iRig Mic Studio vs. Rode NT USB

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Written By Sarah Barlow

Chief Music Officer

All of your best Android and ios platforms are supported with the iRig Mic Studio. In addition, it has a female micro-USB connection as well as a variety of cables. iRig Mic Studio comes with a substantial array of vocal applications that complement its cross-platform versatility for instant recording. 

On the other hand, the NT-body USB has a zero-latency stereo headset monitoring (3.5mm) port for checking the microphone input promptly and knobs for adjusting the tracking volume and mix between the computer/iPad music mic input.

iRig Mic Studio

The iRig Mic Studio is extraordinary because it provides genuinely outstanding recording quality in a package that is smaller than an iPhone. It can also record anything from the human voice’s subtle and nuanced dynamics to the full-on bombast of an amplified electric guitar, as well as everything in between.

iRig Mic Studio includes a comprehensive set of versatile controls, including a gain control knob and a colorful LED level indicator, to guarantee you always record at your best. It also has a headphone output with its volume control for direct monitoring from iRig Mic Studio.

Pros of Mic Studio

  • It’s compatible with both Apple devices and Android, and it’s a beautiful companion app.
  • For the money, this is a superb performance.

Cons of Mic Studio

  • This isn’t a top-of-the-line option.
  • The older 30-pin cable is available for purchase separately.

Rode NT USB

The NT-USB is a cardioid condenser microphone that doesn’t need an external audio interface to deliver sound into the system since the mic is the audio interface. According to the test recordings, the mic’s quality is comparable to, if not better than, more expensive microphones on the market. My audio was crisp and clear. However, it picked up some of the background hums from my extremely loud gaming computer.

Pros of Rode NT USB

  • Excellent Sound
  • Design is compact and straightforward.
  • Good Software

Cons of Rode NT USB

  • Background noise is picked up.

iRig Mic Studio Vs. Rode NT USB 

iRig Mic StudioRode NT USB
INPUTS1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm3.5mm headphone
OUTPUTS1 x Micro-USB1 x USB Type-B (on Mic)
CONTROLSYesHeadphone Dial, Zero-Latency
CONNECTION TYPEMicro USBUSB Type-C
MONITORING
COMPATIBILITY• iOS (iPhone/iPod/iPad)
• Mac
• PC
• Android
• Windows
• Mac
SIZE45mm/1.77” x 117mm/4.61”184mmH x 62mmW x 50mmD
WEIGHT218g/7.69oz520g
INCLUDED APPS• Mic Room LE (iOS) – 2 bonus mic models
• VocaLive CS (iOS) – 3 bonus mic models
• Cubasis LE (iOS)
• T-RackS CS Classic (Mac/PC)
• 25 Gear Credits for the Custom Shop
• Podcast
• Web-Streaming
• GarageBand
WARRANTYOne (1) Year Warranty PARTS, Ninety (90) Days Warranty LABOR1 year with free extension to 2 years with the following registration

Comparison

The iRig Mic Studio is unique in that it offers truly exceptional recording quality in a size that is smaller than a smartphone. It could also capture anything from the detailed and complex dynamics of the human voice to the full-on bombast of an amplified electric guitar, and everything in between.

On the other hand, NT-USB doesn’t require an external audio interface to send music into the system because the microphone itself serves as the audio interface. As per the test records, the audio was crisp and clear, however, it grabbed some of the hums from the incredibly loud gaming PC in the background.