RODE Microphones NT-USB User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
ENGLISH
1
www.rodemic.com/nt-usb
Versatile Studio-Quality
USB Microphone
NT-USB
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 1 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

2Features
• Compatible with Apple iPad®
• Cardioid polar pattern
• State-of-the-art surface mount electronics
• Designed in Australia
• Full 2 year guarantee*
*Online registration required
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 2 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

3
Features
What’s in the box?
• NT-USB microphone
• Tripod mount (stand)
• Pop shield
• USB cable (6m/ 20”)
• Manual
• Microphone pouch
• Mic clip/Mounting ring
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 3 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

4Specifications
Acoustic Principle Pressure Gradient
Active Electronics JFET impedance converter with bipolar
output buffer, A/D converter 16bit 48kHz,
headphone amplifier
Directional Pattern Cardiod
Frequency Range 20Hz ~ 20kHz
Dynamic Range 96dB
Maximum SPL 110dB SPL
Power Requirements USB 5VDC
Output Connection USB
Net Weight 520g
Polar Response
Frequency
Response
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 4 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

5
Acoustic Principle Pressure Gradient
Active Electronics JFET impedance converter with bipolar
output buffer, A/D converter 16bit 48kHz,
headphone amplifier
Directional Pattern Cardiod
Frequency Range 20Hz ~ 20kHz
Dynamic Range 96dB
Maximum SPL 110dB SPL
Power Requirements USB 5VDC
Output Connection USB
Net Weight 520g
Polar Response
Frequency
Response
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 5 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

6
Polar Response
Register your NT-USB now and
validate your free 2 year warranty.
Scan the QR code with a smartphone, or visit
www.rodemic.com/warranty
Warranty
The NT-USB is covered by a limited warranty for one (1) year from
the date of purchase. This can be extended free of charge to a full
two (2) year warranty by registering your microphone online by
visiting our website as above.
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 6 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

7
Power requirements
The NT-USB is powered by your device’s USB port, meaning that in
most instances you can just plug the microphone in and get started
right away. For non-standard USB ports, a powered USB hub may
be required.
The NT-USB is a “Plug & Play” USB device, compatible with both
Windows and Mac computers, as well as the Apple iPad via the USB
camera connection kit (available directly from Apple).
The NT-USB features a purple LED inside the microphone cage
that indicates when the microphone has power. If the light does not
turn on after plugging the microphone in, the computer or device
you are using may not provide enough power for the NT-USB. If this
is the case, we recommend connecting the NT-USB via a powered
USB hub.
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 7 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

8Mounting the NT-USB
Diagram 1 - Mounting the NT-USB
in the supplied tripod stand
The NT-USB is supplied with
a high quality tripod mount.
To assemble simply screw the
mounting ring onto the tripod
stand (diagram 1). The mounting
ring can also be used as a mic
clip to attach the NT-USB to a
mic or boom stand.
To install the NT-USB in the
mounting ring place the micro-
phone in the mount from above
(optionally using the pop filter),
and thread into the mounting
ring. Once the microphone is
facing the correct way, turn the
dial at the bottom clockwise until
tight (diagram 1).
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 8 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

9
Diagram 2 - Adjusting the
microphone position
To change the microphone
position, always be sure to
loosen the adjustment lever to
ensure that you do not damage
the stand.
When recording vocals,
always use the supplied pop
filter, mounted in front of the
microphone. The pop filter will
prevent plosives (hard ‘P’, ‘B’, ‘T’
and ‘K’ sounds) from overloading
the microphone’s capsule.
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 9 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

10 General operation
The gold dot on the face of the
NT-USB indicates the front of the
microphone, and the pickup area
of the capsule. The microphone
(and gold dot) should always be
facing towards the sound source
that you wish to record.
On the side of the NT-USB there
are two adjustment knobs.
Diagram 3 - Monitor mix control
and headphone volume control
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 10 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

11
Monitor mix control
The Monitor mix control (the top knob) is used to ‘mix’ between the direct
microphone signal (your voice for example) and the sound from your audio
recording software on your computer / device (the music that you are singing
along to). By turning the knob counter-clockwise, you will hear more of the
direct microphone signal, and less of the signal coming from the computer
/ device software. If you turn the knob clockwise, you will hear more of the
computer/device signal, and less of the direct microphone signal.
We recommend always beginning with the knob in the centre position. This
will ensure that you are hearing an equal balance of both the direct signal,
and the computer / device signal, enabling you to then achieve an ideal
balance between the signals.
Headphone volume control
The headphone volume control (the bottom knob) allows you to control the
volume of the playback through headphones connected to the NT-USB via the
headphone jack.
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 11 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

12 General operation cont.
Recording vocals
We strongly recommend using the supplied pop shield for all vocal
recording. This aids in minimising plosive sounds (hard ‘P’, ‘B’, ‘T’
and ‘K’ sounds) that produce a sudden jet of air which can cause the
capsule to overload and produce a ‘popping’ sound.
Any moisture on the microphone capsule can cause problems for a
condenser microphone such as the NT-USB, however the use of the
pop shield will reduce the risk of this occurring.
Placement of the microphone and relative to the vocalist may
be varied on several factors including room acoustics, the vocal
performance, and whether the vocalist has a high or deep voice.
An ideal reference is to begin with the NT-USB with the pop shield
attached, mounted directly in front of the vocalist, approximately
15cm (6”) away. The pop shield will assist in keeping the performer
at a constant minimum distance from the microphone and helps
to maintain reasonable recording levels. Moving the vocalist a little
closer will make the vocal sound more intimate and full, while
moving the vocalist back will give the vocal a little more ‘air’ or
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 12 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

13
room sound, and will reduce the proximity effect (increased bass or
low frequency response when the sound source is very close)
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’ to the microphone (and the gold dot).
Diagram 4 - Positioning the NT-USB for vocals
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 13 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

14 General operation cont.
Setting your input level:
The NT-USB has been set to an ideal internal gain setting, without
the need for physical level adjustments on the microphone body.
Any necessary level adjustments to set the ideal recording level
can be made from within your recording program, or via your
computer’s system preferences.
To adjust your input level from within your recording software, refer
to the manual provided by the software developer.
To manually adjust your input level via your computer’s system
preferences, use the following instructions relevant to your device
platform/operating system.
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 14 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

15
Adjusting the input level on a Mac OS computer:
1. Click on the Apple symbol at the top left of your screen, and
select System Preferences.
Diagram 5 - Accessing Mac OS System Preferences
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 15 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

16 General operation cont.
2. Click on ‘Sound’ to open the sound options
Diagram 6 - Opening ‘Sound’ options
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 16 5/05/2014 9:25:30 AM

17
3. Open the ‘Input tab’.
4. From here, select the ‘RØDE NT-USB’ from the list of devices,
and adjust the input level using the slider.
Diagram 7 - Adjusting NT-USB input level
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 17 5/05/2014 9:25:31 AM

18
Adjusting the input level on a Windows computer:
1. Open the Start menu and click on ‘Control Panel’
General operation cont.
Diagram 8 - Accessing Windows Control Panel
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 18 5/05/2014 9:25:31 AM

19
Diagram 9 - Opening ‘Sound’ options
2. Open the ‘Sound’ preferences from within the Control Panel
folder.
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 19 5/05/2014 9:25:31 AM

20
3. Open the ‘Recording’ tab and double click on ‘RØDE NT-USB’
from the list of devices.
Diagram 10 - Selecting the NT-USB input device
General operation cont.
159-950-1-6-ntusb-multilingual-manual.indd 20 5/05/2014 9:25:31 AM