RODE NT-USB+ Condenser Microphone User Guide

: June 12, 2024
: Rode

Table of Contents

RODE NT-USB+ Condenser Microphone
USER GUIDE & SUPPORT
Features
Getting Set Up
Connecting to a Computer
Using the Headphone Output
Using with RØDE Connect
Using with RØDE Central
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

RODE NT-USB+ Condenser Microphone

USER GUIDE & SUPPORT

The NT – USB + is a professional-grade USB microphone with next-generation features for recording exceptional audio directly to a computer or mobile device. Discover everything you need to know about using your NT – USB+ here.

Features

RODE-NT-USB-Condenser-Microphone-FIG-1

Getting Set Up

The NT – USB + comes with a desk stand and pop filter to get you up and running without the need for any other equipment.

Attaching to the Ring Mount and Pop Filter
Simply screw the threaded base of the NT-USB + into the ‘ring’ of the ring mount clockwise to attach it. If you wish to install the pop filter, it will need to sit between the microphone and the ring mount before attaching. You can use the knurled ring at the base of the ring mount to secure the mic in place once you’ve got it into the right position and facing the right direction – make sure the gold dot is aimed towards you.

Note: Use the pop filter when recording speech or vocals in order to reduce the impact of plosives (sudden bursts of air formed by mouthing certain words and sounds, such as the ‘p’ in ‘plosive’).

Attaching to the Desk Stand and Other Mounts
With the NT-USB+ in its ring mount, you can then screw the desk stand into the ring mount’s gold thread. You can attach the microphone in its ring mount to other tripods and studio arms (like the Tripod 2 and PSA1 + . Inside the ring mount is a 1/4″ to 5/8” thread adaptor, which can be removed if required . RODE-NT-USB-Condenser-Microphone-FIG-2

Connecting to a Computer

Plug one end of the included cable into the USB-C port at the base of the microphone, and the other end into your computer. If your computer only has USB-A ports, you will need a USB-C to USB-A cable like the RØDE SC18. The NT- USB+ runs off USB power provided by your computer. When connected, the status LED will turn blue, indicating that the microphone is switched on.

The NT-USB+ is a class-compliant USB device, so your computer should automatically recognise it and set it as the default audio input and output device. If not, navigate to your computer’s audio preferences or settings and select ‘NT-USB+’ for both your audio input and output device. This means all computer audio will be sent to the microphone’s headphone output, and the microphone will replace your computer’s internal microphone as the audio input.

Note: When using the NT-USB+ with recording software or a communications app, check that it is set as your input and output device in the software . RODE-NT-USB-Condenser-Microphone-FIG-3

Connecting to a Smartphone or Tablet
If you’re using a smartphone or tablet with a USB-C port (including most Android devices and some iOS devices, like the iPad Pro), use the included cable to plug the microphone directly into it. If you are using an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning port, you will need to use a Lightning Accessory Cable like the SC19 instead.
Note: When plugged into your device, the NT-USB+ will automatically be set as both its microphone input and headphone output. Make sure the volume on your device is turned all the way up and use the headphone level control on the microphone to set the output level. The microphone input level can usually be set in the audio or video app you are using, such as RØDE Reporter. RODE-NT-
USB-Condenser-Microphone-FIG-4

Using the Headphone Output

The NT-USB+features a 3.5mm headphone output for monitoring your audio while you’re recording or streaming, listening back to recordings, or simply listening to music or another audio playing from your device. There are two different controls for the headphone output: a level control and a monitor mix control.

The Level Control Bottom)
The level control simply adjusts the volume level of any audio sent to the headphones you have plugged into the NT-USB+, including audio coming from your computer or mobile device as well as the microphone itself.

Monitor Mix Control (Top)
The top control adjusts how much of your direct microphone signal is sent to your headphones. With this control fully counterclockwise, you won’t hear any direct microphone audio but will still hear audio coming from your device. The direct microphone signal doesn’t have any delay or echo (also known as ‘latency’) that can occur when then audio is being sent to the computer and back to the headphone output.

Note: While recording or streaming, we recommend turning this control fully clockwise and disabling any software monitoring in your DAW Digital Audio Workstation) or streaming software. This will ensure you won’t hear a distracting echo created by listening to the direct monitoring signal and the delayed signal from your computer at the same time.

Using with RØDE Connect

Download and install RØDE Connect to access extra features for your microphone, including advanced audio processing and the ability to connect up to four NT-USB+ or other RØDE USB microphones to a computer simultaneously.

Ensure your NT-USB+ is connected to your computer and open RØDE Connect
Click and drag the NT-USB+ from the ‘Available Microphones’ section to one of the four microphone spaces and click ‘Next’
Configure your virtual channels (if required) by dragging them to their desired spaces and click ‘Next’
Click ‘Finish’ to exit the setup assistant (you can access the assistant again whenever you want by selecting the three-dot icon next to the RØDE logo)
Click the channel number for the NT-USB+ (e.g. the ‘1’ with the pink coloured tag) to view its configuration settings
Here, you can adjust the input gain, engage the noise gate, compressor and high-pass filter (either at 75Hz or 150Hz), and enable the legendary APHEX Aural Exciter and Big Bottom processors

Check out the RØDE Connect user guide for more details on how to use the software for recording podcasts and streaming. RØDE Connect will automatically update your NT-USB+ firmware when you run the software with the microphone connected and an update is available.

Note: When used with RØDE Connect, the monitor mix control on your NT?USB? will be disabled and automatically set to the fully clockwise position. This means you’ll hear your microphone audio at full volume, with no latency (see the ‘Monitor Mix Control’ section for more information).

RODE-NT-USB-Condenser-Microphone-FIG-6

Using with RØDE Central

RØDE Central is a companion app for a range of RØDE products, available for both desktop and mobile. You can use RØDE Central and RØDE Central Mobile to update your NT-USB+ firmware as well as activate the advanced audio processing, including the noise gate, compressor, high-pass filter (either at 75Hz or 150Hz), and the legendary APHEX Aural Exciter and Big Bottom processors. When the processing settings are enabled via RØDE Central, these settings persist in the NT-USB+, meaning you can close the app and use the microphone with your DAW or other recording applications with these effects enabled.

Download RØDE Central

RODE-NT-USB-Condenser-Microphone-FIG-7

Using with RØDE Reporter
RØDE Reporter is a mobile recording app for iOS and Android that also acts as a companion for a range of RØDE microphones. By navigating to Settings > Configure, you can adjust a number of NT-USB+ processing settings, including the input gain, high-pass filter, compressor, noise gate, and the legendary APHEX Aural Exciter and Big Bottom processors. Just like with RØDE Central, tapping ‘Save to Microphone’ will store these settings on the NT-USB+, even after it’s been unplugged. RØDE Reporter can also be used to update the NT- USB+ firmware. RODE-NT-USB-Condenser-Microphone-FIG-8