Rode Microphones Podcaster USB Microphone
Posted: December 30th, 2009 | Author: Condenser Microphone Reviews | Filed under: Condenser Microphone Reviews | Tags: Adjustable Desk, Air Applications, Association Of Broadcasters, Broadcaster, Center Of Gravity, Computer Recording, Generation Of Computer, Homeboys, Mac Book, Mic Stand, Nab, National Association Of Broadcasters, Quality Microphone, Radio World, Rode Microphones, Shock Absorber, Shockmount, Sound Quality, Studio Quality, Usb Version | No Comments »Rode Microphones Podcaster USB Microphone
As its name suggests, the RODE Podcaster microphone was specifically designed for computer recording applications where wide frequency response and low distortion are demanded. The Podcaster makes digital recording “plug and play” easy with its built-in A/D conversion and USB connection. The RODE Podcaster is based on their popular Broadcaster microphone – winner of the Radio World/US National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) “What’s Cool” award. The Broadcaster has become an industry standard when studio sound quality is required for on-air applications. Now the Podcaster makes this quality microphone available in a super-convenient USB version for the current generation of computer recording applications.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Heavy
Ok – this is one heavy mic! I’m using it to create podcasts and training video’s. The sound quality is excellent – studio quality. I had to purchase On Stage DS7200B Adjustable Desk Microphone Stand, Black to keep it from falling over. The problem is the the mic must mount from the rear, so all the weight is hanging over. I also strongly suggest Rode PSM1 Shockmount. It serves a few purposes; 1) it changes the center of gravity when mounting the mic since it attaches to the mic stand in the middle and allows the mic to hang more rearward and it provides a shock absorber. Using it on a MAC with VM – has no issues being recognized by XP and OS X. Overall, very happy with the mic.
5 Stars I’m No Pro
Im no pro i just wanted a mic so that me and the homeboys could wreckshop, and so far this mic is working good no problems at all. Im using it on a Mac Book Pro and it recognized it as soon as i plugged it in. The recording quality of the mic seems great to me but like i said I’m no pro. So if you want a mic that sound good and is built to last this mic is where its at
5 Stars Pro Podcasts
After sampling several other microphones I decided on the Rode Podcaster. This is a professional-level instrument in both construction and in performance at a consumer price. You won’t regret buying one.
5 Stars Surprisingly good — selling my Heil PR-40 now.
I picked up the R0DE Podcaster a few days ago, and it sounds great — much better than I expected. I honestly expected it to sound cheesier because it’s USB instead of XLR. I made a couple of test recordings and gave them to my wife, who is always saying that I don’t sound like myself in my recordings. She said that this is the best-sounding mic I’ve ever used, and that I sound just like myself. My background in audio is a couple of years in podcasting and some live interviews. Equipment I’ve used in the past includes the Audio Technica 4033a, Heil Pro PR-40, Symetrix 528e, Zoom H-4, and the M-Audio MobilePre.
Pros:
Sounds great.
Very competitive price when compared to decent XLR mics.
Direct to USB (computer sees it as a sound card).
Headphone jack built in for direct, live monitoring (huge plus), with volume control (which does not effect recording volume).
Allows remote recordings to a laptop (with all the nice software) without lugging around extra devices to convert a “real” mic to USB or Firewire.
Works automatically on a Mac.
Feels very solid and sturdy — very well made.
Front-firing cardiod-pattern dynamic mic (helps reduce most “background” noise).
Completely USB-powered.
Cons:
Direct to USB: No possibility of using a hardware mixer or voice processor, and you can’t use more than one at a time (except maybe with special software).
Large and heavy. Not really a big deal if you keep it on a mic stand like I do, but you need a real stand — not a cheap one.
Doesn’t come with any kind of padded box for storage/travel like pro mics. It’s probably not meant for travel, but its functionality and all-in-one design certainly encourage it.
White plastic body and white USB cable. Sure, it matches my MacBook, but for some reason it feels a little weird that it’s not silver or black. Personal taste, and I couldn’t find much else to complain about.
All in all, it exceeds my current needs, and I’m selling my “pro” equipment to fund my other hobbies. I would recommend this to any podcaster who doesn’t need multiple mics or a hardware mixer. If you just want to sound great on Skype, this’ll do the trick, although it will probably be overkill.
5 Stars Incredible microphone!!!
Absolutely incredible sounding audio!! I didn’t have to purchase a pre-amp, mixer, pop-filter, etc. Simply plugged it in, and instantly began recording broadcast quality audio. Windows XP instantly recognized it (as a sound card). It also works perfectly on Vista after installing the driver from Rode’s website.
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