Can the Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone assist photographers with streaming, YouTube podcasts, vlogging, gaming or speaking with shoppers? We had a have a look at this microphone so you’ll be able to be taught extra about it and listen to it in motion.
The Maono PD200X USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone is a sexy dynamic microphone which has a glowing band of sunshine that both stays a stable coloration or regularly modifications coloration, a glance that units the microphone aside from most different microphones. This characteristic has gained recognition with avid gamers and Twitch customers.
How is the microphone for vloggers, photographers, and content material creators? I used it for a number of Zoom and Skype calls whereas testing the microphone. I’ll describe the way it went. You’ll be able to hear audio examples of the microphone by which I examine it to my 2017 iMac 27″ inner microphone and the dearer HyperX Quadcast USB Microphone.
Be aware: Maono despatched us the Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone to evaluation and hold. Nevertheless, this can be a fully unbiased evaluation. All ideas about this microphone are our personal.
Execs
- Enticing microphone with a band of assorted glowing lights which stands aside from different microphones
- A simple-to-adjust gain-control dial on the facet of the microphone permits you to modify the amount simply
- The LED gentle across the quantity knob signifies operate and quantity
- Monitor the microphone enter by a 3.5mm headphone jack
- All the things is definitely accessible on the microphone and straightforward to know
- The microphone will be managed through the well-designed Maono Hyperlink app (Home windows, Mac, Android, Google Play)
Cons
- Self-noise is just a little loud for quiet or delicate nuanced audio
Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone — Technical specs
All the technical specs for the Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone are from the official Maono web site.
- Factor Sort: Dynamic microphone
- Connectivity: XLR & USB-C
- Bit Depth/Pattern Fee: 24-bit/48kHz
- Frequency Response: 40Hz-16kHz
- Adjustable Achieve Vary: 0 to +42dB
- Sensitivity: XLR: -52dBV; USB: -10.5dBFS/Pa(Max)
- Appropriate Gadgets: Desktop/Laptop computer/Pc/Mixer/Audio Interface/PS4/PS5/MAC OS/WINDOWS
- Advisable Makes use of For Product: Podcasting, Recording, Streaming, Gaming, Video Convention
What’s included: Dynamic Microphone, Shock Mount, 2.5m USB-C to USB-A/C Cable, 5/8” to three/8” Adapter, Consumer’s Handbook, 18 Months Free Guarantee. The Maono Hyperlink app comes. with PDF person’s guide.
Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone — Ergonomics and construct high quality
Simple set up
I used the Maono microphone with a mid-2017 iMac. Upon connecting the USB plug in, the pc acknowledged the microphone immediately with out having to do something. This included not solely the Audio part in System Preferences, but in addition Zoom, Google Meet and Skype. Most USB microphones are plug-and-play as properly, however nonetheless, it’s good to know this labored flawlessly. I hope to make use of it for future Nightaxians Evening Pictures YouTube podcasts as properly once we resume recording.
When the microphone is linked through USB, the band lights up with both a dynamic altering coloration or one of many eight colours that you may choose.
Imaginative and prescient Hyperlink App
Chances are you’ll use the Maono microphone with their free app. Nevertheless, a lot of its capabilities are simply accessible on the physique. Additionally, it capabilities properly with out the app. With the app, you even have entry to a limiter, compressor, quantity management, EQ modes, RGB gentle customization and one-button mute.
On my iMac, set up was a breeze. The app instantly acknowledged and managed the microphone. I did two recordings of the Maono microphone beneath, one previous to utilizing the app, and one with the app, utilizing the compression and limiter. The app is extraordinarily straightforward to make use of and has a pleasant, clear structure.
Construct high quality
This microphone is primarily for vlogging, streaming, video podcasts, and podcasts. Whereas it has a metallic physique, the shock-mount and adapter are plastic. In different phrases, it’s not constructed for the trials of a business recording studio. Nevertheless, the construct is completely wonderful for what it’s suited to: vlogging, podcasting, streaming, and gaming.
The dial and different buttons really feel wonderful, if barely plasticky. There’s a small button on the button that permits you to choose continually-changing multicolor gradients or one in all eight static solid-color results.
I ought to observe that the included 8.2 ft. (2.5 m) USB cable is good and lengthy and feels sturdy.
Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone — Within the area
All the things is well-labeled and straightforward to make use of. The controls on the backside of the microphone are a bit onerous to see. Nevertheless, since that is ordinarily a set-and-forget choice, I don’t see this as an issue.
Pop filter
Ideally, when you find yourself talking right into a microphone, it is best to discuss previous the microphone, circuitously into it. Regardless, this microphone has a foam filter to cease “plosives,” decreasing the possibility for breaths to create unprofessional lower-frequency percussive sounds. This works fairly properly. For those who discuss barely previous the microphone, you can be wonderful.
Controlling the amount
The amount knob truly controls each microphone achieve and headphone quantity. You merely press the knob to modify between the 2. While you accomplish that, the colour instantly modifications from inexperienced to blue. Now it controls the headphone quantity.
Moreover, if you happen to press the button above to mute the microphone, the sunshine ring turns to a dim purple. Good!
And it will get even higher. The brightness will increase or decreases, equivalent to the amount degree! It is a nice useful merchandise that additionally seems cool.
And naturally, you may additionally management the amount through the app.
I discovered the conveniently-located achieve management dial made it very straightforward to rapidly modify mic enter sensitivity. The microphone is intuitive and straightforward to make use of each step of the way in which.
What’s on the underside of the microphone?
The microphone has a USB Mini-B port for connecting to your pc in addition to a 3.5mm headphone output. That is additionally the way it communicates with the app.
Nevertheless, as a result of the microphone can be has an XLR output, you’ll be able to join it to analog gear comparable to mixers, moveable PAs, or audio interfaces.
Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone — Sound high quality
Within the video above, I made 4 recordings, all of that are on the YouTube video above:
- Maono PD200X with no app (through USB)
- Maono PD200X with the app, utilizing compression, limiting and flat EQ (through USB)
- The inner microphone of my 2017 iMac
- HyperX Quadcast (through USB)
The microphone has a cardioid polar sample and has good sound high quality.
For the primary recording, I merely plugged it in and commenced recording. I seen some self-noise that isn’t current with both the interior iMac microphone or the HyperX Quadcast microphone. This sounds a bit like what folks would possibly describe as “static” or “hash” and due to this fact doesn’t sound as clear. Whereas this sound just isn’t obtrusive, I’d not wish to document knowledgeable podcast or something involving quiet or nuanced sounds with it.
Apparently, this noise was much less noticeable when utilizing the app with or with out the limiter and compressor. I’m undecided why. You’ll be able to hear this within the second recording. For this in addition to entry to extra controls and capabilities, I’d suggest utilizing the app.
The sound high quality is actually fuller than the interior pc microphone, however once more, is just a little noisier.
The HyperX Quadcast has smoother, fuller, quieter sound to my ear. Then once more, it additionally prices twice as a lot.
I didn’t take a look at the Maono microphone through XLR. Nevertheless, sometimes, XLR microphones should undergo an analog mic preamp, so I’d anticipate the sound high quality is likely to be both about the identical or barely noisier than through USB.
Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone — Reactions from others
After I used this for Zoom and Skype calls, folks seen the glowing band immediately and commented on it. I didn’t must do very a lot adjusting throughout these calls. Nevertheless, once I did, it was very straightforward to do whereas persevering with to talk or work. Muting the microphone could be very straightforward, as it’s one button click on. The sunshine by the amount knob then turns off, a wonderful characteristic.
A quick rationalization of compression and limiting on the Maono Hyperlink app
Because it seems, I do recording engineering, recording bands in addition to my very own music. I’ve written articles about recording engineering in magazines such because the late, nice EQ Journal. Hopefully this implies I can describe compression and limiting in an comprehensible method!
Compressor
This operate reduces dynamic vary by bringing down the extent of the loudest elements. Which means that the loudest and quietest elements at the moment are nearer collectively in quantity and the pure quantity variations are much less apparent.
Limiter
This operate catches the loudest peaks of an audio supply and applies brick wall compression that stops it from exceeding the clipping level of 0 dB or wherever you set the slider. A limiter is principally a compressor set to a really excessive ratio, which is why it’s also known as “brick wall” compression.
