Audio-Technica AT2040USB vs Rode NT-USB+ Comparison

Audio-Technica AT2040USB

Audio-Technica specifies an 80 Hz to 16 kHz response and a high-resolution converter rated for 24-bit / 96 kHz. The low-cut filter rolls off at 80 Hz with an 18 dB per octave slope. Speech sounds focused and smooth, with a controlled low end that avoids boominess at close range.

Rode NT-USB+

Rode specifies 20 Hz to 20 kHz at 24-bit / 48 kHz, so on paper it covers the full audible range. The Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 is its closest USB condenser rival. In a carpeted, furnished room the voice sounds close and finished. On a call it simply sounds like you, which is the highest compliment for a meeting mic.

Audio-Technica AT2040USB

Hypercardioid pickup is narrower than cardioid at the sides, with a small rear lobe. Audio-Technica designed it to reduce ambient noise such as the hum of a computer fan. Aimed at your mouth from about 5 to 10 cm, it keeps keyboards and room sound well down. Turn your head to a second screen and your level drops faster than with a cardioid model.

Rode NT-USB+

The capsule is a cardioid condenser. It rejects the rear but still hears side reflections and desk noise more than a dynamic, so placement matters. Rode Central and Rode Connect add a high-pass filter, a noise gate and a compressor. Used together they reduce PC fan noise and light keyboard taps without making the voice sound processed.

Audio-Technica AT2040USB

The mic has a silent capacitive mute, a headphone level control, a mix control and a low-cut switch. A two-state LED ring glows blue when live and red when muted. The touch mute makes no sound at all, which makes it one of the best mute designs for meetings. The colour ring is visible on camera, so others can see when you have muted yourself.

Rode NT-USB+

Controls are minimal. A single knob on the front sets headphone volume, and the 3.5 mm output gives zero-latency monitoring through the Revolution preamp. There is no mute button and no gain dial on the mic. You set input gain in Rode Central, and you mute in Teams, Zoom or the OS.

Rode NT-USB+

The NT-USB+ uses Rode Central, Rode Connect, Rode Reporter for its companion software. Onboard DSP is listed as APHEX Aural Exciter, Big Bottom, compressor, noise gate. The software or onboard controls also include EQ or presets (APHEX processing via Rode software), monitoring (3.5 mm), gain control (Software only), a mix control (headphone volume and mix controls) and a noise gate (via RØDE Connect / Central / Reporter).

Audio-Technica AT2040USB

The metal body weighs about 600 g and measures 145.3 mm long with a 52 mm diameter. An integrated shock mount and a multistage foam and mesh windscreen are built in. That internal isolation means bumps to the desk or arm are well damped, and close-talking produces few pops. The included AT8487 clamp attaches to stands and boom arms with a 5/8 to 3/8 inch adapter.

Rode NT-USB+

The body is metal, with a detachable pop filter and a short desk tripod in the box. Both screw on securely. The tripod is fine for a desk, but it puts the mic low, so most people eventually move to a boom arm. The heavier body also means a featherweight arm will droop, so choose something rated for a few hundred grams.