Rode NT-USB Mini Mic and Rode Connect Review (ft. Blue Yeti, FiFine K678, NT-USB, Neat Skyline)

Today, I have the RØDE NT-USB MINI in the Audio Hotline Studio! While preparing to review this microphone I decided that the RØDE Connect software was a really important part to mention, so not only is this a mic review, but it does also review the software that is compatible with the mini. In addition to that we of course do a blind comparison! This comparison include:
Blue Yeti
RØDE NT-USB (ORIGINAL)
FiFINE K678
NEAT SKYLINE
and of course.... RØDE NT-USB MINI
Check out the testing and audio samples and see if this is right for you! Every person has different expectations of audio gear. If the features are what you need, and you like the sound, then it is right for you!
Thanks for watching the Audio Hotline! I'll see you Audio Nerds next time!
========TIMESTAMPS========
Introduction, Video Overview: 0:00 - 1:12
Some Differences between Rode NT-USB Mini vs Original NT-USB: 1:12 - 2:33
Rode Connect Compatibility: 2:33 - 2:58
iOS Tests and Room Tests later in the video: 2:58 - 3:16
What Comes with the RØDE NT-USB MINI: 3:16 - 4:04
My Opinion on Accessories: 4:04 - 4:46
Why I Don’t Like Desktop Stands (Desktop Stand VS Boom Arm): 4:46 - 6:37
NT-USB Mini Specs: 6:37 - 7:15
NT-USB MINI Features: 7:15 - 8:12
RØDE CONNECT SOFTWARE OVERVIEW: 8:12 - 13:36
Mic Tests Introduction and Testing Info: 13:36 - 14:15
Proximity Effect: 14:15 - 14:27
Plosive Test: 14:27 - 14:52
Background Noise Rejection (Keyboard): 14:52 - 15:04
Polar Pattern Test (White Noise): 15:04 - 15:26
DON’T DO THIS: 15:26 - 15:28
Distance Tests: 15:28 - 15:45
Post Processing Test: 15:45 - 16:03
KITTY PURRRRR TEST: 16:03 - 16:27
Acoustic Guitar Test: 16:27 - 16:35
Clean (ish) Guitar Test: 16:35 - 16:42
Lead Guitar + Distorted Rhythm Test: 16:42 - 17:06
Treated VS Untreated Room: 17:06 - 17:27
iOS Compatibility Test (Headphone out to Camera in Test): 17:27 - 18:06
Untreated Room Test Continued: 18:06 - 18:53
Blind Comparison Introduction: 18:53 - 19:24
BLIND COMPARISON: 19:24 - 20:41
Blind Comparison Reveal: 20:41 - 21:30
Quick Video Summary BRB Tho XOXO: 21:30 - 21:53
My Opinion of the RØDE NT-USB MINI and RØDE Connect APP: 21:53 - 29:55
Outro / Thank You for Watching!!!: 29:55 - 30:50
============
======PRODUCTS IN REVIEW======
*Affiliate Links Below*
Rode NT-USB Mini Links:
B&H: bhpho.to/333lGFx
Amazon: amzn.to/3zrdVFR
Rode NT-USB Links:
B&H: bhpho.to/3ePDCGE
Amazon: amzn.to/3znjEMG
Blue Yeti Links:
B&H: bhpho.to/3amHvAQ
Amazon: amzn.to/3pSH0Xv
FiFine K678 Links:
Amazon: amzn.to/3sXCSYi
Neat Skyline Links:
B&H: bhpho.to/3mVkScY
Amazon: amzn.to/3qQa2Gm
==================
======Audio Hotline Info======
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @audiohotline
Website: audiohotlinegear.com
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Instagram: audiohotline
MERCH: teespring.com/stores/audiohotline
==========
GEAR I USE TO MAKE MY VIDEOS (w/ affiliate links):
============VIDEO============
Canon EOS R5:
Amazon: amzn.to/3gNBfnG
B&H: bhpho.to/2JTS3xx
Sigma EF 20mm f/1.4:
Amazon: amzn.to/2KoXsMK
B&H: bhpho.to/3aeXG3V
Tamron EF 24-70 f/2.8:
Amazon: amzn.to/2ZtQr0C
B&H: bhpho.to/2tDokk7
Sigma EF 50mm f/1.4:
Amazon: amzn.to/2WllU4d
B&H: bhpho.to/3oRbXIi
Sigma EF 24mm f/1.4:
Amazon: amzn.to/2SPDdZZ
B&H:bhpho.to/3duayRY
Tamron EF 15-30mm f/2.8:
Amazon: amzn.to/3dF9w67
B&H: bhpho.to/2yGptd4
Sigma EF 18-35mm f/1.8 (APS-C):
Amazon: amzn.to/2xLCYrH
B&H: bhpho.to/3bdE8d2
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L (MACRO):
Amazon: amzn.to/35KuXQs
B&H: bhpho.to/2WdcqJ3
Moza Slypod:
Amazon: amzn.to/2SPGmZI
B&H: bhpho.to/2L9pitz
Atomos Ninja V:
Amazon: amzn.to/2Ni79Ob
B&H: bhpho.to/36i2WhA
Aputure 120D MKii:
Amazon: amzn.to/2SE0wXg
B&H: bhpho.to/38pRTV2
Aputure Light Dome II:
Amazon: amzn.to/39kvKZJ
B&H: bhpho.to/2Gf1zWc
Manfrotto Tripod:
Amazon: amzn.to/2LodCVe
B&H: bhpho.to/2sOI7g8
============AUDIO============
Hercules Mic Stand:
Amazon: amzn.to/2XaHnzK
B&H: bhpho.to/2Rz4SwS
Zoom F6:
Amazon: amzn.to/3oc6FqO
B&H: bhpho.to/3kTOUu1
Zoom H6:
Amazon: amzn.to/2MIoBdA
B&H: bhpho.to/2Rfc3LK
Zoom H5:
Amazon: amzn.to/2N7KHoM
B&H: bhpho.to/36iVQJz
Apollo Twin Quad:
Amazon: amzn.to/2XfwPiU
B&H: bhpho.to/2NL8gnp
Mogami XLR:
Amazon: amzn.to/2NiXNSp
B&H: bhpho.to/2NJ5tLi
Monoprice XLR (Cheaper XLR Alternative):
Amazon: amzn.to/2RJBwvp

[@sung_yun]

Awesome review! Thank you!!

[@jasonw6993]

Happy New Year BLU (sp)!

[@SweetieJamii]

Thank you for this comparison and review. I like the review a lot. I have the NT USB mini. Definitely lacklustre out of the box. I do think Fifine K678 is an upgrade to this although not by much but noticeable.

[@epambos]

Two things may be worth mentioning: - RODE has been updating the Connect application all the time, adding new features and fixing things, so they seem to be listening to users and improving their products (through firmware updates) and apps. - I would mostly blame Apple for its stubborness not to include USB-C on the latest iPhones. The few Apple iPads that use USB-C and all modern Android phones, are easily connected to the RODE USB Mini through a readily available cable. 😊 Great Review!

[@AudioHotline]

I mentioned fixes, but I didn’t really focus on talking about firmware too much. I was at 30 minutes with the way it was already… longest video I have made this far 😂. About the Apple thing, I am a little confused… It says it is only Mac, Windows and iOS compatible? I don’t see anywhere that it is compatible with android, not on their site, Sweetwater, the box, or anywhere. I mean I wouldn’t be surprised if it worked, but that’s weird it isn’t mentioned though? Maybe it is just that they don’t have an actual android Rode app? 🤔 That’s the reason I didn’t mention it though, since it didn’t specify that it was even compatible.

[@AudioHotline]

I absolutely agree though, Apple does need to get over it and move on to USB-C.

[@epambos]

@@AudioHotline oh, I should mention that I do own a RODE USB Mini and the Connect app is enough of an incentive to invest on the Wireless Go II for my filmmaking needs.

[@huntrrams]

@@AudioHotlineit’s 2023, they finally gave us a usb c for iPhone 15 😊

[@AshrafStudioEg]

Thanks for this one 👍 If you had the chance to put your hands on a Samson G Trak Pro, a review for it would be highly appreciated.

[@enriquekahn9405]

That comparison just goes to show how capable even inexpensive USB mics are these days. I was not expecting much from the Ffine or the Neat and they're... fine. Kinda neat, even.

[@AudioHotline]

Absolutely agree. I’ll go over this in my review of it, but I am pretty disappointed in the Skylines features and build, but the sound is definitely usable.

[@enriquekahn9405]

@@AudioHotline looking forward to it

[@str1kez367]

Great review! Really surprised you don't have more subs than you do. How would the mic do with the stand included in the box, when it comes to keyboard sounds, when placed for or less in front of the keyboard?

[@aftertheshowmoviepodcast]

Bought a couple of these at launch and they still have not fixed the noise gate feature. All it needs is an advanced slider so you can adjust it to your needs and it would be great.

[@WillieFourMilli]

i liked the yeti as its easy to use, but now for more pro sound i switched to a ksm32 and focusrite.

[@wilsonlee5372]

I’m so torn between this one and the Elgato Wave 😪 both seem so good for the price Great in-depth review btw!

[@manwithnolife5239]

I use the wave and it's fantastic. I'd recommend you buy it based on it's features alone.

[@theoutsiderjess4869]

I prefer the usb mini over the wave 1 and 3 but they're both great options

[@Andrewc87563]

I have a NT-USB and it's great. However the mini is just a great plug and play microphone provided you have a boom arm and can get it close to your speaking orifice.

[@sovathdyshow7977]

Hi ! May i ask you Rode NT-USB Mini and zoom h5 which one can make recording sound better ?

[@theoutsiderjess4869]

If the desktop stand was bigger it would be even more awesome as its magnetic

[@DJaquithFL]

Interesting. My use case is for a "game chat" mic .. I'm a gamer and I absolutely do use the desktop stand. Instead of getting some cheap or limiting gaming headset combo deal, I prefer my Sennheiser HD 6XX, a DAC and this perfectly short Rode NT-MINI nestled in between my keyboard and monitor and completely out of the line of sight to the monitor. Most importantly, the thing that amazes me is that it's not picking up the clacking of my mechanical keyboard. Literally 2 in from the mic, so it's very directional and isolating in that regard which frankly shocked me. Also when I do video conferencing it works better than the built-in on my Logitech. If or when I wanted to stream then I probably would have a much better microphone on a boom arm stuck right in my face hole.

[@anthonymoscon18]

dude what brand is the glasses frame ? i need some nice readers

[@Outerhavennn]

Your rode nt usb mini sounds louder and better than mine with no background hiss. Which software are you using?

[@feshgogulululu]

Can you review the boya by PM-700 mic?

[@calvello123]

I was kinda shocked by the fact that imo mic D sounded a little bit worse than the others, almost with a crackling sound. I don't know if it is because the mic is older (so is the Blue Yeti and yet it sounded good), but the Mini did showed great improvements in comparison with it's older brother. Not to mention mic B that really impressed me when crashing the rich boys' party

[@wayneknetter]

My Connect only has 8 sounds, I can’t seem to reset to get all the sounds that the pro has. iMac 2019

[@bennson13]

Anyone know why my NT mini stopped working after installing the required newer firmware (2.1.1)? I have had the exact same issue with 2 NT mini's now. With my first NT mini it stopped working right after installing the firmware, I thought I received a faulty product so I shipped it back to the retailer and received a new one. The exact same thing happened after installing the same firmware update. Anyone know about this issue? I can't seem to find anything about it online.

[@Inspironi]

Hi, just update the USB 3.0 driver in your PC or laptop

[@Jayesh88709]

Question - if I enable some effects & settings on windows using the RØDE Connect software. Will it be carried over to other devices, like my PS5 or iPad. Bcz I cannot install any software on those devices to control this mic. Please can you answer??? I am looking forward to this only on my PS5 for streaming, gaming recording. I saw that this has a NOISE GATE built in which is triggered by the software. And software is only on Windows & Mac. So what I'm thinking is, I'll connect this mic to my windows laptop, enable noise filter & then take this to my PS5/ipad. But i need to know if the setting done on windows software will work on ps5/ipad.

[@AudioHotline]

Yes, any setting changes you make will stay applied to the microphone regardless of what you plug it into next.

[@Dracomies]

Shocking because I thought mic B sounded the best on you and that well - I don't want to spoil it -- just a shocker.

[@slawsonscot]

I’ve been using that one for several months in a whole range of contexts and it has been excellent!

[@AudioHotline]

It is definitely a Gem, especially for its price.

[@wayneknetter]

Why is connect not fully functional on iPad?

[@captaindeadpool7571]

did you do post processing on blind comparison?

[@AudioHotline]

Nope, never

[@captaindeadpool7571]

@@AudioHotline I was like "i definitely will choose B and D" and shocked, Thanks for the review!

[@franciscoalmazanalhambra6965]

I liked D and A the best, in that order.

[@DavidBrackett385]

I noticed you had the levels at 0? on the software?

[@AudioHotline]

The gain level was set to +2, the mix level fader was set at unity gain (which is 0, that’s what you’re seeing), however on the actual meter I was aiming for -12 dB on my peaks (my loudest speaking parts).

[@ahnafkalam]

Was that a Simple Plan riff?

[@AudioHotline]

Absolutely!

[@exitar1]

They made the box so you could put the microphone on it...

[@ObscureTech]

No..... No they didn't lol

[@exitar1]

@@ObscureTech 🤣 I tried to get that one over lol

[@ObscureTech]

@@exitar1 valiant effort