Are you looking to buy a new microphone for your podcast studio? Or perhaps you’re just getting into the industry and are a little unsure what kind of microphone you need.
Firstly, try not to get too overwhelmed with the amount of choice, the terms and the prices. Although there is a lot to think about, assessing your needs is a good place to start.
If you’re replacing a microphone for your studio or looking to add another microphone into the mix, the Rode Procaster could be a great fit for you.
Rode is a well-established brand that is well-known for producing good quality products. The Rode Procaster is a broadcast microphone that offers users professional sound quality.
Here we are reviewing the Rode Procaster in terms of sound quality, design and other aspects that may influence your buying opinion so you can make an informed decision.
Rode Procaster
Sound Quality
Sound quality is considered to be the most important part of a microphone. This dynamic microphone is specifically targeted at podcast and broadcast creators. The frequency range is 75Hz – 18kHz, which produces good results.
Using a cardioid pickup pattern makes it ideal for solo speech recording, rejecting unwanted background noise from around the microphone thanks to the switchable high-pass filter as well as recording nuances in vocals.
The capability of the Procaster to filter out noise makes it ideal for environments that aren’t sound treated such as bedrooms and offices.
The cardioid pattern allows for a wide on-axis pickup area and maximum rejection of 180 degrees off-axis, for best results use directionally with one voice in front of the microphone at a time.
Contrary to what you may think upon viewing the Procaster, users must direct their voices into the top of the microphone to produce a good quality recording.
An internal pop-shield is built-in to this microphone acting as a barrier to reduce popping sounds when recording. They can improve the sound quality of any type of recording, be it podcasting or singing.
Certain experts always advise using an external pop filter to further boost the sound quality, but that’s completely up to the individual’s preferences.
The Procaster uses an XLR input, meaning you need to connect to a mixer or audio interface to record sound from the device.
Using one of these additional tools allows you to gain more control over the sound compared to plug-and-play USB devices.
It is worth mentioning that the microphone has been considered to be ‘gain-hungry’ which requires a boost from preamps on an audio interface.
This can be negated by the high pass filter but it indicates that the microphone isn’t always suitable for beginners or low-tech users as there will be some fiddling around to do.

Design
The cylindrical shape of the microphone is similar to others in the range, however, this model has a longer metal base measuring 11.25 x 2.5 x 5.5 inches in total.
Weighing 1.64 pounds it’s quite a heavy, sturdy object which is built to last. Included with the product is ia stand mount, a ⅜ inch adaptor and a zip pouch for protection and storage purposes.
As with similar products in the range, the microphone only comes in one color. The microphone grille itself is silver and the metal casing is a matte black.
However, it still looks sleek and professional. Offering users a simple no-frills design, there are no buttons or exterior functions so things don’t get too complicated.
An internal shock mount is incorporated but this isn’t a hand-held microphone and shouldn’t be used as such.
Although a stand mount is included with the microphone, it is best to use with a full-size, stable microphone stand or boom arm which would need to be purchased separately.
Cost
Buying the Rode Procaster from online marketplaces will cost you under $200 at the time of writing this article.
There are options to add an USB Audio Interface with your order for an extra cost which can be a great upgrade if you’re looking to improve your set-up from a basic level.
As it’s not an entry-level product, it isn’t going to be at the lower end of the price scale.
Customer Feedback
Being widely reviewed online has provided us with a lot of information from previous customers. Out of the thousands of reviews, many of the customers gave the microphone top marks.
Generally speaking, users were happy with how the background noise was cancelled out and the robust and sturdy design.
One review said “I used to get comments about loud background noise in the room, from my pc case fans and the two air conditioners I have. Now, they hear nothing from the background and I get asked what mic I use because they notice the pro sounding quality.”
Looking specifically at the type of sound it produces, one user said “It’s got plenty of bass, but it’s not muddy. The high end is clear without being shrill. It sounds pretty good straight out of the box, but really comes alive with a little post processing.”
If you’re not already aware of the processing involved when it comes to podcasting, it may be a good idea to spend some time researching this before purchasing this product in order to get the most out of it.
Overall Thoughts
The Rode Procaster is an ideal microphone for a Rode podcaster or vocalists who are looking to improve not only their sound quality but also their studio set-up.
Hopefully this article has given you all the information you need to decide whether this is the right microphone for you.
Rode also offers their customers a 10 year warranty with the product which is a huge selling point from our opinion. Having a safety-net for any tech you’re spending a good amount of money on helps give you peace of mind.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Internal pop-filter
- 10 year warranty
- Robust design
Cons
- Extra gain – the power-hungry microphone needs levels appropriately tuned to function properly
- You will need additional equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Rode Procaster Worth It?
Based on many great reviews from YouTube, blogs and online marketplaces coupled with the clips that previous users have posted using the equipment we would say this is a great product and well-worth the money.
The robust design and 10-year warranty gives you assurance that you are getting a great microphone. So yes, the Rode Procaster is worth it in our opinion. A cheaper option would be the Rode Podmic.
Is The Rode Procaster Good For Streaming?
Yes, the Rode Procaster is good for streaming. Due to the pop-filter and ability to filter out background noise, the Rode Procaster is very suitable for streaming games.
You can say goodbye to the sound of other people in the room or clicking on mouses and keyboards. The XLR connection also means you’re able to fine tune to your needs.
How Much Gain Does The Rode Procaster Need?
As we mentioned, the Procaster is a gain hungry microphone. You need about 50-56db of gain for spoken dialog, depending on how loud the individual’s voice is and how close they are to the microphone.
Using a dedicated preamp alongside the microphone is a great way to counteract this.
Preamps can be found easily online but this means spending out on additional equipment, therefore this is something to consider if you’re upgrading your studio and don’t already have some of the basic podcasting tools.