Rode’s new NT-USB mini mic wants to dethrone Blue’s Yeti

Like every other white man between the ages of 25 and 34, I have a podcast. And, to make it even more of a cliché, it’s not very particularly active podcast. Yes, my life is a meme.

So, why do I bring this up? Because although podcasts have become a little bit of a joke, I still love the medium. In many ways, it’s one of the ultimate successes of the internet era. Let me put it this way: What other type of content has such a low entry barrier, alongside such a high chance of building a successful community?

And it’s the first part of that I’d like to talk about: The low entry barrier. When we first started a podcast, all we needed was a USB mic and some free software. And if you were looking for the former, you’d most like choose something from Blue.

But those days might be over now, all due to Rode’s new NT-USB mini mic.

rode's new NT-USB mini mic side — Here it is, Rode’s new NT-USB mini mic. Mmmm.

So, why should you care about Rode’s new NT-USB mini mic? Well, I’ll tell you why I do — and maybe that’ll help.

When our podcast got a bit more serious, we moved away from USB mics and got a mixer with more professional mics. We ended up using the Rode Procasters and, damn, I was blown away by how good they sound, how hardy they are, and, well, just everything about them.

So the fact that Rode’s new NT-USB mini mic is an entry-level bit of tech that should be in reach of most budding podcasters or streamers is a big deal. This could be the first piece of your content puzzle.

The features of Rode’s new NT-USB mini mic

Let’s get into some details!

Rode’s new NT-USB mini mic uses a condenser capsule, which should deliver a warm, rich sound.
It has an in-built pop-filter, meaning your plosives (hopefully) won’t spike during recording.
It’s set up to be used directionally, meaning if you speak at it from the correct angle, it’ll mainly record your voice — helping block out sound from the rest of the room.
An in-built amplifier, so you can plug headphones straight into Rode’s new NT-USB mini mic.
And it uses a standard USB output, meaning it should be plug and play with PCs and Macs

Those are some of the main benefits, but incase you want some more information, I’d advise you check out this video:

Excitingly, all this is going to retail for only $99 — a similar price bracket to the Blue Yeti.

Anyway, I have high hopes for Rode’s new NT-USB mini mic. I’ve been constantly and consistently impressed with Rode’s gear, and I have no reason to suspect this new bit of kit will be any different.

Still, make sure you keep an eye on Plugged for when we publish a full review on Rode’s new NT-USB mini mic — you know it’s gonna be good.

Story by Callum Booth

Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting (show all) Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting was cited widely, including in VICE, the FT, and the BBC. Callum’s writing has appeared in The Verge, The Daily Telegraph, Time Out, and many more. He covers the full spectrum of technology, with a particular focus on how it shapes our daily lives. And a lot of regulation stuff too. Outside of work, Callum’s an avid bookworm, a Fisherman’s Friends addict, and resolutely unshaven. Follow him on Twitter @CallumBooth or visit www.callumbooth.net.