RØDE NT1: Introducing The 5th Generation

RØDE has today announced the NT1 5th Generation, a revolutionary studio condenser microphone that fuses the classic sound of the iconic RØDE NT1 with new, cutting-edge technology. With over six million units sold, the NT1 is the world’s most popular studio microphone and boasts a legacy that few can match. Since its release more than 30 years ago, the microphone has gone through multiple transformations, including the legendary NT1-A and innovative fourth generation NT1, both of which are used by countless creators today. The NT1 5th Generation is the most significant evolution yet, harnessing the iconic sound quality and world-class performance that made the previous generations so successful while introducing state-of-the-art technology, including RØDE’s groundbreaking, patent-pending Dual Connect output offering both XLR and USB connectivity, a world-first “unclippable” 32-bit float digital output, advanced digital signal processing, and so much more. A perfect marriage of tradition and innovation, this is the ultimate studio microphone.

Key Features Of The Nt1 5Th Generation:

• HF6 large-diaphragm (1-inch) gold-sputtered capsule, precision engineered to sub-micron tolerances
• Smooth frequency response, high sensitivity and high SPL handling for incredible performance in a wide range of studio applications
• Exceptionally low noise (4dBA) — the world’s quietest studio condenser microphone
• Patent-pending Dual Connect output with both XLR and USB-C connectivity for use with audio interfaces, mixers and consoles, or direct plug-and-play recording with a computer  
• World-first 32-bit float digital output
• Ultra-high-resolution (up to 192kHz) analog-to-digital conversion
• On-board DSP for advanced APHEX audio processing, including a compressor, noise gate, two-step high-pass filter, and legendary Aural Exciter and Big Bottom effects
• Studio-grade shock mount and pop filter, XLR and USB cables included
• Available in black or silver with a rugged aluminium body and high-grade finishes — highly resistant to scuffs and scratches
• Designed and made in RØDE’s precision manufacturing facilities in Sydney, Australia

The World’s Most Popular Studio Microphone

Introduced in 1991, the NT1 was RØDE’s debut microphone — the first in a long line of products that have reshaped the way creators across every discipline capture audio. Released at a time where new advancements in audio technology democratised the studio workflow and made recording more accessible than ever before, it was an instant success and fast became the go-to microphone for a new generation of DIY musicians and studio professionals alike. Over the last three decades, it has continued to be the best-selling studio condenser worldwide, beloved for its warm, classic sound signature and incredible versatility.

“The NT1 is not only our flagship microphone, it’s an icon for today’s creative generation,” says RØDE CEO Damien Wilson. “Countless musicians, podcasters, streamers, broadcasters and content creators consider it their go-to microphone, and for good reason — it sounds incredible, is extremely flexible, and is built like a tank — a true studio workhorse. With this new generation, we wanted to preserve all of these qualities while incorporating innovations that have never been seen before in a microphone like this. The NT1 5th Generation is unlike any studio mic out there, but it hasn’t lost its charm and is sure to continue inspiring creators for decades to come.”

The NT1 5th Generation is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone that delivers exceptional performance in a wide range of studio applications. It features RØDE’s stunning HF6 capsule — first introduced in the fourth generation NT1 — which delivers sparkling top end, detailed midrange and rich bass that makes every sound source shine. It has a tight cardioid polar pattern, smooth frequency response, and high sensitivity for incredible versatility — ideal for recording everything from vocals and speech to acoustic and electric guitar, drums and percussion, piano, and more. Enhanced circuitry delivers an astonishingly low 4dBA of self-noise, making it the world’s quietest studio condenser microphone, and it features high SPL handling capabilities for maximum flexibility in the studio. These characteristics alone make the NT1 5th Generation a world-class microphone, but this is only half the story.

Game-Changing Connectivity

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 connectivity in the same housing. This allows users to connect to an audio interface, mixer, console or other audio equipment via XLR for a traditional analog workflow or directly to a computer via USB for plug-and-play recording.

When using the analog output, the NT1 5th Generation delivers the exact same rich, warm tone and best-in-class performance that the NT1 is revered for. When using the digital output, these sonic characteristics are maintained, with the added convenience, power and versatility of direct USB connectivity. The NT1 5th Generation features a professional-grade audio interface built into the microphone. This is perfectly optimised to preserve its pristine audio fidelity and also offers a range of highly innovative features to further enhance its sound, making capturing studio-quality audio easier than ever before.

The Unclippable Microphone

The NT1 5th Generation is the world’s first microphone to feature a 32-bit float digital output. This revolutionary audio format captures the full dynamic range of the microphone while allowing users recording in a DAW to adjust their audio to the optimal level after recording. This means users can record anything from a whisper to a scream without worrying about setting their gain correctly beforehand and with no chance of their signal clipping.

“The NT1 5th Generation redefines the meaning of plug-and-play,” says Damien Wilson. “Since the beginning of audio recording, engineers have relied on the gain knob to capture clean audio — it’s always been the most important process in the recording workflow. The NT1 5th Generation changes that completely. When recording in 32-bit float, users can literally plug their microphone into their computer and start recording instantly without any risk of their audio being ruined by clipping or distortion.”

Classic Sound On The Cutting Edge

The NT1 5th Generation’s digital output also features RØDE’s ultra-low-noise, high-gain Revolution Preamp and ultra-high-resolution analog-to-digital conversion (up to 192kHz) for ultimate sonic purity. Powerful on-board DSP allows users to apply advanced APHEX audio processing to their recordings, including a compressor, noise gate, two-step high-pass filter, and legendary Aural Exciter and Big Bottom effects. Accessible via RØDE’s free companion apps, RØDE Central and RØDE Connect, there are two different processing modes available: the intuitive VoxLab editor with simple controls for Depth, Sparkle and Punch, making it incredibly easy to dial in the perfect sound, or an advanced editor, which offers granular control over every parameter for fine-tuned processing. Users can connect up to eight NT1 5th Generation microphones to a single computer for multitrack recording, even on Windows operating systems using RØDE’s custom ASIO driver. This is so much more than just a studio condenser microphone, it’s an all-in-one digital recording solution.

Legendary RØDE Quality

To make getting set up and recording as easy as possible, the NT1 5th Generation comes with a studio-grade shock mount and pop filter as well as a high-quality XLR and USB cable. Each microphone is built to the highest standard in RØDE’s state-of-the-art facilities in Sydney, Australia using premium components. The HF6 capsule is precision manufactured to sub-micron tolerances to ensure the utmost consistency in tonality and frequency response, and is internally shock-mounted for minimising external vibrations. The microphone body is machined from rugged aluminium and is available in black or silver, with high-grade finishes that are extremely resistant to scuffs and scratches. The NT1 5th Generation is also backed by a 10-year warranty and RØDE’s legendary customer service.