AudioChainsDB
RODE

NT55

microphone

$389

Used market: $305*

Manufacturer datasheet

Specifications

0 of 9 values have a recorded source
Connectors
XLR 3-Pin Male·
Has Built In ADC
no·
Self Noise d BA
15·
Transducer Type
Condenser True·
Sensitivity dBV
-38·
Output Impedance ohms
100·
Phantom Power Required
yes·
Connection Architecture
XLR-Only·
Updated At
2026-08-05T23:27:57.624Z·

Expert Audio Engineering Commentary

Tonal Profile

A modular half-inch pencil: JFET impedance converter, a switchable pad and low cut on the body, and capsules that unscrew. Sold singly and as a matched pair for overheads and ORTF.

Gain Staging Advice

-38 dBV/Pa is quiet and 15 dBA is mid-pack; on a quiet source this is a microphone that will expose a weak preamp before it exposes the room.

What the datasheet actually says

Quoted verbatim from the manufacturer’s own page, with the date we checked it. We state what is printed, not what anyone intended by it.

One figure, several models
«Polar Pattern Cardioid, Omnidirectional / Sensitivity -38.0dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (12.60mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz»

The NT55 ships as a body with two interchangeable screw-on capsules - a cardioid and an omni - and the sheet gives one sensitivity and one 15 dBA noise figure for the pair, naming neither capsule. A pressure omni and a pressure-gradient cardioid of the same diameter do not normally have the same output. The reference is at least stated in full («re 1 Volt/Pascal»), which is more than most of this microphone's competitors do.

checked 8/6/2026

* Estimated with the depreciation fallback (~78% retained value). · checked on 8/6/2026