RØDE NT1 5th Gen condenser microphone: features and spec-based rating

RØDE’s NT1 5th Gen is a cardioid condenser microphone with USB and XLR connection.

A condenser microphone records small sounds in fine detail. It is often used to record singing and narration.

In this article we rate it on 5 criteria using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and show how it ranks among the 32 microphones we compare.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

Figure: SoundBounty

Summary

Among the 32 microphones, NT1 5th Gen is rank A. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and A is second from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 4.0.

Strengths

• Quietness (4 dB(A), 5 points): The microphone itself makes little noise, so whispers and quiet songs record cleanly.
• Sensitivity (25 mV/Pa, 5 points): You get a solid level even from a softer voice.
• Lightness (308 g, 4 points): It is light, so there is little load on the microphone stand.

Who it suits: judging from the specifications, it suits people who want to record quiet voices and whispers cleanly; people with a softer voice who still want a solid recording level; people who want to go easy on the microphone stand.

Main features of NT1 5th Gen

Connects by both XLR and USB

With RØDE’s own “Dual Connect”, you can connect through XLR to an audio interface or mixer, or by USB directly to a computer. The microphone has audio-interface functions built in, and over USB it can record at up to 192 kHz.

32-bit float recording to reduce worries about distortion

When connected by USB, it can record in 32-bit float (a recording method that lets you fix the level afterwards, from very loud to very quiet sounds). Its strength is that mistakes in setting the level before recording are less likely. It cannot be used over XLR, however, and some recording software does not support it.

Sound-shaping features in an app

Over USB, you can use a compressor (which evens out differences in level), a high-pass filter (which cuts low noise), a noise gate (which removes small noises) and APHEX’s Aural Exciter and Big Bottom from the free apps (RØDE Central and RØDE Connect). According to the datasheet, this processing can be used only at a sampling rate of 48 kHz.

A shock mount, a pop filter and cables are included

The shock mount SM6 (with a pop filter), an XLR cable and a USB cable are included, and the manufacturer says you can start recording with what is in the box. The body has no headphone jack, so when you use it by USB you listen through your computer’s headphone jack or similar.

Video: “The Ultimate Studio Microphone: Features and Specifications of the NT1 5th Generation” (official RØDE YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube

Where it is useful

• Connecting directly to the computer by USB at first, and switching to an audio interface later
• Recording singing or lines with a large difference in level, from shouts to whispers
• Streaming or podcasting by yourself

Rating by criterion

Quietness: 5 / 5

How little of the small hiss the microphone itself makes (self-noise). The smaller the number, the quieter.

NT1 5th Gen: 4 dB(A). That is a high rating among the products we compared. The microphone itself makes little noise, so whispers and quiet songs record cleanly.

Sensitivity: 5 / 5

How large a signal the same voice produces (sensitivity). The bigger the number, the easier it is to get a good level from a quiet voice.

NT1 5th Gen: 25 mV/Pa. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You get a solid level even from a softer voice.

Handling of loud sound: 3 / 5

How loud a sound it can record without distortion (maximum SPL).

NT1 5th Gen: 142 dB. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

Features: 3 / 5

How many of the pad (lowers loud sound), low-cut (reduces low noise) and pickup-pattern switch it has.

NT1 5th Gen: 1 of 3. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

Lightness: 4 / 5

The weight of the microphone. The lighter it is, the less load on the microphone stand.

NT1 5th Gen: 308 g. That is a high rating among the products we compared. It is light, so there is little load on the microphone stand.

The gray marks in the figure below (the dotted line on the pentagon) show the average of the 32 products we compared. Price is not part of the score.

How we score (Microphones)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Quietness	Self-noise	≤7	≤12	≤16	≤20	>20
Sensitivity	Sensitivity	≥25	≥20	≥15	≥10	<10
Handling of loud sound	Maximum SPL (without the pad)	≥148	≥144	≥140	≥135	<135
Features	Pad, low-cut and pickup-pattern switch	All 3	2	1	—	None
Lightness	Weight	≤300	≤350	≤400	≤450	>450

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. Items that are not disclosed are not scored, and the rank is based on the average of the remaining items. Where a model publishes only the signal-to-noise ratio and not the self-noise, the self-noise is converted as "94 minus the signal-to-noise ratio".

NT1 5th Gen connection and getting started

Connection	Both XLR (to an audio interface or mixer) and USB-C (directly to a computer)
Power	Phantom power (48 V) is required when used over XLR. When used over USB, it runs on USB power (5 V)
In the box	Shock mount SM6 (with a pop filter), XLR cable (6 m), USB-C cable SC29 (3 m) and a dust cover
Other	When used over USB, the supported operating systems are Windows 10 or later and macOS 10.15 or later (datasheet). The setup apps include RØDE Central and RØDE Connect. There is an ASIO driver for Windows (up to 8 channels can be recorded at the same time over USB)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Compared with other microphones

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Before you buy

• It connects straight to a computer by USB. You can start recording without an audio interface.
• Check what comes in the box. The manufacturer lists: Shock mount SM6 (with a pop filter), XLR cable (6 m), USB-C cable SC29 (3 m) and a dust cover. Anything not on that list (a shock mount, a pop filter, cables and so on) you need to prepare separately.
• It has a low-cut switch. When loud sound would distort, or when you want to reduce low noise (such as an air conditioner), you can adjust it on the microphone itself.
• It has no pad switch. When you need one, adjust with the audio interface or the DAW instead.

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