RODE PodMic USB Review

mmorpg.com:

The original RODE PodMic was one of the best budget XLR mics for streamers, content creators, and average gamers. The PodMic USB takes additional gear out of the equation and opts for a plug-and-play design and adds a suite of vocal effects that make it even better. It doesn’t drop the XLR port either, so it’s ready to grow with you over time. At $199, it’s significantly more expensive but is one of the best choices in sound, and build, quality.

The RODE PodMic is a hybrid. It’s both XLR and USB. It’s more expensive but saves you from having to buy other equipment, like an audio interface and FX software. It’s ready to go out of the box but is designed to grow over time. It lacks fancy hardware features like touch gain adjustment and automatic leveling but includes software enhancements pulled directly from the RODECaster Pro line-up and can sound broadcast-worthy with only a few minor tweaks. 

Clearly, there’s a lot to consider here, so let’s start with the basics. The Rode PodMic USB is a dynamic microphone. Unlike the majority of mics targeting streamers and gamers (and really, the average consumer) today which use condenser capsules, the PodMic uses different technology entirely. In fact, the capsule inside the PodMic is the same kind you’ll find inside the handheld microphones used on stage for your favorite performers. 

Why does that matter? Because dynamic microphones are a much better fit for the average person. Most of us are not in sound-treated rooms or perfectly quiet environments. Many of us have mechanical keyboards or computers nearby with fans you can hear. You may have kids or roommates or a television going in the same room as your PC. Condenser microphones let in all of this noise, including