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RØDE NT-USB+

A USB condenser for a controlled recording space.

HyperX QuadCast 2 S

A USB condenser microphone with four pickup patterns, tap-to-mute and a shock mount.

Before you choose

RØDE NT-USB+

The catch: Use the direct USB route and place the microphone close enough for a clear voice before treating room reflections with processing. Choose another microphone if an XLR mixer connection is required.

Check first:

  • A USB cable

HyperX QuadCast 2 S

The catch: For one voice, use the cardioid pattern and keep it close: the omnidirectional and stereo patterns take in the whole room by design.

You need: nothing beyond what is in the box.

Everything to check before you buy

Where they differ

SpecsRØDE NT-USB+HyperX QuadCast 2 S
Pickup patternsCardioidCardioid, Omnidirectional, Bidirectional, Stereo
RØDE NT-USB+: cardioid. HyperX QuadCast 2 S: cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional, stereo.
Best USB recording format24-bit, 48 kHz32-bit, 192 kHz
Over USB, RØDE NT-USB+ records up to 24-bit, 48 kHz and HyperX QuadCast 2 S up to 32-bit, 192 kHz. Both are more than a stream carries (Twitch takes AAC audio at up to 160 kbps), so the difference matters for recordings you edit.
Processing on the microphoneYesNone listed
RØDE NT-USB+ processes your voice on the microphone over USB; for HyperX QuadCast 2 S you add filters in OBS.

Where they are the same

Connection
USB
Capsule
Condenser
Stand in the box
Yes
Headphone socket
Yes

Not enough data to compare

We haven’t confirmed a figure for one or both models on: Preamp gain needed, XLR cable in the box, USB cable in the box. The site leaves these out rather than guess.

What else each needs

RØDE NT-USB+

NT-USB+
A USB cable
A boom arm, if you want it closer
Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug
  • Check first: A USB cable. Our record of the box lists no USB cable. Check the box before you plan the connection.
  • Optional: A boom arm, if you want it closer. A desk stand is in the box. An arm lets you bring the microphone nearer your mouth without it sitting in the camera shot.
  • Optional: Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug. Its headphone socket lets you hear yourself straight from the microphone, before the computer adds delay.

HyperX QuadCast 2 S

QuadCast 2 S
A boom arm, if you want it closer
Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug
HyperX NGENUITY
  • Optional: A boom arm, if you want it closer. A desk stand is in the box. An arm lets you bring the microphone nearer your mouth without it sitting in the camera shot; check the arm fits its 3/8-inch or 5/8-inch thread.
  • Optional: Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug. Its headphone socket lets you hear yourself straight from the microphone, before the computer adds delay.
  • Optional: HyperX NGENUITY. The maker’s app sets its processing and controls.

Next step

Put either model into the setup builder to check it against your computer and the rest of your gear, or see all 27 side by side in USB microphones for streaming compared. Test your microphone before you go live.

Full profiles: RØDE NT-USB+ and HyperX QuadCast 2 S.

Sources