RØDE NT2-A

The NT2-A features switchable polar patterns—cardioid, figure-8, and omnidirectional—which gives you much more flexibility. This allows you to record in different ways, such as capturing a duet with one mic or recording the natural ambiance of a room, rather than being locked into a single pickup pattern.

Yes, because the NT2-A uses an XLR connection, it requires an audio interface or a dedicated preamp to connect to your computer. It also requires 24V or 48V phantom power, which most modern audio interfaces provide via the XLR cable.

Absolutely. The NT2-A includes a three-position pad (0dB, -5dB, -10dB) that allows you to reduce the microphone's sensitivity. This prevents distortion when recording high-volume sources, making it capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 147dB.

The variable high-pass filters allow you to cut out low-frequency rumble or 'mud' before the signal even hits your recording software. This is particularly useful for cleaning up vocal recordings by removing unwanted proximity effect or low-end noise from air conditioning and traffic.

The package includes the microphone, a shock mount, and an XLR cable, which covers the essentials. However, you will still need a microphone stand and an audio interface to complete your setup.