Rode NT4 Stereo Condenser Microphone

The Rode NT4 is a stereo condenser microphone with two half-inch capsules permanently fixed in a 90 degree "near coincident" x/y pattern. It comes in a durable plastic briefcase with accessories, including two cables, one terminating in 1/8" mini-plug. The mic is fairly large, and has a unique appearance, especially at the "head" end, with the two capsules mounted on short, curved stalks. The mic is capable of being powered either by 48V phantom power, or by using a 9V battery on-board. It appears to be well made, and is covered by Rode's 10 year warranty.
I've used the NT4 both in the studio and in live venues, and it has given decent results on most sources. A big factor in its usability or lack of same of course depends on the appropriateness of the fixed pattern to the task at hand.
I found its best use, for my taste, is as a recording mic in a live venue. The mic is generally clean and accurate, certainly not colored, but a bit "dry" or "un-exciting". Which is great for live recording, because usually a live mix in a big room full of excited people is exciting enough, and here the NT4's dry characteristic can help make a recording sound less "roomy".
Unfortunately, that same rather lifeless tone is not a big winner in the studio, for my personal tastes anyway. Another quibble I have is that the capsules are mounted with one pointing slightly up, and the other slightly down ( when the mic is positioned horizontally.) So for example in a live venue, one side will point slightly at the ceiling, and the other at the floor. Slightly, but still less than ideal. A movable pattern would have been much better, IMHO.
The mic is not cheap, but still one of the better values in a stereo mic, and it is convenient to set up, if you are happy with the fixed pattern. The sound is certainly acceptable for most uses, although nothing to write home about.