Rode PodMic vs Shure SM57 for Podcasting or Voice Over Applications

In this video, I am testing the legendary Shure SM57 against the Rode PodMic. The Rode PodMic is a dedicated podcasting microphone whereas the Shure SM57 is usually used to mic up instruments.

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#techreview

[jamalabdul]

I feel that the Shure has a full smoother sound than the Rode one. It doesn’t hurt that you have a great sounding voice for podcasts and voice overs!!!!🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[joemoon]

the sm57 picks up almost none of the room ambience reverb whereas the Rode one still slightly does

[peterbejune]

Shure A81WS foam windscreen, makes the SM57 sound very nice

[agambhasin]

Podmic is actually optimised for speech whereas the 57/58 are those versatile mics tht can do just anything! I think both sounded great! Yes, i hv the podmic and 58 and they r amazing!!

[papankunci]

i luv SM57 and still tracking some vocals with it.. i do interested with the podmic though..
great vids!

[vitaminaxion]

Podmic sounds a bit more tinny, and the sm57 a bit more compressed (and/or less muddy). Both are manageable with processing. You were able to get similar tones with your dbx

[knwr]

nice testing it without a pre amp. that's a significant cost difference and the sm57 still gets the job done quite well. I havent seen many videos showing that off.

[sirnigelcogs]

The Podmic sounds very, very sibilant to me in this video. It's rather unpleasant to listen to. The SM57 sounds nice though. I prefer that.

[annekedebruyn]

The rode is great for audio newbs.
It's so cut of that it doesn't have any sub 80hz rumble.
For the audio quality, the Sm57/58 is so much better tho.

[erikjorgensen]

5* video review!! Exactly the test i've been waiting for!!

[hb]

I also use the SM57 for VO work but the combined cost of SM57+A81WS+Fethead (all necessary) comes to about the cost of a Rode NT1.
Now you can argue that any mic can be EQed to sound good enough but with the 57 I just can't get the high frequencies to sound as good a condenser.
For my voice, the 57 produces very sharp T's while the NT1 has a very smooth/sweet reproduction.
57 is more versatile as it can be used to record instruments and esp. for electric guitar, the sharp high frequencies help create that bite.

So to anyone starting out, I would NOT recommend getting the SM57 if voice work is your primary usage.

[DiePilleLe]

Using the SM57 for years.. yes yo need a Mixer to Sound it perfect.

[nicholassmerk]

Thanks for the comparison. I didn't know about the Rode PodMic today, but after watching everyone's reviews, I wouldn't buy it over an SM57. I'm disappointed because it does look amazing, but I've always been a Shure fan.

[metatronmen]

Because Shure was around forever people believe is the only option in quality microphones and is wrong, is many other brands out there and older than Shure. Rode make excellent products in a gamma of different prices and applications, because is a relatively a new brand compared with Shure dont means is bad, the SM7B is a good microphone but is not for everyone voice, in my opinion can be cheaper specially if it is manufactured in Mexico and since the 70s. Like I said Shure are made in Mexico and Rode made in Australia neither one are Chinese junk.

[mathieuhoueix]

The "s" sounds are harsh to me with the Rode... ! Great review ! Thanks :)

[xHadesStamps]

To be honest, I cannot tell the difference between the two with my current $8 earbuds. And also, pointing it at the corner of your mouth still had plosives. I'd agree with you on getting windscreens.

[TheStudioFreq]

To my ears the PodMic sounds like an SM57 that has been nicely EQ'd for voice.

[ulfrinn]

This is funny.. because as unrelated and random as these two mics are, I am considering buying one of the two.

[ToxicFrogAlliance]

Glad I already have a 57 and I prefer it for your voice. I'm planning to use it for podcasting starting soon. We'll see how it goes.

[Symba_Lysm]

The Shure SM57 is a little brighter on the output, sound nicer to the ears.