RØDE NT1A Large-diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone with Shock Mount, Pop Filter and XLR Cable for Music Production, Vocal Recording, Streaming and Podcasting

Really quick delivery and this is great value for money. When recording at home I always had to turn my headphones down as my other mic picked up the music or clicks playing through the phones and you couldn't really position it to avoid this, even with noise reduction phones. With this mic, with it's simple easy-to-use guide, I was able to set this up instantly and get some great recordings of my acoustic guitar.As stated in other reviews this is a real high quality mic that picks up everything but by using the correct positioning, I was able to record without having to get too close to the mic and it didn't pick up any noise from my headphones, at last I can hear what I'm playing to!The quality of the sound is really good, a lot more presence and brightness than expected and I'm thrilled with the results and only just getting started. It picks up vocal with relative ease and whilst vocals are not my area, I know people who record with this mic and it does a sterling job. The shock mount is pretty sturdy too and easy to fit to a mic stand. A good all rounder for me.

... But I'll say something anyway. This microphone is brilliant.As a Music Production student and "budding" artist/producer I've been familiar with the NT1-A and various other industry standard mics for many years, and this one has always been a favourite of mine for both vocal and acoustic guitar recordings.I decided to purchase the NT1-A for my home studio (Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 interface/preamp, KRK RP6 G3 monitors) and tested it before putting foam panels on my wall and it produced a very clear, high quality recording albeit with the annoying natural reverb from the room.Since placing the foam panels on the walls in an 'alcove' that I use as a vocal booth, in the spare bedroom aka The Studio, I have managed to record near perfect vocals, almost comparable with those at many more 'professional' studios.PROS+ Clarity of recordings is second to none+ Robust, all fittings are sturdy+ Great value for money. Especially with the accompanying contents of the pack. Borderline steal.CONS- Too clear!! Can pick up even the slightest sounds so ensure you have sufficient soundproofing (closed doors and windows with heavy drapes will help!)- Requires some acoustic treatment of room due to the large cardioid polar patternAll in all, it's a great microphone for any singer/songwriters who are willing to do a little work on their room, and/or experiment with mic placement to get the best possible recording, which I strongly suggest if you want to get the most out of this mic.A little research online will go a long way!

This is probably the best microphone for the money right now.It's a condenser microphone. What does this mean? Well two things: 1. You're going to need an amp that gives +48v phantom power. 2. It's incredibly sensitive.It being incredibly sensitive goes both ways. On one hand, yes, it will pick up all the background noise on the planet. But also that yes, it's incredibly detailed and picks up vocals, guitars and just about anything else incredibly well.This is my primary microphone of choice right now for recording just about anything and that's simply because it works so damn well. It really does give a very accurate and honest sound and it really can bring out the best in even my voice.With that said, it does pick up everything and I do really mean everything so if background noise is a concern to you then I would highly recommend that you look at a dynamic microphone such as the Shure SM58 or the AKG D5 - of the two I'd say the AKG D5 is probably the 'cleaner' mic but the SM58 really is a great all-rounder.

I’ve been using Rode microphones for a good few years now, and so I recently decided to invest in a new condenser microphone.The NT1-A is a solid, well-built condenser microphone by one of the best audio companies in the world. I’ve been using it rigorously since I got it and it’s excelled time and time again. It provides crisp, clear vocals and instrument recordings.The pack also comes with a shock mount with a built in pop filter, which ensures your recordings don’t pick up any undesirable external interference. The long professional audio cable that’s also included is excellent, too, and the dust cover keeps your mic in good condition between sessions.As is the case with all condenser microphones, it requires phantom power; you can get this from most audio interfaces or other devices. This isn’t the sort of mic you would require to be portable and is most at home in a studio or office setting, so its phantom power requirement won’t hinder you. That being said, the microphone is still light enough to not weigh a ton if you need to move it, and the shock mount is pretty light too. When I’m at my desk I leave the mic in its shock mount whilst attached to my DS1 desktop stand, but the mic can easily be transferred to a different mic stand depending on the situation.The 10 year warranty included with the mic shows how much effort Rode put into their craft; this microphone is a breeze to work with and lets me get solid results every time with whatever project I’m working on. The NT1-A is a great value, beautifully made condenser microphone that won’t let you down and is well worth your investment.