The New RODE NT-USB Review!

 I’ve purchased a couple of USB microphones in the not-so-distant past and ended up feeling disappointed. Thus, I didn’t have high expectations for the new RØDE NT-USB.

After my purchase of the new RØDE NT1 (read my very in-depth review of their mic here), I was having trouble finding a good microphone for traveling. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to be disappointed by yet another USB-based microphone purchase – and really, really wanted to try the new NT-USB at some point, when I was ready to make another go at it.

RØDE was kind enough, however, to send me one to review; to see how I felt about theirs and perhaps open my mind to them again.

Upon receiving and unboxing, I was overcome by this feeling of zen, that always seems to strike me when I’m opening one of their products. Everything is set up so lovely, neat and easy to assemble.

Unboxing! RØDE offers such an easy way to register your equipment with one simple scan :) 

The Australian designed NT-USB is the fraternal twin of the NT1 with similar weight and outstanding hardware quality. This time, they offer on-board monitoring with a zero-latency headphone monitoring jack - offering independent level and mix control. This makes plug-in play incredibly easy, especially for quick takes on the iPad.

Independent level and mix control featuring a zero-latency headphone monitoring jack.

The NT-USB is housed with an attractive pop shield and desktop stand, zip case and impressively long 6m USB cable - all included. I will also state that these are never rubbish throw-ins and that I am always impressed with the quality and durability of the stand and pop-shield.

Insert 2001: Space Odyssey music here*

Set-up was pretty standard and easy as pie! I wanted to put it to the test through a standard recording program like Garage Band and my laptop.

When plugging in, "Ooo!" I was greeted by a soft, blue glow sharing a tiny spot with the condenser capsule to let you know it was on and working. I quite liked this feature and it was a cool extra surprise. Yes, a blue light inside a microphone amused me ;)

Now for the sound - the most important part. Like I mentioned before - I have become a little jaded by USB based condenser microphones - especially the couple that I've tried. My voice would usually get a little muddy and boomy with the cheap sounding characteristics. These were also $200 + and I didn't know what to think about the NT-USB because it was set at such a great price point.

My voice right out of the box is bright and carries the similar characteristics of the new NT1. I'm incredibly impressed this is even a USB based cardioid, condenser microphone because I feel that you usually lose a lot of that studio-slick sound that often gets bogged down and almost dirty (and not a good dirty) :)

It's safe to say that the new NT-USB has swooned me.  

Again I will honestly say the same thing that I did about the NT1 about the new NT-USB - that you are getting so much bang for your buck. I refuse to say you're getting quality ..."for the price" because again - this is all quality and this holds up incredibly well. It's quite surprisingly, lovely sounding.

I will add a recording just above, to give you an idea. I might be getting slight sibilance, but that is nothing that a de-esser couldn't quickly fix. Actually - considering this is an untreated recording, I'm impressed with the brightness and the lack of sibilance that I usually expect to follow with types of condensers. The plosives are greatly taken care of by the pop screen and the desktop stand is doing a solid task. This is a raw recording and out of my treated "studio".

The USB cable is 6m (20') long! 

The reason I needed a USB based microphone was to my work on-the-go, as I do voice-overs. When I am out n' about traveling and visiting family in Norway, I quite like the option to be able to complete a couple of auditions if I'm unable to slip into a studio while there. This mic will also come in handy when recording songwriting sessions, as it would serve incredibly well with demos, podcasting and beyond!

I'm actually excited to record my autoharp and sing and see how that turns out :)

Because posing a microphone as an eye patch is what the cool kids are doing ;) 

Overall - I love this microphone and it will make a great addition to my home studio and my suitcase! ;)

Major Parkinson - "Twilight Cinema" Review!

One of my most favourite Norwegian bands is back with another killer album! I was growing leery thinking - can these Bergen natives top their self-titled "Major Parkinson" and follow-up "Songs from a Solitary Home" release? (Click the link to read my review from 2009) They did - continuing to guide my heart through darker, intricate shadows with "Twilight Cinema".

I don't even know where to start... Hands down - this album is a soul grabber, much like many other Norwegian acts alike (un-alike).

A huge thing I miss about living in Stavanger, Norway is enjoying these acts live!

They are playing at Folken this Saturday(!!!) by the way!  Go watch them for me, Stavanger folk! :) 

The production is still incredible, while still keeping that Eastern European circus nostalgia through accordions - interwoven from song to song. 

Like an Eau de Perfume upon first spritz... settling - I catch "Major Parkinson" top-notes, loud and lavish - mid-notes bringing me through the tight and technical crevices of a fun-house maze in "Songs from a Solitary Home" and the dry-down becomes musky, dark, and animalistic within "Twilight Cinema" making my way deeper into a dusky forest - lost to distant, intoxicating, serenades. 

It's a dreamy, heartbreaking, wistful trip. 

My thoughts of the members in Major Parkinson being magnificently brilliant -  still holds true with their third release. They also have a lovely sounding female vocalist haunting beautifully throughout the tracks (who I wish to know the name of to give her proper recognition!) 

The songwriting has always impressed the heck out of me. Jon Ivar Kollbotn inks some pretty wicked lyrics with really catchy melodies to support through his smokey, often mirrored Tom Waits-esque voice. 

I can't ever get enough! 

This album is a wonderful mastery to add to your collection - promise. I hope this is on an LP record somewhere - then I just need to hunt a perfect gramophone to play it on. ;) 

You can buy "Twilight Cinema" along with their other two fantastic albums right on their website,  CDON.com , iTunes or simply on the track link embedded, below!

Streaming one of my favourite tracks "A Cabin in the Sky" (I can't even pick a favourite!) along with the rest of the album:

Enjoy! 

My New Favourite Song! "Take It On Faith" by Matt Mays

Holy heck.

The first time I heard this song I got goosebumps! The production is gorgeous and love the lyrics and melody. It's a track I've had on repeat and this wonderful, brilliant, Canadian man will win MANY awards!

This video also tugs at my heart strings - it's everything my soul emulates when listening to this track. With my vast Mexican following (I am being serious except for the vast part), I'd like to pretend this free spirited goodness would happen to me - *spoiler alert!* minus the mauling by wolves, which is the animal that represents my male side of my animal totem.

God I love this song and video. It's like a free spirited Romeo and Juliet.

Love, love, love!

Enjoy "Take It On Faith" song and video by Matt Mays, below! 



He's also playing live here in London, Ontario at Call the Office on Saturday, November 3, 2012 - 9:00PM... I NEED to go! Who's joining me?

HANSON - SHOUT IT OUT!

This album was badly promoted to Hanson's long-time fans. I just learned that they re-released their last June 2010 release a couple of days ago. Now, a lot of you probably think "Oh Gawd! Mmmbop me in the face! I hated that song!"

One summer one of my best friends and I painted the classic orange and black Hanson signature (the one on EVERY cd) as a huge mural on my wall. I remember we dyed our hair with Kool-Aid that same afternoon and sang our hearts out to the "Middle of Nowhere" album. 

Probably one of the best, memorable summers ever. It's funny how we fought over Zac Hanson like it was nobody's business ;)

It's now 13 years after "Mmmbop" was released - and it has been pure Hanson love since. The re-release of "Shout It Out" was written and produced by Issac, Taylor and Zac Hanson themselves. They are probably the most talented musicians and songwriters out there and I have so, so much respect for these Oklahoma born prodigies.

They first lured me in when I heard "I will come to you", as I've never had such a musical/emotional connection like I had with that song, and being young and vulnerable... It's like they wrote the song and was singing it right to me. Watching them act as hobos on the street in that music video, I knew then that this would be a forever love as I fell head over heels in love with those Tulsa (Zac) boys ;)

Come to think of it, I wrote about the "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'"  video eons ago because it featured none other than Weird Al Yankovic! Amazing! Actually it was almost 2 years ago that it was posted :) Cool!

Anyways, I am quite excited about this release as it's good for the soul. One of my favourite tracks is actually sung by Zac Hanson called "Use Me Up" and it's so technically brilliant in the most simplistic of ways. This brotherly trio still gets to my soul after all these years :) Now, I find my mature lust moves on to Taylor... what can I say - I love them all!

Buy the album "Shout it Out" and love up their wonderful talent and production! I'm so impressed :)

I'm going to post it below, because I feel you'll fall in love with it, too :)


Enjoy Zac singing in "Use Me Up" below!