics just sucked). I have also recorded acoustic guitar with this mic, and the results were incredible.

Ease of Use:
I sing into one end, and my voice comes out the other (sort of). I have trouble with the singing part, but I won't blame that on the mic.

Support:
Never needed support

Overall:
Like somebody else said, if it were stolen I would buy another one. I have no plans to buy another mic of this type for vocals or acoustic instrument recording.

Submitted: 07/03/2007
Style of Music: Pop / Rock
44 of 45 people (97.78%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
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