I have not tried (or even seen) this mic, but it is clearly just Rode putting its condenser technology in a package better for hand-held us and a tigher pattern for better live use. Shure, AT, most of the other big companies have competing units. A condenser mic "designed for recording" is usually quieter than a live sound mic - but more delicate. Many have a wider pattern to pick up more room ambiance. Since the S1 has a tighter supercardioid pattern than the NT-1A it might be better for recording a bad acoustic environment.

The S1 is primarily a condenser mic for hand or stand use on stage, and in my view does not compete sonically with the NTxx range in a studio situation. That said, the S1 is a good mic to have in your locker if you happen get a singer in the studio who is happier working a hand-held mic than moving closer to and back from a stand-mounted one.

I have a couple of S1s that I often use for live vocals if I know I have breathy female voices to deal with. In those situations I prefer the S1 over an SM58 or a Beta58A, but the pickup pattern of the S1 usually results in a lower gain-before-feedback than with the Shures. I have found you need to use a foam pop filter with the S1, but otherwise it's an excellent value mic.

Boswell, post: 281920 wrote: The S1 is primarily a condenser mic for hand or stand use on stage, and in my view does not compete sonically with the NTxx range in a studio situation. That said, the S1 is a good mic to have in your locker if you happen get a singer in the studio who is happier working a hand-held mic than moving closer to and back from a stand-mounted one.

I have a couple of S1s that I often use for live vocals if I know I have breathy female voices to deal with. In those situations I prefer the S1 over an SM58 or a Beta58A, but the pickup pattern of the S1 usually results in a lower gain-before-feedback than with the Shures. I have found you need to use a foam pop filter with the S1, but otherwise it's an excellent value mic.

Thank you for input regarding Rode S1. I thinking about this mic and Sennheiser e865. But because I have NT1A and NT2A, NT3. I decide to buy Sennheiser just to try something different for ones. This will be my first stage mic and other brand. But I may buy some day Rode S1.