I watched the Curtis Judd video and read around a bit more and have some thoughts. I said I wouldn't look very deep, but I couldn't help myself.
According to Curtis Judd's review, there are 4 internal 'Revolution' preamps - whatever they are? - and 4 A/D converters. See here:
What those actually are or how good they are? -- who knows.
The mic includes an audio interface, with lots of software controlled effects etc. It' s also possible to plug more than one into a computer, using a USB hub if necessary.
I'm guessing it's aimed at non technical podcasters, etc who can simply plug in the mic to their computer via USB ?
As it's also a standard NT1 with a XLR output -- and you say cheaper than the existing NT1? -- Could be that people might have trouble shifting existing stock at todays' prices?.
There is of course the other thing you mentioned -- more to go wrong!.
But if it includes the Rode 10 year guarantee (haven't actually come across that yet) it might be worth looking at?....
You're absolutely right, the 10 year warranty is a really big draw, and smart for Rode. I think having that kind of insurance is at the very least good marketing, but for anyone who has intent to use the mics day in and day out, it definitely makes it feel like a good investment with some added peace of mind.
Price, similar MSRP around $400 USD, but actual price at Sweetwater (US) is $269 for the black NT1, and $249 for the 5th generation. Both come with the same nice accessory package that includes a shock mount, pop filter, XLR cable, and a little bag for the mic (my black NT1 came with one at least). 5th gen adds a USB cable. It's a great package overall, and very hard to beat! That was my draw to the black NT1. As for the 5th gen being a bit cheaper...if not an indication of cheaper parts, it could very well be a matter of them having simply streamlined their production and costs even more. They do everything in-house after all.
After watching the Curtis Judd video, he did mention the fixes and changes to clipping taking place in post. Saying that the mic doesn't clip seems like massaged marketing language, though to Rode's credit, they lay this out in their product video
here. Because the mic WILL clip/distort at or over max SPL figure, like any other mic. Could be a little confusion for non-technical users. But, as far as the output is concerned, unless I'm missing something, 32-bit would not benefit a live stream scenario if there is any clipping. Correcting levels after the fact can still only be done in post, so setting levels the traditional way is still the only option for live streaming. Now, that is not taking into account any potential hardware or software's ability to auto-limit a digital signal in real time.
I guess I was simply thrown off by the language a little. 32-bit is a big deal with recorders of course. But while recording, things can still "clip" and will sound distorted if they exceed 0db. There is simply the ability to recover it in post without any consequence.
Many uses for mic like this. Easy to overlook some less obvious uses for a mic. Nature recording, huge ASMR comunity, speciall FX, field recording. Last summer i recorded some IRs with my phone of the amazing Casa de musica in Portugal during tourist tour. Wish i had something like this with me.
Yeah, I agree by virtue of its 32-bit digital audio output. I think that's excellent. But it still requires a computer/tablet (unless this could be interfaced with a phone and the phone has the ability to capture and record 32-bit audio?). That would be a very cumbersome setup in the field. That said, I think there is still virtue in keeping things separated. A black NT1 + Zoom F3 (super compact 32-bit recorder) such as I have, is already very compact and convenient. And modular. Mics can be swapped in and out, and recorder can be upgraded later to use with same mics. I personally don't have a need to keep those features only in one mic, especially one that cannot record internally.
Now, if internal recording were a feature, then I could see getting an all-in-one mic like this at a decent price, as that would be as compact as you can get for run and gun. I don't think I would count a field recorder with built-in mics since their mics are in a different category. I'm talking more of what Rode is trying to do with the NT1, but with internal recording. That would definitely be interesting, especially if they kept the price similar and would help the buyer rule out the need for investing in a separate field recorder (even if something like the F3 is very affordable). But I could see the virtue of such a mic, even for someone who already has a field recorder with 32-bit capability and just needs something ultra ultra compact.
Until then, the 5th generation feels too in-between for someone like me. But probably for a great number of people, it's a very simple and affordable way into 32-bit recording into your computer. It's being marketed for studio anyway, so mobility is not an issue. And if it's pretty much the same performance as a black NT1, then it's an excellent platform for sure. I won't deny that!
Maybe with the 7th or 8th generation, we might see a robust moisture-resistant multi-pattern LDC with an RF-bias circuit, internal 32-bit recording, equal or better performance to the new NT1's, and all at a similar price-point. Might be novel and interesting enough with home and field recorders alike. I'm not sure if I would personally buy one, but it would be a cool "just because" microphone haha..
