Rode PodMic USB Microphone Review: A Jack of All Trades, But Not Quite the Master

Rode PodMic USB: One Minute Review

You can see the reasoning here: Rode’s XLR-based PodMic has been a mainstay of spoken-word recording for half a decade, offering incredibly value-for-money streaming microphones for under $100/£100. But not everyone has an audio interface that supports XLR inputs, especially those who have their eye on budget setups and might be interested in the PodMic. So why not release a model with a USB-C input?

On paper, this sounds great. It means you can plug the PodMic USB directly into your PC or Mac and just start recording into your DAW. No fuss, no extra audio interface costs. And don’t get me wrong, the setup here is really that plain.

It sounds pretty good out of the box, through both types of connections. The sound signature seems to favor the mids more than the highs, and while I personally prefer a more whispery, crisp high for spoken-word recordings, it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Less subjective, however, is the issue of price. Producing a dual-connection USB microphone has pushed the price up to $199.99/£199.99, more than double the price of the original XLR-only PodMic. And that’s a problem, because one of the main reasons everyone loved the PodMic was its price, and how well it compared to rival mics in the same price range.

There’s a downside to that statement, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy its considerable benefits if you buy it. The build quality is absolutely fantastic, typical of a studio as experienced as Rode, and the microphone monitoring input is a great feature. The addition of a stand would have sweetened the deal a bit, and considering the price, it’s disappointing that the mic can’t be used to record USB and XLR tracks simultaneously.

Rode PodMic USB: Price and Availability

• List Price: $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329.99
• Double the price of the XLR-only model
• Strong competition like Shure MV7 in this price range

The price is the only major drawback to the PodMic USB, but it’s a significant one. The $200/£200 retail price means it competes with spoken word microphones like the Shure MV7, and it doesn’t offer a standout feature or noticeably better sound quality to sway you away from the latter. The fact that the extra expense comes from an extra type of connection that can’t record in series means it’s unlikely most users will feel there’s any real added value here.

Rode PodMic USB: Specifications

Rode PodMic USB: Design and Features

• Professional, elegant look
• Simple setup
• Direct microphone monitoring input

One of the best things about this microphone is its look and feel. You get the feeling that you’re holding studio gear as soon as you take the capsule out of the packaging and feel its 1.9lb/900g weight. While this may not be ideal for travel, it certainly conveys a solid, high-quality build that remains consistent with deeper examination.

Sliding the rubber cover aside to expose the XLR connector is like opening a briefcase. Pulp Fictionso pristine and shiny are the pins and covers. And while some mics in this space are more clearly aimed at streamers, adding RGB lighting, the Rode maintains a refined, professional studio-gear aesthetic.

The included pop shield fits snugly over the capsule and does its job well. If you’re thinking of using this as an instrument mic, it’s best to apply it without the shield, and it’s nice to see that the microphone’s versatility comes from the simple attachment of a shield.

Instead of a cradle, the microphone capsule mounts directly to a boom or stand using a distinctive, sturdy, hinged metal mount. It’s simple to get the angle you need with this design, and while an included stand would certainly sweeten the deal at this high price, there’s no mistaking the way it attaches to a boom arm.

Setting up with a USB-C connection couldn’t be much simpler. You connect a cable directly from the USB-C connector on the base of the microphone to the USB-C port on your PC or Mac using the included cable. If you’re brief on USB-C connections on your motherboard, you can apply a USB-C to USB-A cable instead, but it’s not included with this microphone.

Via XLR it’s just a little more complicated, requiring an audio interface to convert that analog XLR input to a digital signal. Connecting this way means you forgo using Rode’s Unify, Connect and Central software programs for this mic, but if fidelity must be maintained at all costs, the option is there.

This model is particularly lithe on physical controls on the mic. A scroll wheel for mic monitoring gain is the only control here, which shouldn’t be a hindrance in most apply cases, but compared to the MV7’s gain/monitoring and mute sliders, it looks a little thin.

The mic monitoring sounds great though. It’s common for live mic monitoring signals to be heated and distort much more easily than the recording signal, but that’s not the case here – you get a usable, representative sound.

In terms of software, there are three different programs that you can apply specifically with the PodMic USB when connected via USB: Rode Central, Rode Connect, and Rode Unify. Central is the top-tier companion app that provides all the basic controls, while Connect and Unify act more like mixers. After my initial approach, I found myself not using either, preferring to just work in Ableton and add plugins to sculpt the sound. I can see the value in all three, but streamers, podcasters, and producers will likely have their preferred software without having to reach for all of them.

Rode PodMic USB: Performance

• Warm, full and slightly medium concentrated
• Decent guitar amp recording
• Copes well with ambient noise and impacts

Rode’s name is revered in professional audio, so the fundamental sound of this microphone would never be questioned. Since the original PodMic had been around for over five years, it’s a known quantity in terms of sound quality.

Sound quality, however, is a combination of science and perception. There are specs involved, like the 48kHz sample rate over USB-C, that can’t be argued with, but there’s also the way the sound reproduction hits your ear. I found the PodMic USB to be a bit lacking in the sparkle I expect from a vocal mic, at least out of the box.

With a bit of EQ and a low-cut filter, I can dial in that whispery, grainy high end that makes podcasts, streams, and voiceovers sound sparkling and broadcast-worthy, so it’s not that the mic lacks fidelity. Quite the opposite. It captures a lot of warmth and detail from the vocal source. It’s just that its natural tuning seems to emphasize the mids more than I’m used to, so I’m tempted to dial it down to DAW level. That’s true when I connect via XLR or USB-C.

It’s the same distinctive sonic story when you put this mic in front of a guitar amp speaker, although I’ve found that medium-pressure works better in this scenario. It’s particularly well-suited to my sealed Mesa 2X12 cabinet—it seems to reproduce that tight, parched sound particularly well.

A decade ago, recording vocals and instruments in this quality for $200/$200 – via USB, no less – would have been the stuff of dreams. How far we’ve come…

In a less studio-like environment, like Discord or Twitch streaming, where mechanical keyboards clatter and desk bangs are common, the PodMic USB handles audio interference well. Its cardioid polar pattern reduces keyboard noise when placed with the keyboard behind it, and it does a great job of dampening impacts thanks to the included shock mount.

Should I buy the Rode Podmic USB?

Buy if…

Don’t buy if…

You should also take into account…

Still not entirely sold on the Rode PodMic USB? Here are two other powerful gaming mics to consider.

How I Tested the Rode PodMic USB

• Two weeks of professional and personal apply
• Used for in-game communication, Discord chat, and as an instrument microphone
• Both inputs tested

The PodMic was my daily driver for online gaming, Discord chats, and YouTube voiceovers for two weeks straight. I also set it up on a stand in front of my guitar amp’s speaker cone and recorded some instrument audio. For both vocal and instrumental recordings, I fed the XLR signal through a Focusrite audio interface into Ableton.

Learn more about how we test

First update: August 2024