Advantages
- Tank-like build quality gives it a professional feel
- Rich sound, broadcast quality
- Cheaper than competing options with similar sound
Defect
- Requires a stronger arm than most
- It takes a pretty powerful interface to power it
- There are no on-device controls like some similar models
It seems that people and their family members there is a podcast these days. While I won’t go into all the reasons why not everyone should, I would say that one of the most important factors in the success of your audio content is quality sound. good quality. No matter how artistic, groundbreaking, or thrilling your audio content is, no one will listen if you sound as if you’re talking to a tin can with a string on the bottom.
You might think this makes entry prices high for getting started with podcasting. While there are cheaper options, Rode Procaster microphone hit a great point in that input cost.
It offers outstanding sonic fidelity with simple equipment and has both build quality and specs to grow with you as you expand your audio content empire. Let’s take a look at one of the best ways to start producing high-quality audio for under $200.
Specifications
| Microphone type | Dynamic XLR |
|---|---|
| Pick up form | Cardioid end address |
| Frequency range | 75Hz – 18kHz |
| Output Impedance | 320 ohm |
| Sensitive | -56.0dB re 1 Volt / Pascal (1.60mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz |
| Accessories included | Carrying bag, ring holder for arm and stand, washer XLR |
| Pop-up filter | internal |
| Size | 214mm (H) x 53mm (W) x 53mm (D) or 8.43in (H) x 2.09in (W) x 2.09in (D) |
| Weight | 745 g or 26.28 oz |
Construction and features
Through the magic of Photoshop, all four sides of Procaster in a single image. Michael Gariffo / ZDNET
One of the many hobbies I engage in as a non-professional with electronics for ZDNET is woodworking. Any woodworker who has been there for a while can tell you whether the tools you give them are made for hobbyists or professionals. There is a marked difference in perception. Professional tools have the right density for them and precise, stiff joints. They immediately announced that, as long as you care about it, the tool will last a lifetime. I went on this little case because that’s exactly how the Rode Procaster feels in the hand.
The all-metal construction is heavy, sturdy, and inspires confidence. In a high speed collision between this microphone and a brick wall (Disclaimer: Didn’t test this at home), I expect the microphone to win.
The included silver ring nut and all of the shock mounts I’ve tried it on screwed in easily and stayed exactly where I put them. Michael Gariffo / ZDNET
That level of solid and precise texture also applies to the microphone’s two connection points. The threaded bottom part can be connected to the included ring holder using the included silver nut, or it can be threaded directly into a compatible shock mount such as Rode PSM1 I used during my testing. The XLR connector located on the bottom is also precision machined, providing a solid, stutter-free connection to both Rode’s XLR cables and other third-party cables I’ve tried.
From start to finish, this is like a professional piece of equipment completely housed in a high-end recording studio.
Than: 5 best streaming mics: Start a podcast or Twitch channel
Accessory
The little blue ring on the right helps tighten the loose XLR cable, though I never needed it during testing. Michael Gariffo / ZDNET
In the box with the Rode Procaster you’ll find a zippered carrying pouch, Rode’s RM2 ring holder (used with the pre-mounted round silver nut), and a small blue spacer to tighten loose XLR cables loose. The RM2 mount is sturdy enough to hold the mic in place, but I’d recommend investing in a shock mount if your budget can support it. This not only makes an already impressive mic look like home on the NPR, but it also reduces unwanted vibrations that can travel to your mounting solution and into the mic.
I should note that the Procaster’s built-in damping measures make it more resistant to such things than most, but I still noticed improved ambient vibration resistance when using the shock mount.
Rode’s PSM1 shock mount and WS2 windshield on the Procaster. Michael Gariffo / ZDNET
Aside from the PSM1 shock mount, the only other optional accessory I tested is Rode .’s WS2 Windshield. Although the microphone has an internal pop filter to prevent squeaks and pops (essentially a loud “P” sound), you can still add a windshield like this one if you tend to breathe in a lot. mic. I find that, with a minimum of careful positioning, it’s not really necessary. Your experience may be different.
One last note that I’ll mention, you’ll want a sturdy boom arm for this microphone. However, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. I tested this with both Rode PSA1 arm + $99 that the company sent and Samson swing arm $45. Both support mics and stand where I put them. However, the Rode model is significantly smoother and easier to tune. That said, any good quality swingarm rated for 745g mass will serve you well.
Review: The Shure MV7 is an ‘almost perfect’ hybrid mic
Sound quality
The Procaster is an end-to-end model, which means you’ll want to talk about the round top to get the best pickup. Michael Gariffo / ZDNET
As always, the best way for you to understand the sound quality produced by the microphone is to listen to it yourself. Below is a video I shot using a setup designed to give the purest, unaltered impression of the Procaster’s sound. Listen and judge for yourself…
For me, the sound quality is at its highest with some of the most expensive XLR models I’ve tested, including the much higher priced mic. Never had any unwanted background noise, hissing or cracking, even without a windshield. The sound quality is warmer at the top, providing a wider TV quality that many other manufacturers try to emulate through software post-processing. Some of them manage a passable copy, nothing to match the genuine quality of warm, clear sound that comes right out of the hardware.
I feel comfortable using Procaster for any level of game streaming, video production, music singing or of course, as a podcasting microphone.
Key point
Rode’s Procaster is a type of microphone made from meat and potatoes. It does its job and does it very well, with no unnecessary frills that add to the cost. All the effort put into the design of this microphone was clearly meant to improve the sound quality and build quality, not make it look flashy. And that’s exactly what I want in a professional environment.
The Procaster will require some robust support and a USB interface or a mixer can meet its power needs. But none of this needs to break the bank if you’re just starting out. It works great with even budget-friendly interfaces and arms. Better yet, it will grow with you, moving from something as cheap as the $75 USB interface I used in my testing to much more complex mixing setups and companion gear.
Sure, you can get cheaper models. However, just like the professional woodworking tools I mentioned above, you can instead spend a little more and get something that will stay with you for years to come.
Alternatives to consider
If you want the same level of quality (if not exactly the same) from Rode in a smaller, cheaper package, the company’s Podmic is designed to work well without an external shock mount and has can be a great option for those on a tighter budget.
Also around $100 is Audio Technica’s AT2020, a mic that’s been around for a while but still offers exceptional clarity and fidelity. Its sound profile is also slightly cooler and more analytical than the warmer Procaster, which some may prefer.
If you really want to go all-in, Shure’s SM7B is a microphone that you’ve probably seen before some major podcasters and YouTubers. It has a cult following but costs more than twice as much as Procaster.
