Budget Podcast Mic Showdown: Rode PodMic, Shure SM58, Shure SM57

The Rode PodMic is an insanely popular microphone designed specifically for podcasting. It usually sells for about $100, so I wanted to compare it with two other popular $100 mics: the Shure SM57 and the Shure SM58.

I previously compared the PodMic the the Shure SM7B, and while I think the Shure sounded better overall, I honestly don’t know if it sounded $300 better. You can get 4 Podmics for the price of one SM7B, and if you’re setting up a podcast on a budget, that’s a big deal!

And all mics are being recorded without any processing or effects directly into the Rodecaster Pro

Mics used in this video:

•Rode PodMic:

•Shure SM7B:

•Shure SM58:

•Shure SM57:

•Tabletop Mic Stands:

•Rodecaster Pro mixer:

Episode 148: $100 Mic Showdown: Rode PodMic, Shure SM58, Shure SM57

» Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, my step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show!

Time Markers:
0:00 - PodMic Overview
1:00 - Shure SM58 & SM57
1:42 - Testing All Mics Without Processing
5:15 - Wind Test
5:38 - Which Mic is Best?
6:30 - Which is MY Favorite?
7:32 - PodMic vs. SM58
9:40 - Testing All Mics WITH Processing
11:18 - More Podcasting Gear!

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– Who Am I? –

Hi! My name is Tom Buck. As a lifelong A/V nerd, I’m here to help you level up the audio and video quality of your streams, podcasts, puns, and videos. I was a high school Digital Media teacher for 11 years, and I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for digital media and teaching others while having fun along the way.

New videos are uploaded every Thursday morning, and more often when possible!

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#Rode #Shure #Podcasting #PodMic
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[tombuck]

Time Markers:
0:00 - PodMic Overview
1:00 - Shure SM58 & SM57
1:42 - Testing All Mics Without Processing
5:15 - Wind Test
5:38 - Which Mic is Best?
6:30 - Which is MY Favorite?
7:32 - PodMic vs. SM58
9:40 - Testing All Mics WITH Processing
11:18 - More Podcasting Gear!

[jonathansellers]

The sm57 with the pop filter looks very professional, I love it

[RiffsAndBeards]

The SM57 is internally identical to the SM58. In fact the SM57 is the official vocal mic for the President Of The United States.

[BeersAndBeatsPDX]

57's are an absolute workhorse. There's almost nothing you can't do with them. I "upgraded" to a podmic from my 57 and I'm selling the PM for another 57.

[Aurosai]

If you want an sm7b, get sm57 and EQ it.
Everyone knows they have similar frequencies (flat). The sm58 however does not have the correct frequency to imitate the sm7b, but even with headphones I can't tell the difference between the sm57 and sm7b when the sm57 is EQ'd correctly. You can find videos on the EQ settings within YouTube.

[abnormallynormal]

If you want a budget sm7b, throw the a55 shock mount and the a81 windscreen on an SM57. Put a fethead on it to warm up the tone if you want to get even closer.

[zatoichiable]

SM58 hands down. cant beat the classic vintage SM58..

[Ricecooka]

For streaming I've been using SM58's from being in a band 10 years ago...still work fantastic. Glad this confirmed I didn't need to go out and buy some mics designed for podcasting. You're right on the versatility as well. I can go from speaking at my desk to singing karaoke in the middle of the house with no issues.

[ScottGerke]

As a DJ, my go to is a 58 and I think it sounds great as a podcast mic as well. I noticed myself falling into a trap of falling for the hype of the rode, which is awesome, but I already own the 58. You helped me feel better about sticking with a 58 and saved me $100!!!

[kennygioia]

I'm in the minority that I think I prefer the PodMic. It doesn't have that deep broadcaster thing that I kinda think has gone out of style with most youtubers using a lav or a shotgun mic and I also find that the proximity effect of both the 57 and the 58 to be more obvious. This becomes an issue when the talent gets closer and further from the mic. The PodMic seems more balanced and neutral. And you can add a bid of low mids if you want that type of sound. Thanks for doing this.

[VicMorrowind]

2:14 & 8:42 you are shortchanging the sm57 a little bit. The sm57 is THE white house mic and has been since the beginning (decades). Shure also makes a really big windscreen for sm57 (used at the wh). It too is on amazon. Some feel the sm57 is even more versatile than the 58. Making the 57 the one mic to own.

You showed all three mics with some processing applied which is a good thing. Most reviewers dont do that. There are vids floating around on yt showing how to eq an sm57 to sound very similar to an sm7b. Saving a ton of money. I imagine though the same could be done with the 58. Ive seen that the capsules in the sm's are similar.

[miwluv]

This video helped me make a decision finally to go with SM58 as my first setup after a couple hours of research! Thanks so much!

[lilbump]

SM57 has been official mix of POTUS since it’s introduction I believe, so I think it’s definitely a vocal mic as well

[milesian]

The Podmic has a really great look and nice hefty build quality that is very appealing. The SM57 doesn't have the screen appeal, but with the A2WS locking windscreen it looks camera ready and the sound is really hard to beat.

The SM57 was my first podcasting mic. As a newcomer to mics I bought and tried a bunch of different dynamic and condenser mics, and while there are many very nice looking products out there - most of which sound quite good - I just keep coming back to the SM57 for the audio quality it delivers.

I put podcast interview guests on a condenser with a pop filter in front of it because they don't always speak right into the mic or have good mic discipline and technique. Right now I'm very happy with the Neat Worker Bee II for my guests. In a treated room I might switch to the King Bee II myself, but for my current space a dynamic mic like the SM57 works best.

[TimDCVA]

Thanks for this one. I have been using the 58 on my channel...but Ive been considering switching to the rode mic.

They both sound good...but being able to use the 58 without a stand is a pretty big benefit that I didn’t think about. 👍🏻👍🏻

[ThomasGail]

I really like the PodMic when you aren't directly on it. Its very harsh when too close. When you back off even just a few inches, it sounds perfect. I am not a sound engineer or audio expert, just what I've noticed. At 1:40 for example.

[nickcormier]

This is a solid video and basically the conclusions I've came to after a few days of research. For guitarists/musicians, a SM57 is worth having as you can double as an instrument mic, but I agree for podcast/voice-over specific people, the Podmic or SM58 is the way to go.

[gevinization]

Great video.! This helped me to get lots of information between SM58 and Podmic. I really like the quality of the video. Great lighting and colors. Very pleasant to see.

[CoachDeb]

SM58 sounds soooo GREAT!!
Thank you for doing this!!
What are your settings on the RODE caster?
Your BASS is so smooooth
Wound up listening to this entire video
Thanks 4 sharing!!
CoachDeb

[carriejeffries]

Unbelievably helpful. Totally made it easy. Love that you did right out of box which I’m looking to do b/c I also love simplicity. Thank you so much.