This is the review of the comparison between two microphones from two popular brands in the market. The comparison here is between the Blue Spark SL and the Rode NT1. There is around seventy dollars difference in their price range currently which makes the difference in their performs too. To know which one is worth buying for the price, go to the detailed review.

Blue Spark SL	Rode NT1
BUY NOW	BUY NOW
PROS	PROS
Sounds Great. Great mic response. Amazing clarity. XLR connection for pro users. Natural and smooth sound on vocal. Applications are Flexible. Well priced. 100Hz high pass filter. -29 dB output signal.	The Integrated shock mount and pop shield is a good design. Stonkingly good value for money. The NT1 is able to produce crystal clear sounds with its ability to pick up the smallest vocal nuances in any kind of performance.
CONS	CONS
Expensive. Bulky Stand. Picks up the Ambient noise.	Lack of pad makes close-mic’ing loud sources tricky. None worthy of mention to be honest.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Detail Review:

INTRODUCTION:

Blue Spark SL

The Blue Spark SL is an XLR mic and this mic is retailing for a mid-range price currently on Amazon. This microphone is retailing for around two hundred dollars currently on Amazon. This microphone performs a unidirectional polar pattern which is also known as the cardioid polar pattern. As this microphone connects via XLR cable, you need an audio interface to get it connected.

Rode NT1

The Rode NT1 is a cardioid condenser microphone, and it is also named the quietest microphone in the world. This microphone is so popular for creators and home studios and the Rode introduced the NT1 after the NT1-A in 2014. This microphone is retailing for around two hundred and seventy dollars currently on Amazon. This microphone also features the unidirectional polar pattern.

DESIGN:

Blue Spark SL

They have another Spark microphone in this kind of lineup of microphones, but this one is all black. It looks really good, they always don’t just want to put something ugly out there. This is something that’s going to look good but also it’s gonna sound good as well, and it uses XLR connection, and you can connect this with anything.

If you have something like a duet or some type of mixer that you’ll be able to plug into your computer, XLR into that you’ll be able to get some really good sounding audio. When you keep this microphone in the shock mount, it is going to help you, if anything’s moving or bouncing around, it’s not going to distort the audio itself. You can also attach this onto an arm, maybe you have arms situated on your desk itself, or you may just have a just a regular arm.

Rode NT1

The microphone looks absolutely stunning, and everything feels high-quality. After making everything connected, you need to place the blue ring that comes in the box, inside the microphone to have a tight fit for an XLR. It is too bad that an XLR cable doesn’t come with the kit. The first time it will be a bit difficult to make the XLR click into the microphone but eventually, it does.

FEATURES:

Blue Spark SL

It’s a condenser mic, it’s gonna be great for streamers and other people just trying to get better audio for your videos, and it’s called the Spark SL and he is an XLR condenser mic. I really like Blue microphones because they always make really good looking microphones and also really great sounding microphones as well. The Blue Spark SL is just another version of the Blue Spark which is its predecessor.

Blue always has a really good presentation with their devices and in the box, we got our documentation, also we get some Blue microphone stickers, then you get the shock mount where the actual microphone is going to sit, so if you bump in your table anything like that, it’s going to help take off all that vibration, and things like that can help distort the audio when you’re using the microphone. So, this is definitely recommended to use at all times. Then you get a nice little wooden box, inside that wooden box you get a little quality control certification, and then we get the Blue Spark SL itself.

Rode NT1

The box instantly states a 10-year warranty which I think speaks to the quality in a blink of an eye. When you open up the beautiful design packaging, we see a split package of the microphone on the left side, and the shock mounts with a pop filter on the right side. Getting the microphone out of the plastic, you can immediately feel the super-premium quality of this microphone. The weight and the feel of this microphone give away that it is solid metal. Also, inside the box you get, I love road stickers, a little dust cover pouch which isn’t the highest quality ever, the high-quality shock mount, a metal attachment ring, the pop-filter, the microphone itself, and that’s it.

This microphone is an XLR cardioid condenser microphone, therefore it requires 48-volt phantom power. So, even though this mic does not have a direct USB output, it is very versatile when it comes to usage. I noticed that since this is a cardioid microphone, it is very nice for streaming to you. What I like is that I can turn on direct monitoring from my microphone without delay through the CPU. So, if you’re using a microphone and are having headphones on, you can hear yourself through your headphones which is less awkward when you’re talking into the mic.

PERFORMANCE:

Blue Spark SL

I thought for the tabla, it just wasn’t the best mic although, the bass was really nice, the higher frequencies were just a little bit too harsh for me. I really liked it for singing, and for the spoken word, I thought it was decent would. If you’re looking for a really great XLR entry-level microphone, I think this is the mic to get as this sounds good and performs well as an XLR microphone.

Rode NT1

As far as the audio quality, you would think it reports from 20 Hertz to 20 kilohertz which is the same as what people can hear. The NT1 has a super flat frequency response which makes it sound very smooth in my opinion. In comparison, the NT1-A has a more characterized sound to it which you like or you don’t.

WHICH ONE IS WORTH BUYING?

In my opinion, the Rode NT1 is worth buying for the price than the Blue Spark SL, if you want something that’s great for a more professional use case because the Rode NT1 has really surprised me for the quality that we get for its price. I really like the premium build quality, and I love the way it makes the voice sound.

Expert Reviews of Blue Spark SL:

By gear diary
That microphone I’m speaking about is Blue’s Blackout Spark SL. A tried and true condenser microphone, my use of this particular microphone does come with a disclaimer: While it’s not a DYNAMIC microphone (which is more ideal for recording podcasts both solo and with groups), the Blue Spark SL is…

By music connection
Blue Microphones Blackout Spark SL is a cardioid (only) condenser microphone designed for professional recording, podcasts, drum recording–really just about any application you can think of as I found out myself in the…

By performer may
Housed on top of the satin red housing is a well-guarded condenser capsule that functions in a cardioid pattern. The only variables are a 100Hz Hi-pass filter, as well as a -20Db Pad. It’s fairly universal, working well with pretty much any acoustic…

By GADGETYNEWS
I have no qualms in saying that, if you are serious about podcasting, game casting, radio presenting, or want to up your home music recording game, then the Blue Blackout Spark SL will not disappoint. Yes, I do like the black finish, but my love for this mic is more than…

By techguysmartbuy
The original Spark SL came out earlier this year and more recently the Blackout version has arrived. The Blackout Spark SL being more on the pro-side than the entry-level side, it doesn’t feel like it. This is a super-lightweight mic…

Expert Reviews of Rode NT1:

By music radar
The performance from this affordable large-diaphragm condenser is truly exceptional, making it a smart choice for vocals, guitars, and more.

By makingmusicpro.com
Rode knows a thing or two about designing and manufacturing cost-effective, high-quality products. This is just a great all-around cardioid condenser microphone that excels on vocals…

By TVS
The NT1 is an excellent microphone if you are looking to record studio-quality vocals at home. All you’ll need to get is a preamp and an interface and you will be ready to go. While there…

By Musician on a mission
All-in-all, I’d recommend the NT1 if you’re looking to expand your mic closet. Its presence boost could add a nice “sheen” to your recordings.

By Tape Op
The original NT1 was a big deal when it hit the market. Back then, most large-diaphragm studio condensers cost over a thousand dollars. Australian company RØDE aimed for the small studio and recording enthusiasts, and the NT1…