NT1-A Instruction Guide STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONES
NT1-A Serial Number: ........................................................ Checked By: ............................................................ Date: ........................................................................ This condenser microphone has been proudly designed and manufactured by RODE Microphones in Sydney, Australia. We at RO DE thank you for investing in our product, and with the appropriate care, it will serve you well for many years to come.
Technical Specification: • Acoustic Principle: Externally polarised 25 mm (1”) condenser. • Active Electronics: JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer. • Pickup Pattern: Cardioid (see graph). • Frequency Response: 20 Hz~20 kHz (see graph). • Output Impedance: 100 Ω • Sensitivity: -31.9 dB re 1volt/pascal 25 mV @ 94dB SPL) +/- 2 dB • Equivalent Noise: 5 dBA SPL (per IEC651, IEC268-15) • Maximum Output: +13.
Features: • • • • • • • • • • Large Capsule (1”) with gold-plated membrane. Cardioid Polar Pattern. Ultra-low noise transformerless circuitry. New, state of the art surface mount electronics. New, heavy duty satin nickel finish. Monocoque sub-assembly. Internal shock-mounting system. Gold plated output connectors. True Condenser (externally biased). Full (20Hz – 20 kHz) frequency response. NT1-A Base Pin 3 (-) Pin 2 (+) Pin 1 (Ground) Cable plug guide Note: Ensure cable is connected to correct pins.
NT1-A in SM1 Shock Mount 3/8” - 5/8” Thread Adaptor
The Power Supply: 1. Connect all cables before applying power to the microphone and never remove the microphone cable while the power is connected. 2. The NT1-A requires P48Volts or P24Volts Phantom Power. 3. If the Mixer or Pre-amp does NOT contain this Phantom Power requirement, then an external Phantom Power supply will be needed. 4. Some Phantom Power supplies do not supply the voltage at which they are rated.
Changing the acoustic properties of the space the microphone is in, is our recommended initial approach for obtaining the best sound quality. (Remember, you cannot change a rooms acoustic properties with EQ). When the preferred sound has been achieved (as above) then, EQ and effects such as reverb or indeed any other signal processing can be used for enhancement, but should be used sparingly.
Perhaps a good beginning would be to place the pop filter directly in front of the vocalist, and about 15cm away from the microphone. (Remember that the front of the microphone is indicated by the gold dot). This will assist in keeping the performer at a constant minimum distance from the microphone and helps to maintain reasonable recording levels. Experimentation should be made with the angle from which the microphone is addressed as different results can be achieved when the vocalist is ‘off-axis’.
Piano: Single microphone technique To record a piano using a single microphone (see above), that microphone should be placed approximately 60cm (or 2’) above the centre of the sound-board, aimed slightly towards the front of the piano. To record the piano using X/Y Stereo technique, two closely matched (similar) microphones should be angled at 90-110degrees to each other, over the hammers with ONE mic aimed towards the lower strings, and the other towards the high strings.
Multiple microphones used close to individual drums & symbols (ie. Close mic-ing): To record a kit with a single microphone, we suggest that you begin by placing the mic’ above the centre of the kit at the same height as the kit is wide with the front of the microphone facing down. To record the kit with TWO overhead microphones, they should be used at a similar height (as above) and depending on the size of the kit, between 1-2m apart. The mic’s would would probably be equi-distant from the snare drum.
Storage: After use, the NT1-A should be removed from its Shock Mount, wiped with a dry soft cloth and placed in its protective zip-pouch. Be sure to place the moisture-absorbent crystals (supplied) at the head of the microphone. The crystals will absorb any moisture present. Eventually this pack of crystals will need to be dried. When the crystals are pink, they are inactive. They can easily be reactivated by placing them in an oven at between 100-150 degreesC for a few (10-12) minutes.
RODE Microphones, 5 Averill St, Rhodes NSW 2138 Australia Ph: 61 2 8765 9333 Fax: 61 2 8765 9444 USA P.O. Box 3279 Torrance, CA 90510-3279 Ph: 877 328 7456 (Toll Free Within the U.S.) Ph: 310 328 7456 Fax: 310 328 7180 Technical Support For information and technical support questions. In the Unites States and Puerto Rico, contact: usasupport@rodemic.com or call 877 328 7456 toll free or 310 328 7456 In Australia, contact: ozsupport@rodemic.
