By Gil Seda
When I started streaming on Twitch, I ensured I had the proper equipment I needed to broadcast (capture card, Camera, PC, etc.). The first microphone I bought was the Blue Yeti, a well-known USB condenser microphone for beginner streamers. In the beginning, everything worked great with the microphone, but sadly after Logitech acquired Blue, getting the Yeti tuned to the perfect sound was becoming difficult for me, even with the experience in audio production I have. I decided I should go to the things I have more experience in; XLR Microphones. I began researching my next microphone with the help of other streamers and references I found on the internet. My goal was to find a great beginner dynamic XLR Microphone, and that microphone is the Rode PodMic.
The Rode PodMic is a Dynamic XLR Microphone designed by Rode, an Australian-based audio technology company with a heavy presence in the United States. The PodMic was unveiled in 2018 and has received many positive reviews for its high audio quality at a low price. The microphone has a cardioid polar pattern, focusing on the person speaking into the mic and blocking the surrounding sound. The microphone also has a built-in pop filter, making there no need for an external pop filter. The PodMic brings broadcast-grade audio into podcasting, live streaming, and recording. The black metal design of the PodMic guarantees the microphone will last for a long time (Note: the only pieces that are plastic on the microphones are the knobs on the sides that lock the swing mount and mic in place).
It’s been over three weeks since I installed the Rode PodMic, and without a doubt, I was surprised. After installing it to my GoXLR Mini and doing some tuning, I was shocked to get this microphone sounding as if I was using a Shure SM7B (I don’t own one, but I used one during my college years for recording). The microphone has blocked surrounding sound from my streams (I have two nieces playing in the room above my studio, so that should give a reference on how much noise is above me). Even though I have plenty of positives on the PodMic, one negative still bothers me, and I bet it bothers others who use the mic for podcasting. When I opened the box the microphone came in, there was no plastic cover the mic was enclosed in or a travel bag. The microphone didn’t even come with a carrying bag, which can irritate those who podcast and travel around doing episodes. Yes, the mic is all-metal, but you’d want a new-looking mic on camera compared to a mic with scratches all over it. The PodMic should have a carry bag to protect the mic during traveling.
The Rode PodMic has opened the door to affordable Broadcast-grade audio to enter the Podcasting/Livestream world. Besides the mic not coming with a carrying case, its performance and affordability make me highly recommend this mic to incoming podcasters and streamers looking for their first XLR microphone. The Rode PodMic costs USD 99.99 (the same price as a Blue Yeti) on Rode’s website and other electronic retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, etc.).