USB King? | Rode NT USB Mini Microphone Review & RODE Connect 1.1 Update Walkthrough

I check out the Rode NT USB Min and Rode Connect software including the newly released 1.1 update!
Rode NT USB MINI: US: amzn.to/3wDk52F | UK: amzn.to/3hXkCXU
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00:00 - Intro
00:26 - Why Now?
01:34 - What's in the box?
02:01 - Build quality
02:54 - Connections
03:51 - Features
04:36 - Controls
05:12 - Rode Connect
15:18 - Sound Quality
16:44 - What would I like to see?
18:16 - The Verdict
The gear I use:
Panasonic GH5 | US: amzn.to/2W8ttu9 | UK: amzn.to/2pKbZs2
Panasonic G80/G85 | US: amzn.to/2p9UCB5 | UK: amzn.to/2W69UCL
Panasonic Lumix 25mm F1.7 | US: amzn.to/2W6uFhK | UK: amzn.to/33VVisE
Panasonic Lumix 12-60 | US: amzn.to/2PixmeC | UK: amzn.to/2W702IZ
GoPro Hero 4 Silver | US: amzn.to/2N1FUE6 | UK: amzn.to/2rWJ434
Rode video micro | US: amzn.to/33T4GNr | UK: amzn.to/2rCHKSx
Zoom h1 | US: amzn.to/32CRfRK (newer model H1n) | UK: amzn.to/32EUXu9 (H1n)
Manfrotto BeFree Live with Fluid Head | US: amzn.to/31CC7lV | UK: amzn.to/2HuW1Wi
Manfrotto 785B | US: amzn.to/2JfCwVf | UK: amzn.to/2sF243X (closest match)
Apple MacBook Pro 13" 2016 without touchbar | US: amzn.to/2N6f3H6 | UK: amzn.to/2r3xGmU
Final Cut Pro X
Above links are Amazon affiliate links, as an Amazon Associate I earn commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

[@AlexGarcia-qn8hi]

I love the audio and was planning on getting this mic to upgrade from my cheap USB mic... thank you for the walkthrough of the software as well it's a great help.

[@chrisguess]

You’re welcome, glad you found it helpful.

[@abhishek_patra_]

Video may be long but you covered everything well, I loved it ❤

[@chrisguess]

I usually don't think too much about length, more about making sure I get across everything I want to say.

[@MrMikeAllen]

Excellent walkthrough of the software

[@chrisguess]

Thank you.

[@amirkuroshmoosavi9258]

I'm happy to see someone with a voice that's similar to my voice has reviewed this mic. Even better is the fact that the eoom is not an ideal recording booth, it helps me know what it will sound like in my recording context. Thank you

[@chrisguess]

No worries. The main reason I got it was because I knew I wouldn’t be using it in a noise free environment.

[@NaNByZero]

Just ordered one. I think the sound quality of your video is very good. 🕐⚙️🍸

[@marekpiotrwojcicki4081]

Thanks. Very good review :)

[@chrisguess]

Thanks

[@Mediabaazi]

Great review😊👍

[@chrisguess]

Thanks

[@Toutounela94]

Thanks so much Chris for the review! I already owned the microphone but i was using it wrong in obs.. i didn't know about its software! Now i'm satisfied with my decision of purchasing this specific microphone!

[@chrisguess]

No problem. Yeah the software really takes it to the next level!

[@prasanna3378]

@@chrisguess *How well would this mic be suited for singing ? How would this mic be compared with an audio interface and a good budget xlr mic like xlr AT2020 vs Rode NT USB mini ? Which one should I go for just considering the sound quality and price (and not upgradability, I need only one mic) ? Kindly answer.*

[@ScaryField]

Thanks for your review I'm gonna buy it.

[@chrisguess]

No sweat 👍🏻

[@KaiKarl]

Nice video! This mic is definitely incredibly for this price.

[@chrisguess]

Yes I’ve been very happy with it.

[@WEAREINTIM]

What a great video thank you

[@chrisguess]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@Juice_VI]

Really great video

[@chrisguess]

Thanks

[@CuriousDerek]

Dude, this video was freaking amazing! I couldn’t really hear the difference of the noise gate but then I realized I didn’t have headphones 🤣 will come back and listen again. Well done brother! Love the channel, definitely gonna binge some more videos.

[@chrisguess]

Thanks, hopefully a lot more to come.

[@aliasrandom9241]

You gotta be aware that if you're using this mic as a plug and play option, using only the system drivers, without any software, it is very quiet and will have sensitivity set to max by software such as zoom making background noise very prominent. With the Rode Connect you can set it to gain of about 25, sensitivity to about 50 and have much better overall results about 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) away from your mouth. Also, there is a way to connect more microphones to Rode Connect by using VoiceMeeter audio mixing software so that makes it even more powerful. Great mike, worth the hassle setting it up properly.

[@chrisguess]

Fair point, I would recommend always using Rode connect, you can use it with Zoom etc with Connect running.

[@PuriaMardani]

Tnx❤️

[@lingifylearnenglishandcont7873]

idk why but i think using a suitable background music can help a lot , by the way this is a great vid

[@chrisguess]

Yeah I use background music in a lot of my videos but as this one was mic related I decided to do without so you could hear the quality of the mic.

[@barbblakey8244]

I love it…so I bought it.

[@chrisguess]

Great, still in my setup going strong.

[@ariffikri5644]

Im totally in with the iPad support for Rode connect app. That would be so portable, cause the fact that Rode mini also made with portability in mind. Thanks for the review, helpful indeed.

[@chrisguess]

It would have so many uses, at least it does work with it I guess.

[@BennyKleykens]

Will the Rhode 'remember' the setting you do in the Rode Connect software? I ask because I am not allowed to install extra software on my laptop so would want to set it up via another laptop where I can install the soft.

[@chrisguess]

Not sure to be honest but i know some of their on camera mics do so it’s possible.

[@RageStudios]

can i connect this to rode wireless go 2 transmitter and use it wirelessly directly to my camera?

[@chrisguess]

Not sure, does it accept usb audio in? I haven’t got one so can’t try it, would be interesting though as you could go straight into the camera. 🤔

[@jhowie]

i'm wondering if any settings in Rode Connect be carried over to OBS when streaming or when doing voice over in editing softwares? I hope am clear. Like the Noise Gate, Compressor or I have to separately tinker with mic settings in OBS for example?

[@chrisguess]

I haven’t tried it myself, but my assumption would be yes. If you are running Rode Connect then that is handling all your system audio and then passing that to OBS.

[@jhowie]

@@chrisguess thank you. From my test, it seems the settings from Rode Connect were carried over to OBS.

[@freddymiguelponce]

Great video! First time in your channel Would you please tell me how long is the usb cable that comes with the mic? thanks in advance and sorry for my English; i'm still learning Have a Productive and Healthy Day!

[@chrisguess]

Thanks. The cable is 2M, hope that helps.

[@freddymiguelponce]

@@chrisguess Thank you! Yes. It helps A LOT!

[@prasanna3378]

*How well would this mic be suited for singing ? How would this mic be compared with an audio interface and a good budget xlr mic like xlr AT2020 vs Rode NT USB mini ? Which one should I go for just considering the sound quality and price (and not upgradability, I need only one mic) ? Kindly answer.*

[@chrisguess]

That’s a good question, I’m not a singer so I’m not too sure although it is listed for vocals on their website. This would be a lot cheaper assuming you already have a device to plug it into. You also get some extra features with Rode Connect which would be beneficial for singing.

[@ronnieryanpc]

For monitoring, what bitrate and hz does the built in 3.5mm output support? Does it support lossless?

[@chrisguess]

3.5mm has a lossless mode but I’m not sure on the bitrate.

[@abhishek_patra_]

Love from India ❤

[@sirleo7532]

Would you happen to know how to disable the zero latency monitoring when you have a headphone/earphone connected to it through the mic? My audio jacks are quite far so I use the nt mini usb's jack since its quite convenient.

[@chrisguess]

if you don't have Rode connect open just press the dial on the mic and you will switch between on and off.

[@alanfindlayviewfromtherock6200]

Is there a solution/fix/hack so that additional mics can be monitored and heard? Each mic's headphone socket only allows for its user's voice to be heard and not others. So frustrating!

[@chrisguess]

Not that I know of

[@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.

[@chrisguess]

Haven’t had this issue, not sure what firmware I have though.

[@_-martin-_]

The glaring missing feature is a mute button! Such feature would make it perfect and double sales!

[@chrisguess]

Would be nice as a physical control, but you do get it through rode connect.

[@_-martin-_]

@@chrisguess Yes, except that Røde Connect software does not work on Linux. I can make a shortcut key for muting all input but a physical button on the microphone would be more specific and much convenient, especially if you are sitting away from your keyboard. Also, a mic mute LED light would help assure the user that it is muted.

[@duckkerr]

FOR SOME REASON, my rode nt usb does not sound good at all. It sounds like my built in laptop microphone. I have also made sure that the input device is set to the rode microphone.

[@chrisguess]

Not sure what’s happening there, maybe position?

[@duckkerr]

@@chrisguess not the position, I have done everything in my reach.

[@morgenmicha]

On my MacBook Air m1 Rode Connect crashes the Audio Input and Output Devise Settings randomly while the App is Not Running. If i deinstall Rode Connect the error is gone. Any other Mac m1 Users with that same issue?

[@chrisguess]

Works fine on my M1 iMac

[@morgenmicha]

@@chrisguess No issues? I Wish i could use it also with No issues :-(

[@chrisguess]

That’s a shame, do you have all the latest updates for Rode Connect, OSX etc?

[@morgenmicha]

@@chrisguess all is updated since months. The issue still appears since months.

[@GNU_Linux_for_good]

03:28 I use it with *GNU/Linux*

[@chrisguess]

Sweet, it is pretty versatile.

[@ifn_media]

You have a too much of your face in this review, respectfully you do not use long enough cuts to the images of the software gui

[@chrisguess]

Some people like my face!

[@Alcapowen]

2 2 1 2.......toast toast.

[@chrisguess]

Thanks for stopping by…