So, you’re about to launch your first podcast.
Firstly, congratulations! It takes a lot of guts to get started when putting yourself out there creatively online, no matter what your podcast is about.
However, if you want to take your podcast from good to great, guts and confidence are only going to get you so far. You’re also going to need a setup that can serve your needs right.
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A Better Mic
Sure, you may have been using your earphone’s microphone for the past few podcast episodes, but that isn’t going to carry all the more subtle parts of your voice that you want your listeners to catch.
So, if your little add-on microphone won’t cut it for a good podcast, you’re going to need to find a better microphone.
Fortunately, we have two dynamic mics here that are considered some of the best in the industry: The Rode Procaster, and the SM7B.
However, with two quality options like this, picking one may prove tricky if you do not have the right information to decide with.
So, this guide will help you there too, by showing what exactly these different options can do, and how they compare to each other.
Rode Procaster
Starting with our first microphone of this pair, we have the Rode Procaster.
Rode is a reliable producer and manufacturer of a variety of different microphone models for all price ranges and needs.
The Procaster is touted by Rode as a perfect entry-level microphone that is perfect for newcomers to studio equipment who have never used microphones before.
This is a great broadcast quality dynamic microphone that does everything a newbie could want their brand-new piece of kit to d, providing a crisp and clear sound when recorded.
I can also effectively cancel out most if not all ambient noise when the situation arises. Perfect if you’re recording your podcast in a noisy household!
The Rode Procaster also has a powerful audio interface that allows it to connect directly to computers and other audio sources.
In addition, the Procaster has a zero latency headphone jack for real-time monitoring, and it is USB compatible for easy computer integration.
The microphone has a wide dynamic range of frequencies, allowing it to capture clear and accurate sound quality even in loud environments. It comes with a shock mount to reduce background noise, as well as a pop filter for reducing plosives.
Plus, with it being an entry-level microphone, this piece of equipment is also often sold at a relatively low price when compared to many competitors. After all, you don’t want to scare newcomers off with a bloated price tag, do you?
Shure SM7B
Turning to the Rode Procaster’s direct competitor, we have Shure SM7B.
This is a versatile dynamic broadcast microphone that is more tailored to users who know what they want in a good microphone or other audio setups.
This is a vocal mic that is designed to deliver a smooth and clear vocal performance that can work in just about any setting that it finds itself in, whether that’s for a streamer, a musician, a voice-over, or, as applies to us, a podcaster.
The tonality of this mic is exquisite, even fresh out of the box, but we’ll cover that more later when we compare these products.
This microphone almost eliminates post-production editing, which shaves time of working with any recording you may be working on.
This is an amazing microphone for people who know what they want from their equipment!
Comparing The Two
So, now that we have briefly outlined both of our microphones, we can now start to directly compare them with one another!
Audio Clarity
This is a vital aspect that all professional microphones need to have. If you can’t record your voice clearly, then what is the point of the microphone?
Fortunately, this is an aspect that both of these items perform exceptionally, albeit to different levels.
Both use a dynamic microphone setup, meaning that they are more tailored to smoothing out sounds that they can pick up, whilst also cutting out more sensitive noises that may be coming from the ambiance or background of the recording area.
This is the type of microphone that is most often used in live and stage shows when performers need some extra volume.
When initially used, the Procaster seems to be the best choice, as you need noticeably fewer adjustments to get a desirable, sound when an inch away.
However, it should be noted that the SM7B allows you to set a custom profile that is more tailored to your voice, unlike the Procaster. It may take a little time to find the right settings, but you will be able to get a crisper and richer sound from the SM7B.
Verdict
Overall, while the Procaster still sounds great and takes less setup to use, you can get a higher-quality sound with the SM7B.
That is, if you’re prepared to learn how to use it right, which can take a while to wrap your head around.
Design
So, when it comes to the design of a microphone, you want something that is sturdily built, and that you can trust to last you for a long time.
Well, both of these dynamic microphones are made by expert manufacturers who have been making them for years. When used right, both of these microphones will work for years to come.
Verdict
A straight draw between these two.
Price
This is where the Procaster shines, and why it is the recommended first mic for many people.
Make no mistake, the Shure SM7B is excellent value for money. But it is still more expensive dynamic mic than the Procaster.
Verdict
The Procaster wins here.
Final Verdict
So, What’s The Final Decision?
Well, you can’t go wrong with either, each of them is a good broadcast dynamic microphone. So, this will often come down to your exact needs, more than a completely objective fact.
If you have been recording for some time and would like to upgrade and invest in a podcasting mic that you know you will be using and are prepared to learn the ropes with, the Shure SM7B will serve you very well.
However, if you are just starting podcasting, or just need a simpler microphone that you know will get the job done, or are simply on a tighter budget, the reliable and easy-to-use Rode Procaster microphone will not let you down.
