Start tracking serious vocals in your home studio with the Rode NT1-A -- a time-tested entry-level large-diaphragm condenser mic. The anniversary-edition NT1-A continues Rode's tradition of Australian-built quality at an affordable price. Originally released in 1991, the now-legendary NT1 microphone was one of the first condenser mics to bring professional performance to an emerging home-studio market. The NT1-A edition boasts a miniscule 5 dBA of self-noise, making it truly one of the world's quietest microphones -- ideal for vocals, voiceover, and acoustic instruments. With a clearer, more articulate high end than the original NT1, and a hint of subtle warmth that's universally flattering on vocals, there's nothing "budget" about the sound of the Rode NT1-A.


See and hear how singer-songwriter Hayzee records with the Rode NT1-A:


NT1-A Studio Secrets: Tips from Rode on how to get the most out of this mic:

True-Condenser Operation

What makes one condenser better than another? For starters, the vast majority of low-cost condensers use an electret design, where a small electrical bias, or charge, is permanently applied to the condenser element. In contrast, the Rode NT1-A is a true externally-biased condenser microphone, like the most expensive large-diaphragm studio condensers. Meanwhile, state-of-the-art surface-mount electronics and transformerless circuitry make the NT1-A one of the quietest microphones in the world, at any price range. With a self-noise rating of… read more just 5.5 dBA, the NT1-A is perfect for picking up detailed nuances of instruments like acoustic guitar, quiet violin, or delicate vocals. And yet, a maximum SPL of 137 dB makes it a go-to mic for loud vocals or drum overheads. It's this versatility that has made the NT1-A a first-choice condenser for home project studios.

Detailed Highs, Well-Balanced Lows

While the original NT1 had a frequency range that tapered off at the top, the NT1-A boasts an open, detailed high end and well-balanced low-end warmth. This microphone is known to sound true and natural on acoustic sources -- without the high-mid harshness often found in "cheap" condensers. If you're a folk singer-songwriter that's making vocal/guitar tracks with just one or two mics, the NT1-A is a fantastic budget choice. If you're more the kind of producer that likes to crank around on EQ to deliver a specific, rich vocal timbre, the NT1-A's pleasingly neutral sound responds well to EQ. Its classic cardioid pattern is the standard for tracking vocals, and it's ideal for home-studio situations where you must set up a mic in the same room with your computer, since the NT1-A rejects ambient noise from the back and sides of the mic to focus on your intended source.

Features:

- Extremely low 5.5 dBA self-noise, ideal for recording delicate sources
- A home-studio favorite large-diaphragm condenser on vocals and much more
- Dedicated cardioid pickup pattern
- Free Anniversary Package includes a shock mount, XLR cable, and mic dust cover

Back when Rode released the original NT1 microphone, computer-based DAWs were just starting to make home-studio recording the new standard. Since then, the NT1 and anniversary-edition NT1-A have carved out a reputation as modern classics. Whether you're hanging a pair over a drum kit, or just miking up your acoustic guitar, the Rode NT1-A remains the essential large-diaphragm condenser mic for budget-minded project studios.

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