Podcast Microphone Battle: Rode Podmic vs Shure MV7
I’ve got two fantastic microphones to pin against each other today. The Shure MV7 and the Rode PodMic. Why the battle, you ask?
Well, these babies are essentially cut from the same cloth. They both offer the versatility of XLR and USB connections, and the price point is basically the same.
Shure and Rode are both very well known in the microphone industry, and I felt like it was worthy of a good ol’ fashioned rumble!
Before I declare any favourites, I want to make it clear that what you’re about to read is my personal opinion and specific to my voice.
Your voice will have different tonality, different inflection and different frequency “hot spots”, so use this as a guide.
Putting them to the test
This week on Pump Up Your Pod, I put these two microphones to the test, starting with some tricky sounds like P’s and B’s to see how they handle plosives.
I even treat you to a bit of singing because, hey, microphones are often used for that purpose, and I’m a singer myself.
I read a passage from Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl” to see how well these microphones fare for voiceovers and audiobook narration. These are crucial considerations, especially if you’re a content creator.
Switching to the USB inputs
I switch both microphones to USB mode to see how they perform in this configuration.
I want you to get a sense of the tonal qualities and clarity each microphone offers when connected via USB.
The differences with USB input are mostly felt in the loudness, in my opinion.
The Rode Podmic delivers a “louder” sound with the USB input, and an added level of crispness which I’m actually not the biggest fan of.
It feels a little flat in the USB environment, but the other aspects of the USB input for this Rode Podmic handle very well.
For the Shure MV7, I found that it is less muffled than the XLR input but it handles the plosives less well also.
It’s nice that the Shure MV7 has a companion Shure Motiv desktop (and mobile) app that you can use to adjust some settings. Rode Podmic also has this feature, but not for desktop.
The Verdict
Personally, I believe that the Rode PodMic shines in most scenarios, particularly for podcasting and situations where clarity and pace are vital.
For my voice, I found that the Shure MV7 was too muddy in the bottom end. It felt too heavy, and harder to understand what I was saying.
The MV7 handled the singing fine, though again not as clear as the Rode PodMic.
However, it’s worth noting that the Shure MV7 takes the lead in voiceover work and audiobook narration. It delivers a warmer, fuller sound that might be just what you need.
If you tend to speak slower and in a more measured way, the Shure MV7 may be perfect for you.
Final Thoughts
To wrap it up, I want to emphasise the importance of choosing the right microphone, depending on your specific needs and vocal characteristics.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the one that suits you best.
I highly recommend listening with headphones on so that you get the best sense of tonality and audio differences between microphones you’re interested in.
Whether you’re a podcaster, a voiceover artist, or just someone who appreciates top-notch audio, this episode offers valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.
Head on over to the gear page of our website if you’re interested in what equipment we use and recommend for podcasting.
