Aston Spirit vs Rode NT1 - The Best "Budget" Microphones?

[@AudioHaze]

If you ended up making your decision, I earn a small percentage from buying from these two links. It's a nice way of supporting the channel :) Have a good day friends Amazon: NT1 - amzn.to/2NUoBJK Spirit - amzn.to/2NUqXIA Sweetwater: NT1 - imp.i114863.net/oeaZVO Spirit - imp.i114863.net/P0qNA6

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

My choice would definitly be the SPIRIT. More refined, harmonics, wide scene, quiet, both soft and clear, musical. The Rhode is not bad at all, but it is a bit harsh, pushes the sound with some brutality, and the bandwidth is not equal from bass to high.

[@AudioHaze]

Nice! Yeah the Spirit is a great mic and great design, wish I had one! I just borrowed this one

[@compucorder64]

When you first spoke into the Aston Spirit, the first thing I noticed is how much of the room it picked up. Could almost hear the high-end reflection off the glass window / mirror behind. Very revealing, to the point it made me look at the window. And noticed that it looks a lot like where I am, in a Spanish city, looks like. In the Aston Spirit sort of price range, there's also the Austrian Audio OC16. Worth checking out too, I like them more than the NT1 on piano, toms, bass, drum room mic, guitar cab. Wonder how the Aston Spirit compares. I've seen the Aston Spirit gets used plenty on guitar cab too.

[@LJ-ie8wj]

The spirit sounds soo good i got the rodeNt1 myself tbh with you it is a really good mic but im still midle myself with it at moment very good singing btw well done

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks man! Good like with your Rode, I’m sure it’ll be great

[@EvilHippy38]

Both are awesome. I thought the NT1 sounded more full bodied for the vocal segment. Like the lows and mids occupied a wider space. It feLt more colored whereas the Spirit is more transparent. Very transparent, which to me is better for VO. This makes it harder to choose. I want both!

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

I am top confused like you. I shall also buy both..

[@richoffks]

the aston sounds clearer with more detail. It also sounds like if you push the gain, you would get a cool distorted overdrive sound

[@chinmeysway]

I’d recommend a pop filter w the Aston. Great room mic for drums though and recording -when-traveling indestructible type multipurpose

[@Thugdeep2008]

The Aston sounds very bright compared but you could easily make the rode sound brighter with some post processing.

[@RiverSongMusic]

fun video! you sold me on the aston, it is better w both voices. The Aston sounds remarkably good. I would probably aim it directly at the guitar!

[@itsriddla]

I love how entertaining this video is lmao! SUBSCRIBED!!!

[@gkgunn53]

The Aston seems smoother on the very top end. The Rode seemed to grab more breathy inhale on the vocal . This makes this Rode owner want to try the Aston.

[@OMTEKNO]

I like the way you compare the mics. love your deep voice as well 😁👍

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks so much!!

[@paulcope834]

I'm watching this at night after my son went to sleep. He's only 6 but told me I'm obsessed with microphones and so I have to do this on the down low.

[@joshidol]

this channel is 🔥there are so many amazing comparisons and I'm more confused now about which one to get! hhahaha

[@AudioHaze]

haha Thank you!! I hope it was more informative than confusing tho :)

[@joshidol]

@@AudioHaze oh it was informative, it’s just that the spirit is tempting me over the nt1 hahaha

[@AngelGranados]

price / quality, nothing equals Nt1, I used one for 10 years. The Aston is very good but as VO I prefer an NT2000. Now I use a TLM 103 and it is a beauty, but hey, that is already another range

[@AudioHaze]

I hope I get my hands on a TLM 103 at some point, I think when I can afford it that will be my next mic!

[@TheSecondC2]

Can u tell why u think neumann tlm 103 is better than the rode nt1? Idk which one to get. And my voice is very deep

[@AngelGranados]

@@TheSecondC2 Neumann components are of higher quality, the rode mic is very good but its "sound" is not as fine as the tlm 103, the Rode is somewhat flatter and brighter than the Neumann. The 103 has a boost in the mid frequencies that helps lower voices to be more pleasant and less heavy.

[@maninironmask7925]

Singing sounded betetr on the Spirit, the sibilance is pretty pronounced on the Rode as well.

[@AudioHaze]

Yeah the rode can be surprisingly sibilant sometimes

[@mikeexits]

1:41 - For anyone watching after I make this comment, if you're confused, yes, the Aston Spirit does have Cardioid mode in addition to Bi-Directional and Omnidirectional modes. If I didn't know this I might've interpreted this part to mean "NT1 has cardioid only, Spirit has bidirectional and omnidirectional only" like I assume some others might have.

[@portnoi3533]

Love your videos man!

[@OFIRSTAL]

I think Aston has more bright and expressed high frequency, more "air" and it sounds more sensitive, then Rode. Like what we wanna hear as a result after vocal compressing and EQing.

[@larrycom]

You really shouldn't care what other people think. If you like the Spirit, then, that's all that matters. I too own a Spirit, and an AKG414 and a Neumann TLM49. Every mic has its own purpose.

[@MichaelW.1980]

Agreed! After all, choosing the microphone is a highly subjective topic. How can there be a right and wrong here? It’s all about finding the matching microphone to a voice. Is the Neumann U47 the end all microphone? Heck no it isn’t.

[@eliotball655]

whoah big boy rick on the mic! we love you!

[@eliotball655]

I feel like you should subscribe... ah fuck Im not doing that... hahaha

[@iamjustinllamas]

Good review, thanks!

[@JothanGurr]

The Rode sounds more nasally and Aston auditorily pops out in 3d to my ears. Usually I don't like brighter mics but I actually hear the bass in your voice in a clearer way than with the Rode

[@BunkerAudioPanama]

Wow, even with no room treatment the Spirit sounds amazing! The Rhode sounds a bit nasally with the music in my opinion.

[@braziliandutchy6170]

High boyish voice ✨🥺✨ So cute, I'm a fan.

[@wychwoodmusic]

Huh, no clear winner here to my ear and taste - though it's funny how many comments there are saying one is clearly better than the other. I think I preferred the Aston on vocals and the Rode on guitar, at least with headphones - listening on speakers just makes the decision even harder. I do own the Aston and love it quite a bit - the three polar patterns does add a lot a value, flexibility, and room to experiment, in my opinion, though maybe I'm just trying to justify my purchase.

[@hectyboi]

Asking me to sub, than saying "nah fuck that," made me sub

[@AudioHaze]

hahaha good good

[@WEIRDOdude6]

how do u not have more subs wtffff... anyways loved the video thanks :))

[@AudioHaze]

aw thanks dude!! we'll get there eventually :)

[@Datboyhoolio]

Yeah definitely had to sub. 🤝🤝

[@mad_mario_]

Good review but please add raw file links. KZbin's compression so harsh we can't differentiate anything like this. ps: you should place mic's side by side/on top of each other if technically possible so we can get a fair review as in this case we couldn't get the high parts on the aston (which completely negated the whole point of aston's bragging rights on the high notes lol)

[@AudioHaze]

That's fair! In future reviews I'll add raw files for the vocal comparison. As far as side by side placement, I don't have the means to do so at the moment, and the style of video I make uses jump cuts to switch between microphones. If it means anything, I do measure distances to the sound source in each video, and also use iZotope insight to make sure levels and frequencies aren't too out of place.

[@jarredcannon]

If you liked the Aston, you'll love a Lewitt LCT440 Pure

[@AudioHaze]

I've heard a lot of good things for people in the comments actually!

[@jarredcannon]

@@AudioHaze I just got mine about two weeks ago and it has absolutely eclipsed all my other mics. Really really really good. There are no cool features, but the sound is worth it

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

I think AKGc414xlii sounds better than LCT 440. What do you think. Aston spirit is too good warm microphone.

[@jarredcannon]

@@HarvinderSingh-yy8th it's all preference. I always found a small harsh tone to the akg that I never liked, but it's subjective. All are amazing mics

[@juicy_oranges5529]

I actually sold my Lewitt 440 for an Aston Spirit. The 440 sounds definitely great, but it's just a bit too sibilant. Whenever I recorded voice with it I had to lower the high frequencies massively so that the "S" and "z" sounds don't cut through everything. It is great for instrument recording tho! Especially guitar and piano. ...I should mention tho, that I use 2 Lewitt 441 FLEX for field recording, because of the good details and very low noise. So I definitely have them still around! But I also find the Aston Spirit to look a lot more distinctive and interesting, which might have been a reason too why I bought it :p

[@rschiwal]

It's all good, but I have a deep bass voice. Are there ANY Avi Kaplans testing microphones out there?

[@D40Oz1]

I’ve used both and the nt1 I preferred alot more….. the high end on the spirit is weird and annoying sounding, to much “ch and t” noises pop out , but the nt1 I love when squashing with compression,,, really gives that sticky sound that the u87 gives alot of when squashed with compression, I’ve actually used all of warm audios mics and audio Technicas mics and I still choose the nt1 because it’s a nice rounded mic that doesn’t have to much detail… yes it can be sibilant but if you use a deesser properly ( not at 5k you use it around 10k ) and vocals are outstanding

[@AudioHaze]

Agreed! Yeah the Aston to me was a bit harsh in the high end, its not my favorite my, hard to work with with that weird mounting position as well

[@ashavari]

@@AudioHaze what’s a good alternative? Something with a smoother high end that isn’t as crispy or harsh? I have a super bright voice so it’s not really working for me tbh

[@Czyszy]

Jesus Pineda's speaking voice reminds me of the voice of Notes of Notes' Reviews.

[@propositionjohnston]

Thanks man. You need some acoustic treatment in the room.

[@thewooddemons2105]

Personally, I prefer the top end clarity of the Aston. Unfortunately, though my Aston Spirit died when just 2.5 years old - so out of warranty.

[@mikeexits]

Did you scream or make loud sounds into it a lot? I do some occasional screaming vocals (think Avey Tare, not heavy metal style or anything, just neo-psychedelia with lots of energy) so while I'm very interested in the Spirit, I read about some mics handling loud sounds better than others so I worry that I might blow out a mic from screaming into it. I thought the only risk was clipping audio but apparently it damages mics too?

[@soundmattersuk]

My Spirit crapped out too, I was lucky, it was still in warranty. I say you have to use a pop filter with it otherwise it will get damaged

[@AriKoinuma]

Note that on the guitar shootout Aston is placed much closer to the sound hole so it has more low end. Not the greatest comparison, I'm afraid. That said, I appreciated this video, thanks for comparing these mics.

[@AudioHaze]

Hey man! I totally see what you're saying. The Aston actually has a direct insert for mic stands, which makes placing it at the same position for guitar difficult without an extra piece. That being said, we measured the distances to the sound hole to the same centimeters, and placed the Aston slightly off axis to compensate for the increased low end. I measured the low end response with an EQ, and the low end response is very similar actually. The only issue is the Aston is more sensitive to variations in picking because of its position in front of the sound hole, which DOES result in some spikes in the low end when I pick incorrectly. I totally understand you're critique, but just I wanted to defend my decision making, cheers :)

[@AriKoinuma]

@@AudioHaze ok well defended. That makes sense. To my ears (and I listened with my studio monitors) the guitar tracks had a different contrast from the vocals, where the NT1 sounded brighter on those guitar tracks, so when I saw the placement I suspected that was the issue. But it may not be.

[@chiter1235]

Cool, thank you

[@JDunamis]

The NT 1 has no appeal. It crushes the highs in this song and or the mids. I heard a rap vs example and was hoping the NT1 was the one I liked because I was about to get one but it was the Aston Origin that sounded good. It brought a song I didnt care for unprocessed on the Origin to life once processed. The NT-1 was not good processed. Glad the NT-1 has the same consistent problems with this review as well. God bless you all!

[@AudioHaze]

Happy I could help!

[@kevinbeckenham3872]

Tuff to determine which is best mike, both have there own application which shine, the Rode NT1 sound flatter and Aston sound much clearer on spoken word.

[@AudioHaze]

Depends on the voice too! Thats why its so hard to give a definitive answer

[@999tilltheworldblows]

@@AudioHaze so which one would you recommend to a juice wrld/polo g type vocals/voice?

[@Vozferbet]

I have that same microphone but too much white noise or floor noise or static noise enters the console, I already tried using other cables or connecting it to different consoles, it's always the same, it's a problem. Help.

[@giuseppehead8033]

Which would be better for rap over more classic boom bap beats and samples?

[@AudioHaze]

Hmm, in my opinion the NT1, more neutral and better for spoken word, but it all depends on the voice :)

[@TALKCalgary]

Wow the difference is incredible. Aston has to be the most underrated microphone company in the world, their Spirit and Origin Microphones easily compete established high-end studio names.

[@AudioHaze]

They are quite good mics for sure!

[@juicy_oranges5529]

And it's made in the UK! Other companies often make microphones for 3x the price made in China.

[@nghbrhood6848]

The Spirit sounds best on your voice

[@AudioHaze]

Thanks! I love the air it provides

[@Cons2911]

Wish I could get nt1 without the interface, just mic and shock with filter, with non circular pop filter

[@AudioHaze]

You can! Check out the link in the comment at the top of the video

[@Cons2911]

@@AudioHaze no, they have the circular one now

[@AudioHaze]

@@Cons2911 ooooh I didn't realize you meant the old shock mount, yeah that is unfortunate its a real downgrade

[@Cons2911]

@@AudioHaze yeah, I love that shape. Wish it was compatible with most mics. But I’m willing to get nt1 for it, found a used one (without the interface I think). Blew set is 300+ with interface (I prefer Scarlett), wish it can be bought separately

[@AudioHaze]

@@Cons2911 Yeah, but the used market is a good way to go! I'm sure you can find one

[@samueledemartino3942]

which pop filter and shock mount is what you use for rode nt1?

[@AudioHaze]

The old one that used to come with it, the rycote lyre shock mount

[@DavidLevisonDPT]

I’m no expert but I heard more clarity in mids of Rode NT-1.

[@AudioHaze]

Definitely, Rode NT1 mids are super smooth

[@pathnativejam]

I returned the NT1, It doesn't compare to my blue bird, getting the spirit and wanna try the lewitt 440

[@shubhshinde4438]

Would you please suggest a buget tube or just a normal good sounding preamp for my vocal recording . Thank you

[@AudioHaze]

Depends a lot on your budget and what's cheap to you. I asked around and lots of people recommend Warm Audio and The Golden Age project. Check out these product pages: www.goldenageproject.com/outboards-2/pre-73-mkiii/ warmaudio.com/microphone-preamps/ There are also plenty of emulations that make regular USB audio interfaces sound more colored like a tube or SSL preamp: www.uaudio.com/uad-plugins/channel-strips/610-collection.html Hope that helps!

[@AudioHaze]

There are also plenty of even cheaper options on ebay and reverb that may suite you :)

[@shubhshinde4438]

@@AudioHaze thanks a lot man.. cheers 🍻

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Audient ID 14 MKII is best for vocals. UAD don't make any difference.

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Honestly, which mic is best for SINGING.

[@thommysguitarcorner4687]

I'm currently thinking about buying a new mic for metal/rock vocals. What do you suggest? NT1? Sontronics STC-2? Aston?

[@AudioHaze]

Do you definitely want a condenser? If so, I think the Lewitt LCT 440 is great for rock vocals. Lewitt makes amazing modern mics

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

STC -2. It sounds clean and crispy.

[@Sheltada]

Which one would you say is betteer on guitar cabinets?

[@AudioHaze]

oof to be honest I don't really recommend either of these for cabs. If I had to choose, probably the rode. But to me the rode sounds bloated and blown out on cabinets.

[@Sheltada]

@@AudioHaze is there something that could do a cab close to this price range better than these? I love the sound of c414's on cabs but its just too much for me. Also I am pairing it with an sm57.

[@AudioHaze]

@@Sheltada if you’re looking for the same sound profile as a 414 you could try the 214? Honestly the Aston had sort of a similar sound profile as well

[@SpLitSecondS_]

Almost (and I really tried) unnoticeable difference.. probably youtube is the reason.

[@AudioHaze]

It is quite subtle isn't it? And yeah youtube's compression certainly doesn't help :/

[@SpLitSecondS_]

@@AudioHaze Lets be honest - we are here making a nerd'ish gearporn! When I switch from some noname shitty mic to Rode nt1a + good external audio interface - everyone in my friend zone noticed quality rise... when I switched between some mics almost no one noticed. When I bought motu m2 (really good audio interface) nobody noticed.. As a filmmaker almost no one notice slight difference between gear.. And I have used lot's of it! Yes i notice some difference, yes some stuff more predictable, makes my work easier but it's irrelevant on the screen (headphones) - and good if they even use good screen and headphones. Most content consumed from phones, with huge compression and cheap speakers. So if you get GOOD ENOUGH, wihout bad elements - go for it. Make best of it.. if it's not enough (or it's a status work, professional) than go for top of worlds made.. Sorry for my eng thou.

[@hossainarfat3360]

can you help with rode nt2a, lewitt lct440 pure , audio technica at4040 or at2035???

[@AudioHaze]

It depends on a lot on you vocal! Do you want a brighter tone? Then I would go for the Lewitt, if you're looking for a darker tone, the AT4040 may suite you better. Personally, I would go with the 440 out of these mics, but I also like bright mics quite a lot :)

[@MrRafalSC]

For alto sax - Aston or NT1 ...? but but sometimes a female vocal ....

[@michaelplaza2870]

el rode nt1 tiene un sonido mas brillante que para mi gusto es fastidioso el Aston tiene un nivel de frequencia tenue normal controlado

[@playonkorg]

'its a good clapping mic' hahahahahahaha

[@larrycom]

Which Seagull is that acoustic?

[@jerrychiasson9857]

I bought both of these Mic’s as well…. It would’ve been nice to hear the vocals on the highs with the spirit….. I found a bit harsh on the Rode I bet they would’ve been a lot smoother the Spirit…. Than the NT1

[@AudioHaze]

Nice take! Sorry for not including those vocals, hopefully it was helpful regardless :)

[@eliotball655]

Hey I am trying to get a mic to play some karaoke, would one of there mics be good for that?

[@AudioHaze]

grab yourself a '58 and go to town my friend :)) these mics would be terrible for that unless you enjoy feedback

[@Angelo-vb6dg]

if it's just for karaoke and nothing else just get a behringer xm8500

[@banksrose]

Il trattamento acustico per favore

[@richmaway]

What brand of Stand mic do you use?

[@AudioHaze]

Nothing special, in this video it was a offbrand tripod stand :)

[@WidiTastrawan]

The ssssS in spirit is better ,

[@AudioHaze]

hahahaha it is a little sibilant for sure

[@Ammar.Muhammad.voiceover]

Which one is better for Voiceover? Rode nt2A or the spirit?

[@AudioHaze]

I don't have that much experience with the NT2A, but if I had to pick one of those two I would pick the Aston. But if I was doing voiceover I would personally get an SM7B, Rode Procaster, Electrovoice RE20, or the Electrovoice RE320 over either :)

[@Ammar.Muhammad.voiceover]

@@AudioHaze thank you 💙

[@AngelGranados]

@@Ammar.Muhammad.voiceover If you are going to do professional voice overs, never use a usb microphone. NT2A is a great microphone, try to get a good interface and you will get great results. I am VO and among my favorite mikes I have that one.

[@Ammar.Muhammad.voiceover]

@@AngelGranados thank you 🌷

[@frubo_ssg]

@Yippee Skippy I just guess you dislike Rode as a brand. The NT1 is the opposite of harsh - sorry. I use this Mic for years for voice overs. BGuess you just mix up the NT-1A and the NT-1

[@aloneinthedev]

It's a sibilant mic unfortunately, I feel the Aston is kind of fatiging to listen to.

[@AudioHaze]

the airy sound of it is definitely not for everyone

[@aloneinthedev]

@@AudioHaze yeah, that’s the problem with most of hyped affordable microphones. It’s like they are pre EQ and they sometimes don’t handle well to be EQed in post.

[@snakeisekans]

Guess no one uses the nt1

[@AudioHaze]

Why do you say that?

[@snakeisekans]

@@AudioHaze At 1:14 when you were trying to show who used RØDE which I found funny haha

[@AudioHaze]

@@snakeisekans oh hahaha I forgot I added that!

[@redlunarskywalkerthelightw7198]

aston sound better

[@AudioHaze]

I think I preferred the rode, but to each their own :)

[@richoffks]

the rode sucks

[@isaacnewton5543]

campare these two with at4040

[@AudioHaze]

I would love to if I can get my hands on all of them haha

[@arconeagain]

The Aston looks ridiculous to me. Like it has been made, in part, from excess packing material. It is a terrible design.

[@AudioHaze]

Hahaha yeah its definitely got this weird retro vibe, reminds me a bit of old star wars lol

[@arconeagain]

@@AudioHaze I don't even know what that is. By the way, when I said it was a terrible design, I meant aesthetically. I'm sure it's a good mic. And that's coming from an owner of a Worker Bee!

[@jazzcat9363]

The Aston sounds nice but.......god that is an ugly looking mic, lol

[@AudioHaze]

Aw you don't like it?? I think it looks pretty good!

[@LTPottenger]

RODE very hissy, overrated mics