Rode Podmic vs Shure SM7b... which sounds better?

it's a snippet from my longer video showing the Rodecaster duo
Incase anyone was wanting to hear the difference between the 2 mics and didn't want to sit through the whole thing.
You can hear the difference yourselves both are amazing mics

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#podcasting #sm7b #podmic

[mrheng]

SM7b is meant for a flat sound so that it can be equalized.

[jasonyuan]

I really like your channel because you don’t stretch the video out with fillers . Keep it up

[IroXtreme]

One thing you can clearly hear at 1:25+ is that the SM7B is much more forgiving on transients. The sound on the Podmic breaks down when he gets closer and louder, whereas the SM7B just takes the beating no problem whatsoever

[st.johnfromdesmoines]

As one who actually owns both of these mics and has podcasted with both of them, I want to open by acknowledging two things about the Podmic right up front: 1) from a simple "bang for your buck" perspective (as opposed to an "absolute quality" perspective), the Podmic absolutely beats the s*** out of the SM7B. It is far more than 1/4 the mic....for 1/4 the price. If you're looking for quality on a budget, and/or are just starting out, the Podmic is totally the way to go. 2) since it's brighter and more airy, the Podmic arguably makes the stronger "first impression of the two mics" as the $400 SM7B *can* sound "deader" in the right circumstances.

All of that said, I am 100 thousand percent convinced that from an "absolute quality" perspective (as opposed to a "bang for your buck" perspective) the SM7B is the superior mic, and now that i've been using the SM7B almost exclusively for the past 1.5yrs of podcasting, I'd have a very, VERY hard time going back to the Podmic. Yes, the Podmic is brighter, and more lively sounding. But it's also a lot thinner sounding. The SM7B is much "meatier", "chestier", "heftier" sounding, and does a significantly better job of capturing that signature sound. The Podmic is also vastly more susceptible to electric hum than the SM7B. You can correct for most (not all) of that in post with simple noise reduction...but on the other hand, you have to (where you don't on the SM7B). Speaking of post-production, I ultimately managed to get a nice, robust, full-bodied sound out of both mics, but to do so, I required dramatically more work on the Podmic to get there. Moreover, the more post-production work required to get to your desired goal, the more artificial the final result is going to sound. So my finished product on the SM7B ultimately sounded far more natural than my finished product on the Podmic - and took me a lot less time and effort to get there. Not to say that there is no post-production required on the SM7B at all, there is still some...but A LOT less!

So my advice to beginner podcasters considering both of these mics: get your start on the Podmic - it's a simply amazing mic for the price! But if you end up getting any legs under you, DO eventually move up to the SM7B. I am convinced that as you develop a little nuance and finesse that it will eventually ultimately be totally worth your time!

I will reply-to-self with links to five episodes of my own podcasts, two recorded with a heavily post-produced Podmic, two recorded with a much less heavily post-produced SM7B, and one where certain portions of the episode are recorded with each. I do two different kinds of shows on the subject of video game music, one, an FM radio-music-style, mixtape-style show where everything is heavily scripted and spoken in a "radio affect" (Nerd Noise Radio - Channel 1), and one where it's a co-host and I sharing tracks together, and much more conversational - both almost entirely unscripted, and speaking in our natural speaking voices (Nerd Noise Radio - Channel 2). I will share an episode of each from 2022, where I'm using the Podmic, and one episode of each from 2024, where I'm using the SM7B. For the fifth and final example, I will share a Channel 1 from 2023 that features a mix of both mics. It features myself and a guest together, where the "into and outro" are done on the SM7B (scripted) and where the post-show interview (unscripted) are done together on a pair of (minimally post-produced) Podmics.

After you hear these, I'll let you be the judge for yourself! Only keep in mind that I think that where the Podmic totally wins the "bang for your buck" battle, the SM7B ultimately wins the "absolute quality" battle, and also keep in mind that other than for the interview on the 5th example, those Podmics are HEAVILY post-produced!

I'll get that reply-to-self up as soon as possible! :-)

Cheers! 🍻

[KenPeriman]

I am partial to the Pod Mic but I agree with you that the sound is much more bright and lively than the 7B

[KaioshinAemi]

It’s a great mic but what are you connecting to? Do you hook an equalizer to it? Most mic can sound good with an equalizer hook up.

[parkviewphotography]

I’ve found that using the SM7B with the close up filter and presence boost turned on, it gives a really clear broadcast sound. No plosives and best of all, the vocals are crisp with a smooth low end to it. I got my money’s worth! 🔥

[coldacre]

the PodMic wipes the floor with it. its HILARIOUS how many people have drunk the SM7B kool-aid. its muddy, dull and way overpriced.

[savagepetrov]

Considering most people will listen to it from a smartphone it will make absolutely 0 difference spending those extra 300$

[tastysnivel]

Your voice coming from the RODE podcast mic is uncomfortable to listen to, it's too restless. Shure SM7B produces calm and mellow voice.

[Deskjet]

I think it's not a really fair comparison. Shouldn't you use at least the procaster that is near shure and even so half of the price?

[flamingcheetz]

the podmic sounds really good for the price but the sm7b sounds more filtered. i think the sm7b sounds more professional

[creakffm]

insane video. intrested shure sm7b vs rode nt usb

[dustinmurphy]

Cool. I was all set on the podmic but I seen some ppl saying it’s not that good on Reddit. I knew better than to go there lol.

[LadyPhoenix]

Podmic all the way. You said it perfectly, it does dull your voice almost a little muffled or something. The Podmic sounds so much better

[Beethovan]

Shure SM7b sounds good. Your voice sounds professional, manly and majestic in Shure SM7B. RODE Pod Mic picks up all the noise in your voice.

[arondremmel]

I like how you play music in the background and turn it off as you start speaking into the shure XD didnt make it easy to see the differences

[Uvee]

who can tell me what is the best mic for dubbing? mt usb mini or this podmic

[LillyPadPwnz]

Imma say something that maybe most people disagree with, but personally if one has the choice and ability and finances to do so, I believe people should match microphones to their voice rather than their voice to a singular microphone. That being said, MrBlack, your voice sounds incredible through the Podmic. There are parts of your voice that the SM7b deadens, and it's something that post production/equalizing can't bring out again. Yet, with the Podmic, it keeps that character in your voice. So I guess overall, the mic would depend on what you're recording and what the user is aiming for. For example, if you were talking about news or reading a book, I'd 100% say that the SM7b will be better to listen to. BUT, if you were telling a story or doing a podcast, and I wanted to hear that character and emotion, I'd prefer to listen to your voice through the Podmic. Maybe that's just me, and maybe my opinion is meaningless. But overall, your voice is enhanced in all the right ways through the Podmic!!

[scooba]

So you run the Podmic through the $499 Rodecaster Duo and leave the SM7B unprocessed without even engaging the presence boost and then complain the SM7B sounds worse?