Rode NT USB Mini Microphone: iMac 2017 Mojave Compatibility

CONCLUSION a Fix and Solution:

I called Rode support this morning (they were excellent BTW).

FACETIME AUDIO NOT WORKING

I can't hear the person on the other end of the call -- like they are muted:

Rode had me make a FT call (I duplicated the complaint)

then in System Preferences> Sound> Output

he told me to click on any other Name listed in Output

AND then click back on Rode NT-USB Mini

THE PROBLEM INSTANTLY CLEARED

and I could hear the other person on the call

he added he was aware of the issue

BOXY STATIC SOUNDING RECORDING:

Rode said that sounded unusual, and suggested I install their RODE CENTRAL app for macOS and update the mic's firmware -- he added a quality USC-C to USB-C cable should work fine, that Thunderbolt 4/3 cables should not be necessary to use the mic on an iMac

I am hoping my unit needs (and will accept) a firmware update.

LOW UNADJUSTABLE MIC INPUT LEVELS:

He said the Rode NT-USB Mini -- on a Mac computer, as I was using it -- did not have adjustable mic gain adjustments -- if I wanted higher or lower recording levels I should try moving the mic closer or further to the sound source.

This actually checked out on a new QT Movie test -- I spoke into the mic about 9 inches away from my mouth and the levels improved to about where I wanted -- six to ten inches is probably the sweet spot for this mic depending how loud one talks.

Rode added if I installed their RODE CONNECT app for macOS -- I could record through their app and have adjustable mic input levels in their software.

HE SAID THEIR APPS ARE ON RODE.COM

This was a bit more mystery than I like, but I think the Rode NT-USB Mini is a useful tool for MacOS, not sure about iOS on iPhones and iPads.

THIS COULD EXPLAIN A LOT

about the trouble I was having:

Rode Connect flashed the firmware 1.1.8 to 2.36

It would not run on 10.14.6 so I booted into Ventura and did the deed

den.thed >> What device is selected in the Sound "Output" tab

that would have been "Internal Speakers" I didn't put eyes on there to confirm my previous Rode FaceTime tests, but I just did two more FT tests: System Preferences> Sound> Output: INTERNAL SPEAKERS (visually verified and they could hear me speaking clearly)

Input: RODE NT-USB Mini was showing expected input level activity when I spoke (and they could hear me speaking clearly)...

This may be a typo:

Rode had me make a FT call (I duplicated the complaint)

then in System Preferences> Sound> Output

he told me to click on any other Name listed in Output

AND then click back on *Rode NT-USB Mini

THE PROBLEM INSTANTLY CLEARED

This is the correct (I think):

*AND then click back on "Internal Speakers"

>> Let us know how it works out

I'm hitting a bunch of quirks:

First, the USB-C to USB-A (USBa connected to the iMac) powered up the Rode mic, but it did not show in SysPrefs> Sound> Input (this is a known issue with this mic on some macOS and hardware) -- a later try produced the same result

Second, connecting a quality generic USB-C cable (mic to iMac Thunderbolt3 input) connected to SysPrefs and appeared to work, but playback a test movie I recorded in Mojave's QuickTime Player (10.5) sounded like it was in a bucket with a lot of static (the headphone jack out of the mic was clear during recording tho), though I could easily tell what was being said -- two quality generic TB3 cable also had the static problem

Third, I connected the mic with an Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable and that fixed all the problems noted so far (new QT movie recordings with the TB4 cable played back clear) -- an Apple branded TB3 cable then also fixed all the problems noted so far (new QT movie recordings with the Apple TB3 cable played back clear)

the Apple TB3 cable reproduced the static, but the Apple TB4 Pro cable seemed to clear the static and never reproduced it

Forth, FACETIME TESTS to iPhone 15 and iPad M1 (latest iOS) -- using the Rode mic -- worked EXCEPT I could not hear the people speaking, though they could hear and speak with me fine -- I disconnected the Rode mic, set the internal mic, and remade the FaceTime calls and FaceTime worked as it should...

Fifth, going back to the cabling tests to lock in my results -- the TB3 Apple cable reproduced the static issue, unbranded TB3 cables became clear (no static), then they reproduced the static issue again

LASTLY: I moved my tests over to another 2017 27" iMac running Mojave:

This is an i7 8-core 4.2GHz with internal Apple Flash 1TB (this machine has never been opened)

First a Type C to USB Type C 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps) cable worked ... then the Apple TB3 and TB4 cables worked -- then the previous Type C to USB Type C 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps) cable reproduced the problem when I retested it

switching the cable ends around, in and out, turning them upside and downside had some effect in clearing and reproducing the cabling issues

THE FACETIME -- I CAN'T HEAR THE CALLER - PERSISTED ON THIS SECOND iMAC -- FaceTime went back to normal after I disconnected the Rode and activated the internal mic

I will have a point to all this rambling after I clear my head...

that rode link answered several questions -- thank you -- I think I'll pick one up tomorrow and try it out -- hoping it has whatever it needs to up the line input to more acceptable recording levels

yea, cs6 (parts thereof: ps, indd, acro) still running my perpetual licenses satisfactory, but I have Ventura running on TB3 external SSDs, still prefer to run Final Cut on Mojave, too, I seemed to hit a bug in higher versions where Share> Blu-ray Discs won't play on suny players (that one cost me a few days to figure out)...

>> When using the microphone in a FaceTime, Zoom, etc.., try moving the microphone as far away from the iMac as possible to reduce feedback from the internal speakers.

ok, good advice, the issue the Rode has on FaceTime here is:

I cannot hear the person on the other end speak (dead silent on their end like it is muted) -- we are at the same house and nothing is turned down or muted (I checked) -- further -- disconnecting the Rode and re-enabling the iMac internal mic clears the problem like a switch -- that has been 100 percent consistent on both machines

I really like good professional audio ... I think I am missing a very basic piece of the working connection

For example: den.thed's link stated "(the mic) will work with any device that supports class-compliant audio" -- I guess "work" here is open to interpretation (if my 2017 hardware and Mojave supports class-compliant audio)

the inconsistency I'm seeing here on cables that appear to work one moment then fail the next have me wondering if my mic is bad (I doubt two similar well running iMacs have the same bad hardware issues)

I suspect the mic won't work for why I bought it (used) -- so I am curious if the mic is defective

The rode website states:

>>If you are using an iOS device with a Lightning port, will need to use an Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adaptor in order for the NT-USB Mini to function properly.

now I look into that and I am not positive if this is what they are talking about:

Lightning to USB Camera Adapter ($9)

and if that will actually "work" to test the mic

or Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter ($39)

BDAqua >> Just checking due to your other thread... you don't have the Microphone selected as Output do you?

What other thread?

but here is a ** of my earlier upload (I am selecting the mic in Input as I also outlined in my text):

BDAqua >> the Rode has it's own on device volume adjustment.

I think you may be referring to the dial on the front of the Rode with the headphone icon above it (that is for headphone volume adjustment, not mike gain)

den.thed >> If "Input" is Rode and "Output" is Internal on your system, then perhaps the settings on the other end are not setup correctly.

I checked both the iPhone 15 and iPad Pro M1 during my numerous FaceTime call tests -- they look correct -- and simply removing the Rode (and reselecting Internal mic Input on both my iMacs) restored normal FaceTime operations (I could again hear the other sides' audio, instead of the mute behavior I got with the Rode connected as Input)