Rode NT USB Mini Microphone: iMac 2017 Mojave Compatibility

Hi, I can't find clear and relevant plug and play compatibility info about does the Rode NT USB Mini Microphone work on a iMac 2017 27" Retina using Mojave 10.14.6 -- I am dissatisfied with the internal mike performance (can only get low levels).

I believe the mic has OEM USB-C out of unit to USB-A into Mac cable, but some have reported that has stopped working on later OSes, hardwares and the current fix or solution is to stick a USBC-to-USBA adapter and connect the OEM cable to one of the two Thunderbolt 3 ports.

At that point, I would expect the Rode to show up in System Preferences> Sound> Input and give me an abundance of levels to work with. I am not sure the technical reason why my internal is weak (holes are not taped over) and why my USB mic is also low, but I hope to make the workstation more usable.

I just need this Rode mic for FaceTime and Zoom stuff, I have high end portable recorder and mic kits for the production stuff.

I have two of these 2017 iMacs running Mojave (a 4.2 and this 3.4) -- the 4.2 has the same characteristics so I believe I just need a mic upgrade, may have something to do with line in.

Thanks for any info you can share, if you have ever looked into this.

Posted on Apr 7, 2024 2:55 PM

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Posted on Apr 9, 2024 11:40 AM

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.

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Rode NT USB Mini Microphone: iMac 2017 Mojave Compatibility

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