Rode NTH-MIC Headset Mic Review [438]

Greetings from the shed...

Me again. Just got something in the post.

So… This is me sharing my first look at the Rode NTH-MIC that attaches to the NTH100 headphones. The headphones were sent to me by Rode a while back and i’ve worn them almost daily. Especially when editing podcasts. I thought the ports in each side of the headphones were just so you could switch the cable from one side to the other, but it was also so you could add a microphone.

They are the most comfortable over ear headphones I own. They use some kind of special gel padding that keeps them at a reasonable temperature and I forget that they’re on. On the Rode, site the headphones on their own are called the NTH-100 and with the mic attached they are the NTH-100M.

With their 40mm drivers they are super clear, robust and very affordable. Especially as they’re on offer at the moment. I’ll add some amazon links below in case you need this set up. Notice I say ‘need’ and not just want. ;-)

So… The headset mic arrived today and in the box I got this… (Not the table mat)

Above the box at the top of the photo is an adapter should you need to connect the headset (headphones+mic) into an older device or laptop that has a separate minijack socket for mic and headphones. It will also work with the Rode AI-Micro. (More on that in another video at the bottom).

If you have a newer device like my Mac you can just use the cable on the right of the photo. One TRRS connector rotates and clicks into the headphones and the other TRRS end pushes into the Mac. In the middle of the photo is the mini boom mic that plugs into the headphones.

The mic was not out when I got the headphones and I love how it just plugs in ready to go. As long as you remember to also use the new cable. All of this now comes in the RODE NTH-100M kit but I’m glad I could just retrofit.

Here is a video I recorded straight into my phone. It’s not how I plan to use this set up, but it might be an option for some of you out there. Especially if you need broadcast quality audio into a mobile device.

And I mention in the video that my friend from the BBC, Nick Garnett has been using this mic for documentary voiceovers. He’s also using it for Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 4. More than enough confirmation for me that this is broadcast quality.

Here is some audio recorded with the headset into VRP7 on the phone explaining how you monitor the audio while recording.

Interesting how hard it was to get plosives and wind noise while in the shed. Should you want to use the mic outside it might be that the foam off some earbuds could be slid over the boom. No doubt Rycote will have some dedicated windshield out for those needing to record in all weather. Till then these might work. I’ve just ordered some and will let you know if they perform.

And here is one final video showing how the splitter included in the box will allow you to monitor the audio in the headphones while recording phone video with the headset mic and another mic in the spare input.

Should you be gaming, reporting, documenting, podcasting, video chatting or operating a switchboard and need close-mic broadcast quality with handsfree operation… this set-up should do the trick.

For me, I plan to do all this, but having much more accurate, frustration free voice to text transcription is making me very happy right now.

Here are the links as promised…

Amazon link to the Rode NTH100m

Amazon link to the Rode NTH-MIC

Amazon link to the Rode AI-Micro

Amazon link to Headset windshield

Thanks for reading, watching and listening.

If you have this set up and would like to feed back your own thoughts please drop a comment below.

See you out there.

Christian