Rode Mic

The Rode NT-USB Mini will allow you to record audio straight to your computer over USB, foregoing the usual audio interface, mixer, or high-priced recording equipment. It will do so while minimizing noise in the room, thanks to its cardioid polar pattern, which naturally focuses audio spoken directly into the mic while tamping down any sound to the back or sides. Requiring no special drivers to download—and filtering out vocal plosives with an internal windscreen—the mic will enable you to capture a clean recording, one that sounds professional right out of the gate.

The microphone makes use of a directional cardioid polar pattern to minimize off-axis sound. This polar pattern naturally tamps down room tone, focusing the audio capture on whatever’s in front of the mic. Depending on your particular room, you may still need a little room treatment, or some noise-reduction software, to address issues such as your computer’s hum or your air conditioner—but the chances of this are markedly lower with a cardioid polar pattern.