Røde PodMic USB Microphone Review (VS Original Røde PodMic)

The Røde PodMic USB Microphone is a hybrid XLR and USB mic! Back in 2019, I reviewed the original Rode Podmic, and I really enjoyed it... However, as more mics came out, I started to not like it nearly as much. So I was a little on the fence about whether or not the Rode PodMic USB would be a mic I would like. Let me just say I was surprised...
In this review, I put the original Rode PodMic VS the New Rode PodMic USB. Anyone who is interested in that might also be interested in a much bigger comparison that I will link here when it is read:
Rode PodMic Comparison Link: • Røde PodMic USB HUGE C...
Check out the testing and audio samples and see if this is right for you! Every person has different expectations of audio gear. If the features are what you need, and you like the sound, then it is right for you!
Thanks for watching the Audio Hotline! I'll see you Audio Nerds next time!
======PRODUCTS IN REVIEW======
*Affiliate Links Below*
Røde Podmic USB Links:
Amazon or B&H:geni.us/Rhgl
Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/oqnKOn
Rode Podmic:
Amazon, B&H, Adorama: geni.us/podmic_ah
Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/jrRWgb
If there is something else that you want to buy, but would like to help me out by clicking an affiliate link... Here are some storewide affiliate links!
Amazon: amzn.to/3pD2BlK
B&H: bhpho.to/386jhd5
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/kjqd6v
==================
=========TIMESTAMPS==========
Hello PodMic USB! PodMic History (USB): 0:00 - 1:05
Røde PodMic Vs PodMix USB: 1:05 - 2:30
PodMic USB Accessories and Build (USB): 2:30 - 3:26
Features of the PodMic USB: 3:26 - 4:01
Specs: 4:01 - 4:30
Testing (Distance, Proximity, Plosives, Polar Pattern Tests | XLR): 4:30 - 6:09
KITTY PURR TEST! (XLR): 6:09 - 6:26
Windscreen Tone Test: 6:26 - 6:36
Female Voice Test (ft. My Awesome Wife! | USB): 6:36 - 7:00
Untreated Room Test (USB): 7:00 - 8:02
Guitar Tests (USB): 8:02 - 9:08
Opinion / Like and Dislikes of the PodMic USB: 9:08 - 11:30
Rodecaster Pro Settings for PodMic USB in Connect: 11:30 - 11:59
My Grade: 11:59 - 12:13
Thank you for watching!: 12:13 - 12:55
====================
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============AUDIO============
Hercules Mic Stand:
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Motu M2:
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Mogami XLR:
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B&H: bhpho.to/2NJ5tLi
Monoprice XLR (Cheaper XLR Alternative):
Amazon: amzn.to/2RJBwvp

[@tombuck]

Absolutely stellar review (and super fantastic guitaring too)! The PodMic USB is super solid, but there are SO many options out there in this price range that I'm really wondering where it will settle into people's workflows and preferences.

[@AudioHotline]

Thank you Tom!!! You’re right! A LOT of competition! When I was putting together a comparison I just kept adding more and more mics to the video… it got overwhelming 😆

[@Anaxdust]

Shure vs podmic?

[@BobBradford]

If @tombuck is saying it is a STELLAR review…Then you did good kid!!! Lol. Nice job!

[@_Jre1]

What do you prefer between the Samson Q9u or the Rode podmic usb

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

Does it make sense that Rode makes me feel safe?! Like being under the bed during a thunderstorm. Sort of, “I bought a Rode. So it’s probably good.” I like buying good things and hiding under beds

[@TransplantHelper]

Finally someone did a full review on this mic. Thank you I always enjoy your videos

[@bivs_setup]

Awesome review. Thank you for the level of insights into the PodMic USB

[@herminiaha5152]

Prof, sua aula foi top demais, sério! Curti pra caramba, você mandou muito bem! Valeu pelo rolê de conhecimento, foi show de bola, mano!

[@adrianomoreira1341]

Excellent, as always! It is really a great alternative to Mv7. By the way, I just noticed that you didn't review the Rode NT-USB+ (plus). It is fantastic and very different from the previous version. Congratulations and thank you!

[@milesian1]

Best kitty purr test EVER! All kidding aside, this was a great review. The updated Podmic is clearly a winner with the dual USB/XLR connectivity, improved styling with the cool windscreen, and better (IMHO) sound than the original. It's just jumping into a crowded price point at US$199. I have my forever mic (right now, haha) in the Electro-Voice RE320 and won't be tempted by this updated product, but I bet Røde will see healthy sales based on brand reputation and value in its company ecosphere.

[@TeshTube]

Nice review!

[@schnozfart]

was stuck between this, the q9u, and saving up a little more and getting the sm7b. Ended up getting the podmic usb and I dont know how I feel about it for my voice overall to be honest. The handling sound still bothers me a little but the processing really helps with making my voice sound better.

[@uncle-english]

For those who do not and will not own a Rodecaster Pro II or Rodecaster Duo, the DSP support of Rode PodMic USB is inviting. Yet if you already have that hardware mixer, the USB functionality seems redundant. Just like what Bronson says, there have been way too many competitions in this department. And the price tag of PodMic USB really makes a lot less inviting. Fantastic review as always, though...

[@akashgupta1198]

Hey, please list USB mics those are on BBSAR ratings 9 and 10.

[@vladimircerovic]

I liked the oral exciter! Great review

[@srdjan780]

Hey I find this rating style for mics interesting. Do you have a place, a sheet/site where you have all your mics, with their grades/ranks? Could be useful for people looking to buy.

[@marditoon1128]

Which is the best USB Mic out of Rodepod Mic USB vs Rode XCM 50 vs Sennheiser USB Profile Mic and have you done a comparison of all 3 anywhere? Thanks in advance

[@macgeraldbugay9647]

"we just eat this microphone and it's yum yum" had me died of laughter 😂

[@hackinghifi4247]

Nice work! Really disappointed they’re not selling that wind screen separately wanted that for my old podmic.

[@unbiasOrbit]

ikr.. let's see if any 3rd party starts making a replacement one for us to buy

[@hackinghifi4247]

@@unbiasOrbit surely they’ll sell it separately. Right? What if someone with the new unit ruins the one they have? Right now they’d have no way to replace it. Weird.

[@AudioHotline]

I wanted to bring attention to the fact that they weren’t going to sell it separately because I was hoping Rode would read comments like this and say “wait, maybe we should sell it separately.” I really hope they do. Keep commenting how much you want the windscreen everyone!!! 😆

[@unbiasOrbit]

@@AudioHotline If not Rode themselves, maybe some 3rd party non branded version of it xD.. But ofc it's better that Rode themselves sell them, I don't think it's a bad business decision, right?

[@unbiasOrbit]

@@hackinghifi4247 Hopefully they consider selling it separately!

[@janek9948]

Hi, is it possible to connect two of these via usb c and record two speakers on a computer?

[@OsiZ]

Is the sound better when you connect it to a Interface?

[@TheAlmightySushi]

I just wish they would let us buy the pop filter separately.

[@AudioHotline]

SAME!

[@pixelundspaetzle]

I just received mine today and the only thing that got me wondering ist the Gain on USB. I am not a very loud but also not quiet talker but from about 10 cm / 4 in away I have to boost the Gain all the way up to the max of 63

[@AudioHotline]

You do have to adjust your gain in Rode connect, something I mention in the comparison I am going to be putting out, I forgot to directly point it out here. I think rode just assumes people will use DSP anyway and that has to be adjusted in connect, so they will be using it anyway. If you go in there and turn the dB up, you should be able to fix that. Maybe you already did this, if you did turn the dB all the way up and it’s still too quiet, you could use the compressor to add some more gain.

[@pixelundspaetzle]

@Audio Hotline thanks for your quick answer. That is what I meant when I said I had to turn it all the way up to 63. BTW you can configure the DSP in Connect, Central and the new stream app Unity. But as I said, as a person who speaks at about an average loudness this seems a bit confusing needing all the gain. What do people do who speak quietly? Or maybe is there an issue with my unit? Of course using the compressor on top is a way to work around it but why? Maybe it's only me but I usually don't like the feeling maxing something out and having no headroom.

[@AudioHotline]

Okay, I am glad you knew how to change the gain, you’d be surprised by some of the very basic comments I get 😂 so I usually start there. I was at 47 dB my whole video and I was hitting -12dB on my meter in Logic Pro X when I tested it. Do you exclusively record in connect or unify? Or do you use a DAW? I wish they had an actual dB reading in one of their softwares. With an average voice, 63dB should be too hot. I know I would clip. There are some people with very soft voices but since that isn’t you, it does seem like something weird is happening with your particular mic. Sadly, I would probably reach out to Rode support.

[@NinoAmerica]

What I don’t like about the pod mic usb is it gets the whole room. I thought this mix would only capture what’s directly in front of it?

[@AudioHotline]

This has a cardioid polar pattern so it’s most sensitive in the front and least sensitive in the back. The sides are slightly more sensitive than the back. This mic rejects rooms pretty well. In my “untreated room test” it cut out most of the reverb in the big room. It definitely doesn’t grab the whole room though.

[@exMasterNQQB]

Hello. Thanks for the review. Can you tell me if the microphone can simultaneously output sound via USB and XLR ?

[@AudioHotline]

Sadly, you can’t. I talk a little bit about this at 10:04

[@NormIy]

what headphones where you wearing during the untreated room test?

[@honzakorec9013]

Good video i got really noisy keyboard just wonder if the mic block it off if the keyboard is behind or not. Im absolute dumb person when comes to audio or how to setup it thats why im asking

[@WonderReview]

Wow Super Nice!!

[@aarontsika1519]

Can you rig 4 of these to work simultaneously via usbc to phone or laptop?

[@myriadpro1641]

Perfect Video

[@TrueShayari]

Hi, Can I Record poetry on this microphone?

[@darioesquivel3871]

I believe you can !

[@henriquefc14]

Worth to use in Work calls? Id like a mic that supress keyboard sounds

[@AudioHotline]

I personally love taking calls with mics like this. So I think it is, but other people may think it’s overkill. This will definitely eliminate a lot of keyboard noise and desk noise, but it also has to do with mic placement. Directly behind this mic rejects sound the best since it has a cardioid polar pattern, so if you have this somewhat close to your mouth with the back aimed toward your keyboard, it will do a good job at rejecting clicks. Even if it is to the side a little bit it will still perform well, but ideally the back would be aimed toward whatever you want to reject sound from.

[@tundranocaps]

I just linked someone to your USB review playlist, but this review, XDM-100, and many others are missing from it. Would suggest updating the playlists...?

[@AudioHotline]

Yeah I forget those are a thing, I’ll get on that. Thank you!

[@dezfyah]

Can you use both USB-C to the computer and XLR to another device at the same time? I'm doing Zoom from my laptop and also recording to my phone with iRig 2.

[@AudioHotline]

I have heard some reviewers claim this, but no, sadly you can’t use both usb and XLR at the same time. As soon as you plug the USB cable into the mic the XLR port won’t produce sound. Maybe a firmware update could add this functionality in the future… I kind of doubt it though.

[@arturasnesakysiu6025]

Currently I have Motu M2 audio interface, I have Samson Q2U as my mic and Beyerdynamic DT770 for my ears. I was wondering, what would be the best, worth the money upgrade for my microphone

[@Gibbz17]

Rode Podmic is honestly really good, I sold my Shure MV7x to rock the Podmic full time

[@marcosboav]

@@Gibbz17 i'm here debating if i buy the MV7 or the PodMic. What made you go PodMic intead of the MV7X?

[@Gibbz17]

@@marcosboav I think the sound quality is damn good, I purchased a foam windscreen to go over it and have no issues with plosives. Really heavy mic too, good quality and for $100. They’re also making a USB/XLR version that has a custom cover that looks badass.

[@catalin0504]

It is hard for me to decide whether or not getting the XLR or the USB, since I don't own an interface and realistically the price with the interface and popfilter add up the the usb anyway.

[@milesian1]

Bronson, did you take the product shot shown during your wife’s voice test? Also sweet focus pull between mics at the intro!

[@AudioHotline]

Yes, I did take that! And thank you!!!

[@truthunleashed5250]

Do you have a USB C SETUP for sound? I have only found videos where they only use XLR audio interface setups ect. What is the difference? Any help would be appreciated, cheers.

[@AudioHotline]

I was using USB exclusively in this until about 4:31. Then some tests I used USB as well. To me, there isn’t much of a sound difference between the usb and XLR version of this mic… especially if you are planning on using it with DSP (usb) or a Rodecaster (XLR). Maybe you weren’t talking about sound difference though… In that case: the main difference between XLR and USB with this mic is that you can plug the usb cable from the mic directly into your computer. With XLR you would need to plug the mic into an audio interface, then you would connect the interface to your computer. There are advantages and disadvantages to USB and XLR, and this reply could get very long if I went through all of them 😂 but to sum up my recommendation, for most beginners who are recording spoken word/KZbin/podcasting I would recommend using usb for a little while, get used to the recording process then move on to XLR if you end up really enjoying audio and the idea of improving your audio quality.

[@truthunleashed5250]

@@AudioHotline wow thank you very much, I will take your advice and use the USB for now then move onto the XLR if needed. Thank you very much for your time, all the best, have great day......

[@BibleVersionConspiracy]

I'm mostly concerned about the background noise isolation compared to the Samson Q2U. Noisy kids in the next room over. How do they compare in this regard? Is it worth the upgrade?

[@AudioHotline]

Hey! The Podmic USB will be on par with the Q2U when it comes to rejecting off axis sound. On top of that, the Podmic usb does have DSP so you can download Rode Connect and enable the noise Gate and then It will perform even better than the Q2U! If you dial in the setting correctly for the noise gate it works really well. It has gotten way better in recent firmware updates!

[@BibleVersionConspiracy]

@@AudioHotline Sounds like it may be worth a shot. Thanks 😁

[@chrisdorsch9754]

Great review. Like you presentations better when you don't curse.

[@ObscureTech]

Well HELLO Mrs Hotline!

[@thehohoshow1]

great review. totally bummed they won't sell the windscreen by itself... that sucks for ALL the people that hate the clown nose and have a podmic

[@iainmcaleese5468]

Right, you have a beautiful cat, so I’m sold now 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☮️

[@ladysheikahlag9939]

In your opinion which one sounds better mv7 or podmic usb I bought an mv7 and maybe I still have time to return it 

[@AudioHotline]

I’d rather have the PodMic USB

[@AudioHotline]

I am going to be putting out a comparison that has the mv7 in it. If you want to email me at [e-mail], I can send you a sample of the two against each other before I put the video out and you can decide which one you like.

[@ladysheikahlag9939]

thanks I'll do it

[@saintwolfcrypto]

Sounds cold and clinical - reminds of Audio Technica studio condenser mics - especially for the music a warmer mic would sound better A very nice looking mic tho

[@keithcihansaracoglu]

Hey can someone please help me I'm about the freak out... I've got this podmic but usb port has broken, so I ordered XLR to USB cable but PC won't see or any lights are coming on! How do I solve this issue?

[@AudioHotline]

Those XLR to USB cables are awful… rode has a pretty great warranty on their products, have you talked to them about your USB-C breaking?

[@DJElectraFry]

Awwwwww kitty purr test!

[@tundranocaps]

I have a problem with my "Ess," so I hope you'll have more stuff with your wife, as her S is quite sharp as well, so it helps me tell which microphone is good for me, or not. Which microphones are good for your wife's Ess? I have a boomy male voice and a bad ess, which makes for a bad combo.

[@fangsoffuego]

I've got a similar situation, my sibilance is bad and the lower middle part of my voice sounds very muddy and nasally, to my ears my rode nt1 4th & 5th gen thru the motu m2 sound better on my voice than my audio technica 2035

[@KryptonicHD]

I've had soo many microphones that someone might think I owned a small production company. I love buying high end and low end microphones and I really can't see this microphone doing great in this new market we're in. Right now the market sweet spot is anything under 100$. Once you take that step over 100$ things have gotten so good that it's really hard to choose a microphone. Once again this just means the Rode Podmic USB feels out of place because well, there are other greater and cheaper options. I honestly prefer the look of the XLR variant because it stood out a bit more!

[@KryptonicHD]

Out of all the microphones I've owned, I ended up on the Samson Q2U again! Hahahah who would've thought that even with all these new microphones I still can't let go of the Q2U. I just like the idea of a plug n play microphone that sounds good and doesn't require an audio interface to do so. I have my Wave 3 bagged up somewhere in my closet!

[@joesphdattalo8199]

💪💪💪

[@enriquekahn9405]

Never liked the OG podmic, even when it was the cool new thing. It has a very grating quality to my ear. USB podmic is... better but it's also entering a much more crowded field. I think there's better for less tbh. Your wife sounds nice btw.

[@AudioHotline]

I definitely do think there is absolutely a line with microphones and audio gear between need and want. I feel like this leans toward want. You get all the bells and whistles with this, the stylish windscreen, USB/XLR, DSP, access to an app that records/mixes/ and allows virtual channels. A lot of people don’t NEED these things, but want them haha. Right now, no one really does those extra sexy accessories and features quite like rode 😂.

[@uguronlineShorts]

RODE PODMİC RODE XDM100 ?

[@thilogrimm7109]

It still appears to be 50-75 dollars overpriced. The Shure MV7 has been 3 years on the market and thus you a competitor needs to be massively below that MSRP.

[@KozyKubGam3r]

lmao 😂 pickled pennutsus .. some people like to eat the microphone. Love the cat test too! I love the sound. Thanks for doing the female voice test!

[@Danny-Lightning--Audio-Tech]

I don't know how I got in this video I was trying to leave a comment on another video and this one started playing right when I hit send and then it comment on it lol, I think The pawn mic is pretty good though, 99 bucks ain't too bad really

[@Pumpyaa]

You get an usb version of the mic and test it xlr, wtf?!

[@AudioHotline]

Anytime there is a purple cable coming out of the back, I am using XLR. I would say i actually use XLR most of this video, just not in the intro and a couple tests.

[@Pumpyaa]

@@AudioHotline that’s exactly what i mean, why test a new version with xlr when the new feature added to the thing is the usb? I mean most of the people are interested how usb version it is, we know already how the xlr version sounds for so long ago. We know you have a xlr setup, no need to show it up again and again, you don’t feel me never mind mate

[@Pumpyaa]

@@AudioHotlinebro what i mean, we know the xlr version for many years, they now added the usb to the same microphone, so show us how it sounds with the fkg usb mate, why would someone pay 150£ extra for the usb if they are interested in xlr, just use your brain, this is just another totally useless review/work as most on this internet

[@AudioHotline]

@@Pumpyaa the new XLR version doesn’t sound the same to the old one, so what you are saying is completely irrelevant. There are not separate capsules for USB and XLR, the DAC can come a little sound difference but I display more than enough for you to make a judgement.

[@AudioHotline]

I was mistaken, I used USB more, I am tired lol. Here are the notes I had for this video. I am usually pretty good about being thorough and that’s why I take comments like this to offense… I spend a lot of time on this. USB: 0:00-4:30 6:36 -8:02 8:25-9:08 4 minutes 30 seconds 1 min 26 seconds 43 sec Total: 7:39 USB sections: - Intro - PodMic vs PodMic OG - Untreated room test - Female voice test - Guitar tests - Post processing test ======= XLR Sections: 4:30 - 6:36 8:02-8:25 9:08 - 12:55 Total time: 5 minutes 16 seconds 2 minutes and 6 seconds 23 seconds 3 minutes 47 seconds - General tests (plosive, proximity, distance) - Kitty purr test - Outro Here is the thing dude: The OG PodMic and PodMic USB do not sound the same. The XLR sound is not the same, so I have to test it all. Rode came out saying “same great PodMic sound” but they have since somewhat back tracked on that.

[@Cooladj]

Still 50 dollar over priced