Mic Archive
RØDE NT2-A
Photo: RØDE, from its spec sheet, p. 2.

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

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Omni / cardioid / figure-8
Sensitivity
−36 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
7 dB(A)
Max SPL
147 dB SPL
Impedance
200 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual (Recording Hacks copy), p. 5. Titled "NT2-A Frequency Response - Cardioid - 0°, Flat Filter"; distance and room not stated.

Independent measurement: also drawn, from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (Juan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey) (CC BY 4.0): one unit, 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

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.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the spec sheet
CapsuleHF1 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 impedance200 ohm. Printed "Output Impedence: 200Ω".
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz
Poweringphantom P24 or P48. "Power Requirements: P24 and P48". The 2010 and 2004 manuals say P48 (48 V) only.
Low cutflat, 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 dB; also −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).
ConnectorXLR-3. "3 pin XLR, balanced output between Pin 2 (+), Pin 3 (-) and Pin 1 (ground)".
Weight860 g, net. Shipping weight 1000 g.p. 2
Dimensions55 × 209 mm. Diameter × length: "Length - 209 (8.2283”), Diameter - 55 (2.1653”)".
Supplied accessoriesSM6 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 electronicsJFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer; transformerless, surface-mountp. 1
From the manual
Self-noise7 dB(A), per IEC651. "Equivalent Noise: 7dBA SPL (per IEC651)"; the datasheet gives "7dBA". Pattern not stated.p. 3
Max SPL147 dB SPL, 1 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 ratio87 dB, A-weighted per IEC651. Printed "87 dB SPL (A - weighted per IEC651)".
Dynamic range140 dB, per IEC651, IEC268-15
Maximum output+16 dBu (1 kHz, 1% THD into 1 kΩ load)
SwitchesThree switches on the front: polar pattern (top: figure-8 up, cardioid centre, omni down), high-pass filter (middle), pad (bottom)p. 8
FrontThe gold dot marks the frontp. 6
From the manual (Recording Hacks copy)
Previous kit (2004)Supplied with the M2 stand mount and a ZP1 zip pouchp. 4

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © RØDE, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on rode.comRecording Hacks

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

Other mics