Rode NT3 Medium-diaphragm Condenser Microphone Reviews
Stylish and modern, the nickel-body NT3 represents RODE's outstanding microphone technology. Built for studio, stage, and location work, the NT3 is made from only the finest components, and delivers the sonic results demanded by engineers and musicians alike. A true condenser microphone, the NT3 can be powered via its internal battery or by external phantom power. Its low self-noise, high fidelity performance, and value pricing makes it hard to beat.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Solid
I have come to expect quality well above the price-point from Rode. This microphone is no exception. I acquired it for a specific purpose: recording and livestreaming services and concerts from a Cathedral--in the middle of a pandemic. In such difficult circumstances, quality gear makes things a great deal easier. This is certainly one of the most quiet (low self-noise) microphones I have ever used. Specifically, this microphone has been used for soloists singing with either an organ or a string quartet (plus continuo), with microphone placed ~20 inches in front of the singer. In a streamed concert of Handel's Messiah, it performed excellently for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass soloists. There was a noticeable positive difference between the NT3 and the various 1/2 inch condensers (some 4x the price of the NT3) I have used on previous concerts. It is much larger and heavier than a 1/2 condenser, but provides a lot of the sonic benefits of large-diaphragm condenser in a smaller, more manageable package.
Great for Video ... better than the VideoMic
I recently purchased an NT3 to replace the Rode VideoMic for recording live video. I'm a keynote speaker and I video record all of my speeches.
The NT3's awesome sound has added more depth to my recordings. The ability to power with either a 9v or 48 v phantom power makes this a flexible microphone for use in the field or in the studio ... I can slip the NT3 into the shoe mount on my video camera and go, or I can mount it on a boom pole over my talent in the studio.
Best of all, like all things Rode, the price point is fantastic! Great quality for a decent price.
I highly recommend the NT3 ... and Sweetwater! ;-)
A diiferent class !!!
I brought this mic as I heard some clips of folk using this on youtube.
I purchased one and man it really is quality . I also saw a promotion video and the guy was saying that its built with top quality components.
The sound has a lot of depth to it . I use mine for live vocal gigs with a Soundcraft epm6 mixer.
The amazing thing about this mic is that you hardly need much gain it picks up on the slidders of my mixer at number 3 with crystal clarity.
My second NT3
I'm no expert on mics but I had used one of these on a fiddle demo for a woman heading to Nashville. It caught the grit of the fiddle without being harsh. I figured the less harsh effect would be good to tame finger noise on solo AC guitar and over bright cymbals so I bought a second to record in stereo.
AMAZED
ON RECIEVING THIS MIC I SET UP A A-B WITH MY AT4047,
ALTHOUGH THE 4047 WAS A LOT MORE SENSITIVE ON PICKING UP THE LOW END THE NT3 WAS OVERALL MORE BALANCED. IT HAS SERVED ME VERY WELL ON VOCALS BOTH LIVE AND RECORDED,IN FACT I SOLD MY 4047 BECAUSE THIS ONE SOUNDS SO GOOD IN MORE AREAS,IS MORE THEN HALF THE PRICE,TO ME MORE RUGGED AND HAS THE COOL 9V BATTERY FEATURE. I WOULD BUY ANOTHER.
Very affordable quality bright sounding mic
Own a pair of NT3, used it on drum overheads and ambients, strings overheads, backing vocals, acoustic guitars. It performed great! I got numerous praises for the drum overhead after recording with this mic. Its clear, but not harsh. So far I've never used it for vocal solo, but for everything else that i used it for, i've never got a bad sound out of it. In terms of reliability, it has its own 9V battery for phantom, and I dropped it more than once, but because of its solid built, i found no dent on the grill,or any malfuctions what soever. Very cool mic to have on your arsenal.
Not too shabby
If you are looking at this mic, I'm sure you've already thought about the AKG C1000 and maybe the AT3040 mics. The NT3 is superior to both of these. As we all know, the C1000 is a great deal, but the sound of that mic is cheap, brittle and tinny. The NT3 will give you a crisp high end without sounding harsh. The NT3 has a pretty tight pattern with a great casing. It's durable and good looking, plus takes 9V power for field work. As a sample-gathering mic I rate this mic a 7 out of 10 because it is easy to use, durable, battery powered, includes a switch and sounds great. As a studio mic I give it a 7 of 10 again for the same reasons, and for the tight cardioid pattern. This mic wouldn't really make a good set of overheads, nor a good stereo pair, but as a mic accompanying a large diaphragm (C414 on an acoustic, TLM 193 on piano or any tube mic on a cab) or tube mic, this is great for brightening up a tough instrument. This mic is OK on percussion as well (such as hand drums), but again, lacks the characteristics to be a good set of overheads (they sound OK, but don't have the natural and lively sound you get from a matched stereo pair or a stereo mic-- there's just something missing...). If you can find one at a good price, scoop it up because it is a great addition to a mic locker for a small price. Not my "go-to" for any situation, but it has it's moments in the supporting cast!
