The Rode NT1 is a popular large diaphragm condenser microphone that is well-suited for recording vocals. Here are some tips for using the Rode NT1 to record vocals:
Set up your recording space: Choose a room that has good acoustics and minimal background noise. If you're recording in a room with a lot of echo or reflections, consider using a vocal booth or hanging blankets or other sound-absorbing materials to reduce the amount of echo.
Set up your microphone: Position the Rode NT1 about 6 inches to a foot away from your mouth, pointed towards your lips. If you're using a pop filter, place it about 6 inches in front of the microphone to reduce plosives (explosive sounds made when singing certain consonant sounds).
Connect your microphone to your audio interface: Plug the XLR cable from the Rode NT1 into your audio interface's XLR input. Make sure your audio interface is turned on and set to the appropriate input and output settings.
Set your recording levels: Use your audio recording software to set the input level for your microphone. Sing or speak into the microphone and adjust the level until it's not too hot (peaking) or too low (clipping). A good starting point is to set the input level to around -12 dB.
Record your vocals: Once you have your microphone set up and your recording levels set, you're ready to start recording. Sing or speak into the microphone, trying to keep your mouth a consistent distance from the microphone to avoid level changes.
Edit and process your vocals: After you've recorded your vocals, you can use your audio editing software to make any necessary edits, such as cutting out mistakes or adding effects. You can also use plug-ins to process your vocals, such as EQ to shape the tone or compression to even out the levels.
By following these steps and experimenting with the various settings and features of your audio recording software and plug-ins, you should be able to record high-quality vocals with the Rode NT1.