The RØDE NT-USB Mini is a beautiful little microphone that works alongside the powerful RØDE Connect ... [+] software.
Podcasting has blossomed during the pandemic, proving to be a great way of promoting businesses, championing causes, relaying information and airing opinions that might otherwise be ignored by the mainstream media. Podcasts are easy and relatively cheap to make. They don’t require a huge amount of expensive equipment and that’s done a lot to democratize the broadcasting of opinion and comment.
Australian microphone manufacturer RØDE has taken a big step towards making podcasting even easier and more affordable to make thanks to the company’s superb range of microphones, including the clever little RØDE NT-USB Mini. This small and high-quality mic also has a brilliant piece of software called RØDE Connect. This clever and free software enables podcasters and streamers to connect up to four RØDE NT-USB microphones to one computer. The Connect software works like an advanced sound mixer that can record the individual audio track of each microphone.
The RØDE NT-USB Mini is a great little condenser microphone with a high-quality 3.5mm headphone output that has a precision volume control for monitoring the audio signal in real-time. The Mini also has a switchable zero-latency monitoring mode that eliminates distracting echoes when recording.
Up to four RØDE NT-USB Mini microphones can be connected to one computer using the RØDEConnect ... [+] software.
This little microphone is compact and light enough to use on location and includes a built-in stand that attaches magnetically. The microphone outputs professional-quality audio to a computer or tablet and is ideal for gamers, podcasters, musicians and streamers. The high-quality condenser capsule inside the NT-USB Mini produces a rich and warm tone that I like. It has a directional cardioid pickup pattern that’s ideal for reducing acoustic reflections and distracting background noises. It also has an integral pop filter that stops popping sounds coming from someone’s voice so there’s no need to use separate pop-screens when recording or streaming on location.
The RØDE NT-USB Mini can swivel through 360 degrees and includes a unique, quick-release magnetic mount that attaches to a sturdy desktop stand. The mount is made from rubber and helps to deaden vibrations that might otherwise be picked up by the mic’s condenser capsule. The mount can be removed and replaced with a screw adapter that enables the Mini to be attached to a boom arm or stand. The little stand that comes with the Mini could do with being a bit taller so that it comes closer to the speaker’s mouth, but then it wouldn’t be so compact. It can easily be placed on a small pile of books to increase its height.
At just 89mm wide and 141mm tall, the Mini takes up hardly any space on a desk and is made from steel reinforced with nylon resin so that it can withstand the rigors of recording on location. Everything about the Mini is high quality. It is affordable and the advanced design makes it a genuine bargain.
The little RØDENT-USB Mini includes a headphone amplifier that offers zero latency monitoring. ... [+] There's a volume control which can be clicked to mute. There's no mixing control to change the balance tween the speaker and the input coming from the computer but it seems to work fine.
Finally, the RØDE NT-USB Mini is USB Class Compliant so it can be plugged into virtually any computer or a device running macOS, Windows, iOS and Android and will appear as an audio input and output device without the need for any special drivers or software.
In addition to its basic use, the RØDE NT-USB Mini has hidden potential that can be unlocked using the free RØDE Connect software. This simple and powerful piece of software is designed for podcasters and live streamers. It unlocks access to the microphone’s built-in effects processor which includes a compressor, a noise gate, plus APHEX Aural Exciter and Big Bottom effects. A compressor is a great tool for making a voice sound more balanced and consistent. The noise gate can be used to reduce background noise such as air conditioners or traffic. Activating the mic’s noise gate will produce a cleaner and more professional sound.
The little NT-USB Mini also has an APHEX Aural Exciter built-in. This introduces harmonics to the higher frequencies of a speaker’s voice, giving it more shine and extra sparkle. The opposite function is the APHEX Big Bottom effect. This introduces harmonics to the lower frequencies of a speaker’s voice, adding richness and depth to a recording. All these features can be activated with a single click using RØDE Connect and can add an extra level of shine to audio by shaping voices. All the effects can be monitored and adjusted in real-time via the software.
The RØDE Connect software is free. It connects up to four Mini mics and outside audio sources. It ... [+] also has sound pads that can be clicked to play prerecorded sounds such as jingles or music.
With the ability to connect a maximum of four NT-USB Minis microphones to a single computer, the RØDE Connect software is ideal for anyone who wants to produce a professional-quality podcast almost anywhere. Connect offers an intuitive recording interface that mimics a traditional analog mixing desk with a design and function inspired by the RØDE Caster Pro hardware mixer. There are on-screen representations of faders controls, level meters, sound pads, mute buttons. All the separate sound channels can be recorded as separate tracks or combined into a stereo composite.
RØDE Connect can also handle external audio sources like the sound from a Skype call, smartphone or Zoom. This makes it ideal for gamers who want an easy way to route audio for a live stream, including chat applications, gameplay sound, mic audio and more. Like the RØDECaster Pro, Connect also has sound pads, colored squares that can be clicked to trigger the playback of pre-recorded interviews, music beds, commercials, jingles, intro and outro music, stings and various sound effects.
There are a few sounds already programmed into the sound pads to get you started. These include applause and laughter. The sound pads can either play the effect once or loop continuously, plus there’s a slider to control the output levels of the sound effects. Extra sound pads can easily be created to make playing sound effects as simple as a click of a mouse.
The RØDE NT-USB Mini has a magnetically attached sound that can be disconnected and fitted with a ... [+] screw thread so the mic can be mounted on a boom or larger stand.
RØDE Connect also features a Solo button that enables the podcast producer to record and listen to a particular channel or channels without needing to mute the other channels. The whole package is easy to use and means the podcaster on the move doesn’t need to carry a heavy sound mixer to the recording location. Connect is easy to use and when you consider that the RØDE Caster Pro hardware version costs more than $500, it’s an absolute bargain.
I can’t understand why any other USB microphone manufacturers haven’t produced their own piece of software offering the same features as RØDE Connect. The only other software I can think of is ShurePlus MOTIV, but even that only offers the possibility of combining two microphones and there’s no mixing function or sound pads on offer.
To get started with RØDE Connect, you just need to download it from RØDE’s website and then plug in a maximum of four NT-USB Mini mics and start recording. Connect has a full-featured recording interface, virtual and system channels for hooking up remote contributors and, best of all, it creates a mix-minus on each channel for echo-free communication.
RØDE also sells optional colored tops for the NT-USB Mini so that it's easy to identify a microphone ... [+] and alter its sound using RØDE Connect software.
Mix minus is a special setting that enables a remote guest on a podcast or radio show to hear everyone else taking part in the chat but without hearing their voice being fed back down the line as an annoying delayed echo. Take it from me, setting up mix-minus on a conventional analog mixer can be a pain in the fundament. The fact that RØDE Connect can do all this automatically is a podcaster’s dream. The software can record a composite stereo track of all the inputs or a series of discrete audio tracks so each contributor can be edited individually. This makes the whole package incredibly versatile.
RØDE Connect is a powerful piece of software that is ideal for streamers and gamers who want to streamline their audio setup. RØDE Connect also offers simplified control over each microphone and external applications. It provides dedicated output controls for streaming apps like OBS or Xsplit so that setting up livestream audio has never been so easy.
Verdict: The RØDE NT-USB Mini is a high-quality microphone that may be small but has some powerful features thanks to a built-in processor. The free RØDE Connect software enables four of these superb little microphones to be lashed together and fed into a single computer or tablet for recording a podcast. Remote guests can be added into the mix to create a broadcast studio on a laptop. All you need to carry is a few microphones and some headphones. Essentially you can pack a complete studio into a large messenger bag. Considering its affordable price and versatility, there’s very little on the market to compare the RØDE NT-USB Mini when it comes to price or performance. I’d be happy to use the NT-USB Mini to record or stream broadcast-quality audio. Connect’s ability to play in recorded features, sound effects and music from the programmable sound pads makes the software unique, especially when you consider it’s free. Highly Recommended.
More info: rode.com
Wthe the NT-USB Mini, RØDE has created an affordable and portable podcasting mic. The Connect ... [+] software turns it into a superb tool with effects built in and the ability to hook ups four mics for a single podcast or livestream.