RØDE
RØDE NT2-A
Side-address large dual-diaphragm (1-inch) condenser, multi-pattern (omni, cardioid, figure-8), with three-position pad and high-pass filter on the body
Power Phantom P24 or P48.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 3
- Sensitivity
- −36 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 58%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 71%
- Self-noise
- 7 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 92%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 93%
- Max SPL
- 147 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 86%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 84%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 47% of 75 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 83% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 86% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
2 of 3; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual (Recording Hacks copy), p. 5.
Titled "NT2-A Frequency Response - Cardioid - 0°, Flat Filter"; distance and room not stated.
That unit is from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (CC BY 4.0), measured at 1.25 m and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz, from 136 Hz up. Not the manufacturer's curve.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
Titled "Polar pattern"; three frequencies; rings every 2 dB, scale "dB rel. 1V/Pa" from +5 to -25. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | HF1 dual 1-inch (25 mm) diaphragm, gold-sputtered, internally shock-mounted"Large 1” (25mm) HF1 gold sputtered capsule"; "dual 1-inch gold-sputtered ... capsule with internal shock mounting". | p. 1 |
| Sensitivity | −36 dBV/Pa (16 mV/Pa)1 kHz, ±2 dB. "-36 dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (16 mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz"; the pattern it holds for is not stated. | |
| Output impedance | 200 ohmPrinted "Output Impedence: 200Ω". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom P24 or P48"Power Requirements: P24 and P48". The 2010 and 2004 manuals say P48 (48 V) only. | |
| Low cut | flat, 40 Hz, 80 Hz"Three position variable High-Pass Filter - Flat, 40Hz or 80Hz". Middle switch on the front: flat in the centre, 40 Hz lower, 80 Hz upper (2010 manual, p. 10). Slope not stated; not graphed. | |
| Pad | −5 dBalso −10 dB. "Three position PAD - 0dB, -5dB or -10dB". Bottom switch: 0 in the centre, -5 dB lower, -10 dB upper (2010 manual, p. 10). | |
| Connector | XLR-3"3 pin XLR, balanced output between Pin 2 (+), Pin 3 (-) and Pin 1 (ground)". | |
| Weight | 860 gnet. Shipping weight 1000 g. | p. 2 |
| Dimensions | 55 × 209 mmDiameter × length: "Length - 209 (8.2283”), Diameter - 55 (2.1653”)". | |
| Supplied accessories | SM6 shock mount with pop filter; 6 m XLR cable"SM6 Shock mount, 6m XLR cable". The 2010 datasheet lists a 3 m (10') cable, a dustcover and a training DVD. | |
| Active electronics | JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer; transformerless, surface-mount | p. 1 |
| From the manual | ||
| Self-noise | 7 dB(A)per IEC651. "Equivalent Noise: 7dBA SPL (per IEC651)"; the datasheet gives "7dBA". Pattern not stated. | p. 3 |
| Max SPL | 147 dB SPL1 kHz, 1% THD into 1 kΩ load; also 157 dB SPL, with the pad at maximum (-10 dB). "147dB SPL (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1KΩ load) (157dB with PAD at maximum)". Not in the 2023 datasheet. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 87 dBA-weighted per IEC651. Printed "87 dB SPL (A - weighted per IEC651)". | |
| Dynamic range | 140 dBper IEC651, IEC268-15 | |
| Maximum output | +16 dBu (1 kHz, 1% THD into 1 kΩ load) | |
| Switches | Three switches on the front: polar pattern (top: figure-8 up, cardioid centre, omni down), high-pass filter (middle), pad (bottom) | p. 8 |
| Front | The gold dot marks the front | p. 6 |
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Previous kit2004 | Supplied with the M2 stand mount and a ZP1 zip pouch | p. 4 |
Documents
- NT2-A datasheet
- NT2-A instruction manualStudio Solution kit
- NT2-A instruction manualfirst edition
- NT2-A datasheet2010
- Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response DatasetJuan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © RØDE, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.