USB microphones are very convenient because they require less equipment in between your input and processing unit. The options are also varying widely today as digital content is growing rapidly so we can find plenty of alternatives such as Shure MV51 Vs Rode NT USB. These highly rated microphones are ideal for typical home use and do sound really good too. But, they are not exactly the same and before deciding the option, let’s see below about what you can get from the two.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- Do You Need a USB Microphone
- What are Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB
- How are the Design of Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB
- How are the Sound Quality of Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB
- How are the Recording Modes in Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB
- What else Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB can offer
- Shure MV51 Vs Rode NT USB
USB Microphones
It might come to you that the audio quality of your built-in microphone on laptop or smartphone doesn’t sound as good. Depending on what you are trying to achieve, there are different ways to record or stream a more reliable and satisfying sound. If this is just to capture the feral cats playing with each other in your neighborhood, a smartphone’s internal microphones will be adequate but if you will be recording a demo or making a video content, a more professional microphone will be required.
Just like all earbuds can be used to listen to music, all microphones will be able to capture sound or noise. But, depending on the setup, the unit may vary and essentially every user usually has their own personal preference when it comes to sound which makes it highly subjective. In modern days where digital content is prominent and often enjoyed by internet users, the older XLR cable is getting too cumbersome to work with in many digital and more compact settings.
To answer the demand of not only more compact but easier to use microphone, especially when it comes to computer based setup, manufacturers began to create USB microphones that start to show up around 2005 and continue being one of the most attractive markets today. They were often seen as an inferior choice but as technology gets more reliable, better USB mics are entering the market, such as what Marshall did with MXL USB.009 which is the first USB mic to record at 24-bit/96kHz.
With higher bit rate now casual or beginners who can’t invest on recording at an actual studio can build their own simple setup at home with less effort and less to spend for their prolonged use. Nowadays this type of USB microphones are almost like a norm but it is not diminishing the fact that every brand and model tends to have their own color or own sound where your personal taste will make up most of the decision.
Besides for music purposes, a huge part of communities who are installing USB mics in their setup are podcasters or streamers and content makers where the typical use is to record sound and do voice over. If this is what you are going to use the mic for, most popular, if not all of them will be sufficient yet personally we recommend to look for ones that sound at least good to you or have some features to improve user experience.
| Shure MV51 | Rode NT usb | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
|
| Product Dimensions | 3.5 x 6.3 x 4.3 inches | 2.44 x 1.97 x 7.24 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 1.75 pounds | 1.15 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | click here | click here |
About Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB
Just like with regular microphones, it is confusing to choose one since there are numerous alternatives or options out there in which most are also attractive whether to the eyes or to the pocket. If possible, it is wise to select based on their audio sample but if you are shopping from home, it is good to look around for your favorite mics and consider what they can offer or whether the sound directly coming from the mic is good enough to your ears.
If this is your first microphone or you just want to shop quickly, we highly recommend sticking with popular names or well-known brands because they are more trusted and chances are you will receive reliable gear for the price we pay. Among them Shure and Rode are two promising brands to consider because most people are familiar already with the two and their long history proves how good they are at designing the equipment. There are also plenty to choose from their collection to help you get the best choice.
For the simple, easy to use but still sounding really good for typical home application, Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB are two great alternatives to purchase. They are connected to your main device through USB cable and this gives the two an upper hand to be easily transferred from one system to another as they are also plug and play. In comparison, for price point they are originally about the same depending on where you will get the unit.
Sound quality wise we personally like how they are sounding out of the box but the MV51 is probably more versatile despite we are not very sure how they are going to satisfy musicians. In general, both Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB are budget alternatives that are tailored more for the podcasters or voice streamers and voice recording. The best thing about the two is their ease of use, without scarifying too much on the price and too complicated to set up.
Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB Design
When looking at the MV51, this mic gives a similar impression to the MV5 that we have compared earlier in Shure MV51 Vs MV5 here because they can stand on their own or if you don’t have a microphone mount, we can just place them on the desk with the included feet. The NT USB also has an included foot in the box if you prefer the setup. The build quality is amazing however since they are made of metal and seem to last forever.
As a USB mic, you will see several controls on the unit and the MV51 is the richest in comparison. This mic has several touch controls to adjust the microphone’s mode while the latter NT USB has two knobs for audio settings located at the side of the unit. In most cases you will need a pop filter for both but NT USB pack one in the box. The MV51 has one MicroB to USB and one MicroB to lightning cable while the Rode only has one USB cable.
Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB Sound Quality
Now for the most important part, let’s listen to Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB. If you worry about how they sound, there is no need since the basic setting on both microphones are just very good. We don’t think the speech setting on MV51 is not that much different from the NT USB but since this mic has several different convenient presets in the unit, the selection process is just much easier than when you have to tweak the settings manually from the computer.
The two are quite flat in comparison with a slight low-range boost and prominent highs which is not overpowering as well but designed to make your voice have better presence to the audience. Side by side, while similarly boosted on the high-end the NT USB is going to be more forward in this range while the MV51 is more modest. The end-result is somehow the latter gives your voice more present, nuance, and life to it.
Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB Recording Modes
What makes the MV51 special even among the rest of USB microphones out there is the fact that this mic comes with several different processing profiles in the unit which many are not offering. The basic setup we use is their speech option or the first label, and if you are going to sing then the next bubble is what you will want to opt for. Besides for voice recording, there are modes for instrument recording and recording in a crowd environment, in addition to the flat setting.
Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB Features
Last we want to mention are their features which we have talked about in the previous paragraph. Some may ask how to increase gain on NT USB but, in between Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB, only Shure gives you the on-board gain, just like Yeti. This gain is useful and just overall simpler to use since you will need to use the slider on the software or app to access the same function with NT USB. The MV51 also has mute button when you want to stop the recording easily.
What the NT USB is offering on the unit is only one knob to mix the sound source whether you want to balance the input from mic and computer or more towards one of them when monitoring. The second knob is only for adjusting volume, however the MV51 also carries the same function on board.
Shure MV51 vs Rode NT usb
In comparison we do think the Shure MV51 and Rode NT USB are sounding just good when it comes to human voice which is probably what they are mainly designed for. But, personally we like the voice recording better on the NT USB as it gives your voice more presence yet, the mic itself is too sensitive for loud instruments in which the MV51 has no problem with so in general Shure will be the more versatile option. In addition, there is no gain control on the NT USB which is quite disappointing considering they can put physical control on the unit already.
Conclusion
You can go amazing with any of them but personally we recommend the MV51 since this microphone doesn’t only sound good but also easy to use and versatile for any application whether you want to record voice or instrument at home.