The fact that Røde’s NT-USB Mini microphone can also be read as the Rødent-USB Mini is a subject of some confusion and a little trepidation at Stuff. They have to know there’s a mouse joke in the name, right? And that it implies there is a regular or large Rødent-USB and we don’t think we’d like to see that. The mouse, that is. We’d be happy to use any other Røde microphones.
But small mammals don’t actually have any relation to a well-built but compact cardioid condenser microphone. Mice don’t have a bit-depth of 24-bits, a 3.5mm jack for headphone audio passthrough and USB-C output, nor do they have a 48kHz sample rate or a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range. While you could technically mount a rat on a microphone boom (we don’t recommend it and you didn’t hear that from us), you can’t use it to stream audio, and absolutely no rodent has a built-in pop filter.
Røde to the rescue
Those are neat specs but the real power of this little guy shows itself when you use it through Røde Connect. That’s Røde’s companion software for podcasting or streaming. When you use the NT-USB Mini through the software, you’ll get access to the built-in noise gate, compressor, APHEX Aural Exciter and Big Bottom.
Maybe the only downside to the NT-USB Mini is that you’ll need to get yourself a microphone boom or a desk stand to elevate the mic closer to your mouth hole. If it’s too far away it’ll struggle to pick you up. It is only powered by USB after all. You’ll struggle to find a mic that offers the same sound quality with the convenience of a USB connection. You don’t even need to download the software, it works with Universal Plug and Play, but you don’t want to miss out on Big Bottom now do you?
You can get your Røde NT – USB Mini in SA from Musical Distributors for R3,000.