One thing for sure, both Audio Technica and Rode are big names in the industry of microphones. Both companies have produced a number of excellent high-quality products that people love. This time, we are going to discuss about Audio Technica AT2035 and Rode NT1A. These two products are condenser microphones available in a similar price range. Indeed, more often than not, you will find Rode NT1A to be priced more expensively than Audio Technica AT2035, but the price gap is relatively scalable. Audio Technica AT2035 and Rode NT1A are both great, but which is the one that you should choose?
Design
Quite interestingly, Audio Technica AT2035 and Rode NT1A are roughly of the same size and weight. Rode NT1A is slightly longer, slimmer, and lighter than Audio Technica AT2035, but the differences are pretty much marginal that you can handle either mic conveniently. Both models feature metallic construction for total ruggedness and durability. Audio Technica AT2035 is colored in black, while Rode NT1A is colored in a silvery hue. (See also : Audio Technica AT2035 Vs AKG Perception 220 Comparison)
Technical Specs
| Audio Technica AT2035 | Rode NT1A |
|---|---|
| - ELEMENT : Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser | - Large 1" (25mm) capsule with gold plated diaphragm |
| - POLAR PATTERN : Cardioid | - Cardioid polar pattern |
| - FREQUENCY RESPONSE : 20-20,000 Hz | - Self noise of only 5dB (A) |
| - LOW FREQUENCY ROLL-OFF : 80 Hz, 12 dB/octave | - Ultra low noise, transformerless surface mount circuitry |
| - OPEN CIRCUIT SENSITIVITY : -33 dB (22.4 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa | - Wide dynamic range |
| - IMPEDANCE : 120 ohms | - Gold plated output contacts |
| - NOISE : 12 dB SPL | - Internal capsule shock mounting |
Performance
Both products come with a frequency response range of 20 Hz – 20 kHz. The frequency response range is wide enough to capture sufficient lows, mids, and highs to generate an audio reproduction with decent depth and well-staged notes. However, in general, we can say that Audio Technica AT2035 and Rode NT1A each excel for different purposes.
Audio Technica AT2035 makes a great all-purpose microphone. It is very versatile. The frequency response range is quite flat, allowing you to capture vocals and instruments without losing the unique tonal characteristics. It also has a very low self-noise level of barely 12 dB SPL, making the output crisp and clear. Audio Technica AT2035 also boasts high maximum SPL handling, allowing you take care of loud sounds with ease.
On the other hand, Rode NT1A makes an exceptional vocal mic. The midrange and treble have excellent presence, effectively ensuring that any vocal can soar over the instruments. It also provides decent warmth to the audio. Furthermore, Rode NT1A’s greatest advantage is its ultra-low self-noise level. It only has an equivalent noise level of only 5 dB-A. With Rode NT1A, you can capture virtually no noise for superior audio clarity.
Feature
Audio Technica AT2035’s versatility is enhanced even further by its built-in features; it comes with a bass-cut filter and a pre-attenuation pad. The 80-Hz bass-cut filter provides 12 dB attenuation per octave. This is handy when you want to isolate a vocal from low-frequency noise such as wind, breath, and handling noise. Meanwhile, the -10dB pre-attenuation pad allows you to capture even higher volume levels. The mic comes with a custom shock mount. Meanwhile, Rode NT1A features an internal capsule shock mounting for superior rejection of handling noise. It comes with a shock mount, pop filter, and dust cover.
Audio Technica AT2035 Vs Rode NT1A
Conclusion
If you need a mic for vocals, you should go with Rode NT1A. It performs exceptionally for vocals, and the ultra-low self-noise ensures that any vocal can be captured with the utmost crisp and clarity. However, if you need a general-purpose mic that can take care of both vocals and instruments, Audio Technica AT2035 is the way to go.