I always wanted to get a microphone for the cool of it since I don’t do podcasts or streaming. The primary use case for me is just for Zoom/Slack calls.

Since I wanted to buy “something” for Black Friday, I decided to get the Rode NT-USB Mini instead of Blue Yeti because the later is outdated and still using mini-USB as the port.

I am not an expert in microphones. I did some Googling and found that the Rode NT-USB Mini is an excellent alternative to Blue Yeti for beginners.

I paid S$135.90 in total, which includes the Rode NT-USB Mini and an OEM 70cm Microphone Stand from eDLSRs SG on Lazada. Usually, the Rode NT-USB Mini retails for S$139 by itself.

Rode NT-USB Mini - Box Front
Rode NT-USB Mini – Box Front
Rode NT-USB Mini - Box Back
Rode NT-USB Mini – Box Back
Rode NT-USB Mini - Box
Rode NT-USB Mini – Box
Rode NT-USB Mini - Box Open
Rode NT-USB Mini – Box Open
Rode NT-USB Mini - Box Contents
Rode NT-USB Mini – Box Contents
Rode NT-USB Mini - Base - Top
Rode NT-USB Mini – Base – Top
Rode NT-USB Mini - Base - Bottom
Rode NT-USB Mini – Base – Bottom

Rode NT-USB Mini has a magnetic base that makes attaching and attaching the NT-USB Mini very easy.

Rode NT-USB Mini - With Base
Rode NT-USB Mini – With Base

The build is fantastic; it is heavy, solid, and feels very premium.

Rode NT-USB Mini - Front
Rode NT-USB Mini – Front
Rode NT-USB Mini - Back
Rode NT-USB Mini – Back
Rode NT-USB Mini - Side
Rode NT-USB Mini – Side

You can mount the Rode NT-USB Mini on a microphone stand by removing the rubber cover and replacing it with the included thread mount adaptor.

Rode NT-USB Mini - With Thread Mount Adaptor
Rode NT-USB Mini – With Thread Mount Adaptor
Rode NT-USB Mini - With Thread Mount Adaptor
Rode NT-USB Mini – With Thread Mount Adaptor

If you have mounted the Rode NT-USB Mini on a microphone stand, you will have to rotate it since it will hang from the top.

Rode NT-USB Mini - Rotated
Rode NT-USB Mini – Rotated

OEM Microphone Stand feels cheaply made, but I guess it is still acceptable for the price (essentially free).

OEM Microphone Stand - Box
OEM Microphone Stand – Box

The protruding screw of the stand might scratch your table, so you must take note when swinging it around.

OEM Microphone Stand
OEM Microphone Stand
Rode NT-USB Mini
Rode NT-USB Mini

In hindsight, I think 70cm for the microphone stands feels short. The 100cm variant might be a better choice.

Rode NT-USB Mini On Desk Using Microphone Stand
Rode NT-USB Mini On Desk Using Microphone Stand

I am plugging the Rode NT-USB Mini into my CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock and my MacBook Pro 16″ (M1 Pro) could not detect it. I have to download and install Rode Connect, and restart my Mac for it to work.

Audio quality-wise, I would say it is good. Speaking directly into the microphone will give you the best quality. The height of the microphone should be aligned with your mouth, and the distance between your mouth and the microphone should be between 5″ to 6″.