Different mixers will offer all manner of extra functionality, like the ability to add effects or equalization, or different ways to connect to your devices, but fundamentally a mixer’s job is to… well, mix. (Image credit: Future) What is a podcast mixer?Īll audio mixers, regardless of their size, serve one fairly simple purpose taking audio from multiple input sources and mixing it together to form one unified output. But as a reliable, fully-featured unit with room to cope with mid-to-large-scale podcast recordings, it’s a highly attractive package. At the time of writing, the DLZ Creator was not far off seven hundred notes, which is serious money in anyone’s books. This is cool because not everyone starts a podcast knowing how audio interfaces and mixers work, so by holding the hands of less technically proficient users, the Mackie could be the perfect studio solution for everyone. We also liked how there was a start-up wizard, which guides new users through the initial set-up process. The DLZ Creator has plenty of mic inputs, along with other connectivity options like Bluetooth for airing phone interviews and the like. With the Mackie DLZ creator, there exists potentially all the studio you could ever feasibly need in one, beautifully designed hardware box. As long as the Rode NT-USB Mini is approached with the right expectations, it’s a worthwhile purchase.If you’re the host/founder of a pod looking to take the next step up, you’ll likely have been eyeing up your options for an enhanced studio set-up. With its compact size, affordability and audio quality, we can’t complain too much about the package overall. Shows will sound much more professional than they will if you resort to the internal mics on phones or laptops, and the Rode Connect software, while basic, has enough functionality to get a podcast off the ground. But again, it costs a fraction of the price.įor those taking their first steps into podcasting or streaming, the NT-USB Mini can be a great starting point. It won’t have that studio-like quality you’d expect from more expensive microphones running through an audio interface. That said, be aware of the NT-USB Mini’s flaws before you buy. There aren’t many other units on the market that can offer its level of quality for less than $100. Rode NT-USB Mini review: VerdictĮven with some complaints, the Rode NT-USB Mini is a good microphone for the price. There were times when certain phrases would still crack. The NT-USB Mini also has an internal pop filter which did a good job of reducing any popping sounds, though it wasn't perfect. But that does raise the question: why was the mic relaying sounds to me that wouldn’t end up in the recording? Luckily, I had a producer on hand who could act as a second pair of ears, but many podcasters don’t have that privilege. The monitoring picked up so much minute surrounding audio I was scared that a door opening down the hallway was also being recorded. Unfortunately, the built-in headphone monitoring jack did not do a great job in letting me know how my voice sounded while recording. I recorded my show in a sound-insulated attic, but even then, the Rode gave my voice a somewhat hollow sound, as if speaking in a in a claustrophobic sound booth. Because the NT-USB Mini is trying to be a condenser mic for spoken word, singing and music recording all at once, the base recording sound profile Rode has implemented tries to serve too many masters. Adjusting it inside software didn’t do much, and unfortunately there isn’t a gain dial on the microphone itself: a missed opportunity on Rode's part. While good, my producer would complain about the high gain that the NT-USB Mini gave my voice. There’s also the Rode Connect podcasting and streaming program that can be downloaded for increased functionality. Windows immediately recognized the device and let me start recording. All it required was plugging in the USB Type-C cable into my Microsoft Surface Pro 5. It definitely beats the built-in mic found on a pair of headphones or an iPhone.Īs a podcaster, I took the NT-USB Mini with me on an extended trip. It can’t compare to the larger studio microphones that run through an audio interface, but for what it is, the resulting audio is acceptable. The NT-USB Mini records decently for the most part.
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