RØDE
RØDE NT3
End-address 3/4-inch condenser (externally polarised), cardioid; runs on a 9 V battery or phantom power
Power 9 V battery, or phantom P12, P24 or P48.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −39 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 42%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 59%
- Self-noise
- 16 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 45%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 46%
- Max SPL
- 140 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 62%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 56%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 34% of 75 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 48% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 64% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-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
1 of 2; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
Titled "Frequency Response"; axis "dB re 1 V/Pa", but 0 dB at 1 kHz, so relative. Distance, room and smoothing not stated.
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"; 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 4000 Hz; rings every 2 dB, scale "dB rel. 1V/Pa" from +5 to -25. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 3/4-inch (19 mm), externally biased, internally shock-mounted"Externally polarised 19mm (¾”) condenser"; "Internal capsule shock mounting" (p. 5). The 2023 datasheet: "Capsule: 0.75”Cardioid". | p. 3 |
| Self-noise | 16 dB(A)less than; per IEC 651. "Equivalent Noise: <16dBA SPL (per IEC651)"; the 2023 datasheet gives "16dBA". | |
| Max SPL | 140 dB SPLmore than; 1 kHz, 1% THD into 1 kohm. ">140dB (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1kΩ)". Not in the 2023 datasheet. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 77 dBmore than; 1 kHz, re 1 Pa, per IEC 651. ">77dB SPL (@ 1kHz, rel 1Pa per IEC651)". | |
| Dynamic range | 123 dBmore than; per IEC 651 | |
| Current draw | 8 mAP48 (20-60 V); 7 mA on P24, 1.4 mA on P12, 1.2 mA on battery. "8mA @ P48 (20-60v), 7mA @ P24 (12-30v), 1.4mA @ P12 (11-26v), 1.2mA @ 9V (battery)". | |
| Maximum output | +9.5 dBu (1 kHz, 1% THD into 1 kΩ) | |
| Battery life | In excess of 400 hours with a high quality alkaline 9 V (PP3) battery | p. 5 |
| Battery indicator | LED flashes once at switch-on when the battery is good; stays on when it is low | p. 6 |
| Power switch | On/off switch on the body | |
| From the spec sheet | ||
| Sensitivity | −39 dBV/Pa (12 mV/Pa)1 kHz, ±2 dB. "-39.0dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (12.00mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz"; the manual gives the same. | p. 1 |
| Output impedance | 200 ohm"Output Impedance: 200Ω"; the manual gives the same. | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz"; p. 10 of the manual: "The low frequency of the NT3 extends to below 20Hz". | |
| Powering | 9 V battery, or phantom P12, P24 or P48"9v battery, P12, P24 or P48". With phantom power the battery is not used (manual p. 6). | |
| Connector | XLR-3"3 pin XLR, balanced output between Pin 2 (+), Pin 3 (-) and Pin 1 (ground)". | |
| Weight | 371 gnet. The 2009 datasheet adds shipping weight 640 g. | p. 2 |
| Supplied accessories | RM3 stand mount; ZP1 zip pouch; WS3 windshieldThe stand mount has a 3/8" to 5/8" thread adaptor (manual p. 4). | |
| Active electronics | JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer; transformerless, surface-mount | p. 1 |
| Build | Cast metal body with satin-nickel finish; high RF rejection | |
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Dimensions | 32 × 206 mmDiameter × length: "Length - 206mm (8.1102”), Diameter - 32mm (1.2598”)". The 2023 datasheet prints "Height: 32, Width: 206, Height: 32" and draws 206 × 32 mm. The manual's "270 x 130 x 50mm" looks like the box. | p. 1 |
Documents
- NT3 datasheetNT3_Datasheet_FA
- NT3 Instruction Manual
- NT3 datasheet2009
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.