{"id":3953,"date":"2026-02-17T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-rode-nt-usb\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T21:46:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T19:46:46","slug":"review-rode-nt-usb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-rode-nt-usb\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: R\u00f8de NT-USB+"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

R\u00f8de<\/strong>\u2026 if you\u2019re thinking Danish, you\u2019re wrong. If you\u2019re thinking Australian, you\u2019re closer. But if you\u2019re thinking Swedish, you\u2019re exactly right. In 1967, Henry and Astrid Freedman\u2014married Swedish emigrants to Australia and the company’s founders\u2014opened the doors to Freedman Electronics. The company quickly became a success and was regarded as an expert source in fields such as speakers, amplifiers, various pro audio electronics, and the occasional microphone<\/a><\/strong>. It was around 1990, when Henry and Astrid’s son Peter truly began experimenting with microphones, that the iconic NT1 was eventually born. The microphone became one of the best-selling microphones of all time due to its quality and affordable price. During the 1990s and early 2000s, R\u00f8de became an industry standard and was found in studios worldwide. There is a story that the microphone sold so well it earned the nickname “Rodent1.” The clever observer can derive from that, with a bit of a Scandinavian tone, R\u00f8de + NT1. Whether that is exactly how it happened we shall leave unsaid, but it certainly fits well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2004 came the next invention, the R\u00f8de VideoMic. A so-called \u201dshotgun microphone\u201d whose directional recording capability made it perfect for filmmaking. R\u00f8de continued to keep up with the times and identified new needs in the world. As early as 2007, the Podcaster microphone arrived, one of the world’s first USB microphones whose purpose is explained by its name. Then in 2014, the NT-USB microphone was released, as it became clear that the need for high-quality microphones that could easily be plugged into a computer would not diminish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which leads us to the subject of this test, the R\u00f8de NT-USB+<\/strong>, a high-quality portable USB microphone that enables recording directly into your phone, tablet, or computer. During our test, we have found things we like and some we have opinions on. The microphone is not for every type of recording (like headphones, the perfect microphone doesn’t exist), but certain details make it extra convenient if you are on the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To this day, R\u00f8de is owned by The Freedman Group, so even if the geographical connection has been diluted somewhat, the heritage lives on in the name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"R\u00f8de<\/a>
R\u00f8de NT-USB+
\n(Photo: senses.se)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A first impression \u2013 R\u00f8de NT-USB+<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The R\u00f8de NT-USB+ felt premium even before we laid hands on the product; the box, the weight, and the overall feel did their part. Premium might be the wrong word. Quality, robustness, and engineering might fit better. And it is perhaps a matter of taste whether there is a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The microphone itself is made entirely of metal and weighs 540g without accessories. A pop filter (metal mesh on a plastic frame) comes pre-mounted on the microphone in the box, so all that needs to be done is to screw the microphone onto the tripod, attach the generous three-meter USB-C to USB-C cable, route the cord under the microphone, and connect it to the source. Because of the USB-C connection\u2014which is one of the major differences between this and its predecessor, the NT-USB, which connected via USB-A\u2014the source can be your phone, a tablet, a Mac, or a PC. Whatever you plug it into, the small blue light in the microphone turns on and you\u2019re ready to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"R\u00f8de
R\u00f8de NT-USB+
\n(Photo: senses.se)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the side of the microphone are two controls and a 3.5 mm jack. One dial controls the volume for incoming audio, such as a counterpart in a call or music if you are recording an instrument or vocals. And in the latter case, recording vocals, the other dial becomes central as it controls your monitoring\u2014meaning your own voice combined with the incoming audio. That\u2019s it, plain and simple. Which also makes the R\u00f8de NT-USB+ easy to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

R\u00f8de offers software for Mac, PC, and Android<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the R\u00f8de NT-USB+ website, there are four programs available for download. The first, R\u00f8de Unify,<\/strong> is software for content creation and streaming. The mixer allows you to simultaneously play and record audio from the game you are playing, the video you are commenting on, your own voice, and possibly some background music. Each channel is clearly represented where you can control levels, and in true podcast spirit, there is also a library of various sounds, which you can also build upon yourself, for use in your content. R\u00f8de Connect<\/strong> is very similar to R\u00f8de Unify and is simply a stripped-down version. If you are only running a podcast, this is sufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"R\u00f8de<\/a>
R\u00f8de Unify
\n(Photo: R\u00f8de)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"R\u00f6de<\/a>
R\u00f6de Connect
\n(Photo: R\u00f8de)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The third is R\u00f8de Central,<\/strong> which is primarily used for the configuration of various connected devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"R\u00f8de<\/a>
R\u00f6de Central
\n(Photo: R\u00f8de)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The fourth, R\u00f8de Reporter, <\/strong>can be found in the App Store or Google Play and is designed to provide essentially all the above functions, except for the mixing console, to your phone or tablet. R\u00f8de Reporter differs slightly as it does not necessarily require a microphone from R\u00f8de to function; instead, it turns your phone into a more professional recording tool. You can set the signal strength, you get a small guidance bar showing if your incoming audio is at the right level, and you can also choose the format. Either Standard (48kHz, 24-bit, Wave) or compressed (48kHz, up to 300kbps, MP3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you click on the NT-USB+ channel, APHEX appears, where you can improve the sound with several functions. A High-Pass filter can help with hiss and fans in the room, a Noise Gate cuts all sound below a certain threshold, a Compressor clips the peaks and boosts the lows so the volume becomes even, an Aural Exciter helps bring out clarity and detail in the sound, and finally Big Bottom, which increases the deeper frequencies so your voice moves toward a rumbling trailer voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"APHEX<\/a>
APHEX
\n(Photo: R\u00f8de)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The core \u2013 the sound<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To begin with, we can simply say that what is captured by the R\u00f8de NT-USB+ sounds phenomenal. The sensitivity is sufficient to venture into ASMR territory, but at the same time, you can capture speech, vocals, guitar, and small percussion instruments. Its portable format means you can capture that railing you might have been drumming on that would sound absolutely spectacular for some song. Without compromising on quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sound is broad, full, and contains a depth that is not as evident in other microphones such as the Sennheiser Profile<\/strong> (we have not tested the Sennheiser Profile ourselves but have listened to several comparisons during the test research).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The microphone has a Cardioid Polar Pattern where sensitivity for incoming sound is primarily from the front. It is not completely blind at the back, but almost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Cardioid Polar Pattern makes the microphone sensitive to sound from the front and partially from the sides.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, the NT-USB+ also captures some ambient noise from the room, and it is also relatively sensitive to sounds that can come from handling a microphone stand or accidental thumping on the table. But as mentioned above, APHEX has some good solutions for precisely these problems without degrading the sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things we like\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The pop filter included with the R\u00f8de NT-USB+ is reassuringly durable with its plastic frame and metal mesh. Normally, pop filters are fragile and need to be packed carefully to avoid breaking, something you don’t have to worry about with the NT-USB+. The included software, which in some cases you don’t actually need the NT-USB+ to use, is intuitive and easy to understand. For those who are a bit inexperienced, the fields for incoming signal strength are a reassuring help; you can easily see if the sound is too loud or too low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026and miss<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are primarily two features we miss that are found on many USB microphones, and a good example is the aforementioned Sennheiser Profile. First and foremost, we miss a physical mute button. Especially if you are broadcasting live, this function is central, and sure, it exists in the programs and the app, but once you have set everything up, you likely click on other programs that sit on top. If something unexpected happens, it can take a second or two to find it, which can feel like a long time. It\u2019s not a huge deal, but simultaneously something we miss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sennheiser Profile also has a physical gain dial, i.e., control for incoming signal strength. This function would have been nice, but we might be overstating it if we say we “miss” it. Unless you are on the move conducting interviews, it is enough to have it in the software. A soundcheck and a bit of practice go a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"R\u00f8de
R\u00f8de NT-USB+
\n(Photo: senses.se)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Verdict \u2013 R\u00f8de NT-USB+<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You will pay approximately 1,600 SEK for the R\u00f8de NT-USB+, which, considering the build quality, the high-quality format, and the included software, does not feel high. It feels worthwhile through and through. The simplicity and the built-in help also mean that first-time buyers should not shy away; it\u2019s not a huge investment and you will guaranteed be satisfied. The gut feeling is also that it has a good lifespan given its robustness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There aren’t actually many flaws, which means the R\u00f8de NT-USB+ gets a fine rating. And you readers should keep an eye out for further tests from this Swedish-descended brand that for so many years has provided the world with great sound, because there is more to discover here than just fine microphones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

R\u00f8de<\/a><\/strong> sent a review unit for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you readers and consumers in focus.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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