RØDE NT‑USB+ | Yell for a revive, not for a setup—this mic just works.
- RWAR
- Sep 8
- 3 min read
Use case: gaming squad chat first; backup for work calls and crisp video narration.
Why this mic (from my Human Factors lens)
I’ve tried the usual suspects (ex. Shure XLR mic, a flashy Razer desk mic with a pixel screen, and several gaming headsets (Razer, Turtle Beach, Sennheiser). Once I graduated to Sennheiser HD 820 headphones and a dedicated amp, headset mics were out. I wanted a clean‑sounding, zero‑tweak USB condenser I could drop on the desk, game, and unplug when I’m done. The NT‑USB+ nails that “frictionless” brief: one cable, class‑compliant, and it sits perfectly between my keyboard and monitor on the stock stand.
Setup & ergonomics
From a Human Factors standpoint, the included desk stand works because it keeps the capsule close, reducing gain needs and helping with room noise. I never touch on‑mic knobs—I route headphones through a separate amp anyway—so my interaction model is simple: plug in, select the mic in Windows/Discord/OBS, and go. When I’m done, I unplug and park it out of the way. That’s it.
Quick placement tips that work for me
Keep the mic ~4–6" from your mouth with the pop filter on; aim the logo side at you.
Start with a moderate OS input level and raise only until teammates hear you clearly without clipping.
If you type hard, slide the mic slightly off the keyboard’s blast zone to reduce “thunks.”
Sound, noise handling … and my NVIDIA Broadcast filter
Most days my office is quiet, but summer A/C noise, kids drifting in, and the occasional dog chorus happen. Being a condenser, the NT‑USB+ will hear the room if you’re far away. To keep comms clean and intelligible, I pair it with NVIDIA Broadcast and enable Noise Removal (a set‑and‑forget AI filter that scrubs away fan/AC/keyboard/dog sounds before they reach my squad).
How I set it up (takes a minute):
In NVIDIA Broadcast, choose NT‑USB+ as the Microphone source and toggle Noise Removal.
In Discord/OBS/Windows, select “Microphone (NVIDIA Broadcast)” as the input.
Disable any extra noise suppression in Discord to avoid double‑processing.
(Heads‑up: Broadcast requires an NVIDIA RTX 2060 or newer and current drivers.)
The revive anecdote
You know that moment: late circle, cluster strike thundering, comms are a soup of explosions and panic as CQB has everyone operating with tunnel vision. I’m downed behind under the rebirth water tower, spam‑pinging and yelling “REVIVE! REVIVE!” My squadmate yell "shut up, we hear you" even with everything popping off. That’s the whole reason I keep this mic: when it matters, my voice lands.
What I don’t use (and don’t miss)
There’s onboard DSP and on‑mic controls, but I ignore them. I still skip RØDE’s software; NVIDIA Broadcast’s Noise Removal is the only extra effect I run, and it stays on autopilot.
Pros / Cons
Pros
TRUE TRUE TRUE Plug‑and‑play simplicity; no RØDE software required for great results.
Clean, neutral voice that teammates and clients can understand
Desk‑friendly footprint; fits between keyboard and monitor
Pop filter & stand included; easy to stash when not in use
Plays great with NVIDIA Broadcast for set‑and‑forget background‑noise cleanup (RTX required)
Doubles as a backup work mic and for simple video narration
Cons
No on‑mic mute/gain (I don’t miss them, but some folks will)
As a condenser, it can catch room noise if you sit far away (Broadcast helps)
More expensive than other desks mics and a bit bigger than some others
Verdict (my “final word”)
Do it. This one won't find its way to my tech graveyard anytime soon.
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