Time Markers: 0:00 - PodMic Overview 0:49 - Weight Comparison 1:55 - SM7B Overview 2:45 - Rodecaster Pro Settings 3:21 - Direct Mic Comparison 4:21 - SM7B Reputation vs. PodMic Reputation 4:49 - How the PodMic Beats the SM7B 6:25 - Directional Sound Pickup Comparison 7:52 - Why Compare These Two? 8:10 - You Don't Need Any of This 9:00 - My Rodecaster Pro Review
The Enthusiasm Project Does the Podmic work with any audio interface or does it only work in conjunction with the Rodecaster?. I have Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 as my audio interface.
@@darrengiles maybe im a bit late but.. i just got my rode podmic and tested it with my focusrite scarlett 2nd gen. i have to say, its way to quiet! you need to buy something else to get some more gain. (i had my gain on maximum but still.. it was way to quiet!)
Hi Aaron - They sound great. No hollowness at all. I think the combination of the warmth of a dynamic mic with a little room liveliness makes for a very pleasing sound.
Got a stupid blue yeti sucks love Shure my whole life but if I'm dropping 6 bills on the RodeCaster be happy to save on the Mic. Great video exactly what I was looking at.
Rode sounds super nasal and ugly. Anyways this comparison isnt fair because both mics are processed, to be a fair comparison it should be directly into the interface. Even the SM7b sounds quite boomy on those settings.
I agree. It also seemed like the the Rode was producing a lot more volume variability for smaller distance/off-axis movements, whereas the Shure maintained a more consistent volume for minor movements as long as the mic was pointed in the general direction of your mouth. The Shure definitely looks more impressive, which helps to justify at least some of that price difference.
Am I the only one who actually prefers the Rode? I don't like about the Shure that It's presenting the lows that much in flat response mode. Maybe it's just because he used the thicker Windshield but so far I prefer the sound of the Rode PodMic.
Thanks for this comparison, Tom! I've noticed that the Podmic seems to be a bit more likely to capture plosives not just on your video though I'm sure that could be addressed with a pop filter. What an amazing option for $99.
Imagine how great it would sound if they would just let us EQ it with a decent parametric equalizer like in a digital soundboard. Especially paired with those great low noise pre-amps
The bass is more extended on the Shure but for podcasting the Rode may actually be better because its less muddy and there is plenty of clarity...Its worth noting that it could be better to do a direct comparison with the dynamic setting on both mics rather than the podmic input setting...there may be some EQ effect making the Rode sound more different....
and that's exactly why some mics boost higher frequencies... to improve clarity and cut out some of the muddiness you can actually get from an SM7B... many professional content creators with the SM7B actually boost the highs with EQ. Likewise, you can cut the highs on the Podmic with EQ and make it sound like an SM7B. There's a lot of flexibility with all of these mics.
the sm7b has a warmth and richness to it that'd be hard to add in post with another mic. You can always brighten it up a touch, plus the windscreen you got on reduces the HF a lot. Great value on the Rode though.
To me, it looks more like a mini RE20. I own both of these mics- I do lots of my own VO for my videos. The 7b is still my go-to, but I think I want to get either a couple more podmics or Beta 57 mics.
"You really don't need any of this stuff to start a podcast" Me. An audio engineer who mixes professional(studio) podcasts and ones done on anchor: ......you do. You don't, but you do. Just know that ear fatigue is a thing, people. Yes, create. I encourage that, but invest. Please. I've gotten handed so many great and funny podcasts that sound like they're recorded in a moving car. Quality is subjective, yes, but good quality is preferred by all. Doesn't need to be great, but good will get the job done. 🤘🏼
Zeke Lopez hey Zeke do you not find that this rode podcaster recording device makes people sound flat ? I’m noticing it on every review specially when they get the boom mic sounding good and then switch to the rodecaster you really notice it
XV X I've mixed a few shows that record with this mic and it sounds pretty decent. For $99 we really can't complain though. It gives me much more to work with rather than an iq7 or iRig cast. Lol. Unfortunately not everyone can afford a couple re20's running through a cloud lifter through a channel strip through an Apollo to a 2,200 macbook running the latest version of protools(insert DAW here). As long as people are creative I love it. I would just rather people invest in a decent mic and cables. Don't get me started on cables. 🙃🙃🙃
XV X idk how I completely misread your post. Lol. The recording device? Meh. It is what it is. These aren't gonna be the best preamps. Not expecting premium pres out of this thing. And I can't really judge based off of youtube compression. As great a podcaststage is even a lot of his tests sound the same. I like to try stuff out first hand before I jump to conclusion. My guess is you would probably have to do a lot of work in the daw after. But it's not fair for me to say though honestly. I'd say 90% of what I mix is done on some type of zoom device. H6 and down to tascam dp-24’s, booked studios, from there on it’s anchor podcasts with some type of low quality mic.
As an engineer myself I have to remind myself that I have a trained ear and the audience guaranteed doesn’t hear what I hear. I agree to just start creating content. A good quality mic is a bonus not a necessity. I ran an online radio station using $16 mics and no one knew the difference.
The thing I notice is the pod mic has great highs and mids comparatively but it seems WAY more sensitive to minor movements so just the little bit of head movement was having a pretty big impact on volume compared the SM7B. Still, sounds like a great mic
I love my SM7B and do think there is a difference. Just much smoother and natural but the Podmic is great and IMO the best under $100 mic. I do plan on getting a couple to replace my guest mics that are vocal mics. Great comparison video!
What an amazing value for the Rode mic! But the Shure... there is a reason it is legendary, almost impossible to match, and it is one of the world's best Singing/Studio mics as well. Great video!
Mic selection also has so much to do with voice. I think the SM7B is a greta all around mic, but it might not be the best choice for each individual voice.
I’m very impressed with the quality of the PodMic. I have the SM7B and thought about comparing to the SM58. With that point, a comparison of the PodMic vs. SM58 would be interesting. I love the Rodecaster Pro. Worth every penny.
Yes! I actually wanted to bring in an SM58 for this video, but couldn’t get a hold of one in time. It’s a good comparison since they’re at the same price point. I’d lean towards the PodMic for podcasts, and the SM58 for versatility/travel.
The Enthusiasm Project yeah it would be very interesting and or even throwing in the SM57 instead. This creates a tempting proposition to trade in my SM7B and get multiple PodMics. Thanks for the reply.
The SM57 (SM58 is the same mic only housed for vocals instead of instruments) is a great all around mic and everyone should own at least one (or a T-Bone MB75 for a 1/3 the price). I've used the SM57, SM58, and SM7b a lot in musical applications as well as the SM7b at the radio station. They are worlds apart. The 57/58 is great for applications such as guitars, snare drums, live vocals, and things that use more mid range frequencies, but lacks the thickness of a 7b. The 7b is way better for voice reproduction and just has a great smoothness to it. With a good vocalist I barely have to eq their voice. This Rode PodMic seems like a great cheaper alternative to a SM7b.... which I've never been able to afford, but have always had access to from friends.
The Shure seems richer and warmer, and the PodMic seems more neutral. I would also be interested in hearing the difference between the PodMic and the Rode Procaster.
Dear, do we really need a RodeCaster Pro to record the voice from PodMic? I mean can I record my voice from PodMic directly into my PC without using RodeCaster Pro? Your reply would be appreciated.
@@asifjaved7672 you will need an audio interface. Using a xlr to 3.5mm cable will work but it won't give you a useable microphone. The gain will be super low meaning you will sound really quiet to your friends. They could boost you in discord or in game but its really not worth doing unless you're planning on getting an interface down the road. I'm assuming you're gonna use it for gaming.
The Podmic actually sounds clearer if you are listening with you phone speaker or a small blue tooth speaker. If you are in headphone land the shure has a richer tone but compared to the podmic sounds a little to covered. I use the shure in the studio and running through preamp’s and compressors is an incredible sounding mic. But it does need some TLC to make it sound as open and clean as the podmic...
This was very informative. Thank you for covering vocal quality with proximity to the mic. That’s exactly what I’ve been looking for! I film YT videos and want to upgrade to a Shure + Rodecaster Pro for voiceovers. For some videos, I’m moving around more and talking live while I paint. Do you think I could plug an XLR lav mic into the Rodecaster Pro for videos like that? I would love to have the versatility to use the shure or a lav, but not sure if voltage on a lav would be an issue. Thanks so much for this awesome comparison review!
Glad it helped! A lav mic will work fine, either into one of the XLR ports or the TRRS channel. I’ve used the Rode Wireless Go with it and gotten great results 👍
The SM7b has a nice low end but I dunno. I feel like there are a lot of purposes where you would want a neutral sound like the pod mic more. It has a nice full sound but the PodMic is so clear...
The SM7B sounds better, but the Podmic sounds pretty good. You could probably EQ the Rode to sound closer to the Shure, and I doubt anybody listening to a podcaster using the Rode Podmic would think that it sounded "bad". I never listen to a radio show or podcast and think: "OMG, this would sound SO much better if they were using XYZ brand/model microphone!". We only notice if a mic sounds harsh, tinny, or sibilant, or if it's muffled and dead-sounding, which the Rode is not. For a $300 savings, I wouldn't lay awake at night worrying about it.
With EQ and Compression you can make any mic sound better than another. For the podmic it sounds like the 400-800 hz range is pronounced so all you’d need to make it sound better would be to lower frequencies. That’s the tin can/nasally area and most cheap mics have that issue.
Not true in all cases. I've worked with the SM7B and I could not make it sound as good as the $700 mic that was used for another part of the song. SM7B sounded harsh in comparison up in the high frequencies.
The Shure sounds quite noticeably better to me. The Rode has boosted bass IMO that keeps popping up while the Shure is so smooth the entire way through
I really don’t hear a whole lot of difference in either mic. May be SM 7B has a slightly deeper tone and the pod mic is not as deep. But, for the price point, I don’t see any reason why the pod mic wouldn’t be a good choice! Also, as far as aesthetics are concerned, both mic’s have a very professional look but I like the pod mic’s design better.
I prefer the podmic based on the sound in this video. Using my studio monitors the sm7b sounds too muddy with low-mids. Podmic sounds clear and punchy.
3:24 It's interesting how there's no noise bleed through in this test. When I purchased my Rodecaster Pro last year, there was also almost no perceptible bleed through with the gate activated. Even in untreated rooms the preamp noise was barely noticeable. Now... for some reason... EVEN in a treated room there is horrible preamp noise. I've tried different cables/mics/settings on the Podcaster... there's still this super high noise floor. I wonder what happened. I get a cleaner sound on my $100 Komplete Audio interface than a frickin $600 "broadcast ready" mixer lol. If you check out the first podcast episode of "All Gas No Breaks" you actually hear the exact same thing happening on his Podcaster. Is it an issue with the hardware of software? 🤔
I'm listening to you through a pair of Sennheiser biamplified monitors(w/8" woofers). Here's what I can hear: Rode Microphone: Less sound level, but a nice flat wider response Shure SM7B: Higher sound level, but dominant mid-bass...almost at distortion level. I think you need to tune the SM7B, and then do another test.
@@tombuck ya your voice was waaaayyyyy boooming on the SM7B, maybe kill some of that low end if the Podcaster pro can mix Low Mid High levels or use the controls on the back of the SM7b
Great review, thanks. Not sure if the SM7B isn't the better mic for podcast purposes, but I'm 100% sure that it isn't 4x as good. I think the PodMic sounds great.
SM7B its one of the most over priced mics in this space, is it good, sure, is worth the required investment .... its a battle to justify the cost.... it rides too much on the legacy of the original SM7. Certainly interested to see how the Rode measures up in years to come as mentioned in your good objective comparison.
I own both of these. Fact is, it depends on your voice; some people using the SM7B will sound muffled/boomy/dead/tired *for their voice*. The extra liveliness in the PodMic can give those people a much more expensive sounding result without having to mess around with EQ to fix the problem. PodMic also rejects plosives very well. For some other people the PodMic can accentuate bright qualities in their voices where they want weight, and those people should consider an SM7B or at least some software EQ to tone down the high mids a bit. The idea that one microphone will sound good on everyone is a rookie mistake and nothing to do with price tag.
very good observation the higher-pitched voice would probably sound better on the sm7b but lower vocals will sound great on the podmic as it would give more details
SM7B has moe BODY to the sound. With that said, I actually have the PodMic and enjoy it but I can hear a difference for sure. Now, enough to pay 4X the price of the PodMic..not to me.
My wife and I started a podcast recently and I've been using a couple of video mics and the sound is good but if we continue to do it, I think I would get a couple of Podmics. Great vid again man.
After listening to the podmic reviews from some 10 different reviewers on my studio set up I would not buy them. The blue ember is the same price & sounds so much better. The podmic is flat & lifeless & weak. There are better mics out there!
Maradnus I have both, the ember and the podmic. Trust me, they’re made for different uses! Podmic (dynamic) vs ember (condenser). I used to use the ember for my podcast, and although it sounds amazing and more lively, the noise rejection was just not good! I got the podmic and problem solved. My podcasts are now way more quiet. My ember is now strictly used for recording my music.
Dear, do we really need a RodeCaster Pro to record the voice from PodMic? I mean can I record my voice from PodMic directly into my PC without using RodeCaster Pro? Your reply would be appreciated.
Shure sounds fuller and richer, but I’m not dropping $400 on a fucking xlr mic. Besides, mixing the podmic just right and adding a cheap pop filter makes it sound the exact same, if not better.
Look, those mics are fine and all, but I think it's much more important that you have a lot of Aquabats stuff on your walls. Clearly a man of refined tastes.
Would have been nicer if you had used exactly the same settings on both mics then maybe make adjustments after, so we could hear how they both sound with similar settings
Personally I feel the SHURE sounds more richer. The Rode is more crisper. Personally I'd go with richer. But at 4 times more + needing more hardware to run, I'm kind of inching toward Rode w/ Audient iD14 perhaps.
SM7B tears this thing apart. Although the Podmic holds it's weight for the price. IMO drop the extra $300 if you're a paid podcaster or artist. Hobbyists can get away with the Podmic
The two sound so different. Rode is badly prone to plosives up until unusable. 7B is 100% plosives proof. 7B sound si much warm and "radio like", when Rode mic is just a poor far away step cousin. If you cut lows to filter some plosives on Rode you end up sounding thin. Sorry, there is no competition. SM58 with some eq sounds better more close to 7B than Rode mic. Rode makes good things but this mic is not one of them. Maybe next time.
There's a difference, but it isn't worth the extra lol. Podmic sounds great already. I mean it is probably worth it for some high level stuff, but normal people its not worth the extra.
I have been in radio for over 15 years. We use the SM7B and I have to say, its hard to go to anything else. You get so used to how your voice sounds on air and when its not the same it just doesnt feel right. lol
Since the SM7B is a dynamic mic you really should have used a cloudlifter or fethead. Even still, the PodMic sounded good but the SM7B sounded better. I don't think you can go wrong going with the PodMic based on the price, if you want the best sound and don't mind spending more the SM7B is your best bet.
For the price, I do like the sound of the Rode PodMic. I have used the Shure SM7B for decades for broadcast radio and I LOVE IT w/my voice. FUN and raw comparison vid!! #thanks! :)
Sorry to belabor a point, but in that video at 12:50 he says " right out of the box the Rode pod mic is not as good as the Sure SM7B. The Pod Mic sounds great and it will be the next mic I buy for guests to use, but I too will stick to my Sure SM7B.
I have 4 PodMics going into a RØDEcaster for our podcast. I love the sound of it, but probably the next stage for us would be room treatment. We could never have afforded to buy 4 SM7Bs, so the Podmics were a great choice. Listeners commented positively on the change in sound quality.
buy 4 of this and you're good to go!! www.woodbrass.com/es-es/accesorios-home-estudio-pantallas-acusticas-dap-audio-studio-eyeball-p256945-af1254.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwybD0BRDyARIsACyS8msrbpJafnO3CVnmk6PTgVfWxod6zFKRKm_ov-SOb-OUZUr1rGBT18oaAsoAEALw_wcB
Just watching the whole playlist! Just found you today searching for the rodecaster pro. You Sir, are doing a fantastic job! So easy to listen to and so informative.
I honestly don’t know for sure. All my headphones are TRS. I can connect my TS guitar cable to a headphone output and get a signal in the guitar amp, but it doesn’t sound great.
It isn’t easy to equalize it. You either have to buy additional more expensive equipment to modify the sound. Or you have to equalize it in post-processing. Post-processing means you have to do additional work. Out of the box, the SM7B is just better without having to do any work. The PocMic thus requires more money for more equipment to sound good or it takes more of your money by the time you have to spend post-processing the sound. Time is money.
Yeah, you can see the capsule inside and realize it's basically an SM57 inside a cage designed to keep peoples mouths a certain distance from the capsule in order to cut back on plosives. A big windscreen on a $100 SM57, maybe some EQ, add a shock mount (the 7B has one built in) and you have pretty much the same thing.
Direct into the Rode. It would benefit from a Cloud Lifter, but I don’t want to incorporate one into my workflow, so I decided to run the comparison without it.
Dear, do we really need a RodeCaster Pro to record the voice from PodMic? I mean can I record my voice from PodMic directly into my PC without using RodeCaster Pro? Your reply would be appreciated.
Great Review. I really like the way you shifted from one mic to the other. By the time you were done there was no doubt as to how the mics compared to each other. And honestly I think if the SM7b didn't have the reputation it has, most people would say the Podmic sounded better.
I hear a huge difference. To me the Rode is a lot more thin and almost nasally (is that a word 🤔). Depends on what you think sounds good, but to me I love the sound of the SM7B. I hate the price though smh. Decisions decisions. P.S. Always enjoy your vids.
Thanks! I pretty much agree with you. I like the sound of the Shure more, but I don’t like the price. For $100, I’m happy to play with an equalizer a little bit if I need to.
@@tombuck Yeah. $400 is hard to swallow. Especially if you need more than one. Then again, I paid over a grand for my Neumann TLM 103, so? The way I look at it is, if you are going to use it all the time and for years and years, it pays for itself.
They both sound amazing, the Shure does have a lot richer bass to it though. I think I'll definitely be getting the PodMic. It will replace my Samson Meteor USB Mic which was $50 and I bought it like 6 years ago.
@@tombuck Awesome! I just ordered this along with the RODE PSA-1 Boom arm, and Behringer UMC22 Audio Interface and an XLR cable, and they will be here in 5 days. Thank for this review, you just earned another sub! :)
Time Markers:
0:00 - PodMic Overview
0:49 - Weight Comparison
1:55 - SM7B Overview
2:45 - Rodecaster Pro Settings
3:21 - Direct Mic Comparison
4:21 - SM7B Reputation vs. PodMic Reputation
4:49 - How the PodMic Beats the SM7B
6:25 - Directional Sound Pickup Comparison
7:52 - Why Compare These Two?
8:10 - You Don't Need Any of This
9:00 - My Rodecaster Pro Review
The Enthusiasm Project
Does the Podmic work with any audio interface or does it only work in conjunction with the Rodecaster?. I have Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 as my audio interface.
It's an XLR mic, so it should work with any XLR mixer (sorry for the late reply, I missed your comment!)
@@darrengiles maybe im a bit late but.. i just got my rode podmic and tested it with my focusrite scarlett 2nd gen.
i have to say, its way to quiet!
you need to buy something else to get some more gain. (i had my gain on maximum but still.. it was way to quiet!)
Hi Aaron - They sound great. No hollowness at all. I think the combination of the warmth of a dynamic mic with a little room liveliness makes for a very pleasing sound.
@@darrengiles cccvvcvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvcccvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvjkiibkgfffgfffkjkjjkjfmfmffmjfvvvvvvcvvvvvmkffgfjfkgkjjkjikkkkkkkkkkkkkkkiiioo9ooiitrddssdsxcxxxsvvvvvvfgffkkeerrrrfffffffffffffggffhffffffgfffgfffffffffffffggggggfgffffffffffffffffffffgffffgfffffgfgfffgfgffffgffffffffffffffffffgffgfffggfffggfffgffggggghhdggghghggfgffhgfghfgffgffffggfhgfffkffffkffkffkfhfkdkffkfdfffkdfkdfgdkfdkffdkdffkfffffffffffffgggfffgffddddffgdgdgfgfffgfffddfffffddgffffffffgfgfffffffgfffgffffffffgdfgffffvffdffgfkjkhffkkkkoiilooooiikkkfdvcçcvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvcvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvbvvvvvvvvcccccvvvvvvvvbvvfkhkkkkkkfkfhkkkkkhgggggggggk
For my ear the Shure SM7B sounds much better ... but not "4-times-the-price" better.
Got a stupid blue yeti sucks love Shure my whole life but if I'm dropping 6 bills on the RodeCaster be happy to save on the Mic.
Great video exactly what I was looking at.
Rode sounds super nasal and ugly. Anyways this comparison isnt fair because both mics are processed, to be a fair comparison it should be directly into the interface. Even the SM7b sounds quite boomy on those settings.
I think the same
I agree. It also seemed like the the Rode was producing a lot more volume variability for smaller distance/off-axis movements, whereas the Shure maintained a more consistent volume for minor movements as long as the mic was pointed in the general direction of your mouth. The Shure definitely looks more impressive, which helps to justify at least some of that price difference.
If your goal is to make money from your voice, then it's probably '4x the price' better.
I agree with the advice on "just jump in and make it" people need to take more action than to procrastinate and make excuses.
You can’t get better until you get started 👍
Am I the only one who actually prefers the Rode? I don't like about the Shure that It's presenting the lows that much in flat response mode. Maybe it's just because he used the thicker Windshield but so far I prefer the sound of the Rode PodMic.
Interrupters shirt. Awesome. My band “the prevalent” played with them a couple years ago. I’m also a drummer.
The VideoMic Pro+ sounded better than both...?
Thanks for this comparison, Tom! I've noticed that the Podmic seems to be a bit more likely to capture plosives not just on your video though I'm sure that could be addressed with a pop filter. What an amazing option for $99.
Definitely a great mic!
hi
Imagine how great it would sound if they would just let us EQ it with a decent parametric equalizer like in a digital soundboard. Especially paired with those great low noise pre-amps
Just put him on a side a bit, don't let the air from your mouth to shot him directly and you will get rid of plosives.
The Shure mic sounds full. While the Rode mic sounds just tad bit flatter. Both great mics but I can definitely hear a difference.
Very flat.
Be better off getting the audio technica if you go cheap.
my wallet can hear that difference too
@@noirxplorer3185 which audio technica mic
@@noirxplorer3185 cap
That PodMic is really lovely sounding wow
I know, I’m really impressed by it! Especially for the price.
(Love your channel, by the way!)
No, sounds thinner and boxy.
The Podmic sounds pretty good. But the SM7B sounds much better. But it definitely has potential and is a great mic for someone starting out.
@@ncfinest25285 the pod mic is $300 cheaper tho
@@FRANANGELICOONA I mean does it sound 300 dollar better though? there's nothing that some sound tweaking can't be fixed with.
The bass is more extended on the Shure but for podcasting the Rode may actually be better because its less muddy and there is plenty of clarity...Its worth noting that it could be better to do a direct comparison with the dynamic setting on both mics rather than the podmic input setting...there may be some EQ effect making the Rode sound more different....
and that's exactly why some mics boost higher frequencies... to improve clarity and cut out some of the muddiness you can actually get from an SM7B... many professional content creators with the SM7B actually boost the highs with EQ. Likewise, you can cut the highs on the Podmic with EQ and make it sound like an SM7B. There's a lot of flexibility with all of these mics.
the sm7b has a warmth and richness to it that'd be hard to add in post with another mic. You can always brighten it up a touch, plus the windscreen you got on reduces the HF a lot. Great value on the Rode though.
"They wanted to make a mini sm7b"
It clearly looks like the Procasters baby brother what you talkin' bout!
True 🤔
Yes skin but stil sm7b influense is clear
To me, it looks more like a mini RE20. I own both of these mics- I do lots of my own VO for my videos. The 7b is still my go-to, but I think I want to get either a couple more podmics or Beta 57 mics.
I agree to that!
"You really don't need any of this stuff to start a podcast"
Me. An audio engineer who mixes professional(studio) podcasts and ones done on anchor: ......you do. You don't, but you do. Just know that ear fatigue is a thing, people. Yes, create. I encourage that, but invest. Please. I've gotten handed so many great and funny podcasts that sound like they're recorded in a moving car. Quality is subjective, yes, but good quality is preferred by all. Doesn't need to be great, but good will get the job done. 🤘🏼
This is probably some of the best advice out there.
Zeke Lopez hey Zeke do you not find that this rode podcaster recording device makes people sound flat ? I’m noticing it on every review specially when they get the boom mic sounding good and then switch to the rodecaster you really notice it
XV X I've mixed a few shows that record with this mic and it sounds pretty decent. For $99 we really can't complain though. It gives me much more to work with rather than an iq7 or iRig cast. Lol. Unfortunately not everyone can afford a couple re20's running through a cloud lifter through a channel strip through an Apollo to a 2,200 macbook running the latest version of protools(insert DAW here). As long as people are creative I love it. I would just rather people invest in a decent mic and cables. Don't get me started on cables. 🙃🙃🙃
XV X idk how I completely misread your post. Lol. The recording device? Meh. It is what it is. These aren't gonna be the best preamps. Not expecting premium pres out of this thing. And I can't really judge based off of youtube compression. As great a podcaststage is even a lot of his tests sound the same. I like to try stuff out first hand before I jump to conclusion. My guess is you would probably have to do a lot of work in the daw after. But it's not fair for me to say though honestly. I'd say 90% of what I mix is done on some type of zoom device. H6 and down to tascam dp-24’s, booked studios, from there on it’s anchor podcasts with some type of low quality mic.
As an engineer myself I have to remind myself that I have a trained ear and the audience guaranteed doesn’t hear what I hear. I agree to just start creating content. A good quality mic is a bonus not a necessity. I ran an online radio station using $16 mics and no one knew the difference.
I heard their next mic was delayed. The Rode Pro Crastinator.
Bravo! 👏
The thing I notice is the pod mic has great highs and mids comparatively but it seems WAY more sensitive to minor movements so just the little bit of head movement was having a pretty big impact on volume compared the SM7B. Still, sounds like a great mic
I love my SM7B and do think there is a difference. Just much smoother and natural but the Podmic is great and IMO the best under $100 mic. I do plan on getting a couple to replace my guest mics that are vocal mics. Great comparison video!
agreed!
SM7B is worth what it cost. More plosives on Rode Mic. Not enough money? Rode. The best option available? SM7B.
The SM7B really is a phenomenal mic.
The SM7B sound better to my ears
In my ear, they are incomparable. Im confused about the review.
What an amazing value for the Rode mic! But the Shure... there is a reason it is legendary, almost impossible to match, and it is one of the world's best Singing/Studio mics as well. Great video!
It’s definitely a tough one to beat!
The sm7b makes my ears bleed, and rumble more then if you were to turn up the gain to 100% , and start humming through your nose
Mic selection also has so much to do with voice. I think the SM7B is a greta all around mic, but it might not be the best choice for each individual voice.
I’m very impressed with the quality of the PodMic.
I have the SM7B and thought about comparing to the SM58. With that point, a comparison of the PodMic vs. SM58 would be interesting.
I love the Rodecaster Pro. Worth every penny.
Yes! I actually wanted to bring in an SM58 for this video, but couldn’t get a hold of one in time. It’s a good comparison since they’re at the same price point. I’d lean towards the PodMic for podcasts, and the SM58 for versatility/travel.
The Enthusiasm Project yeah it would be very interesting and or even throwing in the SM57 instead.
This creates a tempting proposition to trade in my SM7B and get multiple PodMics.
Thanks for the reply.
SM58 is a different use case. It’s more of a LIVE Stage Mic.
The SM57 (SM58 is the same mic only housed for vocals instead of instruments) is a great all around mic and everyone should own at least one (or a T-Bone MB75 for a 1/3 the price). I've used the SM57, SM58, and SM7b a lot in musical applications as well as the SM7b at the radio station. They are worlds apart. The 57/58 is great for applications such as guitars, snare drums, live vocals, and things that use more mid range frequencies, but lacks the thickness of a 7b. The 7b is way better for voice reproduction and just has a great smoothness to it. With a good vocalist I barely have to eq their voice. This Rode PodMic seems like a great cheaper alternative to a SM7b.... which I've never been able to afford, but have always had access to from friends.
@@justicemoody y aun asi es mil veces mejor que el Podmic!
The Shure seems richer and warmer, and the PodMic seems more neutral. I would also be interested in hearing the difference between the PodMic and the Rode Procaster.
I’d love to see that comparison too!
The Rode Procaster has a much deeper sound to it. I prefer it over the podmic
The fact that you can boost the low end of the podmic to make it sound almost indistinguishable from the sm7b makes well worth the 100
Also when he speaks directly into the podmic it make a substantial difference it sounds really close to the SM7
Dear, do we really need a RodeCaster Pro to record the voice from PodMic? I mean can I record my voice from PodMic directly into my PC without using RodeCaster Pro? Your reply would be appreciated.
@@asifjaved7672 you will need an audio interface. Using a xlr to 3.5mm cable will work but it won't give you a useable microphone. The gain will be super low meaning you will sound really quiet to your friends. They could boost you in discord or in game but its really not worth doing unless you're planning on getting an interface down the road. I'm assuming you're gonna use it for gaming.
@@asifjaved7672 depends on your sound card, there are plenty of good xlr interfaces, you don't need to go all out on something like a Rodecaster Pro
@@suli6969 ص
"you could hurt a person with this microphone" so you get a weapon and a mic. NiCe
It's like a 2-for-1 special!
The Podmic actually sounds clearer if you are listening with you phone speaker or a small blue tooth speaker. If you are in headphone land the shure has a richer tone but compared to the podmic sounds a little to covered. I use the shure in the studio and running through preamp’s and compressors is an incredible sounding mic. But it does need some TLC to make it sound as open and clean as the podmic...
This was very informative. Thank you for covering vocal quality with proximity to the mic. That’s exactly what I’ve been looking for! I film YT videos and want to upgrade to a Shure + Rodecaster Pro for voiceovers. For some videos, I’m moving around more and talking live while I paint. Do you think I could plug an XLR lav mic into the Rodecaster Pro for videos like that? I would love to have the versatility to use the shure or a lav, but not sure if voltage on a lav would be an issue.
Thanks so much for this awesome comparison review!
Glad it helped! A lav mic will work fine, either into one of the XLR ports or the TRRS channel. I’ve used the Rode Wireless Go with it and gotten great results 👍
Thank you!
On 99% of what people hear content on, the podmic is equal to the SM7B.
The SM7b has a nice low end but I dunno. I feel like there are a lot of purposes where you would want a neutral sound like the pod mic more. It has a nice full sound but the PodMic is so clear...
Nice comparison. The SM7B is hard to beat but the Podmic sounds terrific.
A bit more bottom on the Sure, but with the PodMic you could compensate for that in post. Fantastic quality for the $$$.
The SM7B sounds better, but the Podmic sounds pretty good. You could probably EQ the Rode to sound closer to the Shure, and I doubt anybody listening to a podcaster using the Rode Podmic would think that it sounded "bad". I never listen to a radio show or podcast and think: "OMG, this would sound SO much better if they were using XYZ brand/model microphone!". We only notice if a mic sounds harsh, tinny, or sibilant, or if it's muffled and dead-sounding, which the Rode is not. For a $300 savings, I wouldn't lay awake at night worrying about it.
With EQ and Compression you can make any mic sound better than another. For the podmic it sounds like the 400-800 hz range is pronounced so all you’d need to make it sound better would be to lower frequencies. That’s the tin can/nasally area and most cheap mics have that issue.
Not true in all cases. I've worked with the SM7B and I could not make it sound as good as the $700 mic that was used for another part of the song. SM7B sounded harsh in comparison up in the high frequencies.
The Shure sounds quite noticeably better to me. The Rode has boosted bass IMO that keeps popping up while the Shure is so smooth the entire way through
The low frequencies sound more full on the 7b in my opinion, and the podmic should be used with a popfilter to get rid of those plosives
I really don’t hear a whole lot of difference in either mic. May be SM 7B has a slightly deeper tone and the pod mic is not as deep. But, for the price point, I don’t see any reason why the pod mic wouldn’t be a good choice!
Also, as far as aesthetics are concerned, both mic’s have a very professional look but I like the pod mic’s design better.
0:34 that's the coolest transition I've ever seen
I prefer the podmic based on the sound in this video. Using my studio monitors the sm7b sounds too muddy with low-mids. Podmic sounds clear and punchy.
Thanks man I was struggling what to buy but now I know what I should buy now again thanks you
You’re welcome!
3:24 It's interesting how there's no noise bleed through in this test. When I purchased my Rodecaster Pro last year, there was also almost no perceptible bleed through with the gate activated. Even in untreated rooms the preamp noise was barely noticeable.
Now... for some reason... EVEN in a treated room there is horrible preamp noise. I've tried different cables/mics/settings on the Podcaster... there's still this super high noise floor. I wonder what happened. I get a cleaner sound on my $100 Komplete Audio interface than a frickin $600 "broadcast ready" mixer lol.
If you check out the first podcast episode of "All Gas No Breaks" you actually hear the exact same thing happening on his Podcaster. Is it an issue with the hardware of software? 🤔
I’m just throwing ideas out there- but have you just XLR cables or have your cables gotten damaged? I’ve had issues with that causing noise.
@@tombuck Yeah, have tried a few different cables.
I'm listening to you through a pair of Sennheiser biamplified monitors(w/8" woofers). Here's what I can hear:
Rode Microphone: Less sound level, but a nice flat wider response
Shure SM7B: Higher sound level, but dominant mid-bass...almost at distortion level.
I think you need to tune the SM7B, and then do another test.
Awesome insight, thank you.
@@tombuck ya your voice was waaaayyyyy boooming on the SM7B, maybe kill some of that low end if the Podcaster pro can mix Low Mid High levels or use the controls on the back of the SM7b
That is one of the main reasons i went with podmic voicemeeter does the rest for me!
That's all I needed to know
@@tombuck I'd prefer a flat curve test.
Here in China, both are pretty much the same price so I will go for shure
Great review, thanks. Not sure if the SM7B isn't the better mic for podcast purposes, but I'm 100% sure that it isn't 4x as good. I think the PodMic sounds great.
SM7B its one of the most over priced mics in this space, is it good, sure, is worth the required investment .... its a battle to justify the cost.... it rides too much on the legacy of the original SM7. Certainly interested to see how the Rode measures up in years to come as mentioned in your good objective comparison.
I own both of these. Fact is, it depends on your voice; some people using the SM7B will sound muffled/boomy/dead/tired *for their voice*. The extra liveliness in the PodMic can give those people a much more expensive sounding result without having to mess around with EQ to fix the problem. PodMic also rejects plosives very well. For some other people the PodMic can accentuate bright qualities in their voices where they want weight, and those people should consider an SM7B or at least some software EQ to tone down the high mids a bit. The idea that one microphone will sound good on everyone is a rookie mistake and nothing to do with price tag.
This is very true. 👍
very good observation the higher-pitched voice would probably sound better on the sm7b but lower vocals will sound great on the podmic as it would give more details
SM7B has moe BODY to the sound. With that said, I actually have the PodMic and enjoy it but I can hear a difference for sure. Now, enough to pay 4X the price of the PodMic..not to me.
The PodMic is great, and usually a little EQ can make it work with most voices. 👍
My wife and I started a podcast recently and I've been using a couple of video mics and the sound is good but if we continue to do it, I think I would get a couple of Podmics. Great vid again man.
Thank you sir! I think the PodMic is tough to beat.
After listening to the podmic reviews from some 10 different reviewers on my studio set up I would not buy them.
The blue ember is the same price & sounds so much better.
The podmic is flat & lifeless & weak.
There are better mics out there!
Maradnus I have both, the ember and the podmic. Trust me, they’re made for different uses! Podmic (dynamic) vs ember (condenser). I used to use the ember for my podcast, and although it sounds amazing and more lively, the noise rejection was just not good! I got the podmic and problem solved. My podcasts are now way more quiet. My ember is now strictly used for recording my music.
Dear, do we really need a RodeCaster Pro to record the voice from PodMic? I mean can I record my voice from PodMic directly into my PC without using RodeCaster Pro? Your reply would be appreciated.
You’ll need some type of XLR interface, but it doesn’t have to be the Rodecaster.
SM7B is about twice as good, but the real difference is the rejection. I don’t think four Podmics could cope around a table.
That's true. The SM7B is pretty magical for that (and at rejecting handling noise).
great review, they both sound great but the SM7B really sounds awesome.
Excellent review ! You have great presentation style too ! Thank you !
Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words!
I like podcaster but I feel like I won’t be TRULY satisfied until I get the broadcaster 🤷🏽♂️
Yeah...I’ve always wanted to try one myself.
Shure sounds fuller and richer, but I’m not dropping $400 on a fucking xlr mic. Besides, mixing the podmic just right and adding a cheap pop filter makes it sound the exact same, if not better.
Stop. You had me at “you could hurt a person with this microphone” lol😂
Look, those mics are fine and all, but I think it's much more important that you have a lot of Aquabats stuff on your walls. Clearly a man of refined tastes.
That IS the most important part😎🤓
Would have been nicer if you had used exactly the same settings on both mics then maybe make adjustments after, so we could hear how they both sound with similar settings
Personally I feel the SHURE sounds more richer. The Rode is more crisper. Personally I'd go with richer. But at 4 times more + needing more hardware to run, I'm kind of inching toward Rode w/ Audient iD14 perhaps.
On my end teh podmic sounded better i heard a little buzzing on sm7b
I really love the PodMic.
SM7B tears this thing apart.
Although the Podmic holds it's weight for the price.
IMO drop the extra $300 if you're a paid podcaster or artist.
Hobbyists can get away with the Podmic
I used the SM7B to record my latest song (ILYD). I love that mic
The two sound so different. Rode is badly prone to plosives up until unusable. 7B is 100% plosives proof.
7B sound si much warm and "radio like", when Rode mic is just a poor far away step cousin. If you cut lows to filter some plosives on Rode you end up sounding thin.
Sorry, there is no competition.
SM58 with some eq sounds better more close to 7B than Rode mic.
Rode makes good things but this mic is not one of them.
Maybe next time.
Solid comparison. Thanks for the vid.
There's a difference, but it isn't worth the extra lol. Podmic sounds great already. I mean it is probably worth it for some high level stuff, but normal people its not worth the extra.
I have been in radio for over 15 years. We use the SM7B and I have to say, its hard to go to anything else. You get so used to how your voice sounds on air and when its not the same it just doesnt feel right. lol
It it ain’t broke, don’t fix it 👍
Since the SM7B is a dynamic mic you really should have used a cloudlifter or fethead. Even still, the PodMic sounded good but the SM7B sounded better. I don't think you can go wrong going with the PodMic based on the price, if you want the best sound and don't mind spending more the SM7B is your best bet.
Idk the 7B kinda sounded boomy and muffled
Microphone 7 B Shure is Not good ! Much better was Shure 5 B !!) Too bad they stopped making it. Today na E- bay cost over 1000 dol.
A great video! With the amount of comparison between the two I’m now confident on the ability of the podmic, a truly great sound! 👌🏼
Hey great video as always. Question???
Do you connect the XLR cable directly into the RodeCaster?
Thank you
Yep! You can use a signal booster if you need to.
@@tombuck thank you. You're great at answering to your audience. Thank you
For the price, I do like the sound of the Rode PodMic. I have used the Shure SM7B for decades for broadcast radio and I LOVE IT w/my voice. FUN and raw comparison vid!! #thanks! :)
Glad you liked it! 👍
you are a psychic, "this will become one of the standard microphones". What are todays lottery numbers?
I really love your mild and sweet smile and when you explain things. Thank you so much. So enjoyable and useful info!! Much appreciated!!
Ha, I’m so glad to hear it 🙏
Exactly what I needed as I research preamping a Shure SM7B. BTW, very well produced videography and excellent use of Boceh
Thanks so much! I appreciate the kind words 😎
Well, the Podmic sounds really good, but there are tremendous differences. The Shure Mic is incredibly better.
not true, an audio engineer on youtube added compression and EQ to the podmic and he said it sounds identical to the SM7b
Score46 Do you have a link ?
@@Wildcamp-lifestyle ua-cam.com/video/VTl8dTmGeWo/v-deo.html
Sorry to belabor a point, but in that video at 12:50 he says " right out of the box the Rode pod mic is not as good as the Sure SM7B. The Pod Mic sounds great and it will be the next mic I buy for guests to use, but I too will stick to my Sure SM7B.
yeah and the price difference is about £300 more
I think think the shure still sounds better in this review...I get your point, but the shure is a better mic. Just my two cents. Want change?
0:03 u didn't look at it while catching man
I’m just that slick.
(But really, it was an empty box and it took like 9 tries)
i am happy with fifine k669b already .. for 30bucks .. no arms and legs being cut :)
Jim Carey vs Morgan Freeman to my ears :D
Ahh yes, the ultimate showdown 😬
get a DBX286s pre amp and connect your SM7B mic. thank me later.
I have 4 PodMics going into a RØDEcaster for our podcast. I love the sound of it, but probably the next stage for us would be room treatment.
We could never have afforded to buy 4 SM7Bs, so the Podmics were a great choice. Listeners commented positively on the change in sound quality.
I just got a second one and am super excited! 4 would be perfect. Good luck with room treatment!
buy 4 of this and you're good to go!! www.woodbrass.com/es-es/accesorios-home-estudio-pantallas-acusticas-dap-audio-studio-eyeball-p256945-af1254.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwybD0BRDyARIsACyS8msrbpJafnO3CVnmk6PTgVfWxod6zFKRKm_ov-SOb-OUZUr1rGBT18oaAsoAEALw_wcB
You could always adjust the frequency and make it sound even better than the shure
I've har podmic for a while now and I didn't know it was almost as great as sm7b, awesome vid!
It’s a VERY impressive little mic.
Fuck guns, I’ll just buy a podmic for home defense
The sm7b sounds a small bit warmer
The Shure SM7B is better than the Rode PodMic, however it is NOT 4x better. The PodMic is a much much better bang for the buck. Not up for debate.
Just watching the whole playlist! Just found you today searching for the rodecaster pro. You Sir, are doing a fantastic job! So easy to listen to and so informative.
I'm so happy to hear it! Thanks for the kind words!
Hey mate does rodecaster headphone jack accept TS input?
I honestly don’t know for sure. All my headphones are TRS. I can connect my TS guitar cable to a headphone output and get a signal in the guitar amp, but it doesn’t sound great.
rode sounds more natural, while the shure sounds more pro, i mean radio station voice. imo
Which you can get on just about any dynamic mic with some EQ
The SM7B still sounds better. The PodMic is missing the low frequencies and sounds tinny.
I agree, but it’s easy to equalize it so it sounds great 👍
It isn’t easy to equalize it. You either have to buy additional more expensive equipment to modify the sound. Or you have to equalize it in post-processing. Post-processing means you have to do additional work. Out of the box, the SM7B is just better without having to do any work. The PocMic thus requires more money for more equipment to sound good or it takes more of your money by the time you have to spend post-processing the sound. Time is money.
7:01 Aaaaah! I've watched a lot of mic reviews and this is the first time I've actually seen the SM7B naked.
Didn’t mean to frighten you 😬
Yeah, you can see the capsule inside and realize it's basically an SM57 inside a cage designed to keep peoples mouths a certain distance from the capsule in order to cut back on plosives. A big windscreen on a $100 SM57, maybe some EQ, add a shock mount (the 7B has one built in) and you have pretty much the same thing.
Curious - is that the sm7b direct into the rode or did you use a cloudlifter, or anything to increase gain?
Direct into the Rode. It would benefit from a Cloud Lifter, but I don’t want to incorporate one into my workflow, so I decided to run the comparison without it.
I don’t know about sound but SM7B sound is much better
The Shure mic kicks ass. The Rode is value for money.
You can’t go wrong with any rode mic....
wow that mic is kool it sounds better than the sm7b it has better all-round tone
Just discovered your channel..! Great stuff..! I have the SM7b. Now I’m torn between Rode PodMic or the Blue Ember.. 🤦♂️🤷♂️
Oohhh, interesting options. I haven’t used the Ember, but it looks very cool.
Dear, do we really need a RodeCaster Pro to record the voice from PodMic? I mean can I record my voice from PodMic directly into my PC without using RodeCaster Pro? Your reply would be appreciated.
podmic is the same, its just that it has a filter on it that makes it a chill feeling
Great Review. I really like the way you shifted from one mic to the other. By the time you were done there was no doubt as to how the mics compared to each other. And honestly I think if the SM7b didn't have the reputation it has, most people would say the Podmic sounded better.
It could be cool to do a blind sound test and see which one sounds best!
The PodMic sounds AMAZING!
I hear a huge difference. To me the Rode is a lot more thin and almost nasally (is that a word 🤔). Depends on what you think sounds good, but to me I love the sound of the SM7B. I hate the price though smh. Decisions decisions. P.S. Always enjoy your vids.
Thanks! I pretty much agree with you. I like the sound of the Shure more, but I don’t like the price. For $100, I’m happy to play with an equalizer a little bit if I need to.
@@tombuck Yeah. $400 is hard to swallow. Especially if you need more than one. Then again, I paid over a grand for my Neumann TLM 103, so? The way I look at it is, if you are going to use it all the time and for years and years, it pays for itself.
Rode Podmic is crispy and the Shure SM7B has more bass
They both sound amazing, the Shure does have a lot richer bass to it though.
I think I'll definitely be getting the PodMic. It will replace my Samson Meteor USB Mic which was $50 and I bought it like 6 years ago.
Seems like it’s be a great upgrade! I now have two PodMic and love using them!
@@tombuck Awesome!
I just ordered this along with the RODE PSA-1 Boom arm, and Behringer UMC22 Audio Interface and an XLR cable, and they will be here in 5 days.
Thank for this review, you just earned another sub! :)