{"video_id":"C9DRNL4yxAI","title":"Rode NT-USB Desktop Mic - Inexpensive, Awesome, Plug-and-play Solution?","channel":"Linus Tech Tips","show":"Linus Tech Tips","published_at":"2016-05-06T14:53:29Z","duration_s":452,"segments":[{"start_s":0.08,"end_s":5.24,"text":"now I know I've done a lot of USB microphone videos recently so this is","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":3.52,"end_s":9.0,"text":"actually going to be the last one for a while but I really wanted to cover this","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":7.12,"end_s":13.2,"text":"one since aside from receiving a lot of requests we've actually recently","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":10.84,"end_s":18.64,"text":"switched to Road's modular lavalier system for these videos and we're really","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":16.119,"end_s":21.92,"text":"liking that so far on the subject of liking things let your vote be heard","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":20.519,"end_s":25.92,"text":"with the like button below if you want to see us try something a little","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":23.56,"end_s":33.079,"text":"different where I take on another YouTuber in an iOS versus Android debate","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":30.039,"end_s":35.76,"text":"Showdown but with a Twist neither of us","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":33.079,"end_s":42.909,"text":"will know which side we'll be defending until we","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":45.48,"end_s":53.039,"text":"start freshbooks is the super simple invoicing solution that lets you get","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":49.84,"end_s":55.52,"text":"organized save time and get paid faster","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":53.039,"end_s":61.519,"text":"click on this spot right here to try it for free so this is the NT USB I","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":59.96,"end_s":65.08,"text":"struggle with physical overviews of microphones because they're all pretty","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":63.32,"end_s":69.28,"text":"much the same so I'll get this out of the way quickly so we can move on to","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":67.08,"end_s":75.52,"text":"what it actually sounds like included with your microphone you'll find a Le R","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":71.36,"end_s":78.64,"text":"carrying case an iHeart Road sticker a","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":75.52,"end_s":81.799,"text":"manual the mic itself a rubber footed","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":78.64,"end_s":83.759,"text":"tripod style stand the mic itself","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":81.799,"end_s":87.079,"text":"apparently I put that twice in my script I'm not going to worry too much about","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":84.96,"end_s":93.24,"text":"that on a standard threaded ARM that allows tilt adjustments the longest you","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":89.96,"end_s":95.28,"text":"USB a Tob cable that I think I have ever","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":93.24,"end_s":101.92,"text":"seen like seriously they list this as a selling point on the website 20 foot USB","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":99.04,"end_s":106.92,"text":"cable and finally a really nice inclusion a removable pop filter that's","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":104.68,"end_s":112.32,"text":"integrated right into the microphone design to prevent the microphone from","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":108.799,"end_s":115.04,"text":"being overloaded by sounds it's","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":112.32,"end_s":119.2,"text":"something everyone using a mic on their desk should have and yet most","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":117.24,"end_s":123.36,"text":"manufacturers not only don't include them in the box but want an outrageous","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":121.52,"end_s":127.6,"text":"amount of money for them if you want a really nice looking first party solution","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":125.88,"end_s":132.599,"text":"diving into the mic itself a little deeper at the front we find the grill","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":130.0,"end_s":136.48,"text":"for the condenser module this is a side address mic with a cardioid pickup","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":134.44,"end_s":141.0,"text":"pattern which means it'll perform best up close and personal with the source","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":138.48,"end_s":146.0,"text":"and you should speak at it like this instead of into the end like a stage","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":143.64,"end_s":150.28,"text":"microphone on the bottom is a USB interface full size B in this case and","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":148.4,"end_s":155.2,"text":"on the right is a couple of Di that initially confused me I was expecting","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":153.12,"end_s":159.92,"text":"one to be headphone monitoring volume for the latency free 32 mm headphone","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":157.879,"end_s":163.92,"text":"jack underneath it this turned out to be correct and the one above it to be","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":162.0,"end_s":169.879,"text":"microphone gain but instead it's actually a mixer dial for system volume","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":167.4,"end_s":175.12,"text":"versus microphone monitoring volume so you can decide how much of the music on","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":172.48,"end_s":179.879,"text":"your computer or whatever other sounds you're singing along with you here","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":177.28,"end_s":185.239,"text":"versus the sound of your own voice a very nice touch so then where is the","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":182.519,"end_s":189.0,"text":"gain knob great question Road actually uses an internal gain setting that","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":187.0,"end_s":193.2,"text":"they've determined is optimal and you only adjust input levels with the","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":190.959,"end_s":200.04,"text":"software control on your system perhaps this gives someone out there a bit less","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":196.48,"end_s":201.959,"text":"control but in my use well the fix gain","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":200.04,"end_s":206.799,"text":"only had the positive impact of simplifying the experience and how was","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":204.56,"end_s":210.439,"text":"that experience great question I'm glad you asked I've actually got an audio","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":208.319,"end_s":216.08,"text":"recording for this from my desk so I don't need to say any of this stuff at","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":213.2,"end_s":220.959,"text":"all I started with the NT USB and its optimal podcasting or streaming position","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":219.12,"end_s":225.599,"text":"directly in front of my keyboard where I was typing in the background and about","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":222.76,"end_s":231.12,"text":"20 cm from my mouth and frankly it performs admirably here compared now to","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":229.0,"end_s":236.68,"text":"the Blue Yeti Pro from this distance the NT USB does sound a touch more base","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":234.2,"end_s":241.519,"text":"heavy and announcer but thanks to a bit of extra Sparkle in the highs it doesn't","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":239.04,"end_s":246.319,"text":"suffer in terms of clarity looks like a strong Contender so far throwing the","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":243.959,"end_s":250.239,"text":"Razer siren Pro Elite into the mix now we can see that background hums show up","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":248.4,"end_s":253.959,"text":"more strongly here compared to the other two perhaps thanks to its additional","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":252.4,"end_s":258.799,"text":"emphasis on the mid-range now starting with the NT USB","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":257.0,"end_s":263.479,"text":"it's time for the second recording location next to the Monitor and out of","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":261.16,"end_s":269.24,"text":"the way this would be ideal for Skype calls or just general non-broadcast use","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":267.28,"end_s":272.199,"text":"background hum suppression is not as strong as the the Blue Yeti Pro which","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":270.759,"end_s":279.08,"text":"makes a big difference from this distance it still sounds good just not","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":275.28,"end_s":281.32,"text":"quite as good as for the siren Pro that","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":279.08,"end_s":287.199,"text":"Peak around the frequency of my voice and tendency to pick up more background","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":283.4,"end_s":289.44,"text":"noise hurts it here as usual finally the","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":287.199,"end_s":294.28,"text":"Blue Yeti Pro rocks the competition when it comes to distance recording in a big","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":292.0,"end_s":297.56,"text":"way and that's without leveraging any of its other pickup patterns although it","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":296.28,"end_s":301.6,"text":"should be noted that I stuck with cardioid on both the yeti Pro and the","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":299.919,"end_s":307.0,"text":"siren Pro because I think the others are basically useless anyway so that leads","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":304.44,"end_s":311.88,"text":"us pretty tidily into the conclusion does Road have a winner on their hands","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":309.32,"end_s":316.44,"text":"yeah I I think they do the astute among you may have noticed already but the","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":313.68,"end_s":322.36,"text":"nusb has actually been fighting well above its weight class against mics that","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":318.24,"end_s":325.0,"text":"are $80 more expensive making it a very","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":322.36,"end_s":330.479,"text":"attractive option especially for beginner podcasters or streamers since","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":328.039,"end_s":336.24,"text":"it lacks Advanced features like multiple pickup patterns and XLR input but","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":333.319,"end_s":343.28,"text":"includes a stand and pop filter so you're ready to rock right out of the","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":339.24,"end_s":345.0,"text":"box speaking of rocking out of the box","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":343.28,"end_s":348.639,"text":"uh it's out of the box thinking that if you call a mobile carrier someone might","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":347.12,"end_s":352.319,"text":"actually pick up the phone instead of having an automated menu that you have","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":350.639,"end_s":356.919,"text":"to navigate through in order to actually speak to a human being and that's what","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":353.88,"end_s":359.319,"text":"Ting does so Ting is the mobile carrier","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":356.919,"end_s":362.68,"text":"that makes sense that's their tagline I think I'm supposed to say that you pay","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":361.039,"end_s":368.319,"text":"only for what you use with the average Ting Bill only being about","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":364.479,"end_s":369.44,"text":"$24 per month what's cool is if that","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":368.319,"end_s":373.759,"text":"sounds appealing but you're kind of sitting there going well hold on a second cuz like I've got a bundle now","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":372.24,"end_s":377.759,"text":"and I pay this much and it seems like a pretty good deal you can actually","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":375.68,"end_s":382.039,"text":"compare against Ting by heading over to lin.com Linked In the video description","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":380.16,"end_s":386.72,"text":"to try out their savings calculator and see if you'll actually save money if","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":385.4,"end_s":391.199,"text":"you're stuck in a contract Ting will cover 25% of your cancellation fee up to","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":388.479,"end_s":396.319,"text":"$75 and if you sign up at our link you'll also get $25 in service credit or","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":393.88,"end_s":400.599,"text":"towards a new device so that's Linus doing.com","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":398.24,"end_s":404.96,"text":"so thanks for watching guys if this video sucked I think you know what to do","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":402.72,"end_s":409.0,"text":"but if it was awesome then get subscribed hit the like button or even","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":407.28,"end_s":413.0,"text":"consider supporting us by using our affiliate code to shop at Amazon buying","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":411.08,"end_s":416.479,"text":"a cool t-shirt like this one or even with a direct monthly contribution","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":414.479,"end_s":420.08,"text":"through the community forum and now that you're done doing all that stuff you're","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":417.8,"end_s":423.12,"text":"probably wondering what to watch next so click that little button in the top","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":421.319,"end_s":427.479,"text":"right corner to check out Luke's video that he did whenever he did it wow I","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":425.84,"end_s":431.68,"text":"guess that would have been hold on a second ah yes I figured out what he did","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":429.759,"end_s":436.319,"text":"now it was a video on the Gigabyte GeForce gtx980ti G1 gaming a very","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":435.16,"end_s":442.71,"text":"highspeed gtx980ti click there to find out more","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":438.96,"end_s":445.839,"text":"about it and go watch it or something","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0},{"start_s":449.84,"end_s":452.84,"text":"he","speaker":null,"is_sponsor":0}],"full_text":"now I know I've done a lot of USB microphone videos recently so this is actually going to be the last one for a while but I really wanted to cover this one since aside from receiving a lot of requests we've actually recently switched to Road's modular lavalier system for these videos and we're really liking that so far on the subject of liking things let your vote be heard with the like button below if you want to see us try something a little different where I take on another YouTuber in an iOS versus Android debate Showdown but with a Twist neither of us will know which side we'll be defending until we start freshbooks is the super simple invoicing solution that lets you get organized save time and get paid faster click on this spot right here to try it for free so this is the NT USB I struggle with physical overviews of microphones because they're all pretty much the same so I'll get this out of the way quickly so we can move on to what it actually sounds like included with your microphone you'll find a Le R carrying case an iHeart Road sticker a manual the mic itself a rubber footed tripod style stand the mic itself apparently I put that twice in my script I'm not going to worry too much about that on a standard threaded ARM that allows tilt adjustments the longest you USB a Tob cable that I think I have ever seen like seriously they list this as a selling point on the website 20 foot USB cable and finally a really nice inclusion a removable pop filter that's integrated right into the microphone design to prevent the microphone from being overloaded by sounds it's something everyone using a mic on their desk should have and yet most manufacturers not only don't include them in the box but want an outrageous amount of money for them if you want a really nice looking first party solution diving into the mic itself a little deeper at the front we find the grill for the condenser module this is a side address mic with a cardioid pickup pattern which means it'll perform best up close and personal with the source and you should speak at it like this instead of into the end like a stage microphone on the bottom is a USB interface full size B in this case and on the right is a couple of Di that initially confused me I was expecting one to be headphone monitoring volume for the latency free 32 mm headphone jack underneath it this turned out to be correct and the one above it to be microphone gain but instead it's actually a mixer dial for system volume versus microphone monitoring volume so you can decide how much of the music on your computer or whatever other sounds you're singing along with you here versus the sound of your own voice a very nice touch so then where is the gain knob great question Road actually uses an internal gain setting that they've determined is optimal and you only adjust input levels with the software control on your system perhaps this gives someone out there a bit less control but in my use well the fix gain only had the positive impact of simplifying the experience and how was that experience great question I'm glad you asked I've actually got an audio recording for this from my desk so I don't need to say any of this stuff at all I started with the NT USB and its optimal podcasting or streaming position directly in front of my keyboard where I was typing in the background and about 20 cm from my mouth and frankly it performs admirably here compared now to the Blue Yeti Pro from this distance the NT USB does sound a touch more base heavy and announcer but thanks to a bit of extra Sparkle in the highs it doesn't suffer in terms of clarity looks like a strong Contender so far throwing the Razer siren Pro Elite into the mix now we can see that background hums show up more strongly here compared to the other two perhaps thanks to its additional emphasis on the mid-range now starting with the NT USB it's time for the second recording location next to the Monitor and out of the way this would be ideal for Skype calls or just general non-broadcast use background hum suppression is not as strong as the the Blue Yeti Pro which makes a big difference from this distance it still sounds good just not quite as good as for the siren Pro that Peak around the frequency of my voice and tendency to pick up more background noise hurts it here as usual finally the Blue Yeti Pro rocks the competition when it comes to distance recording in a big way and that's without leveraging any of its other pickup patterns although it should be noted that I stuck with cardioid on both the yeti Pro and the siren Pro because I think the others are basically useless anyway so that leads us pretty tidily into the conclusion does Road have a winner on their hands yeah I I think they do the astute among you may have noticed already but the nusb has actually been fighting well above its weight class against mics that are $80 more expensive making it a very attractive option especially for beginner podcasters or streamers since it lacks Advanced features like multiple pickup patterns and XLR input but includes a stand and pop filter so you're ready to rock right out of the box speaking of rocking out of the box uh it's out of the box thinking that if you call a mobile carrier someone might actually pick up the phone instead of having an automated menu that you have to navigate through in order to actually speak to a human being and that's what Ting does so Ting is the mobile carrier that makes sense that's their tagline I think I'm supposed to say that you pay only for what you use with the average Ting Bill only being about $24 per month what's cool is if that sounds appealing but you're kind of sitting there going well hold on a second cuz like I've got a bundle now and I pay this much and it seems like a pretty good deal you can actually compare against Ting by heading over to lin.com Linked In the video description to try out their savings calculator and see if you'll actually save money if you're stuck in a contract Ting will cover 25% of your cancellation fee up to $75 and if you sign up at our link you'll also get $25 in service credit or towards a new device so that's Linus doing.com so thanks for watching guys if this video sucked I think you know what to do but if it was awesome then get subscribed hit the like button or even consider supporting us by using our affiliate code to shop at Amazon buying a cool t-shirt like this one or even with a direct monthly contribution through the community forum and now that you're done doing all that stuff you're probably wondering what to watch next so click that little button in the top right corner to check out Luke's video that he did whenever he did it wow I guess that would have been hold on a second ah yes I figured out what he did now it was a video on the Gigabyte GeForce gtx980ti G1 gaming a very highspeed gtx980ti click there to find out more about it and go watch it or something he"}