NT-SF1
Ambisonic Microphone
The 'SoundField by RØDE' NT-SF1 is a peerless ambisonic microphone that captures broadcast-quality 360° surround sound, offering unprecedented sonic possibilities for use in VR, sound design, immersive audio, and experimental recording applications. The NT-SF1 is the first collaboration between ambisonic pioneers SoundField (who invented the first commercial ambisonic microphone) and RØDE.
Key Features:
- Captures broadcast-quality 360° surround sound (with height) in A-Format™ on four separate tracks
- Four RØDE TF-45C ½-inch true-condenser cardioid microphone capsules arranged in a tetrahedral array
- Endless processing possibilities via the free 'SoundField by RØDE' plug-in
- Output to all formats, from stereo to 7.1.4 surround sound
- Comes in a complete recording kit, including a custom suspension shockmount, Blimp-style windshield and furry wind cover.
Record Everything
The NT-SF1 records the entire spherical sound field – every sound from every direction – in perfect A-Format™ audio, which can be converted to B-Format™ audio and then manipulated infinitely using the 'Soundfield by RØDE' plug-in. Alter the mic directivity, position, and rotation after recording; create a full 7.1.4 surround mix; create a fully head-tracked 360° soundscape for immersive video. The possibilities are, quite literally, only limited by your imagination.
The first product for the SoundField By RØDE family is a marriage of SoundField’s pristine ambisonic recording technology, and RØDE’s commitment to audio excellence accessible by all creators. Completely designed and made in Australia at RØDE’s Sydney campus, the NT-SF1 is a triumph of innovation and manufacturing quality. Featuring four of RØDE’s all-new, ultra-quiet ½-inch TF45C capsules in tetrahedral array, the NT-SF1 produces natural, transparent four channel A-format recordings which can be transformed and manipulated in B-Format, courtesy of the soon-to-be-released SoundField by RØDE plugin.
And the sound? The NT-SF1 offers startling spatial accuracy, coupled with a natural transparency.
Head of RØDE’s New Product Development and former Director of New Product at SoundField for 16 years, Pieter Schillebeeckx, says this is the most exciting development in the technology in decades. “Delivering this kind of professional-use technology at a sub-USD$1000 price point is a world first in the ambisonic world,” he says. “It gives budding VR creators, immersive filmmakers and videogame world builders an accessible and high-quality way to dive into 360-degree-with-height audio capture.”
When The Freedman Group acquired SoundField in late-2016, the aim was to continue producing the premier 360-degree audio capture loved by the professionals who bring us cinema sound and 7.1 broadcast,” says Freedman Group CEO Damien Wilson. “And we are. But, as is the RØDE way, we have brought our manufacturing and design expertise to bear on this new family of microphones. The SoundField By RØDE NT-SF1 is for creators for whom the ultra-high-end SoundField products are out of reach, and delivers results unmatched by all but the most expensive ambisonic microphones.”
Based on a completely new capsule designed by RØDE, the NT-SF1 offers extremely low noise and unprecedented smoothness and extension of frequency response. The ambisonic arrangement and tuning is drawn directly from high-end SoundField technology, ensuring the most accurate spatialisation possible for the ultimate in 3D audio positioning.
The NT-SF1 is the perfect mic for a range of applications, from music recording through to capturing 3D soundscapes for VR applications. As productions increasingly require the use of surround or multi-channel spatial reproduction, the NT-SF1 should be part of every sound recordist’s arsenal.
The SoundField legend starts in 1978 in the UK, with the first commercial SoundField microphone launched based on the pioneering work of Michael Gerzon. SoundField is now a global leader in high-end ambisonic microphones, installed in many of the worlds most iconic venues. SoundField became part of the Freedman Group in 2015, paving the way for joint developments with RØDE.
Acoustic & Electrical Specifications
Acoustic Principle
Externally Biased Condenser
Active Electronics
JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer
Polar Pattern
Cardioid
Frequency Range
20Hz - 20kHz
Output Impedance
63Ω
Equivalent Noise Level (A-Weighted)
17 dB SPL (as per IEC651)
Maximum SPL
129 dB SPL
Sensitivity
-30.4 dB re. 1 Volt/Pascal (30mV @ 94dB SPL, 1kHz)
Power Requirements
6.2mA @ 48V (Per Channel) Phantom Power
Frequency Range
30 Hz - 20 kHz ±3dB // 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±4dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
77 dB
Input SPL @ 1% THD
129 dB SPL (1kHz @ 1% THD, 600Ω load)
http://en.rode.com/nt-sf1
