As a result, you either don’t monitor yourself “live” or someone else does it for you. The microphones in smartphones aren’t designed for high-quality audio recording and will give you average sound at best. Using an on-camera shotgun like the VideoMic NTG is the easiest way to significantly improve audio quality for any device. A simple and easy solution is to plug a USB microphone directly into your computer.
To get a clean, clear sound, it’s important to get your microphone nice and close to your mouth. The NT-USB and NT-USB Mini both come with a desk stand for positioning the mic. For a rich, broadcast-style sound, you can use a studio arm or desk stand like the PSA1+ or DS1 to mount your mic even closer to your mouth, but this isn’t necessary for a video call and may be distracting for those on the other end. As long as your mic is 20-30cm away from you and directed towards your mouth, you will get great sound. To keep your recordings clean, the NT1 Signature Series condenser comes with a shockmount and pop filter, keeping rumble from the ground, knocks and plosives at bay. It even includes a premium XLR cable, so all you need is an audio interface or mixer to get started recording pristine audio. It is impossible to send a mix-minus to a device which lacks a headphone jack.
Adding the NT-USB Mini to your setup is one of simplest and most compact ways to get professional audio on your video calls. Built to last, NT1 Signature Series mics are made in RØDE’s precision manufacturing facilities in Sydney, Australia. Each mic’s chassis is machined from high-grade aluminum to create a ruggedly reliable addition to any studio.
Connectivity: pluses and minuses
The AI-Micro even features a headphone output so you can easily monitor your audio. For over 50 years, the XLR connector has remained virtually unchanged – until now. The NT1 5th generation features RØDE’s groundbreaking, patent-pending Dual Connect output, which offers both XLR and USB-C connectivity in the same housing. This allows users to connect to an audio interface, mixer, console, audio recorder or camcorder via XLR with 48-volt phantom power for a traditional analog workflow or directly to a computer via USB for plug-and-play recording.
Rode’ engineers designed NT1 with a focus on midrange response, smooth high frequencies, and a warm tone to make this mic stand out. Rode has built a reputable brand in the audio recording industry, most notably as the perfect brand for entry-level mics.
It has a unique signature vintage sound and has very low self-noise, arguably one of the quietest microphones. The NT1 generally has a very neutral frequency response with a hint of warmth. To help you get recording faster, we’ve put together this helpful guide that covers the different connection types most phones have, what mics are most suitable, and some other factors you may need to think about. One of the most ingenious features of the VideoMic NTG is the USB-C output, which allows it to be used as a fully-featured USB microphone, as well as charging the internal battery. If everybody on the call follows this rule, there will be a noticeable decrease in background noise, such as chairs scraping on the ground, knocks on a table, and air conditioners or traffic outside. When there are more than two people on a call, this ambient noise can become quite distracting and make the audio sound glitchy. As with any recording scenario – whether that’s recording a video tutorial, presenting a class from home, or recording music – taking a moment to think about your surroundings and how they might affect your audio is really important.
Therefore, the NT1-5G is not (by itself) invited to the RØDE Connect party. The NT1-5G and the NT1 Signature Edition are only allowed at that party if they bring two extra «helpers», i.e. an interface and third-party software, as shown in the second article linked just above this paragraph. Therefore, the NT1-5G is not allowed (by itself) invited to the RØDE Connect party. The NT1 is one of the quietest studio microphones in the world, with a self-noise of just 4.5dB(A). This ensures every recording is exceptionally clean, even when capturing soft sound sources. To connect it to your smartphone, you will just need the correct cable for your device – either the SC15 for iPhones with a Lightning port or SC16 for phones with a USB-C port. Unlike the VideoMic Me series, the VideoMic NTG has a shockmount, so you will need either a tripod (like our Tripod 2) or a phone case with a cold shoe in order to mount the microphone.
You will need a TRS to TRRS cable such as the SC7 or an adaptor like the SC4 to get your mic to work. Smartphone video quality has seen some significant developments over the years, with most people now being able to shoot professional-grade content with the little device in their pocket.
Price
In fact, it’s so durable that RØDE includes an industry-best 10-year warranty, ensuring top-quality recordings for years to come. One thing you’ll appreciate about these two Rode microphones is the quality you get for the price. These are perfect for small projects and can be a great addition to your home studio. For many artists who are just starting out, either of these can be a great entry-level microphone with great features that competitively compare to the high-end mics, especially the NT1. The Rode NT1-A brings to life the dynamic range and incorporates features you will only find in high-end microphones brought to you at a more affordable price tag. The NT1 and NT1A are entirely different in design but for the mesh grille that features on both models.
How to use a non-RØDE interface with RØDE Connect using Audio Hijack
A final tip is to mute your mic when you’re not talking and encourage the other participants to do the same. Most conferencing apps will have a mute button that is easy to access and will quickly turn the audio on and off.
