The demand for budget-friendly, professional recording equipment has increased with an increasing number of people choosing to start their podcasts.
And, amongst all of the equipment you need to start your podcast, the most important is a good quality microphone. Without one, you won’t be able to capture clear, concise vocals. Missing out on those golden moments that make for a great podcast episode could be lost forever.
Bad recording quality isn’t something that will help your audience numbers grow through each episode, either. And, in a flooded market, you need your podcast to stand out from the crowd.
So, how can you get a great-quality microphone on a modest budget? This is where the Rode Podmic comes to the rescue!
Moderately priced but packing all of the features you’d find in a more expensive professional studio microphone, the
It’s also an excellent choice for any established podcaster that wants a fantastic microphone without having to spend a small fortune on one.
Join us as we go through all the details, features, and specifications of this fantastic microphone.
In the end, you’ll have a better idea of what the
Table of Contents
Design
Let’s begin by looking at this microphone’s design. It’s aesthetically pleasing and has that classic studio microphone look, which doesn’t impact its performance but certainly gives it a professional feel.
It features an integrated swivel mount that can hold the microphone firmly in position while it’s in use and help reduce vibration while you record.
It’s also compatible with both ⅜” and ⅝” stand threads, giving you more versatility when securing it in place.
This swivel mount allows you to angle the microphone in a variety of positions too. This capability means you’ll be able to sit comfortably without worrying about compromising the recording quality or holding your posture in an awkward position while you’re talking.
There is also an internal shock mount designed to absorb any noise from table-bumping or typing and prevent it from being picked up while recording.
It’s easy to use, its plug-and-play design makes it super simple to set up, and you won’t need a degree in audio engineering to get started!
The stable, all-metal construction also makes it extremely durable, and its 937g weight gives it a hefty, secure feeling without being overly cumbersome.
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Recording Quality
The
This integrated dynamic capsule also makes this microphone an excellent choice for any podcaster that uses public places for recordings, such as coffee shops or restaurants.
It will concentrate on the sound coming directly in front of the microphone rather than picking up background sounds.
Further enhancing the background noise reduction is the microphone’s cardioid polar pickup pattern. This attention to detail makes the
Even if you use a studio to record, the cardioid polar pickup pattern will reduce any echoing or noise reverberating from bare walls and floors. Ideal if you’re new to podcasting and are recording from a small home studio.
Its frequency response of 20Hz to 20KHz means it can pick up various tones and vocal differences while maintaining a natural, conversational tone.
The frequency response is an excellent feature, as you’ll be able to spend less time adjusting sound levels and more time creating your content.
This microphone also features an integrated pop shield. This feature allows you to get up close to the microphone without sacrificing sound quality or getting those ‘popping’ sounds that can come from the pronunciation of certain words.
The integrated pop shield means you won’t have to worry about using a foam windscreen when recording in certain environments too.
The
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Connectivity
The
Naturally, however, Rode has made this microphone with extra compatibility to use with their products. It is optimized to work with the RodeCaster Pro, which automatically corrects the sound levels for each voice type.
The autocorrect is a great feature, but if you don’t want to purchase a
Connection to an audio interface or mixer is super easy. Connect using an XLR cable, just as you would with any analog microphone, and you’re all set. It is that simple to set up!
There’s also no need to worry about batteries, recharging, or Phantom power with this microphone, which makes setting it up that much more manageable and means it’s ready to start recording whenever you are.
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Pros and Cons
There are loads of reasons why the Rode PodMic is a fantastic microphone.
However, every podcast host has their own needs and wants, and what works for one person might not necessarily be the best choice for another.
So, to make things even more straightforward, we’ve put together a list of pros and cons to help you decide if this microphone could be an excellent addition to your podcasting gear.
Pros:
- The aesthetically pleasing design gives the microphone a professional look and feel.
- An integrated swivel mount allows you to securely position the microphone at the most comfortable angle.
- The internal shock mount absorbs any random table-bumping noises and prevents them from being recorded.
- Is compatible with both ⅜” and ⅝” stand threads
- The plug-and-play design makes it super easy to set up.
- Features an end-fire dynamic capsule protected by steel mesh
- Records with a cardioid polar pickup pattern to isolate vocals and reduce background noise
- It has a frequency response of 20Hz – 20KHz that translates a variety of voice types into clear, conversational tones
- Features an integrated pop shield to enhance clarity and further protect against noise pollution
- It can be used with any audio interface or mixer
- It has also been optimized for use with the
RodeCaster Pro for automatic sound level adjustment. - The 937g weight and all-metal construction give it a durable feel without being overly cumbersome.
Cons:
- The integrated swivel mount can feel a little tight initially, but it soon eases up with use.
- While its size makes it a compact choice for transport, the 937g could be too heavy for some people to carry comfortably.
- It doesn’t come with a microphone stand; however, you can use a wide variety of thread and mount stands.
User experience
The
Some users have reported that the sound quality of their podcasts had improved massively after switching to the
However, there are a few things to be aware of before purchasing this microphone.
Firstly, it is pretty heavy, so you will need a sturdy stand or boom arm to hold it in place. Additionally, many users noted that they needed to purchase additional equipment, such as XLR cables and stands, since these are not included.
However, this is an excellent microphone for podcasting and is highly recommended by many customers.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a professional microphone that can record vocals with superior clarity while trying to stick to a modest budget, then the
Extremely versatile, it can be positioned at various angles for comfort and securely fastened to both thread stands and arms.
The cardioid pickup pattern and dynamic capsule concentrate solely on the vocals placed directly in front of the microphone and drown out any intrusive background noise. This concentration leaves you with a crystal-clear recording that is comfortable to listen to.
It even has an internal shock mount that isolates random recording noises, such as table-bumping, keyboard typing, or sound reverberation from bare walls, and prevents them from being recorded.
The internal shock mount saves you even more money, too, since you won’t have to worry about buying an external shock mount.
The broad frequency range can pick up a variety of voice types and translate them into a natural tone too. This wide range also reduces the time you need to adjust your sound levels.
It’s effortless to use and operates with a plug-and-play style, making it ideal for new podcasters and the less tech-savvy.
A special mention must be given to its all-metal construction too. The structure makes it super durable and compact enough to store in your bag and take with you should you choose to take your show out on the road.
So, whatever the theme of your podcast, the
