Rode NT1 (5th Gen) Review / Test

Today I review the brand new NT1 from Rode which offers 32-bit floating point A/D conversion over the USB output. This offers a pretty neutral bass and mids frequency response which means it can get a bit overpowering in the lower frequencies if you're close micing, and then you get a detailed treble sound. It has an impressive self noise of only 4dBa and a max SPL of 142dB. It's a very impressive mic that will serve some people extremely well.

Buy the Rode NT1 (5th Gen) (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/nt15th
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/nt15th

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Demo of 32-Bit Floating Point Recording
00:20 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
01:06 - Setup
01:27 - What’s in the Box
01:53 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
02:38 - Specifications
03:09 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
03:27 - Plosive Test
03:40 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
04:05 - Background Noise Test 
04:25 - Untreated Room Test
04:45 - Shock Rejection Test
05:06 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
05:20 - USB vs XLR Output
06:17 - Intro to Comparison
06:46 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
07:06 - Neat King Bee II Comparison
07:30 - Rode NT1a Comparison
07:57 - Lewitt LCT440 Comparison
08:21 - Rode NT1 (4th) Comparison
09:11 - Rode NT2a Comparison
09:44 - Shure KSM32 Comparison
10:13 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison
11:44 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
11:17 - Music Test
12:36 - Pros & Cons
14:57 - Overall Thoughts
17:35 - Recommendation
18:39 - Who Is 32 Bit Floating Point For?
20:37 - Outro

Bandrew Scott

Bandrew Scott is the founder and host of the youtube channel Podcastage, where he posts reviews of audio gear, and shares tips and tricks to improve the audio of your Podcast, YouTube Channel, or Live Stream.

He also founded the Geeks Rising podcast network, which is home to amazing education, wellness, and pop culture podcasts such as Tourette’s Podcast, Sunshine & Powercuts, and On The Subject.

Bandrew also runs his own show titled the Bandrew Says Podcast. On this show he analyzes the latest news to determine how it affects the content creation ecosystem, and shares that to help creates remain aware of how the platform they use is changing.