Rode NT55 Multi-Pattern Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone (Single)

Rode NT55: A Small-Diaphragm Condenser With Big-Mic Flexibility

The Rode NT55 is a multi-pattern small-diaphragm condenser microphone that pairs the speed and accuracy of a pencil mic with the control usually found on far larger studio condensers. Built around a gold-sputtered half-inch capsule, it ships with both cardioid and NT45-O omnidirectional heads and carries a three-position pad and three-stage high-pass filter on the body. That makes one compact microphone genuinely adaptable -- a focused cardioid instrument mic, an open omni room mic, and a high-headroom performer on the loudest sources, all in a single rugged unit.

Two Patterns From Interchangeable Capsules

The NT55 includes two threaded capsule heads. The cardioid capsule is most sensitive to the front and rejects the sides and rear, giving focused, isolated pickup for acoustic instruments, overheads and multi-mic setups. The included NT45-O omnidirectional capsule hears equally in all directions, capturing a natural, spacious room sound with an even low end and no proximity effect. Swapping between them is tool-free and takes seconds, so a single NT55 covers jobs that would otherwise need two different microphones.

Why the Pad and High-Pass Filter Matter

The NT55's onboard controls solve real recording problems before conversion. The three-position pad (0, -10 and -20 dB) lowers the capsule's output so extremely loud sources -- a close-miked snare, a brass bell, a guitar cabinet -- stay within the clean range of the mic and preamp, with as much as 20 dB of attenuation on tap. The three-stage high-pass filter (flat, 75 Hz and 150 Hz) rolls off low-frequency energy: 75 Hz removes rumble and stage vibration, and 150 Hz thins a boomy low end or proximity-effect build-up. You shape the sound at the mic, not after the fact.

Accurate, Quiet and Built to Last

Behind the capsule sits a JFET impedance converter with a bipolar output buffer, voiced for a very low 15 dBA self-noise and a smooth, balanced response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Small-diaphragm speed captures sharp transient attack while the quiet electronics preserve the fine decay of cymbals and the detail of acoustic instruments. The heavy-duty satin-nickel body is built for the long haul in the studio, on stage and on location.

Where the NT55 Fits and Who It Is For

In cardioid the NT55 shines on acoustic guitar, drum overheads and hi-hat, piano, percussion, brass and woodwind; with the NT45-O head it becomes a natural room and ambience mic. The pad and filter make it equally at home on loud close sources. Add a second NT55 for matched multi-pattern stereo. It is the microphone for the recordist who wants one small, flexible condenser -- two patterns, full onboard control, and pencil-mic accuracy -- rather than a drawer full of single-purpose mics.