Hi Brandon - am newbie to all this. Read good reviews about this mic and after seeing your review, got myself a pd400x mounted on my psa1+. Loving it. Thank you.
So from what i got is that it performs more if its in USB but as for XLR the other functionality goes away as Maono believes you have an interface that can do it for you. If that would be the case then the PODMIC is better if USB use is not a concern.
not gonna lie the maono pd400x sound more natural than the sm7b its for some reason muddy but i guess most people prefer the muddy sound than natural sound looks like im getting this mic instead of the rode podmic ty for the review and insight on how this mic sound 🙏👍
Thank you very much for this review. A friend of mine is on the fence about getting a Shure SM7B, but prices are a bit out of his budget. This might be a great alternative! Would you recommend any audio interface devices (like the elgato wave XLR) to pair with this Maono?
Nice work! Okay.... Now a video with the Maono vs the K688!!!!! I have (had) both. Gave the Maono to a friend after testing it for a couple of weeks. I think it was great. Loved the software. Had a little bit of noise (handling noise). If the mic shakes the slightest, you hear it coming though (something kind of moving inside?). That was my only issue. Built like a tank though. I now also have the K688. Loving it too. It's a bit light, but I kind of like it like that. Love the look of it. Great sound. I wish it had some sort of software/DSP built in. I do miss a system mix/blend function. All together, the mic is great. However, I never had the chance to compare the two. What's your thoughts? Thanks.
Love this comment. I haven’t directly compared them, but having used both now for an extended period of time I have to say I LOVE the software of the Maono, but the K688 sounds better out of box in my opinion. I use the Wave software, so it isn’t a big problem for software, but I wish it had it as well. I plan to do a big review video with all of the budget mics I have soon. I also have the new Fifine mic to review. Will reference this comment in that review!
@@DarkenedCyrus EXACTLY my thoughts! That's how I felt. The sound of the K688 is great. However, I miss the software and build of the Maono. A mix of the two would be stellar! Lol. Been using the Ginger Audio Caster software with the K688. I'm really liking that. I get to add my 3rd party plugins to help adjust the sound of the mic to my liking (Highpass, EQ, Compressor, Limiter, etc... Whatever you want). Definitely works pretty cool. A great option with the FiFine. They really need to just build an update with some DSP.
A year ago I staryed looking into a new mic. Mine at the time was a cheap combo setup mic. After months of research, I decided to go with the Electrovoice RE-20. To me it wasnt as warm in the low end and the treble/mids sounded better in talking voice situations. I have some foams, but often run have to run a fan because my room gets warm quickly. Which was why i went dynamic. Looking back tbh, i wouldve just gone with a usb mic. The audient evo 4 is nice but i feel like it takes up too much space and the mic is a bit expensive for just gaming😅
10:36 was MIND BLOWING. When you Switched from the SM7B to the "Deep" version of the Maono SM7B, I was like "Isn't the SM7B supposed to sound this good?! WTF?" It should've been the opposite way around when you did that switch lol! It literally just made the SM7B sound like a $50 Mic... How is this even possible? Edit: I was skipping around in the video and I went back to the SM7B by accident and my instant thought was "Yo what the hell did he do to the Maono?! It sounds so bad now." til I realized I was just too far back and ended up hearing the SM7B. omg... Hey bro, stay using the Maono PD400x or Blue Sona because you sound so much better on either of these from what I can tell. The FDUCE is also alright but too much bass in there and no software like these two I think.
if you compare the PD400X and the fifine 688 ONLY USB C, which one do you think is better? I'm looking for a mic to do voice overs on yt. Great review btw! keep it up
Great review! I'm now considering this over the MV-7. Just wondering, do you think the On-Stage Pop Blocker for Rode PodMic (sold on B&H) would fit on this microphone?
How was it?! I was thinking of getting that one or the "3D printed Pop filter for the Rode PodMic" from Etsy cause it looks a little more built to last and easily modifiable The B&H one looks more flimsy like it can easily snap
These newer USB mics are pretty interesting. Of course, you can do all that with a good Audio Interface. Only thing that bugs me is not being able to use the controls when using XLR and seeing them, as I would definitely run it through my Audient id24. Thoughts?
I agree, but that isn’t how XLR mics work most of the time. The controls are used with an onboard controller. Only way to have this work is to process the audio on mic before sending it on the XLR, which essentially is a wasted step and should just use USB at that point. Using XLR gives you more control over the sound and a better sound profile to work with. That’s the benefit
@@DarkenedCyrus amen brother... cool gadgets, but the real work is in the audio interface and the DAW, or video software. Been on the fence between the SE DCM8 and that astounding K688 for a bit now... that price point is so easy to just say yay
@@acumen1 maono is the choice. Dont get me wrong thou shure mv7 is pretty good mic and u wont be disappointed if u get it. But... I dunno. Maono give you all cards in hand. Buying a mice u have a working mic with all cabels and in-build compressor+limiter. U can get the same voice as in shure mv77, hell even as in shure sm7b on a streaming thing. So shure mv7 is more old and kinda have more reputation. Maono on the other hand has a lot of features, rich complect with mic and insane software. And u didnt need an audio interface for it. So for me Maono is the best choice. Also I get one around 85$ in my country while mv7 cost over 100$ so...
what kinda EQ you have on that SM7B, never heard a SM7B this sibilant, anemic and with so much background noise / hiss. That Maono is pretty good though I have tried their high end condenser and it was a blast.
0 EQ or adjustments. Any microphone can be made to sound good in post. Most people looking to buy a microphone for streaming and content creation barely have an idea of how to adjust their EQ, so out of box experience is how I judge microphones.
would you consider the moano pd400x over the fifine k688? Trying to figure out which one to choose for gaming, podcasting, and making music on the side
Do you like it better with or without the ridiculous pop filter? And what settings do you like the best for the usb version? I just got this mic even though I have a shure m v7 because I battled between the two forever watching youtube reviews and I wanted both.
@@DarkenedCyrus honestly sounds right on par with my MV7. Is there a setting you use or favor most for the usb or is this mic not in use for you? It’s also so heavy! Its awesome. All the mics I’ve ever bought have been very light and that doesn’t work too well with all my blue compass boom arms that only thrive with weight.
@CRYPTKREEPER I love this microphone, but I never keep a microphone in my setup for longer than a few weeks as I test so many. I personally loved the EQ and Compression settings from the software and used both the bass boost and clarity options.
If both XLR and USB are plugged in… if you adjust the EQ and filters via the software, does it translate out thru XLR? Same question for the onboard mute button, will it mute the XLR output as well?
@@DarkenedCyrus well that’s a bummer. I run my 688 thru my synido 100 but it doesn’t have a mute function via XLR so I was hoping this would be different.
Um. You didn’t watch the whole video, did you? You should go look at my streams. I don’t use the SM7B. It’s in my a roll for videos though. I also have nothing to prove to you lol. This comment has me 💀
@@DarkenedCyrus I did. But you will still prefer SM7B for most of your recordings. If only the other microphone makers didn't try so hard to imitate or emulate SM7B... What's the point of using knock-offs when you have the real thing?
Actually, I don’t prefer the SM7B. For my voice at least. Why do I use it? Because people see the SM7B as a status piece. I bought the microphone used to do a review of it and kept it merely for those purposes. Do I use it in videos? Yes. Do I have to EQ it more than any other microphone I’ve used? Yes. It’s a piece of equipment. Why do I recommend other options? Because spending 400$ plus the cost of a sound interface is ludicrous for an small streamer or creator. You gain 0 subs or follows, 0 views or purpose other than saying you have one. The SM57 is a MUCH more compelling offering from Shure for a name brand microphone, and yet it still requires an interface. Why do I recommend budget equipment? Because people give the wrong advice to people. Growing your stream 99% of the time has nothing to do with the gear you use. I’ve reviewed the $25 maono mic that sounds AMAZING for its cost and yet, people will still waste money on equipment that won’t improve their content. I’ll say it again. Do I have the microphone? Yes. Do I use it in my RUclips videos from time to time? Yes. Did my channel find success with the microphone. Definitely not. If you believe for one minute that the SM7B will change the trajectory of a channel, then your mistake. For the cost of a SM7B and a Wave XLR, I could get you and ENTIRE streaming setup including a computer, camera, microphone, lighting, capture card, etc. while you have a microphone that doesn’t work unless you have the equipment to use it.
@@DarkenedCyrus It's not impossible to buy products that are cheaper. It's the desire to get and use the tools that have rightfully developed a reputation that makes a lot of people waste money on cheap setups first and them get professional gear later - in that case it's just a waste of money - why not get the good stuff right away? It's cheaper in the long run. As for a computer for video processing done correctly and in an efficient amount of time - with the budget for a SM7B and a WAVE XLR - you've got to be kidding to think that you would get a decent and reliable computer, even as a second hand item, not to mention the rest of the required tools and hardware. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for attention or to irritate you: you are allowed to think, say and do on your channel as you please. But claiming that some elcheapo mics sound better that well established branded mics is funny and only YOUR point of view. And if you ask us in your video to comment and say what we think, you must accept our opinions as well. Use whatever mic makes you happy. If a beginner user asks me what gear to get I'd present both options - the cheaper and the good stuff - but if you ask me, $350-400 + whatever the price for a WAVE XLR is not such an impossible purchase - especially since one would make such a purchase ONCE, not multiple times, over the years.
I must accept comments? You’re laughable. What if someone commented harm to me? I must accept that? Give it a little over a week. That video will come out and it will be baffling. As far as your deep love for the SM7B, I wish you two well on your marriage. I guess the industry standard SM57 and 58 don’t matter in your reputable brand discussion coming in at 1/4 the price? You’re not angering me, your giving this video engagement and promoting it, so thank you. And giving me content ideas. I’ll be sure to reference your I’ll informed and elitist comment in an upcoming video. Have fun :)
Was about to pulled the trigger on purchasing my first Shure, and this video changed my mind.
Other than the present sibilance of the Maono, I actually liked the tone of it more than the sm7b. And I LOVE the sm7b.
On the XLR input, the Maono sounds cleaner and more crisp than the Shure. I'd highly recommend that one to anyone over the Shure.
what xlr would you recommend. I want to use it for streaming.
@@Oni893 go xlr mini
why buying an usb mic when using xlr?
@@optimalsettings some pepole like the sound
@@Rovan_these_days but a good xlr mic without usb is cheaper.
I remember my first ever mic was a random amazon maono mic. It was like $30 and actually sounded surprisingly good. Not a bad brand.
Hi Brandon - am newbie to all this. Read good reviews about this mic and after seeing your review, got myself a pd400x mounted on my psa1+. Loving it. Thank you.
sweet mic for the budget minded! Great review and breakdown too! Key take away: It doesent take a lot of cash to get started !
So from what i got is that it performs more if its in USB but as for XLR the other functionality goes away as Maono believes you have an interface that can do it for you. If that would be the case then the PODMIC is better if USB use is not a concern.
the sm7b almost sounds uncharacteristically light compared to the Naono. Weird how good some of these cheaper mics have become.
sounds uncharacteristically light? You have something with your ears wtf
not gonna lie the maono pd400x sound more natural than the sm7b its for some reason muddy but i guess most people prefer the muddy sound than natural sound looks like im getting this mic instead of the rode podmic ty for the review and insight on how this mic sound 🙏👍
did you end up getting it? if so how is it
Thank you very much for this review. A friend of mine is on the fence about getting a Shure SM7B, but prices are a bit out of his budget. This might be a great alternative! Would you recommend any audio interface devices (like the elgato wave XLR) to pair with this Maono?
great video and production value as always. I have a question between this mic and fifine k688 which one would u recommend ?
This mic is really impressive!
Really looking forward to your comparison video!
Nice work! Okay.... Now a video with the Maono vs the K688!!!!! I have (had) both. Gave the Maono to a friend after testing it for a couple of weeks. I think it was great. Loved the software. Had a little bit of noise (handling noise). If the mic shakes the slightest, you hear it coming though (something kind of moving inside?). That was my only issue. Built like a tank though.
I now also have the K688. Loving it too. It's a bit light, but I kind of like it like that. Love the look of it. Great sound. I wish it had some sort of software/DSP built in. I do miss a system mix/blend function. All together, the mic is great. However, I never had the chance to compare the two. What's your thoughts? Thanks.
Love this comment. I haven’t directly compared them, but having used both now for an extended period of time I have to say I LOVE the software of the Maono, but the K688 sounds better out of box in my opinion.
I use the Wave software, so it isn’t a big problem for software, but I wish it had it as well. I plan to do a big review video with all of the budget mics I have soon. I also have the new Fifine mic to review.
Will reference this comment in that review!
@@DarkenedCyrus EXACTLY my thoughts! That's how I felt. The sound of the K688 is great. However, I miss the software and build of the Maono. A mix of the two would be stellar! Lol.
Been using the Ginger Audio Caster software with the K688. I'm really liking that. I get to add my 3rd party plugins to help adjust the sound of the mic to my liking (Highpass, EQ, Compressor, Limiter, etc... Whatever you want). Definitely works pretty cool. A great option with the FiFine. They really need to just build an update with some DSP.
Haven’t heard of that software. Need to look into it
@@DarkenedCyrus add the Maono pd100u and put it up against the K688 aswell to go very bottom end. :)
It sounds really good on USB C with the filters from the software. To me I like it more than the Shure MV7.
No, i would reather buy this than the MV7, the MV7 got the most wonky and swabbly sound i have ever heared
@@CoViot thats literally what he said?
@@CoViot thats what he said
cool review! would be interesting to check this vs the Sennheiser Profile. Maybe a triple threat with the mv7?
A year ago I staryed looking into a new mic. Mine at the time was a cheap combo setup mic. After months of research, I decided to go with the Electrovoice RE-20. To me it wasnt as warm in the low end and the treble/mids sounded better in talking voice situations. I have some foams, but often run have to run a fan because my room gets warm quickly. Which was why i went dynamic. Looking back tbh, i wouldve just gone with a usb mic. The audient evo 4 is nice but i feel like it takes up too much space and the mic is a bit expensive for just gaming😅
10:36 was MIND BLOWING. When you Switched from the SM7B to the "Deep" version of the Maono SM7B, I was like "Isn't the SM7B supposed to sound this good?! WTF?"
It should've been the opposite way around when you did that switch lol! It literally just made the SM7B sound like a $50 Mic... How is this even possible?
Edit: I was skipping around in the video and I went back to the SM7B by accident and my instant thought was "Yo what the hell did he do to the Maono?! It sounds so bad now." til I realized I was just too far back and ended up hearing the SM7B. omg... Hey bro, stay using the Maono PD400x or Blue Sona because you sound so much better on either of these from what I can tell. The FDUCE is also alright but too much bass in there and no software like these two I think.
I'd like to see a direct comparison between this and the k688
if you compare the PD400X and the fifine 688 ONLY USB C, which one do you think is better? I'm looking for a mic to do voice overs on yt. Great review btw! keep it up
FIFINE HAS NO SOFTWARE SO GO FOR MAONO PD400X
I have this mic. And it is good
Great review! I'm now considering this over the MV-7.
Just wondering, do you think the On-Stage Pop Blocker for Rode PodMic (sold on B&H) would fit on this microphone?
Thank you! As both are VERY similar in shape, I don't see why not!
How was it?! I was thinking of getting that one or the "3D printed Pop filter for the Rode PodMic" from Etsy cause it looks a little more built to last and easily modifiable
The B&H one looks more flimsy like it can easily snap
Can you please review the Maono PD100 as well please, thank you T^T
These newer USB mics are pretty interesting. Of course, you can do all that with a good Audio Interface. Only thing that bugs me is not being able to use the controls when using XLR and seeing them, as I would definitely run it through my Audient id24. Thoughts?
I agree, but that isn’t how XLR mics work most of the time. The controls are used with an onboard controller. Only way to have this work is to process the audio on mic before sending it on the XLR, which essentially is a wasted step and should just use USB at that point.
Using XLR gives you more control over the sound and a better sound profile to work with. That’s the benefit
@@DarkenedCyrus amen brother... cool gadgets, but the real work is in the audio interface and the DAW, or video software. Been on the fence between the SE DCM8 and that astounding K688 for a bit now... that price point is so easy to just say yay
@@DarkenedCyrus BETWEEN MAONO PD400X VS SHURE MV7 WHICH ONE ONE SHOULD I GO FOR? THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY
@@acumen1 maono is the choice. Dont get me wrong thou shure mv7 is pretty good mic and u wont be disappointed if u get it. But... I dunno. Maono give you all cards in hand. Buying a mice u have a working mic with all cabels and in-build compressor+limiter. U can get the same voice as in shure mv77, hell even as in shure sm7b on a streaming thing.
So shure mv7 is more old and kinda have more reputation.
Maono on the other hand has a lot of features, rich complect with mic and insane software. And u didnt need an audio interface for it.
So for me Maono is the best choice. Also I get one around 85$ in my country while mv7 cost over 100$ so...
also want to know @@acumen1
I realy want to see the maono pd400x vs deity vo-7u
what kinda EQ you have on that SM7B, never heard a SM7B this sibilant, anemic and with so much background noise / hiss. That Maono is pretty good though I have tried their high end condenser and it was a blast.
0 EQ or adjustments. Any microphone can be made to sound good in post. Most people looking to buy a microphone for streaming and content creation barely have an idea of how to adjust their EQ, so out of box experience is how I judge microphones.
@@DarkenedCyrus The preamp makes a difference also. What are you using it with. Sorry if you say it in the video but I just went on it.
Wave XLR
@@DarkenedCyrus To be fair, if your spending 400$ on a mic and the equipment needed $$$ you should probably learn to EQ it to get the most out of it.
Great work, bud, thanks a lot! Quick question: what mic stand are you using for the Maono?
The desk stand? It’s a cheap extending base from Bilione. Was like $12 on amazon
@@DarkenedCyrus thanks!
can you link the mic stand @@DarkenedCyrus
Very cool video! Seems like a good mic that isn’t super expensive! Sounds good! Def better than my 50 dollar mic lol
It really is!
Shure sounds more rich and bassy. But it’s like A and B , two different styles.
hi, sir! what do you think is better k688 or the maono pd200x?
\
It sounds good. Would suit my voice.
would you consider the moano pd400x over the fifine k688? Trying to figure out which one to choose for gaming, podcasting, and making music on the side
The 400x is amazing, but I still have the K688 in my setup if that means anything
Do you like it better with or without the ridiculous pop filter? And what settings do you like the best for the usb version? I just got this mic even though I have a shure m v7 because I battled between the two forever watching youtube reviews and I wanted both.
You made a great choice! And yes, no pop filter for me
@@DarkenedCyrus honestly sounds right on par with my MV7. Is there a setting you use or favor most for the usb or is this mic not in use for you? It’s also so heavy! Its awesome. All the mics I’ve ever bought have been very light and that doesn’t work too well with all my blue compass boom arms that only thrive with weight.
@CRYPTKREEPER I love this microphone, but I never keep a microphone in my setup for longer than a few weeks as I test so many. I personally loved the EQ and Compression settings from the software and used both the bass boost and clarity options.
what's that weird like robotic or static voice playback in the background?
or is it just me
Just a little bit further in the video I talk about my headset bleeding through. Nothing against the mics
If you got an extension for the included base plate to make mic sit taller do you think it will be too top heavy to extend height?
no
Do you recommend this more than the k688 or the AM8?
I love the software, but I do like the k688. I have another comparison video coming out tomorrow, so maybe check that out before making a purchase.
Yes
am i able to use both the xlr & usb connections at the same time on two different inputs?
@@RedHatAlex no
@@strongskyy I actually had bought it , and yes You can use both for separate inputs at the same time..
does the software only work if USB is plugged in?
Yes
If both XLR and USB are plugged in… if you adjust the EQ and filters via the software, does it translate out thru XLR? Same question for the onboard mute button, will it mute the XLR output as well?
It won’t. They will be 2 different sound I puts
@@DarkenedCyrus well that’s a bummer. I run my 688 thru my synido 100 but it doesn’t have a mute function via XLR so I was hoping this would be different.
13:12 UWU lol
I'm willing to bet that you're still going to use SM7B, no matter how many elcheapo copycats come up. Prove me wrong! I dare you!
Um. You didn’t watch the whole video, did you? You should go look at my streams. I don’t use the SM7B. It’s in my a roll for videos though.
I also have nothing to prove to you lol. This comment has me 💀
@@DarkenedCyrus I did. But you will still prefer SM7B for most of your recordings. If only the other microphone makers didn't try so hard to imitate or emulate SM7B... What's the point of using knock-offs when you have the real thing?
Actually, I don’t prefer the SM7B. For my voice at least. Why do I use it? Because people see the SM7B as a status piece. I bought the microphone used to do a review of it and kept it merely for those purposes.
Do I use it in videos? Yes. Do I have to EQ it more than any other microphone I’ve used? Yes. It’s a piece of equipment.
Why do I recommend other options? Because spending 400$ plus the cost of a sound interface is ludicrous for an small streamer or creator.
You gain 0 subs or follows, 0 views or purpose other than saying you have one.
The SM57 is a MUCH more compelling offering from Shure for a name brand microphone, and yet it still requires an interface.
Why do I recommend budget equipment? Because people give the wrong advice to people. Growing your stream 99% of the time has nothing to do with the gear you use.
I’ve reviewed the $25 maono mic that sounds AMAZING for its cost and yet, people will still waste money on equipment that won’t improve their content.
I’ll say it again. Do I have the microphone? Yes. Do I use it in my RUclips videos from time to time? Yes.
Did my channel find success with the microphone. Definitely not.
If you believe for one minute that the SM7B will change the trajectory of a channel, then your mistake. For the cost of a SM7B and a Wave XLR, I could get you and ENTIRE streaming setup including a computer, camera, microphone, lighting, capture card, etc. while you have a microphone that doesn’t work unless you have the equipment to use it.
@@DarkenedCyrus It's not impossible to buy products that are cheaper. It's the desire to get and use the tools that have rightfully developed a reputation that makes a lot of people waste money on cheap setups first and them get professional gear later - in that case it's just a waste of money - why not get the good stuff right away? It's cheaper in the long run. As for a computer for video processing done correctly and in an efficient amount of time - with the budget for a SM7B and a WAVE XLR - you've got to be kidding to think that you would get a decent and reliable computer, even as a second hand item, not to mention the rest of the required tools and hardware. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for attention or to irritate you: you are allowed to think, say and do on your channel as you please. But claiming that some elcheapo mics sound better that well established branded mics is funny and only YOUR point of view. And if you ask us in your video to comment and say what we think, you must accept our opinions as well. Use whatever mic makes you happy. If a beginner user asks me what gear to get I'd present both options - the cheaper and the good stuff - but if you ask me, $350-400 + whatever the price for a WAVE XLR is not such an impossible purchase - especially since one would make such a purchase ONCE, not multiple times, over the years.
I must accept comments? You’re laughable. What if someone commented harm to me? I must accept that?
Give it a little over a week. That video will come out and it will be baffling.
As far as your deep love for the SM7B, I wish you two well on your marriage. I guess the industry standard SM57 and 58 don’t matter in your reputable brand discussion coming in at 1/4 the price?
You’re not angering me, your giving this video engagement and promoting it, so thank you. And giving me content ideas. I’ll be sure to reference your I’ll informed and elitist comment in an upcoming video.
Have fun :)
NOT SM7B sound quality at all. very prominent sibilance . CLICKBAIT.
Clickbait?