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Rode has updated the PodMic with USB-C connectivity and built-in DSP. Is the new PodMic USB now the best choice for podcasters, streamers, and gamers for a simple, all-in-one audio solution? And does it sound the same as the OG PodMic? I’ve got some thoughts and audio samples for you.

The embedded video below includes audio samples of the new PodMic USB compared to the original PodMic as well as a demonstration of the DSP features.

Features

The PodMic USB of course provides USB connectivity, but it still includes the XLR output as well, allowing you to use the output that works best for your setup. The hardware features include:

• USB-C & XLR output (cannot be used simultaneously)
• 3.5mm headphone output for zero-latency monitoring
• Headphone volume dial / mute button
• Monitoring/mute indicator LED (rear)
• Internal shock mounting
• Detachable pop filter
• 24-bit / 48kHz audio conversion (USB)
• USB-C to USB-C cable included

So what is missing? The main notable omission is a monitor mix knob. Many USB microphones on the market do not include a physical gain adjustment knob, however several do include a monitor mix knob allowing you to blend the amount of monitoring vs. computer/system audio that you hear in your headphones, including Rode’s own NT-USB+. If you want to adjust the amount of each signal that you hear, you’ll need to do this in software (Rode Connect or UNIFY apps for Windows/Mac). My only other hardware criticism is that the LED indicator for monitoring/mute is on the rear with all the connections, making it impossible to view while recording. It was an interesting choice that Rode did not locate it somewhere that would be visible while using the microphone like they did with the XDM-100.

The PodMic USB is compatible over USB with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. It will work seamlessly with your smartphone, and I have tested this with the Rode Reporter and Rode Capture apps on iOS without issue. However, Rode only includes a USB-C to USB-C cable, so if you do not have a USB-C input on your device you’ll need to supply your own cable or adapter. Rode indicated in the product launch video that the PodMic USB could be connected to the Rodecaster Pro 2 (or forthcoming Rodecaster Duo) via one of the USB connections. However, I tried connecting it to both the USB-1 and USB-2 ports of my RCP2 and could not get a signal. It’s possible that a future firmware update is needed to unlock this capability.

The supplied pop filter works well and looks good doing it. With the original PodMic, Rode offered the WS2 windscreen which was effective but looks a little silly in my opinion (it’s huge). The new and thankfully included pop filter looks like part of the microphone and still does an excellent job of reducing plosives.

Sound Quality & DSP

The sound quality of the PodMic USB is not only on-par with the original PodMic, in my initial testing I believe it makes a slight improvement. Over XLR, the PodMic USB sounds ever-so-slightly more clear in the mids and with a touch more warmth (see the video above for the audio comparison). The included pop filter does take away a little bit of the higher frequencies, but that is a common occurrence with foam windscreens.

Over USB, the PodMic USB retains its signature sound. The DSP features can be activated using Rode’s free software or mobile apps, and a significant benefit is that the DSP settings are “remembered” or retained within the PodMic USB after disconnecting. This means you can set up the DSP to your liking, disconnect and then connect to a different device and the settings will be retained. If you’re using the PodMic USB in your work from home setup, this can make a big difference because many employers don’t allow installation of third party software on company-owned computers. You can set up the DSP on your personal computer or smartphone, then connect to your work computer and your DSP settings will still be there.

In terms of quality, the DSP sounds nearly as good as the processing on the Rodecaster Pro 2 (which I also own). You can choose between simple controls (Depth, Sparkle, Punch), or go into the advanced mode and control the high pass filter, noise gate, compressor, and exciter processing individually. In my early testing, everything except the noise gate functions smoothly and provides a natural-sounding enhancement to the audio. My experience so far with the noise gate has been a little clunky compared to the same feature on the RCP2. The advanced mode gives you the same level of granular control over the noise gate settings, however the results don’t seem to sound as clean & natural. It sounds a bit aggressive and almost glitchy to me, the way processing sounds when it’s being pushed too hard, even after matching the settings to my RCP2. Hopefully this is something that can be improved with a firmware update.

Final Thoughts

The price of $199 feels perhaps a tad high at first. Upon further consideration, it should be priced higher than the NT-USB+ ($169) because the build quality is simply better and it offers more connectivity. The XDM-100 is USB-only and costs $50 more ($249), though it does come with a shock mount. On the competition side of things, the Shure MV7 would be the closest competitor in terms of feature-set, and also costs $249. So perhaps the PodMic USB is priced right where it should be.

While I still need to put in more time testing the PodMic USB out in various scenarios and also plan on doing comparisons to the competition, overall I’m pleased with the new PodMic from Rode. The prospect of being able to quickly & easily reproduce identical results when traveling vs at home is great, and I can see the PodMic USB quickly becoming a top recommendation for work from home professionals and streamers who want a simple but professional-sounding setup. The bonus is that it’s compact and looks good on camera.

A more in-depth review and comparisons to the competition will be coming after I have a chance to put the PodMic through some additional testing. Leave a comment below if there is a feature or test you would like to see more about!