Rode PodMic USB microphone assessment: jack of all connections, however not fairly masterful
Rode PodMic USB: One-minute assessment
You may see the rationale right here: Rode’s XLR-based PodMic has been a staple of spoken-word recordings for half a decade now, delivering unimaginable worth microphones for streaming for below $100 / £100. However not everybody has an audio interface able to working XLR inputs, notably not these with an eye fixed for low-cost setups who could be drawn to the PodMic within the first place. So why not launch a mannequin with a USB-C enter too?
On paper that sounds nice. It means you possibly can join the PodMic USB on to your PC or Mac and simply begin recording right into a DAW. No fuss, no added audio interface expense. And don’t get me flawed, the setup actually is that simple right here.
It sounds fairly good proper out of the field too, by way of both connection kind. The sound traits appear to favor the mid-range greater than the highs, and whereas I personally choose a extra whispery, pronounced excessive finish for spoken phrase recordings, finally that comes down to private choice.
Nevertheless, what’s much less subjective is the subject of worth. Manufacturing a USB microphone with two connections has pushed the value as much as $199.99 / £199.99, double that of the unique XLR-only PodMic. And that’s an issue, as a result of a giant a part of the explanation everybody cherished the PodMic was its worth, and the way favorably it in comparison with rival mics in that very same vary.
There’s a flaw on this proposition, then, nevertheless it doesn’t imply you gained’t nonetheless get pleasure from its appreciable advantages if you happen to purchase one. The development high quality is completely improbable, typical of a storied studio mainstay like Rode, and the mic monitoring enter is a superb nice-to-have. Throwing in a stand may need sweetened the deal a bit although, and contemplating the value it’s disappointing that this mic can’t be used to document USB and XLR tracks concurrently.
Rode PodMic USB: Value and availability
- Listing worth: $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329.99
- Double the value of the XLR-only mannequin
- Robust competitors just like the Shure MV7 at this worth level
Value is the one main draw back of the PodMic USB, nevertheless it’s a substantial one. Retailing for $200 / £200 means it’s going up in opposition to spoken phrase mic royalty just like the Shure MV7, and it doesn’t provide a standout characteristic or discernibly higher audio high quality to attract you away from the latter. The truth that the additional outlay is because of an added connection kind which may’t be recorded in sequence means it’s unlikely that almost all customers will really feel an actual sense of added worth right here.
Rode PodMic USB: Specs
| Value | $179.99 / £169.99 / round AU$299 |
| Polar sample | Cardioid |
| Pattern charge | 48 kHz |
| Connection kind | XLR, USB-C |
| Weight | 900g / 1.9lb |
| Software program | Rode Central, Rode Join, Rode Unify |
Rode PodMic USB: Design and options
- Skilled, modern look
- Easy setup
- Direct mic monitoring enter
Among the best issues about this mic is its feel and look. You get the sense you’re holding studio tools as quickly as you’re taking the capsule out of its packaging and really feel its 1.9lb/900g weight. Whereas that may not be best for journey, it actually conveys a sturdiness and premium building which stays constant below deeper scrutiny.
Pulling away the rubber guard to disclose the XLR connection is like opening the briefcase from Pulp Fiction, so pristine and glowing are the pins and shielding. And whereas some mics on this area make a extra specific play for streamers by including RGB lighting, Rode retains a classy, skilled studio gear aesthetic all through.
The equipped pop protect matches snugly over the capsule and does its job nicely. If you happen to’re considering of utilizing this as an instrument mic it’s greatest used with out the protect, and it’s good to see the mic’s versatility accounted for by the simple protect fixing.
Fairly than a cradle, the mic capsule mounts to an arm or stang immediately by way of a characteristically strong hinged metallic bracket. It’s simple to get the angle you want from this design, and whereas a equipped stand would definitely have sweetened the deal at this excessive pricing, one can don’t have any qualms about the way it fixes to a growth arm.
Setup by way of the USB-C connection couldn’t be a lot easier. You run the cable immediately from the USB-C connector on the base of the mic into your PC or Mac’s USB-C port by way of the cable supplied. If you happen to’re quick on USB-C connections in your motherboard you may use a USB-C to USB-A cable as an alternative, however that isn’t equipped with this mic.
Through XLR it’s solely barely extra concerned, requiring an audio interface to transform that analog XLR enter right into a digital sign. Connecting that manner does imply you forgo the usage of Rode’s Unify, Join and Central software program applications for this mic, but when constancy should be maintained in any respect prices, the choice’s there.
This mannequin is especially mild on bodily, on-mic controls. A scroll wheel for mic monitoring acquire is the one and solely management right here, actually, which shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for the overwhelming majority of use instances however when in comparison with the MV7’s acquire/monitoring slider and mute management, it seems to be a bit bit barebones.
Mic monitoring sounds nice, although. It’s widespread for these dwell mic monitoring alerts to run sizzling and deform rather more simply than the recording sign, however that isn’t the case right here – you get a usable, consultant tone.
On the software program aspect, there are three totally different applications that can be utilized particularly with the PodMic USB whenever you join by way of USB: Rode Central, Rode Join, and Rode Unify. Central is the top-level companion app that offers you all of your primary controls, whereas Join and Unify work extra like mixers. After an preliminary foray, I discovered that I didn’t find yourself utilizing any of them, preferring to simply work in Ableton and add plugins to sculpt the sound. I can see the worth of all three, however streamers, podcasters, and producers will all most likely have their most popular software program with out the necessity to dip into these.
Rode PodMic USB: Efficiency
- Heat, full and a bit mid-focused
- First rate guitar amp recording
- Offers with ambient noise and knocks nicely
Rode’s identify is hallowed in professional audio, so the elemental sound of this mic was by no means going to be known as into query. With the unique PodMic having performed the rounds for over 5 years now too, it is a recognized amount for sound high quality.
Nevertheless, sound high quality is a mix of science and notion. There are specs concerned, just like the 48KHz pattern charge by way of USB-C which may’t be debated, however there’s additionally the way in which its sound replica hits your ear. I discovered the PodMic USB lacks a bit of the flicker I search for from a vocal mic, no less than out of the field.
With some EQ and low go, I can dial in that whispery, grainy high-end that makes podcasts, streams, and voiceover tracks sound shiny and broadcast-ready, so it’s not that the mic lacks constancy. Removed from it. It captures loads of heat and element from a vocal supply. It’s simply that its pure tuning appears to emphasise midrange greater than I’m used to, so I really feel like dialing it again on the DAW degree. That’s true when connecting by way of an XLR cable, or by USB-C.
It’s the identical sound attribute story whenever you put this mic in entrance of a guitar amp speaker, though I discovered on this situation the mid-emphasis works higher. It’s notably well-suited to my Mesa 2X12 closed-back cupboard – it appears to breed that tight, dry sound notably nicely.
A decade in the past, vocals and instrument recordings at this constancy for $200 / $200 – by way of USB, no much less – would have been dreamland. How far we’ve come…
In a much less studio-y atmosphere like Discord or Twitch streaming the place mechanical keyboards are clacking away and desk knocks are commonplace, the PodMic USB stands up nicely to audio intrusions. Its cardioid polar sample tunes out keyboard noise if it’s positioned in order that the keyboard’s behind it, and utilizing the equipped shock mount it suppresses knocks admirably.
Ought to I purchase the Rode Podmic USB?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally think about…
Nonetheless not absolutely bought on the Rode PodMic USB? Listed here are two different sturdy gaming microphones to think about.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Rode Podmic USB | SteelSeries Alias | Audio-Technica AT2040USB |
| Value | £199.99 / $199.99 / AU$329.99 | $179.99 / £179.99 / AU$399 | £129.99 (round $167.32 / AU$255.50) |
| Polar sample | Cardioid | Cardioid | Hypercardioid |
| Pattern charge | 48 kHz | 48KHz | 44.1 kHz/48 kHz/88.2 kHz/96 kHz |
| Connection kind | USB-C, XLR | USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 900 g / 1.9 lb | 750 g / 1.65 lb | 600 g / 1.3 lb |
| Software program | Rode Central, Join & Unify | Sonar | N/A |
How I examined the Rode PodMic USB
- Two weeks {of professional} and private use
- Used for in-game comms, Discord chat, and as an instrument mic
- Each inputs examined
The PodMic has been my day by day driver in on-line video games, Discord chitchat, and recording voiceover tracks for YouTube for 2 straight weeks. As well as, I set it up on a stand in entrance of my guitar amp’s speaker cone and recorded some instrument audio. For each vocal and instrumental recordings, I ran an XLR sign by way of a Focusrite audio interface into Ableton.
First reviewed August 2024.
Supply: www.techradar.com
