Can this be real? Shure MV7X vs Zoom ZDM-1 (Studio/Streaming/Voice Over)

[@bigcastke]

Hey man, thanks for the review, am from Kenya and a new podcaster, i love the ZDM 1 Sounds great and professional

[@RebelTech1990]

Thanks for checking out the video!

[@ralphgiofre4316]

Welcome to the ZDM Mob!! I purchased a ZDM-1 for 3 reasons: Price, Frequency Curve, and I respected the Zoom products even though they were not a typical microphone developer. Although I really enjoy your banter and shots at the ZDM, I suppose it would be difficult to compare most mics to a Shure. And even though the build quality is not up to par, I have the ZDM on a boom arm and don't toss it around the room, so it does the job well. Thanks for a great review. BTW, nice haircut too. LOL!!

[@RebelTech1990]

I won’t say I’m a member of the Mob, I’m just an associate of it. It’s always fun to banter about gear. Thanks for checking out the video and the compliment!

[@bobbywummerphotography9798]

Hey just wanted to say that I purchased the Zoom ZDM-1 and I love the sound that I get running it through my Zoom R8 Box. It really is the microphone the best for the buck!!! I thank you for your video.

[@RebelTech1990]

Thanks for checking out the video!

[@ElbowsTight]

We use the ZDM-1, and we have no real complaints about it. We also use Zoom recorders, so we thought maybe there was some secret software in one of them to make everything sound better. They don't, but we believe the price's quality is a great deal! Great video!

[@RebelTech1990]

There is a lot of value with Zoom products. My main issue is they spread themselves too thin. Instead of doubling down on products that work, they expand to things that are very obscure and very experimental. Don’t get me wrong I love those types of products but at the cost of losing the core consumers, like us, I don’t think it’s a good path to go down. Hopefully they put some more research into their existing products and make them better in the future. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@ElbowsTight]

@@RebelTech1990 very true! Keep making the great content buddy. 🙏🙌

[@ThePigeonStoop]

1: - Personally I will always vouch for an XLR dynamic setup over USB for recording/streaming. People watching this video probably already have this mic and want validation on their purchase, very fair. 2: - Your viewers will have to test these mics out personally because it depends on their voice first and always. I hated my voice on the SM7B and Blue Yeti but I love my voice on the Shure MV7X and the AT2020 (mid-forward sounding). Everyone's voices and ears are different. It doesn't mean it's the right choice for everyone looking at it. If we're talking budget it's great but I'd still opt for a Podmic/MV7X/AT2020/2040 solely from brand recognition and the warranty they cover on the devices. 3: - "Hands off the table!" Unfortunately the ZDM is very "Microphonic" it is absolutely terrible at rejecting handling noise (touching the table, hitting the boom arm, stand) and sound transmitted from the table up through from they keyboard to the stand is very harsh. 4: ZDM has a large diaphragm, while the Shure mv7x has a small one, small diaphragm condensers give you an uncolored, neutral, very detailed sound image, it picks up what you give it. Large diaphragm condensers are part microphone, part instrument. Their aim is to make the sound source appear bigger, more engaging, it's job is supposed to make your voice "sound like a recording" instead of simply a recording. The ZDM1 is cheaper yes, OBS can help make it sound "expensive" yes, with all the filters in the world as well as post editing and "supposedly" there is always a way to make a shitty mic or USB mic sound like a "Shure SM7B" (Looking at you sub $100 mics and Blue Yeti Tutorial clickbait videos).

[@RebelTech1990]

1-3 i'm totally with you. The forth point, i'm not sure about. I never heard of Dynamic mics being categorized into Small and Large diaphragm. Maybe they fluctuate in side but not enough to have a sub category. You see this distinction with condenser mics all the time. I did do some research and a breakdown of these two mics and they seem to have the same size Diaphragm size. As far as making mics sown alike, It is easier when streaming and throwing them on the internet. With the compression and loss of quality you can get a sub $100 mic to sound much more expensive. When it comes to VO work it is much harder. That being said within a mix some mics can his their flaws. I wanna throw the ZDM-1 on a snare and kick to see how they sound. Would love to discuss this further with you. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@ThePigeonStoop]

@@RebelTech1990 I've personally never tried instruments on mics, let alone the tactic itself. I don't play the drums anymore so I lack knowledge there. I personally wouldn't even be able to lie through my teeth and say "this mic is the shit for instruments, especially for acoustic guitar!" I have no clue! I do feel we will reach a point where companies will get closer and closer in quality while being competitive with prices. Meanwhile the professionals will probably build their own microphones in the future. Getting the capsules, handle, wiring, for those that wanna hear someone talk in "4K UltraHD Sound".

[@darrinsheppard3114]

ZDM-1 comes with the RodeCaster II and I needed know if I was going to be disappointed in the quality. But with yours and other reviews I have watched I am comfortable with the mic being good enough (especially since it comes with 4). That line you said in the beginning about if you are just wanting a good quality podcast mic and not taking it too seriously get the ZDM-1.

[@RebelTech1990]

It’s a good starter mic and you can always upgrade later. Best of luck with the project! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@itscarlosreally]

Here we gooooo! Also, I do appreciate you giving us our own clique, man. Even though in my case, the passion is mostly in jest, and I don't even own a ZDM-1. Hahaha! Though, we can never tell in the future... But still, though I may be a RODE Warrior by ownership... #ZDM1MobRepresent

[@RebelTech1990]

I like that, name, for the Rode mic groupies lol thanks for checking out the video buddy!

[@corymacdougall3469]

I knew you would come over to the Zoom side Luke! ( in my best Darth Vader voice).

[@RebelTech1990]

I wouldn’t say I’m in the ZDM-1 Mob, but I am a friendly associate. Bonus points for the Star Wars reference. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@marlonwallace9087]

I can't care less about how it's built. I dont want a mic so I can play soccer with. The sound is what matters. The Zoom sounds great!!

[@RebelTech1990]

Thank you for checking out the videos!

[@KSmedia13]

Both sound good as long as you don't handle the mic.

[@RebelTech1990]

That has been the case while using most "budget" mics. To be honest it would make more sense for the companies to boost the price a little bit and have better noise rejection. That being said most people don't care about that part and they just want the sound to be good. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@KSmedia13]

@@RebelTech1990 price is king. Most people probably only touch their mics a couple of times a show

[@outdoorsandmoreland343]

What shock mount is that

[@johnheiser2604]

You struggled with this, I can see. You chose the ZDM-1 for very valid reasons as you explained. No need for any apologies.

[@RebelTech1990]

It was really tough, but this wasn’t the first time I chose the ZDM-1. It won in the PodMic head to head. Then I gave it a hard time in the budget broadcast battle. I’m very hot and cold with the ZDM-1. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@hsjawanda]

Is it just me or is the Shure MV7X much more susceptible to plosives than the ZDM-1?

[@deolludhianvi]

Good morning, sir. I want to record my written poetry professionally. Please let me know what audio interface and microphone are best for me ? My room is not soundproof, and my budget is $300. I have already chosen the audio interface . Audient id4 mkII Microphone - ?

[@RebelTech1990]

What’s your budget for just the microphone?

[@deolludhianvi]

@@RebelTech1990 150 Dollar

[@RebelTech1990]

What kind of tone are you looking for?

[@bsanb69]

forgive me but can the microphone be used on the traditional articulated arm?

[@RebelTech1990]

Both of these will be fine on most boom arms. The Blue Compass is my choice for a “over the top” boom arm

[@overdaedgebroadcasting2220]

The shure sounds like crap with all those plosives, Zoom ZDM-1 smokes it by far.